![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_brainjfif.jpg\")
Liam McLaughlin from Linwood.(Image: Andrew Neil)<\/p>\nLiam McLaughlin was given a brain scan and transferred to neurodivision department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.Liam McLaughlin from Linwood.(Image: Andrew Neil)<\/p>\n
\u201cA few hours had passed and I noticed this headache…just felt like the worst migraine ever. I actually thought that my time was up.\u201d<\/p>\n
These are the words of Linwood man Liam McLaughlin as he reflects on the moments preceding his diagnosis with a subarachnoid haemorrhage<\/a> in February.<\/p>\n A fit adult with a keen interest in extreme sports such as skateboarding and mountain biking, the 42-year-old woke one morning with what is known as a \u2018thunderclap headache\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n Both his partner and mum phoned NHS 24 and an ambulance was sent out to take him to the Royal Alexandra Hospital<\/a> in Paisley before he was later transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the start, I thought that it was a really bad headache,\u201d Liam said. \u201cAfter the first brain scan, they knew there was something seriously wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cThey took the appropriate action and rushed me to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where they\u2019ve got a big neurodivision \u2014and from there I was taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n What can follow for people in Liam\u2019s situation is an unnerving or frightening period of uncertainty as they navigate their recovery<\/a> from a brain injury.<\/p>\n The process can be life-changing<\/a> and leave individuals feeling confused, anxious and isolated as they come to terms with what they have been through.<\/p>\n Recalling his own experience, Liam said: \u201cI was home myself a lot. My family were doing a lot to help me but I was really feeling isolated.<\/p>\n \u201cI had pressure because, although I\u2019ve been working all my life and I took all the insurances that you would normally take to make sure that you and your family are fine in any ill health, those things were hard to access.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cWith the brain injury, I had started to feel anxiety. I was depressed. The life I knew before \u2014 of being very active \u2014 it had gone.<\/p>\n \u201cI was sitting in the house trying to recover…I had very bad neurofatigue. Getting up and walking down the stairs was a problem.<\/p>\n \u201cEven at the start, I had light sensitivity so I was sitting with sunglasses on in the house which was ridiculous looking back at it but it made me feel a wee bit better at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cTrying to navigate going to the doctor\u2019s and finding out what was next for me, it was always very vague. [It was] \u2018come back in two weeks, here\u2019s a sick line for two weeks\u2019. Although the doctor was helpful when I was there face-to-face, even getting an appointment was hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Liam self-referred to Quarriers Brain Injury Community Support \u2014 a new service that opened at the end of April and is funded through Renfrewshire Council.<\/a><\/p>\n It provides support and advice to adults with a brain injury, helping with a wide spectrum of needs from non-medical rehabilitation<\/a> to day-to-day living.<\/p>\n It signposts those contacting or using the service to a range of wider support services<\/a> that exist across Renfrewshire so they can improve personal and family outcomes in the longer term.<\/p>\n It also provides specialist support networks and community connection opportunities as required for clients and their family.<\/p>\n For Liam, the support he has received from the likes of service lead Helen Stewart and project worker Ronnie Patrick has been invaluable.<\/a><\/p>\n He said: \u201cThey\u2019ve shown me what it\u2019s like to have somebody in your corner, people that you can look to rely on because they had an insight to this.\u201d<\/p>\n Liam, who has been supported at appointments<\/a> with the doctor and Citizens Advice, said the team reiterated that he was not alone.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cFor the majority of people, this takes a wee while to start feeling better so I\u2019ve just been listening to Ronnie and taking things easy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe managed to secure much-needed time off from my work. I felt under pressure because I\u2019ve got bills like everybody else.<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThese things don\u2019t stop unfortunately when you\u2019re not well.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of panicking that I was getting further and further behind with anything, Ronnie set out small targets for me.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re making them and every time we make them, it just makes everything feel a bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n Quarriers will be holding an information day for Brain Injury <\/a>Community Support from 1pm until 3pm on Friday, October 3, at the Tweedie Hall in Linwood.<\/p>\n Picture by Contracted Freelance Andrew Neil<\/p>\n The team, which also includes project worker Karen Shanks, hopes this event will raise awareness<\/a> on the subject and let people know it is available in Renfrewshire.<\/p>\n![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_brain1jfif.jpg\")
Liam and Ronnie have a catch-up.<\/p>\n![\"Ronnie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_brain3jfif.jpg\")
Ronnie Patrick, Helen Stewart and Karen Shanks of the new Renfrewshire head injury support team<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758085594_118_0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_brain2jfif.jpg\")
Tweedie Hall & Linwood Library Bridge Street Linwood<\/p>\n