Norman Keen, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees and one of the founders of Headway East London was awarded the Stephen McAleese Award by Headway UK for dedicating his life to helping other people affected by acquired brain injury.

See article in Headway UK website [more]

In 1993, Norman Keen’s son, David, was knocked down by car as he crossed the road. He was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma to help reduce the swelling in his brain. He had inpatient rehabilitation and eventually returned home to live with his parents, Norman and Lyn, but life for the family would never be the same again.

David had sustained a severe brain injury. As well as losing the sight in one eye, he suffered from executive dysfunction, a term for the range of cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties which often occur after injury to the frontal lobes of the brain.

Impairment of executive functions is common after acquired brain injury and has a profound effect on many aspects of everyday life. Although he now lives on his own, he will continue to need support on a long-term basis.

Norman, from Enfield in north London, has worked tirelessly to campaign for improved services for people affected by brain injury to ensure his son and others similarly affected receive the best possible care, support and rehabilitation to allow them to live full and active lives.

Now, Norman’s incredible dedication and hard work has been recognised by national charity Headway – the brain injury association; he is one of only three people from across the UK short-listed for the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award. The award is named after a Cumbrian man who passed away on Christmas Day last year, having defied his own brain injury to dedicate his life to helping others.

Norman was 56 when David had his accident. He took early retirement from his career at British Gas so that he and his wife Lyn could care for their son. They soon realised there was a shortage of support services in the capital for individuals and families affected by brain injury.

In 1997, just four years after his son’s injury, he was part of a small group which established Headway East London and he has been instrumental in the group’s development and growth, serving on the board of trustees for the past 14 years, including in his current role of Vice Chairman.

For the first eight years, Norman was the sole fundraiser for Headway East London, securing substantial grant income that allowed the group to develop. When it first began in 1997, there was just one member of staff. Today, more than 25 staff members, assisted by around 50 volunteers, provide help and support each week to hundreds of people in east London and the surrounding areas affected by brain injury.

Not content with helping people on a local level, Norman was a trustee of the national Headway charity for seven years. He was the main carer representative on the External Reference Group for the National Service Framework for Long-term Neurological Conditions – a government initiative designed to improve services for people with neurological conditions including acquired brain injury. Norman continues to play an active role in developing brain injury services on a local and national level. He is currently Chair of the Acquired Brain Injury Forum for London (ABIL).

“Over the years, Norman has done an incredible amount of work to improve the lives of people with brain injury,” said David Brief, Chairman of Headway East London. “I’ve never met someone who has worked as hard or cares as much about these issues as Norman. Everyone associated with Headway East London has huge respect for him.”

Norman said: “It’s an honour to be a finalist in the Headway Annual Awards. I feel particularly privileged to be considered for the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award as Stephen was such as special man and a close colleague.

“I don’t think I’m in any way special. I simply represent people affected by brain injury; we all want to help make a difference and improve the lives of others similarly affected. Whatever I’ve achieved, I couldn’t have done without the amazing support I’ve had from Lyn.

“My work, particularly with and for Headway, has helped me meet a lot of wonderful people who have supported Lyn and me along the way. I’ll certainly be representing those people on the day.”

Link to North London News “Caring Dad listed for award”