A passionate scuba diver, who lives at Symonds Yat, whose devastating brain injury ended his career and almost wrecked his marriage, was runner up for a national award celebrating the achievments of those with head injuries. James Neal’s brain injury drastically changed his personality and turned his life upside down, but his passion to scuba dive once again helped him to turn his fortunes around.

Now, he has been named as one of three finalists for Headway - the brain injury association’s Alex Richardson Achiever of the Year Award, sponsored by Slater and Gordon Lawyers. The awards were made at a glittering ceremony in The Dorchester Hotel, London, on Friday, December 7th. James said: “When I found out I was a finalist I was lost for words, to hear that I have inspired other people is just seriously cool.”

Days before Christmas 2013, Dimple Neal arrived home to find her husband unconscious on the floor having suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a bleed on the brain.

James, 49, was rushed to Frenchay Hospital, where he underwent immediate surgery to stop the bleed, while his loved ones were told to prepare for the worst, he was not expected to survive the night. James pulled through the surgery, but was left with short-term memory loss, and had difficulty thinking logically, making decisions, and being rational.

He struggled to find his words and was overwhelmed with fatigue. He could no longer run his business, and his marriage was pushed to the limits.

Dimple said: “The dynamics of our relationship had completely changed and we were struggling.”

Cheltenham Sub-Aqua Club were understanding of his injury, and once given the go-ahead by doctors, helped him get back on his feet. James said: “My neurological doctors didn’t know anything about diving, and my diving doctors didn’t know anything about brain injury, but I put them in touch with each other and I’m really grateful they worked together to support me,” said James.

Although James lost many of his life skills as a result of his brain injury, his knowledge of diving was still there. He said: “All of my worries and concerns disappear as my head drops below the surface. I basically go onto autopilot.”

Amazingly, James is now among the top 1% of divers world-wide, with no limit to the depths he can dive to. He is also an elite diving instructor and has found a sense of purpose through helping others to better themselves in the sport that means so much to him. In September 2017, James organised a 24-hour scubathon with fellow divers to raise awareness of brain injury. He poured his heart and soul into the event, which raised £8,000 for Headway Gloucestershire.