Brain Injury Awareness Week (BIAW) is held annually and serves to raise awareness of brain injuries and their detrimental effects upon 1 in 45 everyday Australians. Synapse is Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation who provide a range of support services for people who have been impacted by a brain injury and disability.
What is a brain injury? The term ‘brain injury’ refers to any type of brain disorder or neurological disruption that is sustained rather than a developmental condition. Depending on the condition, the long-term effect of a brain injury or disorder are different for each person. The impacts of a personal suffering form a brain injury will not only be experience by that persona, but also by family and friends, particularly when they injury has resulted in personality or behavioral changes.
The effects of a brain injury as described by Synapse can vary depending on the severity of the brain injury, listed as follows:
- “Cognitive effects:
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- Memory problems
- Difficulty problem-solving
- Poor concentration and attention
- Reduced ability to organise and plan
- Lack of initiative and motivation
- Lack of insight and awareness, and poor judgement
- Physical Effects:
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- Movement disorders and paralysis
- Dizziness and balance problems
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Eyesight, hearing and speech problems
- Loss of taste and smell
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Fatigue and sleep disorders
- Hormonal changes
- Behavioural Effects:
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- Irritability and anger
- Slowed responses
- Poor social skills
- Impulsive behaviour and/or a lack of emotional control
- Disinhibition
- Psychological Effects:
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- Stress
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Anxiety
- Secondary Effects:
The interaction of impacts can result in additional secondary changes to a person’s life such as:
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- Changes to living arrangements
- Reduced or changed social networks
- Changes in ability to work or study
- Altered relationships and family dynamics”
Between 19 –25 August 2024, Synapse shared the stories of three incredible Australians impacted by a brain injury. The stories of Lisa, Lance and Sarah showed that no two brain injuries are the same. Please read more about these inspiring individuals to discover how their lives were changed:
Lisa’s Story: https://synapse.org.au/personal-story/lisas-journey/
Lance’s Story: https://synapse.org.au/personal-story/lances-journey/
Sarah’s Story: https://synapse.org.au/personal-story/sarahs-journey/
BIAW is also an opportunity to reflect on the steps we can take to provide support and advocacy for those impacted by brain injury.
This year’s BIAW theme was “What’s your connection?” in which Synapse provoked Australians to consider how brain injuries are connecting us with one another. Synapse
notes that anyone can have their life changed by a brain injury.
Ordinarily, a young person who sustained a brain injury in an accident may not find a connection with elderly person living with a brain injury because of Dementia. However,
their journey brings forth common ground. Both people may consequently be met with the same limitations in their everyday lives.
Read more about BIAW and our course material at: https://synapse.org.au/brain-injury-awareness-week/
Contact Tully Law today for a free consultation today if you have suffered a brain injury as a result of an accident, as you may be entitled to compensation.
Drafted by Nikolina Tully, Director of Tully Law
Published on 5th September,2024