Headpods Podcast

Welcome to Headpods, proudly sponsored by Hatch Brenner Solicitors. In this final episode of the series, presenter Emma Martins invites listeners to hear the other side of her own brain injury story. Emma is joined by her mother, Betty, and her support worker, Denise, as they reflect on their roles in her recovery and ongoing journey. Together, they explore the personal and emotional impact of bra...

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 5 of Headpods, proudly sponsored by Hatch Brenner Solicitors. In this episode, we meet Dr. Harilal, who has been a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at the Coleman Hospital in Norwich since 2005. Between 2018 and 2024, he took on a management role within the NHS but returned to clinical practice in April 2024. Following this transition, he embraced the opportunity...

In Episode 4 of Headpods Season 3, sponsored by Hatch Brenner Solicitors, Emma sits down with Colin Cook, Managing Partner at Hatch Brenner and a seasoned Personal Injury solicitor. Colin shares his experience representing clients across a wide range of injury claims, with a special focus on complex cases involving brain injuries, fatal accidents, and medical negligence. They also discuss his role...

In Episode 3 of Headpods Season 3, sponsored by Hatch Brenner Solicitors, we meet Lisa Pitkin, a dedicated staff member at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. After sustaining a brain injury from a fall down the stairs at home, Lisa shares her journey of resilience and determination to continue working, despite the challenges she faces. Emma then speaks with Stephanie Rossit, Associate Professor in...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Headpods Season 3, sponsored by Hatch Brenner Solicitors. Today, we hear from David, whose life took an unexpected turn 11 years ago when he suffered a stroke. He opens up about his journey before and after his brain injury, sharing the challenges he’s faced and his triumphs, including his inspiring return to driving. Emma then connects with Jacky High-Caston, a Specialist...

Welcome to Season 3 of Headpods, proudly sponsored by Hatch Brenner Solicitors. This season, we delve into life after brain injury, sharing inspiring personal stories and expert perspectives.  In our first episode, we meet Terry, who bravely navigates life with Aphasia after a stroke. Despite the daily challenges, Terry’s resilience shines, and with the support of his wife, Sharon, he shares his p...

In November 2023, Emma Martins visited Headway’s Norwich centre at the Methodist Church on Bowthorpe Road. During her visit, she spoke with two clients, Mark and Keith, to learn about their stories, challenges, and experiences as part of the Headway community. Mark, formerly a courier driver, was diagnosed with a deep brain tumour three years ago. Although he is no longer able to drive, he stays a...

In November 2023, Emma Martins visited Headway’s Norwich centre at the Methodist Church on Bowthorpe Road. During her visit, she spoke with two clients, Mark and Keith, learning about their stories, challenges, and experiences as part of the Headway community. Sean, who was born with cerebral palsy, attended university and achieved impressive qualifications. He now works as a therapist in addition...

Malcolm McDonnell grew up in Liverpool and was an engineer by trade. He met his wife in Bournemouth but travelled around the country for his work, eventually settling in Norwich, Norfolk with his family. Malcolm will be 78 this year but had a stroke a couple of years ago. He is very keen to get back in the driving seat and to share his story of recovery.   

Maresa Padmore worked at the UEA for 20 years returning after she had her children. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to her she had cluster veins in her brain, which led to an acquired brain injury in the form of a stroke, in January 2023.  Maresa still attends The Coleman Hospital in Norwich and in the next stage of her recovery.

Maggie survived a blood clot in her brain only a year or so ago, which changed her life forever. She was only 20 at the time and was lucky to survive. She has recently moved in with her boyfriend in Sheffield, but I met her when she was living in Dereham, Norfolk and attending our Headway coffee morning at The Forum, Norwich.  Despite her ABI Maggie had managed to hold down her job at Aviva and is...

Peter trained as a building surveyor in London, before moving back to East Anglia.  After this he was in a car accident with his friends and wife, but they survived against all the odds. It wasn’t until they left the hospital that he had a stroke and acquired a brain injury (ABI).Peter then had to have a craniotomy to release the pressure in his brain.  Amazingly, he is around today to tell his st...

Andrew was riding his motorbike one day just outside Norwich and had a collision with a car and was left with a traumatic brain injury. Andrew survived and is here to tell us his incredible story which could have been life or death.

James was a young pilot working for BA. He was socialising in Paris with his friend and co- pilot and two cabin crew. They were scheduled to fly back the next morning. James recounts the moment when he decided to show off and jump over a bannister in the hotel, not realising there was a two floor drop onto a marble floor. James is a very charismatic story-teller and has embraced many positive chan...

In early 2022 Sam Wigg was riding his pushbike home late one evening after socialising with friends. He was found unconscious in a ditch with no recollection of what happened, but he had suffered a traumatic brain injury. Sam has taken on the challenge of developing his cognitive abilities and is making very good progress. It’s still early days and here is his Headpod story. Emma Martins, Lived Ex...

In 2011 James Piercy was involved in a car accident with his family. Thankfully, James' three children were not injured, but his wife was tragically killed and he was left unconcious with a serious traumatic brain injury. James has now re married and is committed to continuing his recovery and sharing his passion of public speaking to inspire other brain injury surviviors. Hope you enjoy this incr...

Rob grew up in Norwich and fell into drug addiction from a young age. Luckily Robert survived falling from a second floor onto concrete, he now lives independently with a brain injury. He tells us his story of addiction and coming out the other side. Robert does talks and is also involved in a choir. Rob believes if hadn’t had the accident he would have died from drugs. He is extremely thankful to...

Tammy got kicked in the head by a horse as a small child. Twenty years later she started having epileptic fits which were then linked to her accident. She worked at Headway but is now a teaching assistant in Norfolk. Her story is incredible and shows that years after an accident knock on affects can occur.

In todays Headpod we are meeting Mark Baldwin, who survived an aneurysm at the age of only 23. Mark and I will be talking about how Headway have supported him over the last two years, his recovery and getting back in the driving seat. Disclaimer: this podcast contains material that some may find distressing.

In todays Headpod we are speaking to Mandy Hathway, who suffered a stroke at just 20 years old. Mandy's story underlines the fact that strokes don't just happen later on in life they can happen at any time at any age. Today Mandy is a support worker at our Norwich centre. Having lived with the impact of brain injury on her own life she has a great deal of experience to bring to others.

This episode features Norwich City FC Legend Jeremy Goss. In his HeadPod, Jeremy talks about his childhood, family and of course, football career. He explains that whilst playing in the 90's, he suffered many concussions from heading the ball and on one occasion had to go to A&E.

This episode features Chris who changed his career from London carpenter to Headway Area Manager after his Brain Injury. Receiving life support and being in a coma with no recollection, Chris has made a miraculous recovery.

The episode features Stacey, who at 63-years old, working as a construction insurance broker, fell from three steps down an entire flight of stairs at home, whilst rushing to be on time for her Pilates group. She suffered a traumatic brain injury which wasn’t initially diagnosed due to her hip sustaining a break in the fall. During the pandemic Stacey was unable to find support in the community so...