Issue 4 - 2017
MENTAL HEALTH
MANAGE YOUR CONDITION
IMPROVE COGNITION
IMPROVING AWARENESS
THERAPY
RELATIONSHIPS
www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk
Contents Contents
1
HEADWAY Derby
52
Editors message and Reader Letters
2
HEADWAY Alyesbury Vale
55
HEADWAY Oxford Physio Gym
58
MANAGE YOUR CONDITION
RELATIONSHIPS Can technology help? Developing Potential with ADHD
6 Child Brain Injury
61
Light at the end of the tunnel!
65
9
Importance of a Routine
14
Importance of Nutrition
16
REVIEWS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
Fitness Trackers
19
Book Review
70
Movie Review
71
Subscriptions
72
Key Contacts
73
Supporting Awareness
74
IMPROVE COGNITION Brain Training and Apps
20
MENTAL HEALTH Overwhelmed
30
How to Keep Motivated
36
THERAPY Exercise
THE ADVERTISING AND 42
IMPROVING AWARENESS Subtle Brain Injury
PLEASE NOTE THAT
ARTICLE SUBMISSION FOR THE OCTOBER ISSUE IS
49
SEPTEMBER 20th
Editors Message
Readers Letters ‌ Send letters to: letters@healthisyourwealth.co.uk
Please note some of these articles are written by patients who are still in recovery. These articles are deliberately Some
people
with
unchanged and may contain spelling,
a
punctuation and grammar mistakes.
neurological condition will have had a near death
A copy of our medical disclaimer plus
experience. From this they have
gained
a
terms and conditions is on our website.
new
perspective on life; the
We respond to each letter!
hard way ! Certainly there is
a
common
amongst
Errors and omissions are exempt from
theme
survivors
this
that
they feel luck in one way and
they
are
able
For
terms
and
conditions please see:
to
www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk
appreciate the smaller but sometimes
publication.
more
meaningful things. #YOLO (You Only Live Once) is very true ! David, Editor
2
The Leading Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Solicitors in the East Midlands area. At Barratts we are proud to be different. We ensure that every client has an experienced lawyer acting for them throughout the claim. We visit clients at home and we take the time to listen, understand and explain. We have a reputation for handling claims with sensitivity and offering support during the rehabilitation process. That is why we are locally based but recognised for our expert, independent advice by:
Headway, The Spinal Injury Association, AvMA, APIL, Law Society and independent legal guides including Legal 500 and Chambers Our clients are nearly all personally recommended to us by former clients and professionals. Our caring approach is second to none. If you have been injured and want advice from a lawyer with experience, who has the time to fight for you, then please contact us:For Nottingham contact
Ed Myers
For Derby contact
Debra Morris
And for Clinical Negligence contact
Julie Hardy
We can discuss how best we can help you and your family in a relaxed setting.
Both Ed and
Debra are specialist head injury lawyers, accredited by Headway and both act as volunteers for local Headway groups at Nottingham and Derby. Visit www.barratts.legal for further information on our solicitors, case studies and news items, or follow us on Twitter. Ed Myers 0115 931 5171 3 Wheatcroft Business Park Landmere Lane Nottingham NG12 4DG
Email ed.myers@barratts.legal
Debra Morris 01332 565395 The Old Courthouse 18-22 St Peter’s Churchyard Derby DE1 1NN
debra.morris@barratts.legal
Identity Card Many of our reader have difficulty explaining that their condition results in having poor balance, co-ordination, speech and visual issues etc. Therefore we have designed a card which will help promote awareness and understanding to ensure a recipient is a little more patient and makes some allowances for your condition.
IDENTITY CARD NAME ………………………………. I HAVE …………………………… THIS MEANS I HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH: ……………………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………… PLEASE BE PATIENT & ACCOMODATING
TYPSCOPE / LETTERBOX Prevent the reader taking in unnecessary visual stimulus and help them keep their place in the paragraph by limiting the amount of text readers can see at any one time. This simple ‘cut out’ tool is sized to work on 10” tablets and also the printed version of the magazine. It will present the reader with only 3 lines of text and ensue they wont get lost.
Manage YOUR Condition
YOU Are In CONTROL
out if he carried on with what he was
How Can New
doing, or would take the bin out and
Technology Help With
forget to finish the bed, or would forget what he was going to write on his
Brain Injury?
whiteboard by the time he got there.
‘Alexa’ has had a positive influence on
John really enjoys the fact that he can
John’s life. Alexa is able to remind John
say out loud, for example,
to complete his day to day activities without needing the support of another
‘Alexa, add take the bin out to
person to do this.
my to do list’
John is able to tell Alexa to add events
as and when he thinks of it. John also
to his calendar or ‘to do’ list without
finds it easier to ask what is on his list
having to write anything down. If John
and have the list read out to him, rather
should ask Alexa what is on his to do list
than trying to remember a list in his
or calendar, she is able to verbally recite
head or trying to read the board in the
them back to him. This has eliminated
kitchen.
the need for John to write appointments Alexa has been able to help John with
down, which he finds difficult.
other things such as keeping track of the John is now able to add tasks and events
date and time, finding out answers to
without having to stop a task in hand,
questions without having to log on to a
for example, he may remember while
computer or phone which can cause
making the bed, that he needs to take the bin out. In this scenario,
distra ction,
John
recipe
instr uctio ns,
spellings, latest news stories, travel
would often either forget to take the bin 6
information, maths and many more.
John has found that this instant access
if further help is required.
to information has made his day to day
Alexa also has a skill called
life a lot easier as it reduces his fatigue levels.
‘Ask my buddy’ in which nominated contacts can be
remind him to complete tasks at certain
programmed in and should the person
times of the day, such as eat, take
then need support but unable to get to
medication and complete his physio
the phone they can ask Alexa to ‘call
exercises.
my
buddy’ and it will alert the
The only downside to these alarms is
nominated contacts that you need
that it is a tone, rather than a voice
support.
prompt. Alexa is still new to the market
designed to replace the use of 999 or 111
and there appears to be a large demand
in an emergency.
for it to have this feature, so it is likely
Please note - This is not
Alexa can be a little tricky to set up if
that it will be available at some point in
not familiar with Bluetooth technology
the future.
or mobile phone apps, but once set up,
Alexa has many ‘skills’ that can be
Alexa is relatively easy to use. John has
enabled, to suit the needs of the person
personally found that creating a list of
using it. These range from novelty skills
the sentences you need to say in order to
like telling jokes, to serious skills such
open particular skills has been helpful
as first aid (red cross), in which a person
as there are so many skills that you can
can ask how to treat an injury/illness
enable.
and can get instructions of what to do or 7
Alexa is not the answer to all problems,
Managing Your Condition
John has been able to set alarms to
but it has certainly made a positive
John feels that Alexa has enabled him to
change in John’s life and he is very
streamline his ability to complete his
pleased. Following this early success
day to day tasks and leave him with
with Alexa, John plans to add to his use
additional time and energy for other
of it by purchasing compatible smart
activities.
home technology which will then enable
London Road Hospital Head Injury
him to use Alexa to control the lighting,
Team
heating and appliances in and around the home.
