Art...

...in the foyer at Neurosupport. I had an appointment there today to discuss the opportunity to contribute some photos to the upcoming art exhibition, marking the 20th anniversary of the building where help and support is available for survivors of all types of brain and spine injury: the only such place in the UK. What happens is that those whose lives are saved by the skills of the brilliant neurosurgeons, are then sent home and left to their own devices, with occasional outpatients appointments but no help at all in how to live the life that may be radically compromised. This amazing place is entirely self-funding and staffed mostly by volunteers, many of whom have survived brain injury or know someone who has, so it's very comfortable talking to them. As well as emotional support, they also provide practical help in many ways including work-related and legal issues. In addition to the art exhibition I also offered to take photos of events for their website and newsletter, which would be a good way for me to contribute something while doing an activity I love.

The image shows some of the artwork created as therapy by users of the facility, including an enormous oil-painting (bottom right) by the amazing Tommy McHugh, whose story can be read here. The centre offered to pay £20,000 for the wonderful painting but he donated it for free. Looking at it made me feel that someone else understands how it feels to have had this. In a way I wish I could have got just a tiny bit of his artistic brilliance out of my own injury.