Join Paul McGrath this August! We are urging sporting fans to take part in our first Paul McGrath Golf Classic on 31st August in Rathaspeck Manor in Wexford. Join the Irish footballing legend for a fantastic golf day and the chance to pot a hole-in-one for brain injury. Paul McGrath’s Thoughts A supporter of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Paul McGrath said: “I’m delighted to support the first Paul McGrath Golf Classic and to help raise vital funds for people affected by brain injury. I know the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland team here in Wexford and I have immense admiration for the great work they do. Nobody ever thinks a brain injury will happen to them but unfortunately it can happen all too easily, even after a simple fall. I hope lots of people will join us to raise vital funds for this charity so we can help turn people’s lives around after brain injury while enjoying a fun game of golf here in sunny Wexford!” Sign up now! You can enter with a fee of €100 for a team of four people. All proceeds will go to support our charity. As well as a great day of golf, you will have the […]
What is a concussion? When you hear about concussion, many people don’t realise that a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It usually happens after an impact to the head. The good news is that concussions are not usually life-threatening and you can recover from this type of brain injury. That’s why it’s important to know more about the causes and the signs and symptoms. Jockeys 3 times as likely to get a concussion Recent findings from a new UCD study have found that amateur jockeys are three times more likely to get a concussion than professional jockeys. In fact, concussion is the biggest injury threat for jockeys, as reported in The Times. Nearly 65 percent of amateur jockeys have been concussed from a fall compared to 25 percent of professionals. One reason for this, is that professional jockeys are trained in how to fall. UCD Professor Michael Gilchrist explained how they learn to roll up into a ball and roll with the momentum to minimise the risk of injury. But amateur jockeys do not have this level of fall training, making them more likely to sustain a head injury. Concussion awareness At Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, we want […]
When it comes to preventing concussion, player honesty is at the top of our list. Player honesty is vital We welcome the latest articles in the Irish Independent and The Irish Times featuring Donegal GAA star Ryan McHugh as he talks openly about concussion. It’s important that more players like Ryan feel that they can talk about any symptoms they experience after a hard knock on the field. Encouraging player honesty is crucial to reduce the risk of second impact syndrome among players of contact sports, a condition which can result in serious symptoms or even kill. If you have concussion symptoms – speak out The reality is that players are often their own worst enemies. Many will always play on with an injury if they can get away with it. That’s why it’s important that players have the support of the coaches, their families and the team around them so they are not afraid to speak up about concussion symptoms. Ryan Mc Hugh knows all too well how difficult it is, not to play. He told the Irish Times: “I think the hardest thing to do as any sports person, well for me, as a Gaelic footballer, is to sit […]
We’re calling on healthcare professionals to join our Step Ahead experts this May in Cork and Dublin to learn all about the benefits of our new vocational assessment service geared to help young people after brain injury. Step Ahead is an exciting new initiative focused on getting young brain injury survivors back to work, training or education. Step Ahead Cork, 8 May at 11.00am: Join us in the Kingsley Hotel at Victoria Cross in Cork 11.00am – learn about the benefits of our new Step Ahead initiative from our Senior Occupational Therapist Sinead Stack 11.30am – photo opportunity! We’ll be taking photos for issue to local media to help raise awareness of the Step Ahead service in Cork. 10am-2pm – We know you’re busy, which is why our ‘Meet and Greet’ day allows you to pop in to us between 10am and 2pm, with whatever time you can spare. Refreshments served throughout the day Rsvp to Sinead: sstack@abiireland.ie Step Ahead Dublin, 15 May at 10.00am: Join us in The Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin 10.00am – Have a go on our VALPAR vocational assessment kit and enjoy refreshments 11.00am – Hear from our expert Senior Occupational Therapist Emer Duffy and our […]
Minister Regina Doherty joined Kevin McLaughlin and Diana Bunici to launch our new #STEPAHEAD initiative to help young people return to work after brain injury. “Let’s give our young people a STEP AHEAD after brain injury” This was the latest message from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s CEO Barbara O’Connell at the launch of a new initiative to help young brain injury survivors get back to work and education. Get back to work or education with #StepAhead With an estimated 19,000 brain injuries acquired annually in Ireland from causes including stroke, road traffic accidents and falls, the latest STEP AHEAD initiative is a practical vocational assessment programme targeting 18-29 year olds affected by brain injury. Lining out to support young brain injury survivors was former Irish rugby international Kevin McLaughlin, joined by broadcaster and author Diana Bunici and Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty. The STEP AHEAD programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. Every participant gets their own vocational plan Barbara O’Connell, Chief Executive with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland said: “Brain injuries can happen in the blink of an […]
