The power of connection

I’ve always loved art.  In school it was my sanctuary, and in work if I had an opportunity to design something I felt a spark ignite.  I just never knew how I could make it a bigger part of my life so I could always feel this way. 

I never imagined a brain tumour would lead me to a new creative life.

When I was recovering from the treatments for my brain tumour it wasn’t only the physical challenges I struggled with, it was the emotional impacts.  I felt like I’d lost my identity; hearing loss, fatigue, chronic pain and balance issues all made me slower, less confident, more isolated.  When I had reached my lowest point I was referred to brainstrust for support and that moment changed the course of my life.

Brainstrust truly understood why I was feeling so lost, and their 1:1 coaching support helped me to see myself as a whole person with strengths and potential.  They helped me pick up the pieces and put me back together until I began to feel comfortable with my new life. 

Through my art, I support brainstrust and spread a message of possibility and positivity, embracing the changes that come from life’s challenges as we pick up the pieces.

I want to share how much of a difference this can make to one person’s life.

6 months after launching the business I held a stall at an event in my village.  I set up on the end of my drive with a table full of mosaics, a brainstrust poster and a big welcoming smile.  

I didn’t know if I would sell anything (amazingly, I did!), but even if I hadn’t, what happened at the event made everything … every minute sitting on my drive, every cut finger from glass when I was learning the techniques, every head scratching moment setting up my website … worthwhile.

A lady approached my stall and asked me about brainstrust.  

“I saw the beautiful mosaics shining in the sunlight, came across to see what it was and saw the brainstrust logo and the pamphlets.” Helen

I explained my connection and she told me she also had a brain tumour.  It wasn’t just what she said, it was how she said it. I felt like I was looking at myself a few years back. There was a sense of sadness and loss in her words and the way she carried herself. I remember her asking me why she didn’t feel better yet - it had been 18 months since the surgery, so she was supposed to be OK now.  This is something nobody prepares you for - brain surgery is only the beginning. Recovery takes time, and you don’t always end up back where you started. I could see so clearly that she needed support. She was surrounded by people who love her, but, as I had also discovered, the only ones who really know what it feels like to have a brain tumour are people who have a brain tumour!

“When I first spoke to Naomi I felt such relief that somebody understood what I was going through. I had got to such a low point that the fact that somebody understood was such a relief, such a gift. I am so grateful to Naomi for that.” Helen

We chatted about brain tumours, about mosaics, about life … all at the end of my drive.  I loved that she truly understood the message in my art - not just the aesthetics but the meaning of bringing together the broken pieces to find wholeness. 

“I love Naomi’s mosaics. They make me feel happy, they make me feel hopeful, they make me feel joy.  The fact that something broken is made into something new and so beautiful, it epitomises what we go through. We were broken and are becoming new versions of ourselves.  I don’t think anybody that’s had a brain tumour can be who they were before, so through that you become a new you. And that’s exactly what the mosaics bring me.” Helen

We decided to meet up for coffee and found such an easy and comfortable friendship.

“The relationship and connection that I have with Naomi is amazing. Somebody understanding where you’re coming from on good days and bad days.  It’s the freedom to be honest with somebody about how you feel because, bless family and friends, they are so helpful but they do not understand what it’s like. And the connection with Naomi - it's like we were friends from the beginning.  The friendship has given me hope.  It’s helped me to know that what I was feeling was normal and that we do have to find our new normal.  Talking to Naomi and finding out that she had to change jobs and was basically where I am now - I can see how far she’s come and I can watch all the positive things that are happening through Hope Mosaics and be part of that journey.  It gives me hope for the future, excuse the pun but it really does! There is more to me and to life than just the brain tumours.” Helen

It felt like fate that we should meet that day.  I wanted to spread the word about brainstrust, in fact shout it from the rooftops!  The support they gave me was life-changing and I knew that they could help Helen as well.  I encouraged her to contact them, hoping she would access some support through their workshops or 1:1 coaching. 

“Brainstrust, oh my word, they are amazing people. They are so kind, they are so understanding they allow you to say it how it is and how you’re feeling. They totally changed me as a person. I feel like I have hope, there is a future, and the same as with Naomi, watching Naomi gives me hope for the future. It doesn’t matter where I am today, there is more to come. Brainstrust has given me that opportunity to just be me, slowly but surely changing how I feel about myself.” Helen

When Helen and I met again recently I saw such a dramatic change in her. When we first met, she looked lost.  This time she looked alive.  Energised, with a sparkle in her eyes. She was bursting with news about her conversations with brainstrust and buzzing with plans for the future. 

“Both Naomi and brainstrust have totally changed the way I think about what I’ve got. Helped me see that it’s OK to be different, it’s OK to find a new version of myself and that in fact it’s such a joy and an honour to be alive and move forwards and make decisions for myself.” Helen

She’s now also shouting from the rooftops about brainstrust!

“Brainstrust offers so many workshops. Do everything. See what works for you and what doesn’t just let go. But the opportunity to do all these things is fantastic. To do something, just one thing a week, with brainstrust is such a gift to me. Something to focus on, something to enjoy and I want to do so much more.” Helen

Not only is she being supported by brainstrust, she wants to help others in a similar position.

“Brainstrust and Naomi have given me my life back. I was at rock bottom. I was struggling mentally. I was struggling physically and though I still am, it's a totally different outlook on life now that I’m working towards. I want to do more for brainstrust.  Getting the information out there - telling people about it, helping people that have tumours and hopefully relieving some of their fears because we’ve been through it. Also if there’s anything I can say to people’s family and friends about how to be with your person with a brain tumour I’d love to be part of that story as well. To give back, pay it forward for what Naomi and brainstrust have given me.” Helen

This shows the power of connection. 

Connection through art.
Connection through shared experiences.
Connection through genuine understanding.
Connection through purpose.

New lives are emerging and ready to help others find theirs.