My Story. My Journey. My Rebuild.

I am a survivor of a traumatic brain injury.

February 20th, 2022

A day that changed my life forever.

My name is Adam. I’m 33 years old, and this is my story.

Nearly four years ago, I suffered a traumatic brain injury in a road traffic collision. A tree snapped in half and came through the front windscreen of the car I was a passenger in, hitting me in the head.

As a result, I suffered two bleeds on the brain, a fractured eye socket, and a fractured jaw. I was admitted to Intensive Care at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW) and was placed into an induced coma for eight days.

Although what I’ve been through has been traumatic and challenging, I’m still able to lead a relatively normal life and consider myself extremely lucky to be alive.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of my ex-partner Catherine, my family, my friends, and the world-class staff at ICU UHCW who saved my life and supported me through the hardest time of my life. Without everyone’s help, support, and patience, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I will forever be grateful.

I continue to live with the physical scars from the accident, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural effects it has had on me since that night. In many ways, I am not the same person I was before, but I’m incredibly fortunate to have recovered in the way that I have.

Having to leave my career with West Midlands Police and retire from playing football semi-professionally, something that was a huge part of my life, had a significant impact on me. For a long time, I allowed the effects of my accident to hold me back as I struggled to come to terms with these changes and the impact they had on my life.

Now, I’m more determined to move forward positively, find new ways of achieving great things, and raise awareness around recovery and life with the challenges after a brain injury.

To say this journey has been difficult would be an understatement, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Learning to face adversity and overcome challenges has shaped me into the person I am today. Over the last three years and eleven months, I’ve gained a new perspective on life and a deeper appreciation for time. I’ve learned that things don’t always go to plan, and that’s okay. Sometimes you find another way, and sometimes you realise the path you imagined wasn’t the one meant for you.

Recovery wasn’t just physical.

It was emotional.

It was mental.

It was rebuilding myself from the ground up.

From Trauma to 26.2

On 19th April 2026, I will be running the Adidas Manchester Marathon.

This will be my biggest challenge and achievement since my accident, and I’ll be completing it alongside some of my close friends. It marks the start of many more things to come.

Throughout 2026, I’ll be raising money and awareness for the following charities and running for them at the Adidas Manchester Marathon:

Headway – The Brain Injury Association

Headway supports people affected by brain injury by providing vital information, services, and support, not only for survivors like me but also for families navigating an unrecognisable new world after brain injury.

ANDYSMANCLUB

ANDYSMANCLUB is a men’s suicide prevention charity offering free-to-attend, peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online. Their mission is to end the stigma around men’s mental health and save lives through the power of conversation.

#ITSOKAYTOTALK

These are two charities that are very personal to me, and supporting them is my way of giving back. Turning something life-changing into something positive. Helping others living with a brain injury and raising awareness around mental health, especially for those who may not have been as fortunate as I have.

This marathon isn’t just a race.

It’s a statement.

A reminder that even after the darkest moments and deepest setbacks, giving up is never the answer.

There is always a way forward, and sometimes that way forward becomes something you never thought you were capable of. For me, it’s the path that builds the strongest version of me.

This is my journey.

My mission.

My rebuild.

Sharing my story hasn’t been easy, but this is me stepping out of my comfort zone to show that even when life knocks you down, it’s still possible to rebuild and achieve great things with self-belief, support, and kindness.

In 2026, I’m running not just for myself, but for everyone affected by brain injury and mental health, and for anyone currently struggling, to remind them that they are not alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and be part of this journey.

If you can, please help by:

• Sharing

• Donating

• Supporting

This is only the start of bigger things to come.

This isn’t just my story. It’s about helping others, being kind, and reminding people that none of us have to go through tough times alone.

Thank you.

Ad Bilic (Bil) 👊🏼