Campaign to raise awareness of brain injuries

More than 13,000 people are impacted by brain injuries in Ireland every year.

The organisation Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is launching a guide to brain injury in Dublin today to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms.

The publication of the guide will help individuals and their families understand the impact a brain injury will have on their lives.

Men are three times more likely than women to acquire a brain injury, and young men in particular between the ages of 16 - 24 are at high risk, ABI Ireland said.

“ABI Ireland celebrates its 10th birthday this year and over the years we have seen at first hand the devastating way in which lives are irrevocably changed by brain injury. For many, once they leave the structured support of hospital, they feel isolated and alone,” said CEO Barbara O’Connell.

“This guide is extremely valuable because it provides a comprehensive overview of the causes and treatment of Acquired Brain Injury in ‘plain English’, so it is very easy to understand. It can easily fit in your pocket or a handbag so that it can be referred to continuously, and it explains what can be expected during the various stages of rehabilitation and the medical professionals and their roles at each stage of rehabilitation process,” she said.

Damage to the brain from an acquired brain injury can result in a personality change and can affect memory, speech and language, mobility, sight, judgement, ability to cope with pressure and understanding of situations, concentration and the ability to organise oneself and their finances. All these affect a person’s ability to take control of their lives and can lead to social isolation and depression. Financial and emotional strain on carers can be considerable.

Former Leinster, Munster and Connacht rugby John Fogarty said: “Whenever I got a knock to the head on the pitch I would shrug it off and tell people “ah sure it was only a knock”, I didn’t want to let down my team mates and I didn’t want to be sidelined for an enforced period of rest.

“I never gave my body the chance to heal after these knocks and my family and I are now living with the consequences. To me concussion was a natural side effect of the game. I now understand the complexities associated with it and the need for the care of concussion to be highlighted.”

Munster rugby captain, Denis Leamy added “We all love playing the game and we all want to give 110% to our club, our province or our country. Wearing a scrum cap while playing rugby, a helmet when playing GAA or whatever protective headgear is available to you is an easy way to look after your health and your future.”

ABI Ireland’s Guide to Acquired Brain Injury is available from the ABI Ireland website www.abiireland.ie or from ABI Ireland, 43 Northumberland Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.