Brain Injury Bites

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their moving and honest conversation with Emma Pilling, whose son Charlie was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and an acquired brain injury as a baby. Now an advocate and fundraiser, Emma shares how diagnosis is only the beginning of a long journey, one shaped by learning, grief, advocacy and extraordinary resilience. Em...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath speak with Emma Pilling, a parent navigating the emotional and practical realities of raising a child with an acquired brain injury. Emma shares the story of her son Charlie, who developed hydrocephalus as a baby, and reflects on the impact this had on her family, career and identity. From the moment of diagnosis to advocatin...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with specialist dietitian Tony Ward, unpacking the myths, fads and emotional factors that influence how people eat after a brain injury. They explore how food advice online can be confusing or even harmful, and why evidence-based guidance is crucial, especially when nutrition affects mood, memory,...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath are joined by Tony Ward, a specialist dietitian and Director of Neuro Rehab Nutrition, to explore how food, supplements and nutrition play a vital role in brain injury recovery. Tony shares practical advice on how to meet nutritional needs after brain injury, from boosting vitamin D and managing fatigue, to rebuilding muscle,...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with specialist dietitian Sian Riley, exploring how nutrition, identity and emotional wellbeing are deeply connected after a brain injury. They discuss how food is more than fuel — it is linked to choice, independence, identity and even grief. Sian explains how brain injury can affect planning, app...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with specialist dietitian Sian Riley, delving deeper into the fascinating world of taste, smell, and how brain injury can alter the way we experience food and life. Sian explains how damage to the brain can affect the senses, particularly smell and taste, which in turn have a huge impact on appetit...

In this follow-up episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with neurological physiotherapist Colin Green as they explore the longer-term realities of recovery, motivation and finding movement that works. Colin unpacks what makes rehabilitation stick beyond the hospital and why success often depends less on routines and more on relationships, crea...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath speak with neurological physiotherapist Colin Green to explore the realities of long-term rehabilitation after brain injury. With over three decades of experience and a passion for supporting people beyond the NHS discharge point, Colin shares powerful insights into how physio can support recovery, adaptation, and quality of...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with occupational psychologist Suzanne Guest, diving into the real world challenges of returning to work, managing fatigue, and finding meaningful activity after a brain injury. They explore what a phased return to work should look like — not just in hours, but in tasks, support and emotional readi...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath are joined by occupational psychologist Suzanne Guest to explore how people with brain injury can rebuild their working lives — and why purpose, self-esteem and support are vital along the way. Suzanne shares her experience helping people return to work or find meaningful activity after brain injury, whether through job reten...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their rich and insightful conversation with specialist speech and language therapist Catherine Davies, diving deeper into the subtleties of communication, voice, identity and recovery after a brain injury. They explore how difficulties with speech, tone, social interaction and humour can have a profound impact on con...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath are joined by Catherine Davies, a specialist speech and language therapist from SLT for Life, to explore the wide-ranging impact of communication and swallowing difficulties after a brain injury. Catherine explains how speech and language therapy goes far beyond speech, helping with everything from breath control and word fin...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with specialist occupational therapist Julie Meigan, exploring what meaningful rehabilitation really looks like and how progress is built through collaboration, honesty and small practical steps. Julie shares how working in a multidisciplinary team helps turn big goals into realistic plans, and why...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath are joined by Julie Meigan, a specialist occupational therapist who supported Brooke during his early rehabilitation. They reconnect to explore the real value of occupational therapy and the challenges of rebuilding everyday life after a brain injury. Julie explains how occupational therapists help people regain independence...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their conversation with solicitor and professional deputy David Hilton, diving deeper into how the Court of Protection works and what it really means to manage someone’s affairs after a brain injury. David explains the oversight and responsibilities that come with being a deputy, whether professional or a family memb...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath speak with David Hilton, a solicitor and professional deputy, about the legal and financial support available to people who are no longer able to manage their own affairs after a brain injury. David explains what the Court of Protection does, how deputies are appointed, and why these roles are essential when someone lacks cap...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath continue their insightful conversation with consultant clinical neuropsychologist Russell Sheldrick, exploring recovery, acceptance and the role of family support in brain injury rehabilitation. They discuss how unrealistic expectations can hinder progress, and why true recovery often begins when people accept how life has ch...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath are joined by consultant clinical neuropsychologist Russell Sheldrick for a powerful conversation about recovery, resilience and the emotional journey after a brain injury. Russell shares his experience working on an acute rehabilitation ward and explains how neuropsychology helps patients build awareness, develop coping stra...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath explore the hidden challenges of living with an invisible disability, as part of Action for Brain Injury Week and its theme, “See the Hidden Me.” They discuss what it means to live with a brain injury that may not be obvious to others, and how common assumptions about disability often ignore the reality of symptoms like fatig...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath talk openly about depression after a brain injury — how it shows up, why it is often misunderstood, and what can help. They explore the emotional crash that comes after the hospital bubble, the pressure to be grateful for surviving, and the quiet burden of invisible symptoms like fatigue, low mood and memory problems. Brooke...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath discuss dating and relationships after brain injury, from awkward first dates to more profound questions of identity, confidence and communication. Brooke shares personal stories from his early experiences with dating apps, speed dating and social anxiety, as well as the emotional challenges that came with memory problems, fa...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath delve into the connection between self-esteem, purpose, and recovery after a brain injury. From early confusion and lost identity to building confidence through public speaking and blogging, Brooke reflects on how he found new meaning after his injury. They discuss how the pressure to return to work or feel “productive” can c...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath explore how brain injury affects not just the survivor but everyone around them. From parents and siblings to lifelong friends and new acquaintances, they reflect on the emotional toll and relationship changes that follow a serious injury. Brooke shares how his family initially treated him like royalty and how that protective...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath explore the pressure to compare yourself to others, especially on social media, and how that affects recovery after a brain injury. Brooke shares candid experiences of scrolling through Facebook and feeling left behind, along with how fatigue, isolation and the invisible nature of brain injury fed into those feelings. Togethe...

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath talk about the often overlooked challenge of socialising after a brain injury. From struggling with background noise to the emotional toll of not feeling like yourself, they explore how relationships and self identity can shift dramatically and what can help. Brooke shares honest stories of awkward reunions, overwhelming envi...