Advice from Martin Kemp
November 8, 2012
I went to Hull Crown Court. The person accused would make a plea. At this point I still didn’t fully understand what had happened to me. I knew that I had been punched and was struggling in life but there was no deeper thought than that. I was still limited. I really needed this part of the ordeal finished so that I could concentrate on my recovery and rebuild my life. The person accused pleaded ‘not guilty’. We would go to trial in front of a jury at Hull Crown Court in February. This was a devastating blow that my family and I really didn’t need.
November 13, 2012
Family and friends were feeling excited for Mark and Lisa’s upcoming wedding. As I mentioned it was going to be on a celebrity TV show. We were eagerly waiting to find out who the celebrities would be. I was writing a short best man speech and was finding it difficult. It was hard to retrieve memories of Mark. I reached out to family and friends for support.
November 15, 2012
Here’s my brother Mark on his stag do with the celebrities who would plan his wedding.
It was Martin Kemp and MC Harvey!
November 16, 2012
Martin Kemp was a really nice guy. He had endured 2 blood clots on the brain and confided that he had not fully recovered. He advised that it would take time and to use strategies to help with my challenges. It was unreal to be honest. There I was on my brother’s stag do chatting to Martin Kemp about brain injuries – wow!
November 17, 2012
Paintballing for Mark’s stag do was fun. I obviously couldn’t get involved because of my injury but it didn’t matter, I was happy to be there amongst friends. I tried to have this type of positive attitude throughout my recovery.
November 22, 2012
Mark and Lisa’s wedding day was amazing. The celebrities had done a grand job, and everything was spot on. Lisa looked gorgeous and my brother looked the happiest man alive, which was a dream for me to see. It was a perfect day spent with family and friends.
November 23, 2012
I’m pleased to say that I managed a speech for Mark. I wasn’t sure if I could do it but had prepared the best I could. Bear in mind, one month before I was struggling and stuttering putting a sentence together. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in life. It took everything I had mentally to deliver it. Mark and Lisa were really happy I had done it.
November 25, 2012
Going to a large event can be very daunting with a brain injury. Even if it is with family and friends. I found the energy and length of the day tiring and overwhelming. Dividing my attention and engaging in different conversations was hard. Looking back, I tried to keep up with everyone but inside I was exhausted. I put a lot of pressure on myself which wasn’t helpful!
November 29, 2012
One of my biggest mistakes throughout my brain recovery is not telling people how I really felt. To be honest, I still don’t think I understood how I felt at this point, but I could have reached out to loved ones more often. As a proud old-fashioned man, I just got on with it. There were times when I felt isolated and low. Looking back, speaking up would have helped me.
My advice to anyone in a similar situation is to drop your guard a little. A chat with the right person might do you the world of good. It’s good to talk and people will want to help. You are not alone.