Emilia Clarke Highlights 15 Million Brain Injury Survivors in Aftercare Crisis at London Event
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jun 3
Emilia Clarke Highlights 15 Million Brain Injury Survivors in Aftercare Crisis at London Event
2 articles · Updated · Variety · Jun 3
Summary
Emilia Clarke used Variety’s Power of Women London to spotlight what she called a brain-injury aftercare crisis, saying stroke and traumatic brain injury leave more than 15 million people in the UK and US with life-changing consequences.
One in three people will suffer a brain injury in their lifetime, Clarke said, arguing survivors are often saved in hospital but then sent home without enough neuropsychologists, specialist rehabilitation or long-term support.
Clarke tied the issue to her own case, recalling brain hemorrhages at 22 and 24 and saying she returned to work within weeks while missing the longer-term effects on fatigue, anxiety and overall recovery.
SameYou, the charity Clarke founded with her mother in 2019 after going public, now has tens of thousands of survivors in its community pressing for recovery care to be treated as seriously as survival.
With one in three people facing brain injury, why is long-term recovery still a medical afterthought?
Emilia Clarke survived falling 'off a cliff' post-injury. How can healthcare build a safety net for millions of others?
The Brain Injury Aftercare Crisis: Emilia Clarke, SameYou, and the Global Push for Lifelong Rehabilitation
Overview
Emilia Clarke’s personal experience surviving brain hemorrhages inspired her to found SameYou and advocate for better brain injury aftercare. She highlights that current rehabilitation is often short and inadequate, leaving many survivors without the long-term, holistic support they need. This lack of sustained care leads to lost potential and livelihoods, as people fall through the cracks of the healthcare system. SameYou’s mission is to challenge misunderstandings, push for greater investment and research, and promote comprehensive care so brain injury survivors can achieve meaningful recovery and return to fulfilling lives.