Viewers were brought to tears by a powerful documentary exploring how people deal with the long-term effects of a brain injury.
New doc tonight, BBC2 9pm RT: BBC Two – Louis Theroux, Louis Theroux: A Different Brain https://t.co/jOH7iZ8jut
— Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) May 15, 2016
Louis Theroux’s A Different Brain, saw the presenter spending time with staff and service users at the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, one of the UK’s largest providers of neuro-behavioural rehabilitation, in an effort to understand how individuals and their families come to terms with this life-changing condition.
In his characteristically calm and empathetic manner, Louis probed beneath the surface and asked the difficult questions – prompting praise from viewers of the BBC2 show.
Im in tears! So moving #ADifferentBrain
— Amy Bowman (@A_Bozza) May 15, 2016
Such a powerful and touching watch this is. The bond of love these people and their families have is unbreakable 💗 #ADifferentBrain
— Ms Rabbit (@JessicaRabbit37) May 15, 2016
My heart can't take this. #ADifferentBrain
— Maria Ferguson (@kerdonk) May 15, 2016
Louis Theroux is the absolute best at dealing with the most sensitive & heartbreaking circumstances. A national treasure. #ADifferentBrain
— Thomas Coxhead (@iamcoxhead) May 15, 2016
First up we were introduced to Dan, who was hit by a transit van when he was 14, and spent a year in a coma.
(screenshot/BBC)
He got into the wrong crowd, and ended up in prison at 18 – where he weighed just four-and-a-half stone.
This guy #ADifferentBrain pic.twitter.com/mn26l9Pi7b
— Peter Yeung (@ptr_yeung) May 15, 2016
4 and a half stone at 18, unbelievable #ADifferentBrain
— ロバート·ディール (@Mr_Deal86) May 15, 2016
After 14 years of rehab he now wants to live independently.
Got to feel for Dan, deserves another opportunity. Fantastic documentary @louistheroux #ADifferentBrain
— Rob Kavanagh (@robkavanagh7) May 15, 2016
Louis also met Natalie, a type-one diabetic who attempted suicide 15 years ago by injecting herself with too much insulin. She’s completely forgotten that day, and believes her brain injury was caused by a knock on the head.
I love Natalie. It's heartbreaking what happened to her but she's so full of joie de vivre. #ADifferentBrain
— Si, Robot (@Simonjenkin) May 15, 2016
(screenshot/BBC)
Despite everything she’s gone through, her mum says she is “still the loving and caring Natalie” she used to be.
Very insightful and moving #ADifferentBrain documentary. Natalie's story was painful. What a beautiful spirited soul she is. #LouisTheroux
— Susan Deane (@sudeeni) May 15, 2016
But what really captured viewers’ hearts was the fraught relationship between Rob and Amanda, who was a veterinary nurse before injuring her brain in a horse riding accident.
(screenshot/BBC)
Rob is amazing, it must be so heartbreaking and he's so patient #ADifferentBrain
— Erin Pryde (@erinpryde_) May 15, 2016
That married couple on #ADifferentBrain 😞😞😞😞😢😢😢😢😢 So upsetting.
— Daniel (@Daninho58) May 15, 2016
The couple’s two young boys revealed they sometimes see mummy as “an intruder”, while Amanda described herself as a “burden that can’t hoover”.
Rob and Amanda before the accident (screenshot/BBC)
'A burden that can't hoover' was probably the most heartbreaking line from @louistheroux doc #ADifferentBrain
— Sneaky Dogfriend (@Emileee_Rose) May 15, 2016
#ADifferentBrain : "it feels like mummy is an intruder" – families need so much support following a loved one's #BrainInjury
— Hannah Carr (@1HannahCarr) May 15, 2016
#ADifferentBrain 'a burden that can't hoover…' How heart breaking what one injury can inflict upon a whole family…
— Vanessa Saxton (@bobbidog) May 15, 2016
Heartbreaking.
Thank you @louistheroux and @BBCTwo for sensitively highlighting long term issues for families living with #braininjury #ADifferentBrain
— The Children's Trust (@Childrens_Trust) May 15, 2016
For more info on #braininjury following #ADifferentBrain and to order a copy of our free guide – https://t.co/oaFzhaQGRU
— Disabilities Trust (@theDTgroup) May 15, 2016
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