St Paul’s Cathedral Hosts Month Long “This Is Not Me” Exhibition To Raise Awareness Of Impact Of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A major exhibition of artworks from the unique perspective of people with acquired brain injuries (ABI) is to go on display at St Paul’s Cathedral for the next month as part of an awareness campaign.

The ‘This Is Not Me’ programme features 20 pieces of art by survivors of acquired brain injuries and runs from 27 January to 26 February 2015. The art, all by the survivors themselves, explores the theme of portraying the fractured reality of ‘losing’ your identity and the transformative process of piecing together a new self.

Organized by the Acquired Brain Injury Forum for London (ABIL) and sponsored by specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, the Huntercombe Group, the QEF Brain Injury Centre and the Raphael Medical Centre, the exhibition aims to raise awareness of the challenges ABI survivors face.

There are around 8,000 people of working age hospitalised with a traumatic brain injury each year and half a million living with the long-term effects of such injuries in the UK.

ABIL said: “Experiencing a brain injury creates many questions as survivors learn to come to terms with changes in their lives, sometimes having to ‘get to know’ themselves and their place in society all over again.

“The experience of those who have survived brain injury provides a unique lens on the universal themes of alienation, trauma, loss, identity and acceptance.

“By displaying works by ABI survivors, an under-represented group within London life and society as a whole, we are able to challenge the taboos surrounding this issue, reflect on what it means to lose your identity and inspire those who have, and will, experience this themselves or via a family member or loved one.”

Alison Eddy, the Managing Partner for Irwin Mitchell’s London office, works with survivors of ABIs on a daily basis, she said:

Expert Opinion

Art therapy is proven to be a beneficial form of rehabilitation, helping individuals deal with the after effects of injury and adapt to their new circumstances. There are many survivors of acquired brain injuries living in London and it is vital they get the support that organisations such as ABIL can provide to help enrich their lives.

“We have seen first-hand from our clients how important it is to find something that can help with the rehabilitation process both mentally and physically. Art is something that can achieve that and the works on display at St Paul’s are an inspiration to others who may be in a similar situation after suffering a traumatic brain injury themselves.” Alison Eddy - Partner

The 20 selected artworks will be displayed in the Minor Canon’s Aisle at St Paul’s Cathedral (usual terms of admission to the Cathedral apply) and can be seen on the exhibited works page here.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in helping people with acquired brain injuries.