SALFORD MAN SET FOR EPIC CHALLENGE FOLLOWING DAD’S LIFE-CHANGING BRAIN INJURY

A Salford man is set to begin an epic fundraising challenge after his dad sustained a life-changing brain injury.

On December 2, 2022, Dusty Zeisberger, 31, will be physically and mentally challenging himself by running for 24 hours on a treadmill in support of Headway – the brain injury association. 

Dusty said:

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"Earlier this year, my dad was carrying a speaker down a hill when he slipped, fell, and hit his head on the roof of a building at the bottom of the hill.

"He suffered a bleed to the brain and was placed in a medically induced coma for four days. He couldn't speak or move for two weeks. After that, he began to make noises and then roughly speak. It was an awful time for us all."

 

After spending four months in hospital, Dusty's dad was able to return home, but remains partially paralysed on his right side and struggles with communication.

Dusty is raising funds to help Headway continue its vital work supporting brain injury survivors and their families, campaigning for brain injury prevention, and increasing awareness of brain injury.

He feels supporting Headway is crucial because, like many brain injury survivors, his dad has struggled with both his physical and mental health.

Dusty said:

"Dad has become a different person since the accident in terms of communication and thinking.

"He is currently suffering from depression, which has impacted his relationships with his partner and with my brother. There are often outbursts of anger and frustration, which I assume are due to the feelings of helplessness."

His dad's brain injury has also impacted his ability to live an independent life.

Donations Link: https://givepenny.com/dustyzeisberger_because_you_can_24_hour_treadmil 

Dusty continued:

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"My dad is currently in a nursing home. He desperately wants to leave and live in his own home again, but there is not enough support at home for his condition.

"He recently started being able to shuffle with his 'bad' leg but fell over, so his confidence is low, and he is scared to try to walk again.

"He has now been diagnosed with carpal tunnel in the wrist that he can move, so his chances of living semi-independently are very small.

"Before my dad sustained his brain injury, he was an extremely independent, active, and caring individual. He worked for Mercedes Benz for 52 years and has been a musician since he was a teenager playing multiple instruments and singing in bands.

"He retired a few years before the injury and had plans to move to Germany and travel Europe, living a life of adventure and relaxation."

Dusty is now determined to use his family's challenging experiences to make a positive difference to the lives of others living with brain injuries.

"I've always believed that we are capable of so much more than we imagine. This has just shown me how quickly our abilities can be taken away from us," he said.

"I'll be taking the treadmill for a spin for 24 hours to show myself and everyone else what we are capable of. This is something small that I can do to raise money for those that can't."

 

Donations can be made to Dusty's fundraising page here. He will also be documenting his journey on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok under 'Dusty Zeisberger' and also @thedustycoach.

Donations Link: https://givepenny.com/dustyzeisberger_because_you_can_24_hour_treadmil 

For more information on brain injuries, including support in your area, visit https://www.headway.org.uk.