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 […]
Imagine one minute you’re driving a car with friends and the next you’re waking up at the wheel to the sound of car horns blaring. This is exactly what happened to Irene when she was just 23 years old. Irene thought she had fallen asleep at the wheel but in fact she had had a seizure. Diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, this was the first time in years and as an adult, that Irene had a seizure. Out of the blue Irene had lived a normal life with no sign that anything was wrong for most of her life. Then out of the blue she started experiencing black-outs and seizures. One of the jolliest people you could hope to meet, Irene has learned to cope with her seizures and make changes to her life. One of the positive changes she has made, is taking part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon. Inspired to help others with brain injury Truly inspirational, Irene has not let overpowering fatigue get in the way. Twice, she has completed the 10k women’s mini marathon to help others who are living with a brain injury. And this year, she hopes to inspire you to do […]
“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 […]
