NSW Brain Injury Awareness Week

Across NSW this week, a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations will be running events to bring attention to acquired brain injury, which is often called the ‘hidden disability’.

With 25,000 in NSW acquiring a brain injury every year as a result of stroke, car accidents, falls, sporting injuries or workplace accidents, Brain Injury Awareness Week is an important time for the community to stop and think about those who live with an acquired brain injury, how support to people can be improved and how accidents can be prevented.

“Many people who have acquired a brain injury as a result of accident or illness often resume their lives, but live with ongoing consequences such as fatigue, headaches and a range of health complaints and cognitive changes. Often the full extent of the consequences of the injury is not recognised by work colleagues, family or friends,” said Deborah Frith, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Brain Injury Association.

“For other people the effects of an acquired brain injury can be significant with the loss of thinking skills, paralysis, mental illness and changes to personality and behaviour that requires substantial changes to a person’s life and those who care for them.”

The Brain Injury Association of NSW will be holding an open day at its Epping office on Friday from 10.00am – 2.00pm for anyone wanting more information about acquired brain injury and the work of the Association.

The full range of activities being staged during Brain Injury Awareness Week is available on the website of the Brain Injury Association of NSW www.biansw.org.au