Eleanor May Blackburn had not long started university when her world was turned upside down. The 18-year-old was walking home from lectures when she was hit by a cyclist – changing the course of her life in an instant.
“My parents were told to expect the worst,” Eleanor said. “Doctors asked how long it would take them to get to hospital. They were told to say their goodbyes.”
The accident happened in Cornwall, where Eleanor studied at the University of Falmouth, on November 19, 2015. Eleanor was found unconscious by a passer-by who called for an ambulance. On arrival at hospital, it was discovered she a subdural haematoma, a serious condition where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain.
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The severity of the bleed meant Eleanor had also suffered a stroke. Miraculously, she survived the horrendous ordeal after spending two months in hospital – but had to learn how to walk, talk and eat all over again.
"When I woke up, I gradually started to remember things,” Eleanor told the Manchester Evening News . “But I couldn’t walk or eat. I had to be tube-fed. I was just crying all the time, basically.”
Eleanor, now 25, endured years of different types of therapy to get her life back on track. More than six years later, she’s made incredible progress – but still experiences ongoing effects of the brain injury today.
“The stroke caused right-sided weakness. I’m right-handed, so my writing is a lot slower than before, although it’s gradually improving,” she said.
“I also have nerve damage so my leg shakes uncontrollably when in certain positions, including when I’m nervous or tired. I also experience fatigue, although it’s nowhere near as bad as it used to be. My concentration is not what it was."
In the years that followed, Eleanor was able to take up acting training at university again, inspiring her write a play about her experiences – regularly performing shows in Salford and Manchester.
“In the final year of my training I had a module called ‘Show in a Bag’, where the idea was to create a solo show that you could take and perform anywhere,” said Eleanor.
“I was challenged to make a comedic performance by a fantastic tutor of mine, Dr Misri Dey. I had always been intrigued by the rhythm and effect of spoken word and I knew I wanted to write something, so I tried writing funny spoken word about my brain injury.
“To my surprise, when I tried it out on an audience people actually laughed. It helped me to come to terms with what had happened to me – something I hadn’t done up to that point.
“My play is called ‘Subdural Hematoma’ and it goes through a series of diary entries written by my mum in the early days after my brain injury, spoken out loud by her with my responses to them.”
Eleanor performed the play to rave reviews at the Manchester Fringe in 2021. She is set to return to performing at venues in Salford in 2022.
As it was concluded Eleanor had stepped out into the road, no charges were brought against the cyclist, who was also injured in the incident. Speaking of her brain injury, Eleanor added: “It doesn't have to be the end. Something good might even come of it. That being said, you have every right to be upset and confused and downright angry.
“It now feels like a distant memory. I don’t really think about it anymore. Obviously, it’s still a really big part of my life and the anniversary is on November 19. I always mark it with something; I can talk about it so openly now.”
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