We are incredibly proud to share that Josh, a young person supported by the Child Brain Injury Trust, has dedicated a heartfelt rap song to our charity.
His powerful track, which has now been professionally recorded (thanks to Chroma Music Therapy), takes listeners on an emotional journey through his experience of surviving a childhood-acquired brain injury.
At just 12 years old, Josh’s life changed dramatically following an accident. In his song, he captures the struggles, the resilience, and the milestones of recovery, offering an inspiring message of hope to other children and families navigating similar paths.
To make his song even more impactful, CBIT worked alongside Josh to create a video version, bringing his words and emotions to life through film. The finished piece is moving, raw, and a testament to the strength and creativity that so many young survivors show in the face of challenges.
How CBIT supported Josh
We first met Joshua and his family in 2018, after a referral from the Trauma Team. They were introduced to our early intervention brain injury services, which provide essential support for families in hospital following a childhood-acquired brain injury. From the very beginning, our focus was on helping the family feel informed, supported, and never alone on their journey.
Through regular bedside visits, we offered emotional support, giving the family someone to talk to who understood the medical terminology, the uncertainty, and what life after a brain injury might mean. Alongside this, we provided practical guidance to help manage the significant changes that can follow a brain injury, supporting with financial applications such as DLA and PIP, and working closely with medical, education, and social care teams to make sure Joshua’s family had a voice in every decision.
When the COVID-19 lockdowns began, we adapted our approach to deliver virtual support. We shared accessible resources to help the whole family, including Joshua’s siblings, understand his recovery and the changes they were seeing. We also delivered training and workshops for professionals supporting Joshua, helping them develop their knowledge of acquired brain injury (ABI) and how best to meet his needs.
Beyond hospital, we encouraged the family to connect with our parent peer support networks on social media, creating a space where they could share experiences and find comfort from others who understood. We also helped them access short break funding and other community resources to ease day-to-day pressures.
Our support for Joshua continues today, working alongside his case manager, Julie Lawlor, and the clinical team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to ensure the family remains connected to the right services, referrals, and appointments. Through every stage of their journey, we’ve been there to guide, support, and empower them, helping Joshua and his family move forward with confidence and hope.
A message from Sharon, Josh’s ABI Coordinator
“From the very first time meeting Josh and Sarah at the Bedside and onward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where everything was uncertain for them, I knew we would be able to stand beside them and provide the support that would help them to navigate their journey. Working with his clinical teams, watching the rehabilitation sessions, and beginning to see Josh take those tiny steps of progress was really special. Over time, we celebrated the bigger milestones of growth we saw through outpatient clinics, and we always looked forward to seeing Josh in the clinic. He lit up the room with his humour and positivity. I hope now for his voice to be inspiring, empowering and hopeful to other young people with ABI and to show that anything is possible with the understanding, patience, support, and guidance of those around you. I have to admit, I felt quite emotional listening to this for the first time. I reflect on what a privilege it was for the family to let us into their lives at the most traumatic time for them all, and for letting us be a continuing part of his story… Josh – this is completely brilliant, and thank you for letting us share this with the world!. It is truly remarkable to see what you are achieving.”
Josh’s rap is not only a personal expression of his journey but also a tribute to the community that has surrounded him with care, encouragement, and guidance.
His decision to dedicate this track to the Child Brain Injury Trust means so much to us as a charity. It highlights how our mission, Elevating Families, Enriching Futures, is lived out in real stories of resilience and recovery.
We are deeply honoured to be part of Josh’s journey and to see his music inspire others. His song is a reminder that creativity can be a powerful tool in recovery, helping young people to share their stories, process their experiences, and raise awareness of acquired brain injury.
How you can support
We’re also incredibly grateful to Josh for dedicating his song as a way to raise vital funds for CBIT. His generosity helps us continue supporting children and families affected by acquired brain injury. If you’d like to show your support for Josh and our work, you can make a donation here.
The Song
We’re so proud to share Josh’s powerful rap with you. In this video, you’ll hear his story told in his own words, capturing his journey from the day of his accident to where he is now in recovery. It’s honest, emotional, and deeply inspiring. Take a few moments to watch and experience the resilience and creativity of a young survivor of childhood-acquired brain injury.