In Focus: Anwaar
Anwaar (21) is a young woman who was involved in a life changing car accident in January 2017. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent a year and a half in hospital, two and a half months of which were spent in a coma. Once she came out of the coma, she had to have a tracheostomy on her throat and was worried she would never be able to sing again.
"I've always been involved in music, it’s in my blood. I was a singer before the accident, performing in school and at various singing competitions. Music is the thing that makes me stronger and helps to keep me going." Anwaar, Trinity Music Student, July 2022
It took a long time for Anwaar to gain enough strength and confidence to think about starting to sing again. Through positive encouragement from her rehabilitation support worker at the NHS head injury therapy unit, she was referred to Trinity to enrol in weekly music sessions as part of her scheduled timetable of rehabilitative work. Through working with the Trinity music team and her support worker, Anwaar is finding a safe and positive place to reignite her passion for music and more specifically, singing.
On taking part in Trinity's music provision, Anwaar says "It was everything I thought it would be. A place for me to relax, offload and bring out my emotions. This place gives me a chance to sing my heart out, which I can't do very easily at home. It makes me feel better and helps keep me calm when I get stressed out. Music is a saviour in a way."
Anwaar's brain injury has affected her short-term memory but what even she finds amazing herself is that she still has the ability to remember songs and lyrics learnt before the accident. One of the most impressive tracks she can perform effortlessly, without the aid of visual prompts or lyrical cues, is Eminem's epic 6 minute masterpiece, ‘Rap God'. She also enjoys exploring many other diverse forms of music from reggae to pop and everything in-between.
Harriet Jones, who supports Anwaar in their role as Cognitive Rehabilitation Support Worker, says "Anwaar always talks about music, it's a great outlet for her to express herself. These sessions give her something to focus on and look forward to each week. It's also really beneficial for her to come here and have new experiences, meet new people and hopefully give her the confidence to eventually guide her into part time work in a place like this, that can help harness her creative side through exposure to the music industry."
Anwaar is still on her long journey to full recovery but is feeling optimistic about her future prospects. She is currently looking forward to moving into a new house, continuing with her music sessions and building her confidence up enough to now think about doing recording and taking part in live performance opportunities.