Emilia Clarke on brain injury recovery: Feels like falling off the edge of a cliff
Los Angeles, June 4
Actress Emilia Clarke, who suffered brain aneurysms in 2011 and 2013, has reflected on how difficult it is for survivors of the terrifying health scares.
Speaking at Variety's Power of Women London, she said: "When I finally shared my story in 2019, we were overwhelmed by the response. Mostly young people reached out to tell us their own stories. Today we have tens of thousands of survivors in our community saying essentially the same thing.
"The journey to healing feels like falling off the edge of a cliff without anyone there to catch you."
The "Game of Thrones" star said that treatments around brain injuries needs to improve, particularly with aftercare, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
She said: "What usually happens when you're rushed to hospital with a brain injury is that doctors do everything possible to save your life. They stop the bleeding, remove the clot, find the source, cut it out, stitch you up, and send you home.
"But what many people don't realise is that whatever symptoms remain - physical, cognitive, emotional, linguistic - the consequence is unresolved trauma."
The actress added that there are simply too few "neuropsychologists and specialist rehabilitation services for that reality to change without a major shift in priorities."
Clarke compares the current outlook on brain injuries to where cancer was a century ago" in terms of how people approach the rehab.
The actress said: "When everyone around you thinks you look fine, they treat you as though you are. Eventually, you start believing you should be too."
The actress says brain injuries are "misunderstood".
"I often compare brain injury today to where cancer was a century ago: misunderstood, stigmatised and hidden from view."
"When rehabilitation is available, it's usually measured in weeks rather than years and focused on only the most visible symptoms. Brain injury recovery is still in its infancy, leading to lost potential, lost livelihoods and too many people falling through the cracks."
— IANS
Reader Comments
She's absolutely right. In India too, mental health and neurological recovery are so neglected. We need more awareness and better rehabilitation centres. The comparison to cancer a century ago is spot on - we need to change how we see brain injuries.
The line about people treating you as fine because you look fine hit hard. My sister had a concussion and everyone expected her to just bounce back. It took years. We need to be kinder and more patient with invisible illnesses.
So much respect for Emilia for sharing this. The fact that she had two aneurysms while filming Game of Thrones is incredible. But the aftercare system failing survivors everywhere is a real issue. We need more neuropsychologists and better rehab services - and not just in the West, but in India too. 🧠
I appreciate her honesty, but I feel like she's speaking from a place of privilege. Most people in India can't even afford the initial treatment, let alone years of rehab. The system needs a major overhaul everywhere, but especially for the less privileged.
Falling off a cliff without anyone to catch you - what a powerful way to describe it. My cousin had a brain aneurysm last year, and the family felt so helpless. We need more support groups and rehabilitation programmes. Thank you, Emilia, for giving a voice to survivors. 🙏
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