8
Parents and educators can observe if the
Developing the Potential in
child exhibits the following behaviours:
Children with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity
Difficulties finishing school tasks or activities
Disorder
Constant forgetfulness or loss of personal belongings Does not appear to listen to people, as if mentally focused in another place
Photo credit: Practical Cures
Difficulty in organizing materials
Manifestation of excessive talking,
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
is
a
neurodevelopmental
disorder that has features such as
presenting difficulty in waiting her/
inattention,
his turn to speak
hyperactivity,
and/or
impulsivity. For a child to be diagnosed with this disorder, the manifestation of these features in at least two different environments of the life of the child is
Easily distracted by stimulus
Usually presents a posture in constant motion, such as the habit
required; for example, at home, at
of leaving her/his place in the
school, on outings with family and
classroom
friends, or during travel and other
when
remain seated
activities. 9
she/he
should
Managing Your Condition
The attention deficit-hyperactivity may
Combined
hyperactive-impulsive
occur according one of these three
and inattentive: in this combination
subtype s:
of the disorder, the child has
hyper active - impulsive ,
inattentive
type,
or
combined
characteristics
hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive.
Hyperactive-impulsive:
inattention,
hyperactivity and impulsivity.
children
During the school routine, the child can
with this type of the disorder,
receive individualized support from the
present as characteristics: difficulty
educator, through constant observation,
in
managing
in order to meet the child’s needs. In
a nd
i m pu l si v i t y ;
addition, the school may refer the child
and
impatience;
to a class of specialized support wherein
controlling
a g g r e s si o n agitation
and
interruption during conversation of
pedagogical resources are adapted.
others; over-talking; inability to
It is essential that family and school
wait your turn during activities or
work jointly in the child’s pedagogical
games; impatience to remain long
intervention so that everyone involved is
time in the same task;
of
working with the same strategies,
Inattentive Type: children with
without the presence of contradictory
inattention presents difficulties to
guidelines.
maintain focus, and pay attention to
The education professionals can orient
what happens around him/her;
the parents on how to assist the child in
distracted and forget things easily, besides
having
difficulty
the task of homework, as well as in daily
in
routine at home. Often a lack of
organizing tasks and belongings;
knowledge 10
or
information
causes
parents to feel insecure in knowing how
When the child performs positive
to assist their child in the best possible
conduct, compliment the behaviour
way
by pointing out the positive factors
for
her/his
growth
and
development.
of her/his attitude
Try to arrange the utensils of the house the same way in order that the child can find them without difficulty Develop, along with the child, a system for writing on a chart daily activities,
Photo credit: Barrett. Discovery
homework, and playing outdoors,
in the school and at home:
among others
Guide the child with simple and
objective rules, staring into her/his
facilitator in the learning process of
w hi le
the student, creating a positive
guidance is given
In the school environment, it is necessary that the teacher acts as a
eyes at her/his height in order to di str a c t i o ns
for
breakfast, going to school, doing
educational work of a child with ADHD,
m i ni m i ze
times
waking up, taking a bath, having
Here are some tips to assist in the
including
atmosphere for the child, and
Explain to the child what needs to
building relationships with those
be done rather than what should
families that share this need.
not be done in a situation
11
Managing Your Condition
Have patience and goodwill with
key point is the adaptation of the
this student, keeping in mind that
pedagogical planning and the teaching
like any other child, this student
strategies, which must be in accordance
has her/his own time for learning
with the individual needs of the student.
and development
The joint support of student, parents,
Establish a teaching routine along
and educators is essential in order to
with the child and annex it with the
perform effective and complementary
class in order that this student can
work
be guided with more confidence and
competencies and potential that each
autonomy
child has.
that
aims
to
improve
the
Authored by Daniela Silva
Put in the child's schedule some important messages to be read by parents in order that they can closely
participate
in
the
development of the child
Use audiovisual resources to better explain the contents of learning in the classroom to the child Sources:
https://www.newheightseducation.org/
nheg-news/developing-potential-children-attention-
Children with learning difficulties have
hyperactivity-disorder/
a different way of conceiving the learning, but are fully capable of
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-
developing skills and capabilities. The
deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml 12
AUTHOR BIO
students, and contributes as a mentor in an online platform, answering questions
Daniela Silva is a Brazilian educator
about career plans, college decision,
and independent writer. She holds a BA
personal development and professional
in Pedagogy from Santa Cecilia
skills. Working in collaboration with The
University, Brazil, with concentrations
New Heights Educational Group, Inc.,
in School Management and Business
she has just published Unraveling
Educ a t io n; a n MBA i n P er so nne l
Reading, a book on literacy education
Management from Monte Serrat
writing.
postgraduate certificate in Neuroeducation from Estรกcio de Sรก
Email: danieducator@gmail.com
University, Brazil. Working with social projects in the area of e-learning and people development since 2009, Ms. Silva is a regular contributor to several educational websites, writing about teaching practices in the classroom; emotions and learning; evaluation and school planning; learning disorders; homeschooling, brain child development, pa r e nt i ng , Mo nt e sso r i e duc a t i o n, andragogy and people training. Additionally, she develops courses and training manuals for teachers and 13
Managing Your Condition
and learning disabilities in reading and
Uni v e r si t y Ce n t e r , Br a zi l ; a n d a
enthusiasm as making progress was
“Importance of A Routine”
fairly easy and quick due to garage being right next to the driveway.
We have all done that job that “Will only
Next to be tackled was the bedroom
take five minutes” and ends up taking
cupboards which were a little further
you two days. Before the “FATIGUE”
away and were upstairs. This meant a
problem it didn't really matter and was
lot of moving around and the cupboards
more of an annoyance that the task was
needed emptying, sorted though and
taking longer than expected. However
divided into two piles (one for rubbish
now things are different. It is still
and one to go to charity).
irritating that it takes longer however
This where it all went wrong. This
you now have to deal with the after
exercise was highly underestimated and
effect that you will suffer for a couple of
as usual you think you can do things but
days following the event.
when it actually comes to it things take
A recent example of this was I awoke
longer.
and decided that this was the day to
After one week the skip is still on the
have a spring clean. I got up and had a
drive and we are talking one cupboard
decent breakfast, forfeited my usual
every two days.
exercise routine’ ordered a skip and started piling rubbish onto the driveway
At this pace I estimate that this will
ready to be thrown into the skip.
take about five weeks. However the lesson learnt is to take your time and
The garage was first to be tackled and
split the task into small chunks; sure it
we started well and with lots of 14
will take longer but there is no rush!
EXERCISE & NUTRITION
“Importance of Nutrition”
more.
Pineapple
The benefits of Pineapple
great too!
is
easy
to
find,
inexpensive, versatile in recipes and, of course, its sweet, golden flesh tastes
Pineapple is a delicious tasting, nutrient
Rich Source of Immune Boosting
rich fruit that provides a ton of health
Vitamin C
benefits, yet it’s still low in overall Pineapple contains 131 percent of your
calories. It is used widely around the
daily value of antioxidant Vitamin C.
world as a natural remedy to treat
Vitamin
everything from indigestion to being
minimize
used as a natural allergy cure.
C
is
commonly
coughs,
colds
used and
to flu
symptoms. Vitamin C is a water-soluble
The benefits of pineapple are due to its
vitamin that plays a role in maintaining
high supply of vitamin C, vitamin B1,
the health of the body’s connective tissue
potassium and manganese, in addition
as well as acting as an antioxidant.
to additional antioxidants that help As an antioxidant it has the ability to
prevent disease.
synthesize collagen, which is the main
Pineapples work as well as many
protein in the body responsible for
medicines do to reduce symptoms of
maintaining healthy blood vessels and
some of the most common illnesses and
organs.
conditions we see today. Pineapple benefits include cardiovascular
protection against disease,
improved
fertility, reduced inflammation and
16
High in Fibre
studies
done
on
rats.
