Brain Injury Bites

Hello, and welcome to Brain Injury Bites, a series of bite-sized podcasts helping brain injury survivors.
This is a series of podcasts based around the experiences of sustaining a brain injury, and provides helpful hints and tips for injured people, their friends and family.
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
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Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
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In this first episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter shares what happened the night his life changed forever after being hit by a car in Manchester.
Joined by co-host Ashwini Kamath — a solicitor and brain injury advocate — Brooke talks about the immediate aftermath of his traumatic brain injury and the early days that followed.
Together, they explore:
The night of Brooke’s accident
What happens during the “golden hour” after trauma
How his family were told, and their emotional response
His time in intensive care, waking from a coma, and the Glasgow Coma Scale
Early advice for loved ones supporting someone with a brain injury
Brooke and Ashwini reflect on the raw early moments after a brain injury, from family trauma and hospital care to the importance of asking questions and looking after yourself as a carer.
Whether you’re living with a brain injury, supporting someone who is, or want to better understand the journey, this episode lays the foundation for what’s to come.
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome to Brain Injury Bites02:26 – Brooke’s Story09:46 – How Brooke’s Family Coped13:30 – Brooke’s Treatment and Recovery18:06 – Early Advice After a Brain Injury
Resources:
Episode One: The early days after brain injury - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
Glasgow Coma Scale
Golden hour trauma Research
For a transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 1: Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke and Ashwini explore what it’s like to wake up in hospital after a traumatic brain injury — from intensive care through to high dependency and early rehab.
Brooke opens up about waking from a coma, experiencing vivid and confusing hallucinations, and the emotional impact of leaving the safety of the hospital routine for the outside world.
Together they discuss:
ICU, tracheotomies, and the importance of early physio
What “post-traumatic amnesia” really feels like
Why the hospital can be a “fake environment” for recovery
Coping with overstimulation outside the ward (like a trip to the Trafford Centre)
Tips for friends and family supporting someone in hospital
This episode gives an honest, first-hand look into the early days of recovery and the complex emotional and physical challenges people face after brain injury.
Chapter Markers
00:24 – A&E to ICU: Brooke’s Early Hospital Journey05:58 – Physio, Psychology and Rebuilding the Body08:37 – The “Fake Environment” of Hospital Life11:38 – A Trip to the Trafford Centre: Reality Hits15:47 – Dreams, Delusions, and Confusion22:40 – Tips for Family and Friends
Resources:
Episode Two - Journey in the hospital - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
Journey after major trauma - https://www.gmccmt.org.uk/major-trauma/patient-journey/
Visiting someone in the hospital - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/going-into-hospital/visiting-someone-in-hospital/
Post-traumatic amnesia - https://www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/effects-of-brain-injury/post-traumatic-amnesia/
Article on confabulation (by Michelle Munt) - https://www.cfglaw.co.uk/blog/why-a-brain-injury-can-cause-confabulation
Headway information library - https://www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/information-library/
For a transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 2: Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath dive into one of the most persistent and misunderstood symptoms after a brain injury: fatigue.
They explore Brooke’s personal struggle with understanding the need for rest, and how pushing through tiredness actually delayed his recovery. From hospital routines to the challenge of structuring rest at home, they share honest reflections and helpful tips for managing post-injury fatigue.
Together, they discuss:
Why rest is essential to brain recovery and how ignoring it can make things worse
The structure of hospital life vs. the chaos of home
How brain injury affects planning and time management
Finding the right balance between doing too much and doing nothing at all
Practical insights for survivors and caregivers navigating fatigue
Whether you're recovering from a brain injury or supporting someone who is, this episode shines a light on the importance of listening to your body and building rest into your routine.
Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Welcome and Introduction to Fatigue00:49 - Brooke’s Experience with Overexertion02:47 - Challenges with Time Organisation After Brain Injury07:53 - The Problem with Doing Too Much11:44 - Red Bull, Crashes, and Misjudging Energy11:46 - Fatigue or Just Forgetfulness? (The Royal Mail Scam)20:54 - Practical Tips and Hints for Managing Fatigue
Resources:
Episode Three - Dealing with fatigue and the importance of rest after a brain injury - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
To do lists/organisational skills - https://todoist.com/
Weekly Schedule - Download
For a transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 3: Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath discuss how memory is impacted after a brain injury and practical ways to adapt when everyday tasks become more challenging to remember.
Together, they reflect on Brooke’s personal experiences, including forgetting where he parked, running a bath that nearly flooded the house, and forgetting basic shopping items. They also talk about the emotional impact of memory issues and how fatigue, anxiety, and the environment can make things worse.
They explore:
The difference between retrograde and anterograde amnesia
Brooke’s real-life memory mishaps and the strategies he uses now
How phones, alarms, and apps can support daily life
Low-tech memory tools like notebooks, whiteboards and post-its
The connection between memory, identity, and independence
Tips for creating a routine and using assistive technology with confidence
This episode is packed with useful strategies and light-hearted honesty about what it’s really like living with a brain injury. Whether you’re recovering yourself or supporting someone who is, there’s something here to help.
Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Introduction to Memory and Why It Matters01:56 - Different Types of Memory Loss After Brain Injury03:13 - Real-life Memory Challenges: Losing the Car06:58 - Phones, Notebooks and Everyday Memory Tools09:00 - Memory Mistakes at Home: Baths and Burnouts15:04 - Tips and Advice for Managing Memory Day to Day
Resources:
Episode four - Memory problems after a brain injury - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
Different types of memory problems after a brain injury
To do lists/organisational skills - https://todoist.com/
Weekly Schedule - Download
For a transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 4: Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath delve into how brain injury impacts attention, concentration, and cognitive load – and how even small tasks can become overwhelming without the right strategies.
Brooke shares how his concentration was reduced to just seconds after his injury, and how he gradually rebuilt it with help from neuropsychologists, repetition, and a lot of patience. From multitasking myths to exploring the benefits of driving with the radio off, this episode delves into how attention works and how it can be retrained. They discuss:
Why multitasking is a myth, especially after brain injury
How distractions can derail tasks and how to minimise them
The power of repetition, alarms, and rigid structure
Strategies for improving focus, including film-watching exercises
How fatigue and cognitive overload make everything harder
Tips for driving, socialising, and getting through the day with more mental clarity
With humour, honesty, and real-life stories, Brooke and Ashwini offer clear advice for anyone struggling with concentration after a brain injury — or for those supporting someone who is.
Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Introduction: How Brain Injury Affects Cognitive Function04:45 - Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work After a Brain Injury06:37 - Returning to Driving and Managing Cognitive Load09:11 - Planning Activities in Short Bursts to Avoid Burnout10:13 - Tips and Advice for Improving Concentration Day to Day
Resources:
Episode five - Experiencing problems with concentration and attention after a brain injury. - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
Headway - Cognitive effects of a brain injury
NHS - Brain training app (recommended by the NHS)
For a transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 5: Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath take a deep dive into what it means to come to terms with a brain injury — and how the process of acceptance isn’t always straightforward.
They reflect on the emotional and psychological impact of recovery, the reality check that often hits after hospital discharge, and the frustrations of an invisible injury that doesn’t follow a predictable timeline. From confronting fatigue and depression to redefining identity and finding purpose again, Brooke shares openly about the ups and downs of rebuilding life after trauma.
They explore:
Why hospital recovery can be misleading
The emotional crash that often follows discharge
Dealing with unrealistic timelines like the “three-year recovery” myth
How public speaking and small wins helped Brooke move forward
Reframing expectations around work, identity and independence
The importance of encouragement, patience and focusing on what’s possible
Whether you’re navigating your own recovery or supporting someone through theirs, this episode offers powerful insights into resilience, identity and the long journey toward self-acceptance.
Chapter Markers
00:00 - Introduction: Coming to Terms with Brain Injury05:07 - Recovery Timelines and the “Three-Year” Myth11:35 - Work, Fatigue and Adjusting Expectations
Resources:
Episode six - Coming to terms with a brain injury - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
Denial after a brain injury – struggling to come to terms with my brain injury (blog by Brooke)
For a transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 6: Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.

In this episode of Brain Injury Bites, Brooke Trotter and Ashwini Kamath talk about the often overlooked challenge of socialising after a brain injury. From struggling with background noise to the emotional toll of not feeling like yourself, they explore how relationships and self identity can shift dramatically and what can help.
Brooke shares honest stories of awkward reunions, overwhelming environments, and navigating small talk. Together, they unpack the real world impact of fatigue, memory problems and overstimulation, and why pushing through is not always the answer.
They explore:
Why returning to social situations can feel overwhelming
The emotional impact of changed relationships and isolation
How alcohol and overstimulation can affect confidence and clarity
Understanding literal thinking, humour and social cues after injury
The challenge of making new connections and handling small talk
Practical advice on pacing, planning ahead and creating an exit plan
Whether you are navigating social life after brain injury or supporting someone who is, this episode offers insight, empathy and practical tips for rebuilding confidence and connection.
Resources:
Episode seven - Socialising after a brain injury - Information Sheet
Helpful links:
Headway Brain Injury Identity Card - https://www.headway.org.uk/supporting-you/brain-injury-identity-card/
For additional resources, and transcript, follow the link below:
Episode 7: Resources and Transcript
To keep up to date with our podcast, follow us on our social media accounts:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Community Compass app!
Brain Injury Bites is now part of the Community Compass app! Download now and take the first step toward reclaiming your best life - because you’re not alone in this journey.
Google Play
Apple App Store
Notice:
Information and other content provided in this Podcast should not be taken as providing medical advice or recommendations. Please always consult your doctor or treating team for medical advice.