“Peer support is really important when you have a brain injury.” Sarah Kerr is the acting local services manager in our Wexford rehabilitation service. Our women’s group in Drinagh is one of our longest established services in the country. Here members meet every Wednesday to do everything from cookery to crafts; but most importantly, to connect. Sarah has seen many women’s lives turned upside down after brain injury. Many had to leave college or a career or are struggling with childcare. Many women were left feeling lost or isolated. Brain injury can affect your sense of identity Sarah says: “You get a sense of worth from your employment or from your role within the family. So when you have a brain injury and you have to give up that role – whether you’re working in a shop or looking after your family – it affects your sense of identity.” But the power of meeting people who understand exactly how you feel, cannot be underestimated. Talking about the magic of the women’s group in Wexford, Sarah said: “Here, the women can come into each other with concerns or issues and the other people in the group can say ‘yes, I’ve had […]
Brain injury can be confusing to people who don’t have one. Often when we’re trying to be helpful, we say the wrong thing. Or as a carer, it is easy to say things out of frustration and tiredness. It happens all the time. This Brain Awareness Week 2019, we offer our top 7 tips on what not to say to brain injury survivors: #1 You seem fine to me The effects of brain injury are often hidden. A person can look fine on the outside but struggle on the inside with problems like memory, fatigue, concentration, mood. Too often we judge disability on what we can see. Acknowledging these difficulties helps a brain injury survivor feel validated and accepted. #2 How many times do I have to repeat myself? Or I’ve got a terrible memory too! We all forget things from time to time and it can be frustrating having to repeat yourself. But after a brain injury, it’s more than the usual forgetfulness, the memories may no longer stored. Avoid saying ‘I told you already’ and try practical tips like setting reminders or writing it down. #3 Let me do that for you Rebuilding independence and confidence is vital […]
On your marks, get set, bake! There’s a rush on flour and eggs all over Ireland as families and friends touched by brain injury get ready to raise some dough to support our life-changing work!. Bake parties are set to sweep the nation This year marks our seventh annual bake party fundraiser. All the monies raised from bake parties go to support our rehabilitation and family support services right across the country. It’s all happening as part of National Brain Awareness Week, 11-17 March. Organise your own bake party It’s really simple – bake whatever you like then invite friends or family around to enjoy your tasty cakes in exchange for a donation to our charity! It’s a win-win for everyone. There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked cakes to make you feel a sense of satisfaction and it’s an excuse to catch up with people at home or in work. Use your flour power! Our Head of Fundraising Jonathan Power, said: “We’re looking for people to join in the fun and embrace the ‘flour power’ for our annual ‘Bake for Brain Injury’. Host a bake party or coffee morning between 11-17 March. Your support or donation […]
Hot off the presses! We are delighted to tell you about our new STEP AHEAD vocational service for young people affected by brain injury, supported by Pobal’s Ability Programme. STEP AHEAD is a national service with two centres in Cork and Dublin. This practical programme is geared to help more brain injury survivors return to education, training or work. STEP AHEAD also provides essential brain injury information and education for employers, tutors and trainers. Who can take part? Our STEP AHEAD programme offers a vocational assessment and work-related support service free-of-charge to individuals with an acquired brain injury and who meet the following criteria: · Aged between 18 – 29 years old · Have sustained an acquired brain injury · In receipt of disability allowance or invalidity pension; or · In receipt of illness benefit for more than three months; or · Referred by a relevant organisation or service supporting young people with disabilities i.e. Primary Care Teams, HSE Disability Services, Residential or Day Services Expert service Led by a senior occupational therapist, our STEP AHEAD service will assess the individual’s work skills, knowledge and experience. The programme provides practical assistance for people with a brain injury who may be struggling […]
While our organisation welcomes the long-awaited launch by the HSE of a new national rehabilitation implementation plan, we cannot stress enough the need for immediate action. We call on the government to start with a focus on community rehabilitation. As many of you know, every year in Ireland an estimated 19,000 people acquire a brain injury caused by stroke, road traffic accidents, brain tumours, falls and assault. But too many of these cases don’t get the rehabilitation they need. Ongoing, hidden crisis of brain injury In our view, it is an ongoing hidden crisis that thousands of brain injury survivors are left without the necessary rehabilitation that could help them live more normal lives. Worse still, we are still seeing many young people stuck in hospitals, psychiatric wards or nursing homes after brain injury. This is not good enough. New HSE plan announced today Today the HSE has announced a new implementation plan. And today, we would like to see the government prioritise investment in community rehabilitation because this will go some way to ensure people with brain injury can move from one service to another in a timely fashion and maximise their potential recovery. Too many brain injury survivors left […]