The
study
concluded that pineapple juice can Fruits that are high in fibre can lower
reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
your risk of colorectal cancer. Fibre can
and can help establish digestion and
also lower your blood glucose levels.
absorption.
Type 2 diabetics may show signs of improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin
High
potassium
intakes
are
also
levels.
associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, medium
pineapple
contains
preservation of bone mineral density
approximately 13 grams of fibre, eating
and reduction in the formation of kidney
pineapple is a great way to maximize
stones.
these health benefits. Because of its
Helps Mental Health
high fibre content, one of the benefits of pineapple is that it can help to prevent
One of the benefits of pineapple is that it
constipation and will promote regularity
helps improve your mood and helps fight
and a healthy digestive tract.
depression and anxiety. Pineapple is a
Helps Protect Against
good
source
of
the
amino
acid
tryptophan, which is used by the body to
Cardiovascular Disease
produce enough serotonin, one of our Pineapple supports heart health because
main
of its fibre, potassium and vitamin C
“happy
hormones.�
Consuming enough of this amino acid, in
content. One study found that one of the
addition to other nutrients like B
benefits of pineapple juice if that it has
vitamins, is important to support your
cardio-protective abilities, as seen in 17
Managing Your Condition
One
neurological system, for energy, and for
Studies conducted in Japan showed that
the production of good mood hormones.
eating pineapple helped those who had celiac disease, an allergy to the protein
Reduces Inflammation
gluten that is found in wheat, barley and rye products, due to the presence of
Pineapple may help those suffering from
the bromelain enzyme.
arthritis and joint pain because the bromelain that is present can speed up healing
associated
with
Pineapple Concerns
surgical
procedures. It is also very useful for
Consuming too much vitamin C is
treating sporting injuries including
generally quite safe because it is a water
sprains and can help counter pain.
-soluble vitamin and any excess is excreted through urine.
A study showed that the bromelain found in pineapple caused a significantly
However bear in mind that extremely
fast recovery after surgical procedures
high doses of vitamin C can possibly
which is one of the reasons they offer it
cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting,
as a drink in hospitals.
heartburn, abdominal pain, insomnia and headaches.
Aids in Digestion
The For digestion, eating pineapple serves as
that
is
found
in
pineapple may interact with some
a powerful aid in breaking down
medications, and this is something that
proteins into peptides and amino acids.
you can mention to your health care
It can ease the symptoms of ulcerative
provider. This may be an issue with
colitis, acid reflux, and it helps the general digestive processes.
bromelain
blood thinners, insomnia medications or 18
antidepressants.
somewhat useful; especially when you
“Fitness Trackers”
look at the averages over a month.
“However it just confirmed that the quality of my sleep was poor” Sleep Tracker
This was kind of telling me something I
Like everyone else with a head injury I
already knew plus it also confirmed that
have an awful time once asleep as it’s a
my heart rate was constant.
problem to stay asleep. I decided to use a fitness tracker to monitor my sleep
and by viewing the graph I was able to
habits with the aim of trying to obtain
see that I was waking up at the same
more detail around my sleep pattern.
time each night.
The watch is worn on your wrist and
My last pain medication is taken at
connects to an application on you phone.
10pm and the following on at 8am, ten
You can define some parameters which
hours. Normally there is only five hours
are unique to you regarding the time
between each medicine schedule.
you go to bed, what time you wake up I
and set a goal of how sleep to aim for
am
going
practitioner
etc.
to
talk
about
my
general
modifying
my
medicine schedule so that the last one at The watch monitors you heart rate and
night and the first one in the morning
present you with a graph the next day
are closer together just in case its pain/
determining the total quantity of sleep
discomfort which is waking me up!
you had and a break down of ‘Deep
Perhaps this will help!
sleep’ verses ‘Light sleep’. This was 19
Anthony, TBI Survivor, UK
Managing Your Condition
What it did pinpoint was ‘awake time‘
IMPROVE COGNITION
“Exercises to Strengthen your Brain!” The rules of brain training: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Try and do a minimum and maximum of thirty minutes each day. Try and commit to doing for ten weeks. This duration requires that you set time to one side to complete this. It has to be challenging to work. If it’s to easy there are no benefits. To keep motivated set yourself rewards. If you complete an exercise give yourself a reward, something to look forward to! As well as doing exercises on your own work with others to increase your social skills.
POSITIVE MENTAL ATTTITUDE ENCOURAGE TRUST MENTOR CREATE INOVATE EFFECTIVE INVICTOUS
Improve Cognition
Word Search
This maze is much more complex than usual. You start on the left hand side and have to escape to exit on the right hand side. There are multiple paths and dead ends!
However there are multiple dead ends and only one solution! Perhaps time yourself to see how long it takes you, take a note of the time and try it again a few weeks later. Have fun!
START
22
Cris-Cross Across
Down
1. RATIONAL 8. VICTORY 9. PRODUCE 10. SUPPORT
2. APPROACH 3. VALUABLE 4. COUNSELLOR 5. HELPFUL 6. INVENT 7. EXPECTATION
Improve Cognition
23
APPLICATION REVIEWS
Allows you to easily record, delete, trim
Voice Memo’s
and delete all or part of a memo. What phone/system is it compatible with? Compatibility: With all iPhones/iPads plus there is an equivalent application for Android devices too however this may
A good of determining whether your
vary
depending
on
the
manufacturer of your device. Cost?
periodically record your voice. I do this every month on the same day of the
FREE
week (The first Monday of the month)
We give this a ★★★★★ rating
and choose 9:30am as that is when my voice is best. I say the same sentence This application is also useful if you
each time so when I compare history
have problems writing things down or
there is a little consistency to my efforts.
remembering them. Especially if you are speaking to someone on the phone who How friendly is it?
wants to give you a reference number,
This app is simple to use and allows you
another telephone number to call or a
to record for a decent amount of time.
piece of important information like a date or costs.
What will it do?
25
Improve Cognition
speech therapy is having an impact is to
What will it do?
Mazes and More
5 categories: Classic, Enemies, Ice Floor, Darkness and Time trial. More will come!
Easy mazes for kids and hard labyrinths for adults.
Minimal and retro 2D graphics, forget about complicated 3D mazes.
This is one of those applications that I wish I’d found ages ago. Mazes & More is a classic maze/labyrinth puzzle for
What phone/system is it compatible
kids and adults with fun tweaks and
with?
surprises. Just swipe your finger and guide the dot through the walls to find a
Requires Android 4.0 and up
way out and escape the labyrinth.
Cost?
Run, explore and find a way out through
Free however there are some In-app
the intricate walls. Is there a Minotaur?
Products
Complete all 450 labyrinths and become
Loads of fun here and helps with
the king of the maze.
concentration too!
How friendly is it?
We give this a ★★★★★ rating
Easy play, forget about awkward tilt controls or unresponsive accelerometer. Better than using a marker! 26
finger to move from one corner of the screen to the other.
Vision Tap
Visual memory procedure that requires the user to remember the order and location of flashing buttons.
Tracking and visual processing procedure that requires quick and accurate responses.
Time-based tile matching procedure that uses either letters or images as the targets
A collection of vision-related games that
What phone/system is it compatible
common vision problems.
with?
How friendly is it?
Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Compatible with iPad
To be used with a therapist
Cost? What will it do? Free Can help with eye-hand coordination, We give this a ★★★ rating
reaction time, as well as some reading
This application is not intended to be
and learning issues.
used as a diagnostic tool. If you are
Used to increase reading speed and perceptual span.
Used to assess and improve visualspatial relationships.
or
Tests and improves saccadic eye movements, eye-hand coordination, and reaction time.
examination. Consult with your vision-
Tests and records both your reaction time and the speed of your
experiencing problems with your vision vision-related
schedule
a
activities,
please
comprehensive
vision
care provider before using this app. 27
Improve Cognition
can be used in the treatment of some
therapies, and create a customized
ViaTherapy
rehabilitation plan for your patient. What phone/system is it compatible with? Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
ViaTherapy represents over 5 years of work by an international panel of stroke
Requires Android 4.1 and up
rehabilitation researchers and clinicians from
Physiatrist,
Neurology,
Cost?
and
Physical & Occupational Therapy. The collective
expertise
Free
encompassed
We give this a ★★★ rating
research interests in epidemiology, motor
control,
and
You must be at least 17 years old to
knowledge
translation.
download this application.
How friendly is it?
This application really requires some
Needs to be used with a medical
medical
professional. Aimed at therapists.
information entered is reliable and to
training
to
ensure
the
correctly interpret the information it What will it do?
presents. It is a good tool for your doctor
Use ViaTherapy to learn about the
to use as part of a blend of resources
latest therapies, recall established
they will have at their disposal.
28
MENTAL HEALTH
high-risk activities. However stress is
Mental Health
only
healthy
if
it
is
short-lived.
“Easily
Excessive or prolonged stress can lead to
Overwhelmed”
illness and physical and emotional exhaustion.
Overwhelmed What are the symptoms of stress? Becoming
overwhelmed
is
easily Physical changes
achieved for everyone. However adding brain injury into equation adds another
Stress ca cause raised blood pressure,
dimension into the mix. Multiple inputs
increase your heart rate and increase
such as financial, relationships, decision
the rate at which you perspire and
making, managing your ‘NEW’ day to
reduces the efficiency of your immune
day life plus therapy can cause Stress.
system.
No surprise as you're under abnormal
For
pressure.
example,
experience
you
may
headaches,
start
to
nausea and
A moderate level of stress makes us
indigestion. You may breathe more
perform better. It also makes us more
quickly,
alert and can help us perform better in
palpitations or suffer from various aches
situations such as job interviews or
and pains. Longer term you may be
public speaking. Stressful situations can
putting yourself at risk from heart
also be exhilarating and some people
attacks and strokes.
actually thrive on the excitement that comes with dangerous sports or other 30
perspire
more,
have
Emotional changes
some of the feelings described above, and may have felt stressed or anxious at
When you are
stressed you
may
some time or other.
experience many different feelings, Brain injury sometimes results in not
These
being able to cope with pressure. If you
feelings can feed on each other and can
think you are prone to stress there are
themselves produce physical symptoms,
various things you can do to help
making you feel even worse.
yourself.
Behavioural changes
How can you help yourself?
When you are stressed you may behave
An important step in tackling stress is
differently. For example, you may
to realise that it is causing you a
become
problem.
anxi ety,
frustration
and
fear,
depression.
withdrawn,
indecisive
or
You
need
to
make
the
inflexible. You may not be able to sleep
connection between feeling tired or ill
properly. You may be irritable or tearful
with the pressures you are faced with.
all the time. There may be a change in
Do not ignore physical warnings such as
your sexual habits. Even if you were
tense
previously mild-mannered, you may
headaches or migraines.
suddenly become verbally or physically
muscles,
over-tiredness,
If you find yourself becoming angry or
aggressive.
upset you may find it helpful to take time out, even if it is only for five
Who is affected by stress?
minutes. Get yourself a drink of water or All of us can probably recognise at least
take a walk around the block. 31
Mental Health
anger,
includi ng
Learn to relax
practical solution, those that will get better anyway given time, and those you
If you notice you are becoming stressed,
can't do anything about. Try to let go of
try to relax your muscles and calm
these things as there is no point in
yourself down by slow, deep breathing.
worrying about things you can't change
Start by taking a deep breath, hold this
or things that will sort themselves out.
for a count of three and then slowly breathe
out.
Continue
this
Some
slow
problems
may
be
more
breathing until you feel more relaxed
complicated and need to be dealt with
and then go on with what you were
head on. This is easier said than done
doing.
and therefore might be difficult to do unaided, so you may need to call on
Mindfulness has been shown to be
outside
extremely helpful for managing and
help
from
a
neurological-
psychologist.
reducing the symptoms of stress, so you
Make lifestyle changes
could also consider taking a course, either online or locally, to learn some
Once you've started to deal with the
techniques for practising mindfulness in
immediate causes of stress, try to review
your daily life.
your lifestyle. Are you taking on too
Identify the causes
much? Are there things you are doing which could be handed over to someone
Once you have recognised you are
else? Can you do things in a more
suffering from stress, try to identify the
leisurely
underlying causes. Sort the possible
way?
You
may
need
to
prioritise things you are trying to
reasons for your stress into those with a
achieve and reorganise your life so that 32
you are not trying to do everything at
moderate physical exercise, like walking
once.
to the shops, can help.
You can help protect yourself from
Take time to relax. Saying
stress by in a number of ways. For
"I just can’t take the time off"
example, a healthy diet will help prevent you becoming overweight and
is no use if you are forced to take time
will reduce the risks of other diet-
off later through ill health. A It is
related diseases.
important
to
maintain
a
balance
between responsibility to others and
If possible, try to cut right down on
help you learn how to control muscular
to reduce tension, but in fact they can
t e nsi o n
make problems worse. They can put you
and
b r e a t he
correctly.
Alternatively you could try to spend
at more risk of physical consequences of
more time on leisure activities.
stress because of the damage done to the body. You may also find it helpful to
Sleeping problems are common when
reduce the amount of coffee you are
you're suffering from stress, but try to
drinking as the effects of caffeine on the
ensure you get enough rest. Try not to
body can be very similar to the effects of
take sleeping pills for longer than a
stress and anxiety.
night or two.
Physical exercise can be very effective in
One of the best antidotes for stress is
relieving stress. If you are feeling angry,
enjoying yourself so try to bring some
for example, it can be really helpful to
fun into your life by giving yourself
take out your anger in the gym. Even
treats and rewards for positive actions, 33
Mental Health
responsibility to. Relaxation classes can
smoking and drinking. They may seem
attitudes and thoughts. Even simple
failure. This is not the case and it is
pleasures an help you deal with stress.
important to get help as soon as possible so you can begin to get better.
Try to keep things in proportion and don't be too hard on yourself. After all,
“This is especially important for
we all have bad days. This is fairly
children,
straight forward for a survivor of
encountered
a
near
offer
of
early
support is a vital part of the
traumatic brain injury as often they have
the
healing process. This offer may be
death
rejected at first as the person is
experience so have a new perspective on life. However the survivors family will
not yet ready; but at least they
have new pressures on them that you
know it’s available�
maybe able to help them work through. The first person to approach is your
In some cases a life changing incident
family doctor. He or she should be able
has occurred that not only the survivor
to advise about treatment and may refer
has to come to terms with but also the
you to
family is going through the change as
Cognitive
well.
another local
behavioural therapy and
mindfulness-based
Seeking help
professional.
approaches
are
known to help reduce stress. There are also
Do not be afraid to seek professional
a
number
of
voluntary
organisations which can help you to
help if you feel that you are no longer
tackle the causes of stress and advise
able to manage things on your own.
you about ways to get better.
