Brain Injury - Pig Pen

Research & changes in sport related ABI

We should be using the phrase ‘sport related ABI’. This is because ‘particularly for neurodegeneration, it is not really about concussions, it is about knocks to the head.’

Brain Injury

Change and neuroplasticity

Just as a brain injury survivor can find hope in neuroplasticity, so can someone rebuilding during and after the pandemic.

Brain Injury

Follow a plan, not a feeling: Finding a way out of low mood.

Even with the promise of a better feeling ahead, it can be difficult to drag yourself into an activity when in a low mood. This is where the research meetings helped me.

Brain Injury

New Year, New Book

It is unnerving to send a story out into the world, but I’m grateful to see that is has been well received: “Incredibly vivid... this book will be of great benefit to professionals, survivors and their families alike.”

Brain Injury

Art and Music Therapy in a Pandemic

The use of music as a reabilitation tool alongside other therapies had never occurred to me. Elizabeth Nightingale, the Neurological Services lead at Chiltern Neuro and Medical services provided an introduction to this fascinating field.

Brain Injury

Living with Mild Brain Injury, a memoir

“Incredibly vivid... this book will be of great benefit to professionals, survivors and their families alike.” Dr Neil Parrett. Consultant Clinical Psychologist (Neurorehabilitation)

Brain Injury

Rugby concussions and Cricket rigour

We must continue to raise awareness of brain injury so that participants in all sports can make an informed decision about their safety.

Brain Injury

Brain injuries and lack of insight

A lack of self-awareness, or a lack of insight, is fairly common in a brain injury survivor. I’ve suffered form it before and have written about it in my book, but how does one spot it in themselves?

Brain Injury

Brain injuries in women

It has taken hundreds of years to discover that a common injury affects half of the population differently.

Brain Injury

Support for Brain Injury during the pandemic

The pandemic is far from over, but already there are positives to be found in understanding and treating Acquired Brain Injury.

Brain Injury

Coronavirus, rule changes and ABI

The pivot to a Covid response has caused considerable disruption to an already strained service. There have been reports that the NHS will not fully recover for four years.

Brain Injury

Change, ambiguous loss and spoons

Change is a constant right now. We are bombarded with new concepts and rules to understand which can then change at a moments notice.

Brain Injury

Rugby rules, football failures and concussions in sport.

The last few years have seen numerous studies showing the damage which contact sports can cause to the brain. This has moved the argument on...to how to make the sports safer...But as fast as these rules are introduced, loopholes are found.

Brain Injury

ABI & Gardening

There is growing evidence which shows the benefits gardening has on our mental health. Five years ago, a doctor and scientist argued that gardening should be available on the NHS.

Brain Injury

Pausing the anxiety treadmill.

If there ever was a time to be kind to yourself, this is it. Take a breath and realise that one mistake is not a failure. We are usually nicer to everyone else than we are to ourselves.

Brain Injury

Brain Injury and exercise

The effects of exercise on those recovering from a brain injury can be helpful and encouraging for both body and mind.

Brain Injury

Concussion substitutes now allowed in international cricket.

In a landmark rule change, cricket teams will be able to replace concussed players during international games. This is exciting news for brain injury awareness, brain injury prevention and for sports fans.

Brain Injury

Heatwaves & Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

Some people with ABI will be fine, but for many temperature extremes can make it harder to mange the symptoms and effects of the injury. Headway UK reports that “A brain injury can sometimes cause problems with temperature regulation making it harder for survivors to control their body temperature.”

Conferences

UKABIF at Parliament

Two weeks after Chris Bryant MP led a debate in Parliament on Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) he co-hosted a Lobbying Reception in Speakers House. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of ABI and of the need to improve neuro-rehabilitation facilities.

Brain Injury

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired Brain Injury is in focus at Westminster today as Chris Bryant, MP for the Rhondda, introduces a Debate on a Motion on Acquired Brain Injury.

Brain Injury

ABIL Conference March 2019 - Brain Injury and Mental Health

ABIL Conference March 2019 - Brain Injury and Mental Health The conference programme promised a varied group of speakers who presented to a packed house at Irwin Mitchell in Holborn, central London.

Brain Injury

Who are ABIL? Acquired Brain Injury Forum for London

Various groups from across London who work together to raise awareness of Brain Injury and to press for care services.

About Polly O'Connor

Polly's brain injury - "A caver-what now?!"

the fifth CT scan showed a cavernous hemangioma, also known as a cavernoma...and to vestibular migraines. In layman's terms there had been a bleed in the brain which led to horrible cycles of migraines causing severe dizziness and the dizziness causing yet more migraines.