We are delighted to tell you that Acquired Brain Injury Ireland was selected as one of six organisations to be awarded a grant from the Ignite Fund to help rebuild lives after brain injury. The Ignite Fund was created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland in partnership with several private philanthropists and the Department of Rural and Community Development. Together these bodies have awarded a total fund of €550,000 to six worthwhile organisations – and we’re one of them! How the Ignite Fund works The Department of Rural and Community Development matches funding for all philanthropic funds raised by Social Innovation Fund Ireland from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Awardees are spread across four separate categories under the themes of ‘Empowering Families’, ‘Youth Resilience’, ‘Harnessing Ability’ and ‘Music to Impact’. Harnessing Ability Acquired Brain Injury Ireland has received the Ignite Fund Award 2019 to support brain injury survivors returning to work or education after brain injury. The ‘Harnessing Ability’ Award was supported by philanthropists Ralph and Maureen Parkes and W2 Foundation, for which we are extremely grateful. Thanks to this award, we can expand our new vocational assessment service which was launched earlier this year. Step Ahead is a free of charge […]
A new study by Cork University Hospital (CUH) has shown that one year after a concussion injury, more women were still affected by mild brain injury symptoms than men. What is Post Concussion Syndrome? This is known as Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS). It is a mild traumatic brain injury with symptoms including dizziness, depression, headaches and cognitive deficits such as problems with memory, language and thinking. Patients still living with symptoms a year later For the most part, the study found that symptoms were resolved in patients within 3 months. But for as many as 45% of patients, they continued to experience post-concussion symptoms up to a year later. People struggled with fatigue, which is very common after brain injuries. Some patients reported worse dizziness or difficulties with physical functioning. More women affected with Post Concussion Syndrome Post concussion syndrome was more prevalent in women and these women reported worse outcomes after their mild traumatic brain injury. This may be somewhat surprising to read because many of us associate brain injury with men. Here in Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, two thirds of our clients are male and the most common causes of brain injury we see are from stroke, road […]
Don’t miss our Step Ahead roadshow heading ‘Into The West’ this September! That’s right – we’re off to spread the word about our new vocational assessment services for young brain injury survivors in Sligo, Donegal, Mayo and Galway. What is Step Ahead? Step Ahead is Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s new service delivering vocational assessments to support young people aged 18-29 years, who wish to return to work or education after brain injury. Earlier this year we launched Step Ahead thanks to funding from the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. Step Ahead is a national service led by Senior Occupational Therapists in two centres based in Cork and Dublin. How can I find out more? This September you can join us for our September roadshow to learn more about Step Ahead in the following locations: SLIGO – 9th September at the Riverside Hotel from 10am to 12pm DONEGAL – 10th September at the Letterkenny Radisson Hotel from 10am to 12pm MAYO – 16th September at the Castlebar TF Royal Hotel from 10am to 12pm GALWAY – 17th September at the Galway Meyrick Hotel from 10am to […]
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 […]
