Crawley resident takes on Run Gatwick to raise money for local brain injury charity

Anthony is raising money to fund specialist counselling and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) treatment for others. These treatments helped him come to terms with his acquired brain injury and gain strategies to live well again.

A fall at work led to Anthony acquiring a brain injury which in turn triggered spinal misalignment and diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). As well as long term nerve and disc pain in his back, he also sustained weakened limbs and a hyper-sensitive nervous system.

Anthony hasn’t been able to work since his accident but has found new distractions in gardening and photography. He credits much of his acceptance and coming to terms with his situation to the counselling sessions with Headway Sussex specialist counsellors and EMDR, a non-traditional type of psychotherapy through PTSD UK.

The combination of treatments has certainly made a difference to Anthony’s life and helps him live better with his condition.

Anthony said: “I am participating in Run Gatwick 2022 as a personal goal in my recovery from Concussion, FND with mobility challenges and PTSD. By doing the 5k walk I’m raising awareness of my own personal challenges and commitment to counselling with mental health issues.

“There is a serious need for those with PTSD to receive EMDR counselling to have a chance of coping with life. This is not available on the NHS so far too many are left without hope or coping strategies for this condition.