On A Good Day Elizabeth Callaghan and Julia Ajayi

What's it like to be the partner of a brain injury survivor?
The truth is, some days are not so good. There are times which can be challenging, frustrating and upsetting.
In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia acknowledge the (not so) good days and share with honesty some of the challenges they face living with a brain injury survivor.
They share their own vulnerabilities and struggles in this bite-sized episode in the hope it will resonate with others and help people feel less alone.
Some of the topics discussed include:

The strain brain injury can put on marriages and relationships

Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated

Being the main decision maker

Dealing with mood changes and altered emotions

How little things can build up to dampen the good days

Why sharing and talking always helps

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In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia mentioned their conversation with Dr Fergus Gracey which you can listen to in episode 11. Hear more about Allison's story of parenting young children after stroke in episode 27
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On Instagram (@onagood.day) and X (@onagood_day)
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On A Good Day
Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful!
Do go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever.
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What part does mindset play in recovering from brain injury?
In this episode Elizabeth and Julia hear from entrepreneur Charlie Wells. He was running a 5km race dressed as Santa when he had subarachnoid haemorrhage, aged 30. He underwent ground-breaking surgery to keep him alive.
With sheer determination and a strong mindset, Charlie's recovery included doing daily jigsaw puzzles starting with simple children's jigsaws and progressing up.
This helped him get his 20/20 vision back and 16 months after his brain injury he ran the London marathon to raise money for the National Brain Appeal, something he told us was "terrifying".
Charlie shares his extraordinary story and how it has changed his outlook, given him added purpose and a renewed philosophy of life.
He has since gone on to set up his own therapy company HelloSelf to help others with their mental health challenges which has had high success rates in preventing relapses. 
In this episode you will learn:
How Charlie set his own outcomes and worked consistently in his recovery to achieve his goals. 

Strategies Charlie used to overcome pain and get him off medication

How family members helped Charlie recover and motivate him 

Inspiration for turning brain injury into your superpower

The idea behind HelloSelf and how it is revolutionising the world of therapy.

Charlie Wells is the founder of HelloSelf, an online therapy service helping people to get tailored support and reduce the risk of relapse.
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If you liked this episode then you'll enjoy listening to Satinder Sanghera's story in episode 2 who went on to complete her medical studies after her stroke and Andy Tudor in episode 31 who is living a hugely fulfilled life after brain tumour.
There's also Joy and Ross's honest story of stroke, love and overcoming negativity towards disability in episode 12.
On A Good Day
Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever.
Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful!
Connect with Us
On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day
And you can join our Facebook community too!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epilepsy is a common side effect following brain injury and a condition which affects 600,000 people in the UK.
In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia speak to Ley Sander, a Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epilepsy and Medical Officer with the Epilepsy Society.
Some of the questions we ask include: what is epilepsy? Why do some people get seizures after brain injury and how can you help someone when they have a fit?
Professor Sander also gives us some of the science around the condition, how to treat it and reveals insights into the research, including the role of genetics.
He also talks about some of the facts and myths around epilepsy including how safe it is to drink alcohol and the side effects of epilepsy medication.
Listen to this episode to discover more about epilepsy, its causes, treatment and, surprisingly to us, how our brain and skin are similar.
Visit the Epilepsy Society to find out more about its work including their vitally important campaigns, including changes in law and policy that mean positive changes for people living with epilepsy.
On A Good Day
Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Elizabeth and Julia are partners of brain injury survivors bringing their lived experience to conversations with the aim to help others navigate this life-changing journey.
Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever.
Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful!
Connect with Us
On Instagram @onagood.day and X (formally Twitter) @onagood_day
And you can join our Facebook community too!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Tudor thought be might be getting early onset dementia or having a stroke when he was eventually admitted to hospital.
When he was told he had a huge 7cm tumour in his brain it was almost a relief, he tells Elizabeth and Julia in this episode released during Brain Tumour awareness month.
Seven years ago Andy had life-saving neurosurgery to remove the growth. He is beating the statistics which show just 12% of adults diagnosed with a brain tumour survive after five years.
Andy has since gone on to have an active role in raising awareness of brain tumours through volunteering and as the co-host of Let’s Talk about Brain Tumours - a podcast run by the Brain Tumour Charity.
Andy tells Elizabeth and Julia how his life feels more fulfilling now than before his brain injury but the worry of regrowth is always there and two years ago he had to have radiation when some was found on a routine scan.
Andy talks about some of the symptoms he experienced and reveals some of his strategies for dealing with fatigue, one of which includes a can of baked beans! Listen to find out more.
In this episode you will learn:

Some of the key symptoms of a brain tumour in adults and children

How humour can help in tough times

Finding new purpose in life after brain injury

Ways to deal with the process of grieving your old self and embracing new after brain trauma.

Strategies for dealing with neuro-fatigue.

Why a supportive family can help life you up and give you hope.


Andy is the co-host of Let's Talk About Brain Tumours - run with the Brain Tumour Charity
Connect with Andy on X @Meningioma_host
You can listen to the episode we did with Andy and Sarah for Let's Talk About Brain Tumours, Life After Brain Injury
On A Good Day
Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever.
Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful!
Connect with Us
On Instagram @onagood.day and X (formally Twitter) @onagood_day
And you can join our Facebook community too!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting legal advice is not usually your first priority after a traumatic brain injury but, as Elizabeth and Julia discover, making that call could help hugely with a person's recovery - and an initial call costs nothing.
In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia look at the importance of getting specialist legal advice and the difference it can make to people's lives.
Joining them to dispel some of the myths and give the facts are Richard Biggs and Adam Shelverton from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Manchester.
Some of the questions discussed include: what costs are included in a compensation claim? How does 'no win no fee' work? How long do you have to make a claim and what length of time will it take to get a settlement?
This episode sees them cut through some of the legal jargon and bring a human face to a process which can be overwhelming. 
It also explains why getting a financial settlement isn’t just about the money.

About Richard and Adam
Richard is a partner at Irwin & Mitchell, the Manchester branch, and is a solicitor who specialises in brain and spinal injury cases.
Adam is a physiotherapist by background and a team manager for Irwin Mitchell’s Support and Rehabilitation services in Manchester.
Look for a specialist solicitor at the Law Society or Headway.
On A Good Day
Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Elizabeth and Julia are partners of brain injury survivors bringing their lived experience to conversations with the aim to help others navigate this life-changing journey.
Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever.
Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful!
Connect with Us
On Instagram @onagood.day and X (formally Twitter) @onagood_day
And you can join our Facebook community too!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When someone has a brain injury, families need more support than ever with friends rallying to help at a very difficult time.
But what are the best ways friends can help when someone has a brain injury?
In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia are joined by their close friends Emma and Helen as they discuss how the friendships helped them in dark days - and continue to support them - following brain injury.
They go back to the moments of crisis they experienced when their husbands were in hospital and talk about the support they received, including a lively debate on how best to communicate information to wider groups of friends.
They also reflect on some of the positives and how it has ultimately brought them closer together.
On A Good Day
Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever.
Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful!
Connect with Us
On Instagram @onagood.day and X (formally Twitter) @onagood_day
And you can join our Facebook community too!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices