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Sam’s close shave for a good cause


Sam Fleming was 20 when he fell off his bicycle, hitting his head on the road. He was not wearing a helmet.
Today, as a result of his fall and brain injury Sam is confined to a wheelchair and suffers from a variety of personality changes and disorders.

Brain injury is for life and individuals like Sam and their families can face a dramatically altered life as a result.
Safety when cycling is something Sam feels strongly about and he has visited schools around Clare urging pupils to wear their helmets when cycling. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a head or brain injury by 65-88% should a collision occur.

On Friday, February 22 in Powers Bar, Main Street, Clarecastle, Sam will bring in Dapper Dan’s barber to shave off his hair and good-sized beard to support Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and Headway Ireland.

Both organisations ­provide a variety of specialised services for those with an acquired brain injury.

Sam currently lives in one of the two ABII-assisted living homes in Clarecastle and attends the Vocational Training Programme in Limerick provided by Headway. Without the support from these organisations, the lives of many people, both in Clare and Limerick, with a brain injury and their families would be unmanageable.

Every year, it is ­estimated that 10,000 ­people experience an acquired brain injury in Ireland. Brain injury can be caused by a stroke, a brain haemorrhage, an infection, a tumour, lack of oxygen, or a fall or other accident.

The ‘Shave it Off’ evening kicks off at 6.30pm, with music. Sponsorship cards are out now available or people can come along on the night to show support.

Contact ABII Clarecastle on 065 68470 or Pam Fleming on 087 2803303.

 

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