Acquired Brain Injury Ireland x Sligo Credit Union - Gary Egan's Story (1)

“A home away from home”, is how Gary Egan, an acquired brain injury survivor, describes the Transitional Rehabilitation Unit in Tonaphubble, Sligo.

Unknowingly, Gary had a brain injury for two years before being diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome. After walking away from a traffic accident seemingly ‘okay’, suffering only from minor injuries, including a sore back and arm from seatbelt impact, Gary was bewildered as to why he was so tired and distant all the time. Things at home, and in his life, were falling apart; he thought he was going mad.

Prior to the accident, Gary was outgoing, full of life, and working in events. Post-accident, he went into himself; he couldn’t work, and doctors prescribed him anti-depressants, before eventually being referred to the Transitional Rehabilitation Unit. Being a resident in the centre provided Gary with a sense of relief at proactively dealing with Post-Concussion Syndrome. But, the Enniscrone based Sligoman wants to point out there was also a sense of mourning, for the ‘loss’ of the old Gary.

For several months in 2021, Gary resided in the centre five days a week, Monday - Friday, learning new coping strategies to live life forever with a brain injury. The unit in Tonaphubble was a safety net for Gary, and when his time came to leave, he felt “anxious” but acknowledges that Local Services Manager, Teresa O'Boyle and team, are only a phone call away. “Brain Injury is nothing to be ashamed of”, Gary highlights, and he really wants to highlight the fantastic guidance and support that the unit in Tonaphubble and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland provided - “it saved his life”, and his relationship with fiancée, Jenny.

Today, Gary maintains simple strategies that he learned in the centre, such as keeping notes to ensure he doesn’t forget anything, however, life will never be the same. He went from "being really active to not being able to do much.” Work was his social outlet, but now that is gone, and so are the many activities he pursued prior to the accident, such as golf, swimming, and football. Gary is an optimist though and is looking forward. He is hoping to retrain to start a new career, and is “grateful for the little things,” - most of all, he is grateful to his family for their unconditional support, including fiancée, Jenny, stepsons, Lee and Frankie, and mam, Fionnuala.

Gary’s ‘words of wisdom’ are simple, but powerful: “it can be okay.” He also wants to highlight that if anyone is suffering from common forms of brain injury, to seek help from a doctor or Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

*For the month of March, Sligo Credit Union is teaming up with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and the Transitional Rehabilitation Unit in Tonaphubble, Sligo. Like Gary's case, brain injuries can often go unnoticed, and we want to further promote the understanding around an acquired brain injury.

Bake for Brain Injury
Every year, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland organises 'Bake for Brain Injury' to raise vital funds that will make a difference to brain injury survivors. Sligo Credit Union is holding our own in-house bake-off at the end of the month. Why not organise your own?