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A LINWOOD woman whose husband was left in intensive care as a result of a brain injury has told of her family’s struggle to cope.

Donna Scott admits it was devastating to be told her husband Willie would need surgery to remove a frontal intracerebral abscess.

Willie experienced the acquired brain injury in January 2019 and, not long afterwards, underwent two operations.

Over the past year, the family has been supported by experts from the Quarriers Renfrewshire Head Injury Service.

Donna said their help has been invaluable.

Speaking to The Gazette during Action for Brain Injury Week, she said: “It’s now a year since my husband had a brain abscess, spent two weeks in an intensive care unit and had two operations.

“He got home on April 1, 2019, and we were left struggling with what to do next.

“Then Quarriers Renfrewshire Head Injury Service got in touch with us and we met with Margaret and Billy, who have supported us ever since.

“They have been amazing.”

The head injury service run by Bridge of Weir-based social care charity Quarriers works with people aged 17 and above who have experienced a brain injury and live within Renfrewshire.

Those offered support have acquired their injury in various ways, including a fall, an assault, a road accident, while playing sport or through an infection such as meningitis.

Experts work with the injured person, as well as his or her family and carers, to raise awareness of the effects of brain injury and provide practical support to reduce isolation and enable them to manage day-to-day living.

Following referral, an initial visit is carried out to establish what the client’s needs are and how the service can best support them.

However, like many other charities, Quarriers has suffered a drop in fundraising as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Donna and other members of her family had planned to tackle this year’s Glasgow Kiltwalk to raise funds for the Renfrewshire Head Injury Service, to thank staff for their support over the past year.

Sadly, coronavirus restrictions mean the Kiltwalk has had to be postponed – but the Scott family has continued to raise funds, with more than £2,000 coined in so far.

Donna and Willie’s daughter Kirsty said: “The Quarriers Renfrewshire Head Injury Service has been a massive support to my dad and family in the past year.

“This charity does an amazing job and we would like to raise as much money as possible for them.”

To support Donna’s fundraising efforts by making a donation, search for ‘Team Scott’ online at glasgowkiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond