Acquired Brain Injuries
What is an Acquired Brain Injury?
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), sometimes referred to as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), refers to any damage to the brain that occurred after birth. Common causes of ABI include accidents, stroke, lack of oxygen and degenerative neurological disease. ABI-related disability can affect cognitive, physical, emotional and independent functioning.
How common are they?
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than 1 in 12 Queenslanders are affected by ABI — a disorder that can change the way a person acts, thinks, communicates and behaves. Some forms of ABI may cause long-term intellectual and/or physical disability. It is often called the ‘silent epidemic’ as many of the changes are unseen to the eye.
What are the treatment options?
Rehabilitation will depend on many factors including the extent and location of the brain damage, the age and general health of the person, the speed of first aid received and the quality of previous treatment. Treatment options will also vary case by case but are likely to include: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychological support.
Initiatives
as part of our mission to improve the life of those with brain injuries.
Music in the ward
Music therapy is used in rehabilitation to stimulate brain functions involved in movement, cognition, speech, emotions and sensory perceptions
BIF sponsored the hiring of a music therapist to provide rehabilitation to patients at the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital for four years with positive results.
Helping brain injury patients and their families
Investigating and funding the needs of ABI patients
BIF helps ABI patients with critical medical equipment and treatments through our DGR partners.
Other initiatives
Preventative measures to be investigated
Along with Bicycle Queensland, BIF are currently looking into donating funds for a study on preventative measures related to brain injuries. Watch this space.
Helping fund much needed research into brain injuries
Ms Nazareth aims to "Determine cellular and molecular mechanisms behind glial cell phagocytosis to identify novel targets to help repair and regenerate the injured brain".
Congratulations to Lynne Nazareth, Griffith University who was the successful candidate of our first scholarship.
Helping fund much needed research into the treatment of brain injuries
Mr Biggins aims to investigate "the timing distribution of deaths due to isolated traumatic brain injury, and the effect of time - to - definitive treatment on patient morbidity and morality".
Congratulations to Patrick Biggins, The University of Queensland who was the successful candidate of our second scholarship.
Funding an App to assist families of those with a brain injury
$5,000.00 was donated to The Developing Foundation to assist with the development of an App which provides support and assistance to families of those who have suffered a brain injury
Funding for social worker for the ABTA
From May 2018 to March 2021, the BIF sponsored the hiring of a social worker to provide support to new mothers who have experienced a traumatic birth.
Funding provided to Ronald McDonald House Charities
The BIF has provided donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities to support children with brain injuries and their families.
BIF donations to date
Our Partners
McInnes Wilson Lawyers is committed to supporting the Brain Injury Foundation.
Head injuries rank among the most severe injuries in bicyclists, representing about 1 in 4 of all bicycling injuries encountered in emergency departments.
Australasian Birth Trauma Association
Providing support to women and their families who are suffering postnatally from physical and/or psychological trauma resulting from the birth process.
