by Dr. Denise O’Dwyer, Principal Psychologist, National Learning Network (NLN ) and Ciara Hennigan, Senior Instructor, Quest Brain Injury Services, Galway.
Learning to live with the impact of ABI presents significant challenges even in the best of circumstances (Jumisko et al, 2005 ). Survivors may suffer chronic impairment across cognitive, physical and psycho-social domains (Wilkie et al, 2021 ). There is a general consensus among practitioners in favour of a community based holistic model of neuro-rehabilitation (Prigitano, 1999 ), which considers the dynamic relationship between a person and their environment. The holistic model of rehabilitation, examines the psychological, social, cognitive and physical impacts of the injury on a person, as well as the reciprocal relationship between these domains (Ben-Yishay & Diller, 2011 ).
An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI ) is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative or induced by birth trauma (Degeneffe & Tucker, 2012 ). The injury is acquired. The main causes of an ABI include road traffic accidents, sporting injuries, physical assaults, and falls. ABI may also result from illnesses and diseases - such as strokes, brain tumours, brain haemorrhages, hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain ) and encephalitis.
Survivors of ABI often make a good physical recovery, however find themselves with residual, more subtle, secondary deficits - known as the ‘hidden disabilities’. These may include personality changes, memory deficits, impaired thinking, fatigue issues, mood impairment and simply feeling less efficient than before.
Quest Brain Injury Services, Galway, is funded by the HSE and offers a free, community based rehabilitation service to survivors of ABI. Together with our colleagues in Rehab Care, we jointly offer Galway Acquired Brain Injury Services (GABI ) to Galway city and county, as well an outreach service in Mayo and Roscommon.
Individuals are supported to improve their quality of life by making independent informed choices, whilst establishing support networks and opportunities in their local community. The specialised services we offer includes brain injury education, memory rehabilitation, general cognitive (thinking ) skills, stress management, attention and concentration strategies, stress management, daily living and independence skills, as well as occupational, psychological and neuropsychological support.
Our specialised team aims to assist individuals to re-acclimate themselves post injury, often enabling a return to work, higher education, and a maximisation of independence as well as overall improvement in general function.
The following include part-testimonials of some of our former clients :
“I was lost. I thought my life had no meaning. I didn’t have a clue what I could do next. Then someone told me about National Learning Network. From the minute I heard about it, I felt it was something that would suit me. If nothing else, it would get me out of bed, get me organised, encourage me to plan, and have a social life again. From the moment I walked in the door, I could see smiling faces and I knew this was right for me. My tutor knew about my fatigue and we chatted about how he could support me. It’s given me back my independence and I learned that I had something to offer.”
“But, you look fine” was the general response from people that knew me before Quest and Dr. Denise O’Dwyer entered my life at the perfect time. I was provided with an explanation for my ongoing issues, I was also taught means to manage these problems and assisted in building a routine that would aid in my recovery. My sessions with Quest were invaluable, building a bounce back-ability that didn’t just get me back to where I was, but brought me back better. I returned to education and a year later graduated with my Masters. I returned to work and was promoted. But most importantly, I was taught to be more emotionally intelligent, given tools used to analyse what I was feeling, in doing so, detach myself from it so the emotion would no longer control me.”
“I suffered a serious ABI in January 2022. It came from nowhere. I became paralysed and was hospitalised for three weeks then sent home. By then I was barely able to get around on a zimmerframe. I was very low at that point. I was 48 and trying to bring up my three children, aged 5, 13 and 14. I never left the house because of my physical condition, but worse was the psychological issues I came up against. I was suffering from severe anxiety. Before the injury I had a full time job as a lecturer, a job I loved and was a very outgoing and active Mum. To go from this busy life to being severely disabled I found it really hard to come to terms with and while family did try, I was in no frame of mind to listen. I felt my life was over. A neighbour recommended Quest, I got in contact and they offered me a place when one became available. I was very nervous attending at first and the fatigue following the stroke was hard to understand and explain. Joining Quest I slowly found the strength to open up to the group, it gave me strength to speak with people who understood ABI and the team at Quest patiently guided me through exactly what had happened to me and how to better handle the condition. I am delighted to say I returned to my job (part-time ) January 2023, one year after my stroke. It as a difficult transition but the team at Quest were there to help me prepare. I still attend and am so grateful to the team. I feel like I am getting my life back, something I couldn’t visualise last January.”
For further information, email [email protected] Telephone enquiries: 091 778850
