Charity Spotlight: Acquired Brain Injury Ireland
Who they are ?
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABII and formally known as the Peter Bradley Foundation) was founded in 2000 by Barbara and Maurice O’Connell. Following a road accident Peter (Barbara’s brother) acquired a brain injury. They set up the organisation to address the complete lack of neuro-rehabilitation services for Peter and others with an ABI.
Since then, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland has been rebuilding lives for more than two decades and today is the leading provider of community-based rehabilitation services for people living with an acquired brain injury in Ireland.
What is ABI (an acquired brain injury)?
Every year in Ireland 19,000 people acquire a brain injury from stroke, falls, road traffic accidents, concussion, tumours, viral infections and many other causes. Brain injury can happen as easily as slipping on ice, or putting out the wheelie bin and banging your head. It could also be the result of an infection, stroke or tumour.
People’s lives can change suddenly and significantly following an ABI. Having a serious brain injury is totally life altering for both the person and their family due the effects of brain injury. The brain is a complex organ. Depending on what part of the brain is injured, and the extent of the injury, the person will have to live with different consequences.
What do Acquired Brain Injury Ireland do ?
• We help rebuild lives after a brain injury through the provision of a range of neuro-rehabilitation services, specific to the needs of the person with a brain injury
• We develop an IRP (individual rehabilitation plan) for every person with a brain injury and assist them in reaching their goals through our multidisciplinary approach of professional services
• We support those with acquired brain injury and their families through training, advocacy and practical help
• We provide information to those with an acquired brain injury, their carers and healthcare professionals
• We influence change and raise awareness of the prevalence of acquired brain injury in Ireland
• We advocate greater investment in brain injury supports and solutions.
How are they doing this?
Neuro-rehabilitation
Neuro-rehabilitation is a clinical and social process to aid recovery after a brain injury. It is about relearning, compensating and regrowth so the person lives a life of their own choosing. It supports the person to live a meaningful everyday life. Each individual is assessed and a plan is put in place. The person is gradually supported by the (neuro-rehabilitation) team to regain skills, adapt to the environment and learn new ways to cope with day-to-day life.
Working with Survivors of Brain Injury
At Acquired Brain Injury Ireland we want to support people to receive the information and services they need to rebuild their lives. We are here to help the person to understand their brain injury and we provide neuro-rehabilitation, so that people can achieve their goals and regain independence.
Working with Carers and Families
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland has a network of ‘On With Life’ support groups throughout Ireland, accessible to all those caring for a loved one with brain injury. We know that caring for a loved one with brain injury can be difficult. Many family members and friends are thrust into the role of carer without warning. We’re here to help you to get ‘On With Life’.