Beyond Brain Injury

Trauma

There are many causes of traumatic brain injuries, including:

• motor vehicle accidents (driver and passenger) accounts for the majority of trauma related ABI’s
• motorbike rider and cyclist accidents
• pedestrian accidents
• falls from a height
• sports injuries
• assaults and gunshot wounds
• shaken baby syndrome
• war injuries and more.

Traumatic brain injury is also called TBI and is a disruption in the normal function of the brain caused by:
• a blow, bump or jolt to the head
• the head suddenly and violently hitting an object or;
• when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.

The majority of the people we support have had road-related trauma although we so support a variety of consumers with other causes of ABI.

After effects can include:

• Memory loss
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Visual changes
• Dizziness
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Paralysis
• Balance problems
• Reduced Language skills

Rehabilitation will depend on the kind and severity of the injury. The dramatic change to a person (physical, cognitive, intellectual and social) means that the right kind of support is essential in working towards recovery. A affected person’s mental health state generally requires special attention as depression and frustration can be a challenge. Focusing on what can still be done - rather than what is lost - is important and ensuring that the person maintains social links with family and friends means that they have less chance of becoming lonely or isolated.

It’s important to realise that improvements can continue to happen beyond time at rehab. Even though recovery can feel very slow, people learn to adapt and find new ways of doing everyday activities with the right environment and the right supports over the long term.

At Headstart we understand that for some people a traumatic ABI means that their disability is invisible. This means it’s not physically apparent to the general public. The person may look like everybody else, however their brain may no longer work like it used to. This can lead to further frustration as people navigate life after their injury, and so the right supports are a big part of making a person with an invisible ABI feel understood.

There is always hope! Headstart is a specialist service supporting the choices and independence of people with an ABI, and have been doing this since 1987.

Here are just a handful of our consumer stories o different kinds of traumatic brain injuries:

Scott's motorcycle accident story

Scott had a serious motorcycle accident when racing for Ducatii Bears and walking again is his main goal. Scott’s support worker Tara explains how far he has come in his recovery journey.

Cheryl's story after he son’s Ben’s fall

Ben sustained a brain injury after falling from a rooftop. At that point life changed forever for him and his family. Ben’s mum Cheryl shares about the challenges they initially met and how they have overcome them with Headstart’s support. 13 years later Headstart still support Ben.