Many people feel reluctant to seek help as they feel that it is an admission of 34
Mental Health
35
MOTIVATION
“How to KEEP Motivated?” I’ve had many false starts on this article. I know I’m doing it for a good reason but it’s still difficult to get started. Photo credit Emma Smith
It depends on what you’re trying to do.
Now, before you scream and runaway, you need to figure out why you are doing it.
Take an everyday task such as washing the dishes.
This isn’t always easy but a reason does help. It helps if you can visual how things will look when you’ve finished. That is the important bit. When before you get tired, take a break. “Its like a journey really”. This is where
Photo credit Emma Smith
you are, this is where you want to be
Have I got a weeks’ worth of dishes or
and these are the stops along the way.
just a cup? Ah. That many. 37
Mental Health
It doesn’t help if you are tired.
No shame in getting help provided you put in your best effort. You will have made a difference to your situation, no matter how small or apparently trivial the task is.
Authored
Photo credit Emma Smith
By
Phil
Smith,
TBI
Survivor UK
“Then prepare, get stuck in and win” The winning doesn’t necessarily mean completing the whole task. Getting as far as starting is an achievement. In my case I need mostly need someone
Photo credit Emma Smith
or something to get me started. Examples
are
seeing
or
hearing
something that I find interesting.
“IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T
I usually have a tolerable background
SUCCEED TRY, TRY
distraction such as music, TV or radio.
AGAIN”
Or someone giving me a push along the way.
Thomas H Palmer 38
Mental Health
39
information
Mental Health help and support services
services.
With
support
and
understanding, Mind enables people to make informed
choices.
The
Info
line
gives
information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative
health
therapies and advocacy. Mind also has a
problems or need urgent support, there are lots
network of nearly 200 local Mind associations
of places you can go to for help.
providing local services.
Samaritans
Saneline
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to
Telephone: 0845 767 8000 (6pm-11pm)
call)
Website:
If
you
are
experiencing
mental
www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/
support/helpline Email: jo@samaritans.org Saneline is a national mental health helpline Website: www.samaritans.org Provides
confidential,
providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who
non-judgmental
support them.
emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those
ChildLine
that could lead to suicide. You can phone, Telephone: 0800 1111
email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
Email:
Pages/Email.aspx
Mind Info line Telephone:
0300
http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/
123
3393
Website: www.childline.org.uk
(9am-5pm
Monday to Friday)
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of
Email: info@mind.org.uk
nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine Web site: www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines
counsellor for free about anything - no problem is too big or small.
Mind provides confidential mental health 40
Is this magazine in your doctors waiting room yet?
IF NOT VISIT www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk and click on subscriptions
THERAPY
BE AS GOOD AS YOU CAN BE
critical. Recovery, however, refers to
Exercise, “Maintenance for your body !”
techniques
and
actions
taken
to
maximize your body’s repair. These include hydration, nutrition, posture, heat, ice, stretching, self-
Rest after Exercise
myofascial release, stress management, Rest
and
recovery
are
critical
compression, and time spent standing
components of any successful training
versus sitting versus lying down.
program. They are also the least Recovery
enhance performance. You may not be
encompasses more than just muscle
aware there is a difference between rest
repair. Recovery involves chemical and
and recovery
hormonal
or
how to
properly
is
multifaceted
balance,
nervous
and
system
implement them both.
repair, mental state, and more.
For example If you go to the gym for ten
We all have different portions of our
hours per week, you have 158 non-
body that need to recover. These include
training hours or 95% of your time left
hormonal, neurological, and structural.
for rest and recovery. (24 hours in a day
Our structural system includes muscles,
x 7 days a week —10 hours training =
tendons, ligaments, and bones. Muscles
158 hours)
recover the quickest because they receive direct blood flow. Tendons,
Most of these hours are a combination of
ligaments, and bones receive indirect
sleep and time spent not training How
blood flow and therefore can take longer
you sleep and spend this time is very 43
Therapy
planned and underutilized ways to
to recover and be more susceptible to
and exercise, while twenty percent
overtraining stress.
should be left for enjoying life. In other
Unless you
words, don’t let yourself get too wrapped
are a professional athlete
up in perfection.
the goal should not be set for perfection. Your goal is to prioritize life and
There are subcomponents of rest and
maximize performance without personal
recovery to which may improve your
sacrifice. Every now and then relax, and
progression and overall quality of life.
enjoy an evening out with friends. Order
Elements of Rest and Recovery
your favourite beer and eat whatever you wish as this may mentally benefit
Sleep
you more, allow you to unwind, and put you in a better place to perform as
Sleep is the most important time to
opposed to another evening of broccoli
recover. Adequate levels of sleep help to
and chicken. Life for someone who
provide
sacrifices everything for the sake of
balance, and muscular recovery. You
performance can be tiresome for their
need to get enough sleep everyone has
friends and family.
individual needs based on their lifestyle,
mental
workouts, A balanced combination of rest and
genetic
hormonal
makeup.
However the hours slept before twelve
recovery along with proper diet and
at night are proven to be more effective
exercise should be a part of any fitness
than those slept afterwards. Sleep in the
regimen. Unless you are competing at
most natural setting possible, with
an elite level, you should follow the
minimal to no artificial lights. Fresh air
follow the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of your time can be spent focusing on diet
and
health,
44
and cooler temperatures help to improve
Water is the best way to hydrate. Sports
the quality of sleep.
drinks are only needed for before, during, and after strenuous training or
Hydration
completion, don’t drink them simply because they taste good. Flavourings
Drinking adequate amounts of water is
and other additives simply give you
critical to health, energy, recovery, and
system more to process and cause it
performance. Athletes tend to be very
further strain. Stick to adding a lemon
attentive to hydration levels close to and
or lime.
during competitions, but keeping that awareness during training and recovery
Nutrition
times can make just as large an impact. Everything you eat has the ability to
examples are more efficient nutrient
help heal your body, or to poison it. This
uptake, lower levels of stress on the
may sound strong, but alcohol and
heart, improved skin tone, and better
processed foods contain toxins and are
hair quality. It’s hard to find a reason
harmful to the body. Eating clean and
not to drink more water!
balanced meals in moderation is proven to be effective to remain healthy and
The simplest way to check hydration is
increase performance. Dairy and wheat
to look at your urine. If it is clear to pale
are processed differently by everyone
yellow you are hydrated. The darker
and you need to educate yourself on
and more colour in your urine is the less
these topics and how they may affect
hydrated you are and more water you
you. Food in our society goes far beyond
need to drink. If you taking medication
fuelling the body, so it is not always
then it maybe a good idea. 45
Therapy
Water helps all of our functions. A few
such a simple choice. We go out to
a foam roller or ball in your back to give
dinner, and most social events have
you a tactile cue and help force good
food. The key is achieving balance so
posture. Don’t lean to one side or on an
you get the results you want, but can
object for support while standing. If you
also function as a normal person and
spend a lot of time on the computer
enjoy life.
place your screen directly in front of you and use a chair that has arm rests.
