Highland 'Superman' Flying To National Glory, UK

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 26 Nov 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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A Highland man who battled back from the brink of death after a road accident left him with a brain injury and partial paralysis has been nominated for a national award from Headway UK, the brain injury association.

David Morrison, nicknamed Superman, is one of three finalists from across the UK competing for the title of Achiever of the Year in the Headway Annual Awards 2007.

In 2003, David was knocked down by a car while working as a diver in the Middle East. The accident left him in a coma for three weeks having suffered a horrific brain injury as well as a punctured lung and fractured ribs. When he was finally released from hospital, David was flown back to Inverness to begin his rehabilitation, aided by Headway Highland, part of the national charity that helps brain injured people rebuild their lives.

Despite being unable to work and still being hampered by continuing weakness in the left side of his body, as well as suffering from poor concentration, David has dedicated his life to raising awareness of brain injury and helping others with similar conditions to himself.

His list of achievements includes conquering his mobility problems to complete a 10k run and a tandem parachute jump in order to raise money for Headway UK. He now dedicates his time to writing articles in Headway Highland's newsletter as well as speaking at open days and conferences about the emotional highs and lows of living with a brain injury.

"Brain injury can devastate lives, not only in terms of physical capabilities, but also personalities," said David. "Surviving the coma is the first stage of a long battle to rebuild your life, but I want to show it can be done. Suffering a brain injury doesn't have to signal the end of your life and you can still achieve great things.

"I'm tremendously proud to be shortlisted for the award. My only decision now is whether or not to wear a kilt on the big day!"

Janie King, who nominated David for the award and is the treasurer of Headway Highland, said: "David has been an inspiration to other brain-injured people in the region. He's our Superman and we're very proud of him."

The Achiever of the Year will be named at a glittering ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel in London on 13 December, along with awards for the Carer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Campaigner of the Year. A special award will also be presented to television production company Tiger Aspect for its powerful programme Recovery, starring David Tennant as a man trying to rebuild his life after suffering a brain injury.

http://www.headway.org.uk

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