News - Acquired Brain Injury Ireland

Jun

Set ‘drink water’ reminders on mobile phone in hot weather

by Caroline Cullen in News 0 comments

With the hottest temperatures experienced in Ireland for decades, this weekend we are urging family members and carers to set ‘Drink Water’ reminders on mobile phones to keep people with brain injury hydrated during the heatwave. As we know, short term memory loss and other memory problems are extremely common among people with brain injury which places this group at high risk of dehydration. The charity’s CEO, Barbara O’Connell said: “During this heatwave we are very concerned about hydration for people living with a brain injury and for their carers. The reality is that many of our brain injury survivors will not remember to drink water and will not recognise if they are becoming dehydrated. They will be dependent on those around them to prompt them to drink more fluids than usual in this hot weather.” In these exceptional circumstances with red and amber weather alerts, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is urging carers to set extra ‘drink water’ reminders for themselves and people with brain injury. The charity added that, “too often family carers put themselves last and it’s vital that carers look after themselves and stay hydrated”. Additionally, the national brain injury charity has warned about watching for unusual […]

May

“I didn’t want to leave the house after my stroke.”

by Caroline Cullen in I'm living with an ABI, News 0 comments

Three years ago, Ann Cosgrave went to work like any other day. It was June and she worked full-time as a retail shopping assistant. But on this particular day, everything changed. Ann found she couldn’t work the register. She was muddled and felt strange. She was told later by colleagues that she was rambling and not making sense, talking about someone dying in Eastenders. Her manager brought her outside for fresh air and when Ann didn’t improve, she wasted no more time and brought her straight to hospital where she underwent tests. Doctors confirmed that Ann had suffered a bleed on the brain, also known as a stroke. (There are two types of stroke. A stroke can be caused by a clot blocking blood flow to the brain or by a burst blood vessel which results in a brain bleed. One in five people will have a stroke in their lifetime.) “I had a bleed on the brain while at work. There were no signs, no family history.” A stroke is so-called because it strikes suddenly, often with little or no warning. Ann was lucky her colleagues acted fast and brought her to hospital. But afterwards, she felt different. She […]

May

Brain injury is a silent epidemic affecting thousands – this needs attention

by Caroline Cullen in News 0 comments

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland calls for research investment to drive interventions for brain injury survivors to capitalise on the window when the brain can rewire cells. National #BrainPower Seminar, 18 May 2018: Silent epidemic: Thousands of lives are devastated in Ireland every year by brain injuries acquired through falls, road collisions, attempted suicides and strokes resulting in a silent epidemic leaving families struggling to cope in every corner of the country, said Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. According to the national not-for-profit which delivers community and residential services to 1,100 brain injury survivors nationwide in a given year, there is a gaping need for research investment to drive more effective interventions to capitalise on the window of time shortly after injury, when the brain can rewire cells in some parts of the brain. The latest call for research investment was made at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s inaugural #BrainPower seminar inviting clinicians nationwide to hear about latest trends in evidence for adjusting to life and delivering interventions for brain injury survivors. Barbara O’Connell, Chief Executive with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland said: “Traumatic brain injury is a silent epidemic in this country and while there is no cure for it, we can manage it better […]

May

“Just one punch left me fighting for my life.”

by Caroline Cullen in News 0 comments

Heading to Australia has always been popular for Irish students and workers, offering the opportunity of a great life experience. But for one 23-year-old, his life was turned upside-down when he landed Down Under. Michael Hyndman jetted off to Oz with his fiancé last September (2017) to take up a new job as a quantity surveyor. But during New Year’s Eve celebrations he suffered a serious brain injury following an altercation which saw him undergo emergency surgery on New Year’s Day. His family waited by his bedside as he slept in an induced coma, hoping and praying that Michael would wake up. Desperate to do something, his brother Brian set up an online fundraising page which was an urgent cry for help to get his brother home. And it worked. Now, nearly 5 months later, Michael is finally coming home after two life-changing surgeries and months of rehabilitation. He said: “There is no doubt in my mind that my recovery has been phenomenal. I don’t think this would have been the case if it wasn’t for my friends, my family, colleagues and the many selfless people who don’t even really know me, yet donated to my cause. Your generosity made it […]

May

One in five brain injuries caused by road traffic accidents and assault

by Caroline Cullen in News 0 comments tags: assault, bank holiday, brain injury, road traffic accidents

This bank holiday weekend, we are asking road users and party goers to take extra care because 1 in 5 brain injuries that we see here in Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is caused by assault and road traffic accidents. In fact, 15% of our brain injury survivors have suffered an injury following road traffic accidents – a further 5% of brain injuries were the result of unprovoked assault. That’s why we are urging people to keep their head and take extra care ahead of a busy Bank Holiday Weekend. We’ve outlined three simple tips to help the public ‘keep their head’ and enjoy the 3-day break safely. Tips for a safe weekend: Keep your head and watch your speed this weekend. You’ll get there when you get there. Be mindful of other road users. Mind yourself and your friends. Enjoy the nightlife, don’t ruin a good night out. Keep your head and walk away if things get heated. Don’t get separated from friends, stay together. Don’t get distracted. Be mindful in your actions – wear a seatbelt, wear a helmet, use hands-free phones only. Barbara O’Connell, Chief Executive, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland said: “As the nation looks forward to getting out […]