Create a meal plan and shop ahead for
Adjust the height of the chair so the arm
the week. Have healthy snacks readily
rest is at the same height as the desk.
available that you enjoy. Plan ahead for
Stretching
dinner out by helping to pick the place you’re eating and looking at the menu
You need enough flexibility to move well
ahead of time.
and remain pain free. Include dynamic
Posture
stretching in your warm-ups while saving static stretching for after your
This is one of the least focused on areas.
workouts. Don’t underestimate the
On average spend more time sitting and
importance of this portion of your
as a general trend have poor posture.
exercise routine. Work with a gym
This is not a restful position; sitting or
instructor to identify what you need to
standing with bad posture is harmful.
do, the amount of time you should spend
It can lead to back or neck pain,
on it and the frequency.
specifically for those with desk jobs. Find a chair that is ergonomically correct. If you struggle to sit upright use 46
Heat, Ice, and Compression
Dedicating additional time primarily to the three categories of sleep, hydration,
Use these techniques for recovering
and nutrition will increase your output
from injuries or a very stressful training
ability, decrease recovery time, and
or racing experience such as a road
lower your risk of injury.
marathon or the CrossFit Games. Don’t ignore your body until it becomes Spending some additional time focusing
too late and you’re forced to take
on rest and recovery can pay dividends
unnecessary time off due to injury,
beyond additional training time. It’s essentially
legal
burnout, or worse.
performance
enhancement, yet people don’t take
Therapy
advantage of it because it takes time.
47
IMPROVING AWARENESS
treated as being psychological. Despite
SUBTLE BRAIN INJURY
having little significant or immediate symptoms – more serious and long term
Sometimes referred to as Minor TBI or concussion
consequences can occur with damage continuing to the brain for the first 72
So what is a subtle or minor brain
hours or so.
injury ?
Symptoms of subtle/minor brain injury can include:-
Many people may not even know they
was probably no loss of consciousness at
Physical
symptoms
such
as
headaches, dizziness, fatigue, visual
the time of the accident, and initial
disturbances, noise sensitivity and
symptoms are often subtle – many
difficulty with fine co-ordination;
people thinking they are just “in shock” and will recover.
Emotional or behavioural symptoms
There is not always a significant blow to
such as anxiety or depression, loss
the head and a brain injury can occur
of motivation, lack of insight,
from a shaking of the head which may
impulsive behaviour;
stretch or tear nerve fibres, damaging
the axons in the brain (known as diffuse
symptoms
such
as
difficulties with short term memory,
axonal injury – DAI) as can occur in a whiplash injury.
Cognitive
word
Concussion may or
finding,
learning
new
information, concentration, multi
may not be diagnosed by a medical
tasking,
professional, often these symptoms are
problem
solving
working under pressure. 49
and
Improving Awareness
have suffered a brain injury as there
Many people who are suffering from a
system in the head has been damaged at
subtle brain injury go on to develop
the time of an accident, and again such
psychological symptoms as well, which
injuries
just compounds the situation.
examined
People
tend to find themselves getting worse
are by
often an
missed
unless
appropriate
and
experienced vestibular expert.
instead of getting better and sometimes Damage to the vestibular system (which
feel like they are “going crazy” and
is responsible for the body’s balance
that no-one will believe them.
system) can cause dizziness, nausea,
This is why it is crucial to have an
difficulties with sight or sound as well as
experienced head injury solicitor if you
the other problems listed above.
are making a claim, as well as someone
Whilst the effects of these injuries, are
experienced in identifying possible minor brain injury. suggested
that
often at the more modest end of the
Sometimes it is
the
claimant
spectrum seen in brain injury generally
is
– the consequences to an individual can
exaggerating or malingering.
be catastrophic.
Routine scans and tests will usually
Whilst undiagnosed and not recognised
come back negative and specialist
a person often tries to struggle on,
neurologists and neuro psychologists are
sometimes for many months, before
needed to identify the cause of these
being unable to continue any longer.
symptoms and whether there has been a subtle or minor brain injury.
Therefore the earlier these symptoms are diagnosed and treated, the better
In addition, sometimes the vestibular
the outcome will be. 50
More often than
not
there
is
limited
access
to
rehabilitation for these types of injuries and symptoms can continue and worsen over time if left untreated.
Improving Awareness
51
Thanks to this funding, Headway Derby
Ongoing Success for Headway Derby Learners
are currently running a Certificate in Skills for Employment and Further Learning. This course is made up of a number of subjects, which had been
Back
in
2014,
the
Lloyds
identified
Bank
as
important
to
people
recovering from a brain injury;
Foundation funded Headway Derby to run a small pilot project which would
Motivation,
see them deliver accredited training
Coping Strategies,
Emotional Resilience,
Community Involvement,
Managing
courses to the people that they support, to see if it made a positive change in their lives. Over that year were
a number of courses
delivered,
promoting
more
all
based
and
Healthy Living.
around
independent
Finances
The training has been developed by
and
Headway Derby staff specifically for
healthy lifestyles. The independent
people who have had a brain injury.
evaluation at the end of the pilot
This means that the focus of the course
confirmed that yes, people had definitely
can be changed at any time to suit the
benefited from attending the training.
needs and the circumstances of the
Fortunately, the Southern Derbyshire
learners. The course is delivered to a
Clinical Commissioning Group also saw
small group of learners (no more than 9)
the benefits of this approach and are
with a team of staff and volunteers on
currently funding an expansion of this
hand to provide 1 to 1 support where
project.
52
needed.
The course runs for 6 months on 1 day
feel that I am actually making my
each week and is a very informal affair,
brain work.”
certainly not like being back in a classroom! Most of the learning takes place through group discussions and
Richard, who is a current learner on the
people sharing their own experiences.
course, said
Learners are given tasks to carry out
“The staff and volunteers have helped
through the week that help them relate
me to organise my time, my feelings
to the topic that's being discussed, such as doing 5 minutes of mindful activity
necessarily through a school type
every day, completing a spending diary
setting, but through general chats.”
or just having one positive thought about themselves at the end of each day. Richard has gained a lot from attending the training; “All in all, I am a better person now, I am a functioning person now, I am giving back. I am me again, and I firmly believe this is because Headway Derby exists.” In terms of giving back, Richard now
One of the learners, Shirley, said
attends events on behalf of Headway
“It keeps me focused to do things that we are given to do at home. I
Derby to share his experience and promote the work that they do. 53
Improving Awareness
and my actions to be honest. This is not
Each person on the course is making
continue providing the training even
wonderful progress in a way that is
after this date. Derby Oddfellows are
relevant to them. Another learner, Jean,
now supporting Headway Derby in this
has returned to work following the
aspiration, by undertaking fundraising
training; “I am in no doubt that it is the
events throughout 2017 specifically for
support given to me by Headway that
this cause.
has enabled me to do this and I hope
If you may be interested in attending
that in the future I will be able to return
the course, or want to hear more about
to the centre to help others in the
it, you can contact Headway Derby on
same situation.�
Twitter and Facebook @headwayderby, email them at:
paul.clarke@headwayderby.org or call them on 01332 986350.
At the moment, Headway Derby can only continue running the courses up
If you are not local you can find your
until March 2018, when the funding
nearest Headway group or branch, visit
from Southern Derbyshire CCG comes to
www.headway.org.uk
an end. However, because so many or contact the free phone helpline on
benefits of this type of service have been
0808 800 2244
identified, the charity are hoping to 54
E-mail: helpline@headway.org.uk
The task of looking after his wife could
Headway Alyesbury Vale
have become a huge strain on Cyril, but crucially,
he
says,
he
was
soon
introduced to the services of Headway, a
Joyce Parsons Case Study
charity that helps survivors of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
Pensioner Cyril Parsons is urging other
Cyril, now 82, says that Headway
Headway, saying it has given him vital
Aylesbury Vale has made a massive
respite for more than 25 years after his
difference to him by offering regular
wife was injured in a devastating
respite. This safeguards his own health
accident.
and well-being, making him betterequipped to look after Joyce, now 78.
