After my devastating post-op cerebral vasospasm left me brain damaged and permanently disabled, I stayed in the NHS Tonbridge Cottage Hospital rehabilitation centre in the Autumn 2013. The staff worked hard and the patients slowly recovered, but the surroundings were very tired and careworn. After I was discharged, a part of the ceiling fell down in the men's ward! Luckily, no-one was hurt.

The hospital has a wide remit supporting the local community - as well as rehabilitation for brain injuries, it has an outpatients physio clinic and an out-of-hours surgery supporting the local GPs, together with several recovering hip & knee replacement patients' beds and some respite beds.

Rehabilitation is vital after a brain injury (including strokes and haemorrhages). Together with wrap around care, the therapies, such as physio, occupational, and speech & language, are life changing because they will have an impact on the survivor's quality of life in the future.

Six years later, I began writing down my experiences of brain damage and it turned into a book, comparing my brain damage with dementia sufferers to help their carers to understand and empathise. "Losing My Mind -Insider knowledge to understand dementia" was published on 29th April and is in bookshops and on Amazon. It's a simple read- it's short and to the point in layman's language. The serious nature of the topic is lifted by my self-mocking humour and my daughter's fabulous illustrations.

I wanted to raise money for a good cause alongside my book. Dementia is fully supported by large charities, for example, Alzheimer's Society, Dementia UK and Age UK, but the local Cottage Hospital has only a League of Friends, supported by local fund raisers. It needs funds for continuing renovations.

Spread the word!

Thank you so much.

Laura