On a Good Day

🧠 On a Good Day: What Our Survey Reveals About the Fluctuating Nature of Brain Injury

As part of Headway Huddersfield & District’s contribution to Action for Brain Injury Week 2025, we’ve been proud to support the national campaign theme: On a good day. This powerful initiative shines a light on the unpredictable nature of brain injury and the profound impact it has on survivors and those who care for them.

To deepen understanding and amplify lived experience, we launched a set of surveys to explore how brain injury affects day-to-day life. The response was overwhelming: 1,203 people took part, including 957 survivors and 246 carers, family members, and friends. Their insights offer a compelling snapshot of the challenges and emotional shifts that come with life after brain injury.

🔄 The Most Fluctuating Effects

Respondents identified fatigue, memory, anxiety, and concentration as the most commonly fluctuating symptoms. These changes can be sudden, unpredictable, and deeply disruptive.

“Some days I feel like I can take on the world. Other days, I can’t even get out of bed.”– Brain injury survivor

⚖️ Good Days vs Bad Days

The emotional toll of a bad day is significant.

• 80% of survivors and 84% of carers reported feeling low in mood on a bad day.

• On a good day, 80% of survivors and 91% of carers said they feel good.

Mood swings aren’t just internal—they ripple outward, affecting relationships and communication.

• 64% of survivors and 53% of carers said tempers flare more easily on a bad day.

“When he’s having a bad day, we all walk on eggshells. But on a good day, it’s like we’ve got him back.”– Carer

💼 Work and Study: A Daily Balancing Act

The ability to work or study is deeply affected by the ups and downs of brain injury:

• 86% of survivors and 78% of carers find it difficult on a bad day.

• On good days, 62% of survivors and 78% of carers say it becomes more manageable.

“I’ve had to learn to be flexible with my goals. Some days I can focus, others I just need to rest.”– Survivor

💬 What This Means for Support

These findings reinforce what many in our community already know: brain injury is not static. It fluctuates—sometimes hour by hour—and support must be flexible, empathetic, and informed.

At Headway Huddersfield & District, we’re committed to:

• Creating inclusive spaces where survivors and carers feel understood.

• Advocating for flexible work, study, and care environments.

• Sharing lived experience to educate professionals and the public.

  
  

As we continue our outreach across Calderdale and Kirklees, these voices guide us. They remind us that on a good day, anything feels possible—and that every day deserves compassion.

If you’d like to get involved, support our events, or learn more about our services, visit our Facebook page or reach out directly. Together, we can build a community that understands the full picture of brain injury—good days, bad days, and everything in between.