When Joyce Parsons was knocked over crossing the road in Aylesbury in 1991, life changed forever for her and husband
“When she came out of hospital, the
Cyril.
problem with short-term memory was
Joyce, previously a fit and active
immediately
psychotherapist,
asking the same question several
survived
after
a
lengthy spell in intensive care - but was
apparent
–
she
was
times,” he said.
left with a brain injury which ruined her short-term memory. Her mother died suddenly while Joyce
It meant she had to rely heavily, on a
was in intensive care – but it took
day-to-day basis, on Cyril, then a busy
months for the news to sink in because
accountant, who is now her full-time carer.
of her memory problems. 55
Improving Awareness
carers to use brain injury charity
“Over the next three years, Joyce slowly
visits to Headway in Wedgewood Street,
improved but not well enough to
Fairford Leys, remain an invaluable
continue working. For the next ten to 15
help for Cyril.
years,
she
was
able
to
make
a
“Headway has provided a lot of
reasonable stab of household things and
support for both of us,” he said. “She
drive short distances, but she wasn’t the
enjoys the activities there, but it also
same. She wasn’t as sharp and her
means that I can leave her for two
ability to do things, such as the craft
mornings a week without having to
work she loved, was much more limited.”
worry. Many years ago, I was advised
Joyce’s condition has deteriorated in the
not to get into the trap of being a full-
last 18 months, after she developed
time carer to the exclusion of everything
vascular dementia. But her twice-weekly
else, and this is really important because it means I can do my own thing. I am convinced it has helped me maintain my own health.” Cyril spoke out after national Carers Week in June because he wants to appeal to other people to use Headway where appropriate. “Many people in a similar position to me may think they do not want to be a burden, so they go on caring for their loved one alone,” he said. “However, 56
this could ultimately really harm their
own health and make them less able
similar
to care in the long run. I would urge
because it shows you are not alone,”
anyone caring for a survivor of ABI to
he said.
at least look at what the services a
position
is
really
helpful
To find out more about Headway
group such as Headway can offer.”
Aylesbury Vale, contact Karen on
Cyril, who lives with Joyce in the
01296
Aylesbury Vale area, is so grateful to
415469
or
info.headwayav@gmail.com.
email: Website:
http://www.headwayaylesburyvale.org/
you
are not local you can find your nearest Headway group or branch, visit www.headway.org.uk or contact the free phone helpline on Headway that he is a trustee of the
0808 800 2244
charity and acts as treasurer. E-mail: helpline@headway.org.uk “It’s such a relief for me that Headway is here. Just talking to other people in a
57
Improving Awareness
If
Headway’s brand new gym facility has
Headway Oxfordshire’s
just become available for our Service
Opening of Neurological
Users with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) to use as a vital treatment for
Physiotherapy Gym
long-term physical rehabilitation. The gym is found within our rehabilitation
Oxfordshire’s first ever state of the art, voluntary
sector,
physiotherapy
gym
centre, where Service Users can visit
neurological has
just
daily if they so wish. The benefits of
been
such
unveiled at Headway Oxfordshire’s
a
facility
has
multitudinous
benefits and they are not all physical –
centre in Kennington, Oxford.
these machines can help facilitate Headway
Oxfordshire
is
an
neuroplasticity to a certain degree, with
independent, local charity supporting
active patient participation, sensory
those affected by brain injury across the
input and the normality of experience in
county. This highly specialised service
movement.
provides a range of support, including an Activity and Rehabilitation Centre with neurological physiotherapy gym, advice through our community support workers, and carer support. These services are ever more in demand – there are around 4000 head injury admissions to Oxfordshire hospitals each year alone. 58
Baroness Susan Greenfield, a President of
Headway,
officially
opened
the
facility. Baroness Greenfield when asked to open the facility: "I was honoured to be invited to do this, the work that Headway Oxfordshire does within the community to support
membership scheme. This is so it can be
the rehabilitation and social integration
available
application
of
individuals
with
physiotherapy needs. We feel it would be
injury is vital importance. It is in the practical
all
a shame to cut off this facility to those
creative
who would benefit from this treatment
approaches to rehabilitation that we as
and would like it to be accessible to all
scientists and researchers, get to see the
that wish to come.
outcomes of our work become a reality."
To donate to our 2017 Appeal to fund for
We are very excited to announce our
this
plans to open this facility to the public
facility,
please
visit
https://
www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/
over the next couple of months via a gym
headwayoxford/neurogym If you are not local you can find your nearest Headway group or branch, visit www.headway.org.uk or contact the free phone helpline on 0808 800 2244 E-mail: helpline@headway.org.uk 59
Improving Awareness
of those who have been affected by brain
to
60
most common things we hear is the “two
What you have never
year” issue; typically families are told:
had you never miss…
“…they will have recovered within two years”
This is a phrase that we often hear from those who do not fully understand about
“…after two years you will know
childhood acquired brain injury (ABI).
the full extent of any possible permanent injury”
There is a myth that a child will have a
better recovery than an adult following
These statements may be true with
childhood ABI. On the opposite end of
many adults – after approximately two
the debate, it could be said that adults
years and good neuro-rehabilitation,
have more to lose; either way having a
physio and other therapies, most adults
lifelong neurological condition can be
affected by ABI will have reached their
tough, no matter what age it happens.
optimum levels of functioning following their ABI. But this is not the case with
In this article we will take a look at
children and young people.
some of the additional challenges that children and young people have to face
Another statement that we often hear is
following an ABI compared to their
“they are children and their brains
adult counterparts.
are still developing, so they will be able to compensate as they
Firstly let us look at the biggest of the
grow and develop”.
myths – brain development. One of the 61
Improving Awareness
better chance of making a fuller or
Again
not
altogether
true
when
Therefore for many children and young
considering children affected by ABI.
people who have an ABI, as their brains are still developing and they are
The above statement and the “two year� issue are myths.
simultaneously trying to relearn lost
The human
skills and functioning, it is possible that
brain does not finish fully developing
further issues may develop over time, as
until they are in their early to mid-
the developmental milestones associated
twenties. Until then, the brain is still developing
with normal childhood development
physiologically,
arrive, but are not met due to previously
neurologically, and the child has fewer
injured brain cells.
experiences to help formulate strategies
It’s a bit like buying a new
and understand social situations.
computer and a year or so later
An adult will have completed most of
opening up an application, only
their academic learning and had many life experiences with a brain that was
to find it is corrupt and does not
fully functioning up until the point of
work.
their ABI. On the other hand, a child will not have completed their academic
When
(school) learning or faced all of those life
children and young people are also at
experiences, yet they are expected to
somewhat of a disadvantage as there are
learn at school and learn the unwritten
only a couple of rehabilitation units in
rules
the UK who cater for those 16 or under,
of
life,
with
lower
level
it
comes
to
rehabilitation,
compared to the thousands of NHS and
functioning as a result of their ABI.
private rehabilitation units for adults. 62
For children and young people, school
their path to adulthood, whilst also
becomes their rehabilitation. From work
dealing with the issues their ABI may
we have carried out with families up to
bring.
70%
to
workplace after an ABI, children will
their
also have to transition back to school,
of
children
mainstream
school
will
return
following
injury.
