The Health Service Executive is highlighting “National Brain Awareness Week” by drawing attention to its services in the South East for those with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

An Acquired Brain Injury is as a result of a medical condition such as stroke, brain haemorrhage, aneurysm, tumour or an event such as cardiac arrest causing lack of oxygen to the brain. A Traumatic Brain Injury results from a road traffic accident, fall, assault etc.

ABI is often referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ and a ‘silent epidemic and it is estimated that it affects some 19,000 people in Ireland each year – approximately 1,900 of whom live in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Conservative estimates suggest that 10% will have a major disability as a result of their ABI, but a large proportion of the rest will also experience difficulties which fit the ‘hidden disability’ profile.

Whereas much attention is given to deaths on the roads, the HSE is anxious that the ongoing needs of the surviving victims receive as much focus. Within the TBI category, men outnumber women approximately 4:1 and a high percentage will be under the age of 30. These young people who survive TBI are likely to be living with the consequences for many years.

Jacqui Stapleton, Senior Occupational Therapist with the HSE’s South East Regional Acquired Brain Injury Team, says:

“The person with an ABI has a long journey to make. From the HSE’s point of view, the initial medical stages focus mainly on saving life, improving health and regaining function (eg being able to walk / talk etc). As time goes on, the focus changes into learning how to live with a changed ‘self’ and how best to move on in life. For some people this is a long and challenging process. The journey is frequently taken in the company of loved ones – partners, children and parents, who all have to make their own adjustment too. A person who has an Acquired Brain injury may have difficulties with any area of functioning (because the brain is the ‘central computer’ of the body). There may be paralysis of some body parts, loss of any sense (vision, touch, taste, hearing, smell), difficulties with thinking (eg memory, learning, decision making etc), communication (speaking or understanding speech) and personality changes (different moods, loss of confidence, over familiarity etc.)”

“The HSE in the South East is fortunate in having an established Regional Acquired Brain Injury Team. We aim to be the first point of contact for persons seeking support and advice in relation to ABI. Referrals are accepted from any source for adults aged 16-65 with an ABI residing in Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. The ‘Slí Eile’ Community Assessment and Transitional Living Unit in Clonmel offers short to medium term residential rehabilitation to people with ABI. The focus is on the acquisition of knowledge, skills and supports to help make new adjustments. We also work closely with organisations such as Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (commissioned by the HSE to provide ABI support and services), Headway Ireland (the National Association for Acquired Brain Injury) and ‘Brí’ (the ABI Advocacy Association)”.
www.abiireland.ie
www.HeadwayIreland.ie
www.BriIreland.ie