Q&A: Emma Linnell

A Q&A with brain injury survivor Emma Linnell.

What makes you happy?

Being with my children, husband and close friends. Feeling safe at home.

What is your proudest moment?

Being able to walk down the aisle to say 'I do' nine months after suffering the brain infection and missing our original wedding planned for February. I can remember the whole day!

Who in your life understands your brain injury the best?

My husband Stefan, and my closet friends, Jilly, Cathy and Jodie.

What is the most frustrating thing about your brain injury?

Not feeling like me, feeling lost, waking up feeling nauseous, having headaches – I never suffered with them before the brain infection. I get very emotional now as that is the part of my brain that was infected. One day I feel full of life, the next I struggle to function like I used to. I also lost my photographic memory.

How has Headway helped you?

I have found the papers on cognitive functions, managing fatigue and executive dysfunction very helpful, even if I did burst into tears reading them. It’s hard to find anyone, anywhere, who understands what has happened but reading these papers it felt good to know everything I am going through is 'normal'.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Life is precious so do not take anything for granted. I am stronger than I ever knew possible. From now on it’s okay for life to slow down.

Have there been any positives to come from your brain injury?

The bond of our family is stronger than ever after everything thrown our way this year.

What advice would you give to fellow brain injury survivors?

Take time to understand your new normal. The brain is very complicated, and everyone recovers at different rates. You cannot rush recovery and it is hard sometimes as people cannot see how poorly we have been or still are.