Like adults returning to the
but as we have established, those supporting them may have little or no
However very few schools, teachers,
understanding of their changed needs,
learning support assistants, SENCO’s other
associated
education
and catch up on lost work, despite issues
professionals know and understand
of fatigue, concentration, memory loss
about the impact that childhood ABI has
etc.
on the young person’s ability to learn all the new things that the curriculum
Young people also have to make the
demands of them.
transition to adulthood via adolescence. This is a chaotic time even for those
Despite acquired brain injury being
young people who do not have a brain
more prevalent than ADHD, Autism,
injury, for those who do, it can be a
dyslexia and other learning difficulties, education
professionals
have
volcanic experience!
no
standard training childhood ABI, unlike
These
young
people
are
making
the thousands of professionals who are
decisions about their personal and
involved in adult rehabilitation.
sexual relationships with no prior experience, and perhaps with limited
Another key challenge for children is the many transitions they have to make on
insight into what is happening to their 63
Improving Awareness
and
yet they are still expected to carry on
bodies,
their
emotions
and
their
childhood, will have had the prior
feelings. They also have the potential to
opportunity
become very vulnerable in respect of
university, have a “gap year”, live
oversexualised
–
independently, travel independently,
inappropriate comments, attention and
have a full time job, learn a trade, ride a
actions can easily be misread and
motorcycle, drive a car, have a long term
misinterpreted by others who are not
relationship, get married….
behaviours
to
go
to
college
or
aware of the “hidden disability”. So, for children affected by ABI they For many young people, in a similar way
may not have much to lose, but they
to adults, they will have had dreams of
certainly may miss out a lot in their
what could have been, what they will no
adult lives.
longer be able to experience in their
Connect with us www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk
lives. Perhaps for adults they will have had some of those experiences before
Helpline: 0303 303 2248 Open: Monday – Friday with answerphone out of hours or email: helpline@cbituk.org
their injury. It is however unlikely that those who have
acquired
a
brain
injury
Follow us on twitter @cbituk
in
Visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/ childbraininjurytrust
64
RELATIONSHIPS
with her brain injury.
There is light at the
But her employers were supportive throughout.
end of the tunnel !
"When
I
get
angry
injury survivors face when returning to
manager sat next to me and they say
work is a lack of understanding from
'what's wrong, can we help? You can
their employers.
have today off if you want.'
But Rebecca Grant says her employer
"If I get too tired or things get too
has worked with her brain injury, not
much or it gets too stressful I'll go to my
against it, to help her hold down a full
manager
time job in their IT department.
workload.
The 28-year-old first started working for
"They're
Bristol City Council as part of an
helpful. They work with my brain injury,
apprenticeship.
not against it." she
enjoyed
her
After
very
they'll
"I've
verbal
diarrhoea,"
and
said.
get
One of the biggest challenges brain
Although
she
I
look
got
at
understanding
completing
her
a
my
and
two
apprenticeship, Rebecca found herself
apprenticeships, Rebecca had to reapply
under immense stress.
to continue her role as a full time job.
She was trying to complete her college
Although she had held the post as an
work in the evenings and hold down a
apprentice for four years, there was no
job, while learning to drive and dealing
guarantee the job was hers. 66
She said: "They said they will give the
intensive speech therapy and had to be
job to me, but here are some points for
introduced back into school lessons very
future reference.
gradually.
"They knew I could do it and they were
Rebecca wasn't fully able to start back
pleased with how I settled in.
at school until year 11, a year after her peers had started preparing for their
"It feels really good. I'm enjoying my job
but
there
GCSEs.
are
"They didn't
stressful days."
really
have
much hope in me," she said. "They just wrote me off.�
more than a decade to reach this point in her
"At the time I didn't really
life.
understand
she
was
know I had a head injury, I
injury at just 13-yearswhen
I
dealing with so much. I didn't
She sustained her brain
old
because
didn't accept it."
was
involved in a collision.
Rebecca
only
passed
one
GCSE,
achieving a B grade in art. But things
She spent two months in hospital and
improved when she started college and
suffered numerous complications, such
received one-to-one support.
as coming out of her coma too quickly and developing pneumonia.
She said: "If I couldn't take any more I would give my pen and paper to my
When she did return home she received 67
support worker who would carry on
Relationships
Rebecca has battled for
where I left off. I could have a sleep on
achieved following her brain injury,
the desk."
Headway Bristol asked her to give a
Over seven years Rebecca excelled at college and gained six qualifications. After a short stint working for a charity, she
spent
four
apprenticeships
years undertaking with
Bristol
City
Council, and she hasn't looked back. As well as receiving support from her employers,
Rebecca been going to
Headway Bristol's social group for young
speech at their AGM about her story.
adults for three years. She stood up in front of a room full of 50 She said: "We do different things like
people and shared her daily struggles
going to the kite festival. We've been to
and achievements.
the cinema, we go bowling, we go for She said: "I feel very proud of myself.
drinks.
Everybody clapped. Some people came
"I've made some friends there."
up to me and said I did a very good job."
She also attends the group's brain injury
Since her brain injury, Rebecca's self
cafe, where she can meet other survivors
esteem has grown immensely.
with similar experiences. In September 2016 she went on her first After seeing how much Rebecca had
68
holiday abroad to Belfast. She enjoyed it
so much she has gone back again this
injury survivors 'don't give up, no
June. But travelling alone with a brain
matter what.'
injury does come with its difficulties. "I've had some really low moments but "I was extremely nervous even up until
I've always found something to carry on
the morning I flew," she said. "I was
with and strive towards.
really paranoid I was going to forget something, miss the bus or miss the
"I always look for the positives in every
plane.
situation, no matter how small."
"I kept saying 'you've done it before, it's
Rebecca
says
her
employer's
helped her succeed in the work place. "They're really understanding. They understand why I forget things and why I get frustrated, tired and angry. "I would tell any other employers not to fine.' Then I would think, what if it's
judge a book by its cover. Brain injury
not!"
survivors have a lot of potential."
Rebecca has come a long way since her brain injury and she puts it down to her determined attitude. She said: "I would tell other brain 69
Relationships
understanding of her brain injury has
Book Review Fixing Boo Boo obstacles. After her husband died, she needed assistance to cope with daily meals and chores. Her
sister
and
brother -in-law
encouraged her to sell her house and come live with them. The family thought they were providing a home for a family member, but they had no idea what dealing with brain injury meant.
Do you know a person with a brain injury? Pat did. Her sister, Barb, needed
They found out!
help and Pat wanted to help. A story of one family and the struggles
All Barb really wanted was to be treated
they faced to live with the diagnosis of
like everyone else, but it was difficult
Brain Injury
since she was born with cerebral palsy. All the family wanted was for her to be safe and well cared for, especially after a
We give this book a ★★★★ rating
life-changing accident that left her brain -injured.
Author, Rachel Ott, UK, TBI Survivor
Stubborn and determined, Barb carved out a life for herself, overcoming many 70
Movie Review Head Games Also covered is physiological evidence of brain injury in adolescent athletes. Head Games is directed by Steve James, director
of
the
highly
acclaimed
documentary, Hoop Dreams. It is film follow-up to Christopher Nowinski's
Head Games: The Global Concussion
book, Head Games.
Crisis is an expanded version of Head Games (2012), a 2012 documentary film
The film features interviews with
that examines the effects of repeated
Nowinski (founder of the Sports Legacy
concussions and sub concussive blows,
Institute), Dr. Robert Cantu (a professor
particularly
with
of neurosurgery at Boston University
sports. It focuses on American football
School of Medicine, Dr. Ann McKee, and
and hockey, but also covers boxing,
Robert Stern, who are experts on chronic
soccer,
traumatic encephalopathy.
those
lacrosse,
associated
and
professional
wrestling. In addition to other medical experts, it It covers findings that chronic traumatic
also extensively interviews athletes,
brain injury occurring in female sports.
their families, and journalists.
71
We give this movie a ★★★ rating
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