Last month we welcomed a new staff member to the BISA team. Judy is a highly skilled Speech pathologist with over 26 years of experience with the majority of this in adult rehabilitation; ranging from inpatient settings through to community outpatients.
Judy has worked in various hospitals and rehabilitation units in Adelaide, as well as private practice and was fortunate to work in the UK in the head injury unit in Bath Hospital. She has also had extensive acute experience both in the private and public hospital sector in Adelaide, most recently working as a Speech Pathology rehabilitation manager in a private hospital.
Judy says of her new role ‘I am looking forward to working in community brain injury rehab again. It is clinically challenging but so rewarding’.
Great to have you join the team Judy! 🧠
#braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrehabilitation #braininjuryrecovery #braininjurysupport #speechpathology #alliedhealth
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a program designed for Service Providers or Carers, to support a person with ABI with a person-centred framework for promoting quality of life and reducing the occurrence and impact of behaviours of concern. 🧠
PBS is about creating individualised strategies that are responsive to a person’s unique needs, to help them to improve their lives with plans designed by PBS practitioners.
If you are a provider or carer and could benefit from this support, head to our website and read more at https://braininjurysa.org.au/services/positive-behaviour-support/ (Via link in bio).
#positivebehavioursupport #braininjurysa #braininjurysupport #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryaustralia #adelaide #southaustralia
Happy International Day of Families!
We'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the role of families in supporting people with brain injury on this International Day of Families.
One of our goals at BISA is to support families and carers, understanding that the impact of brain injury extends well beyond the injured person.
If you are a carer looking for support, then head to the page dedicated to family and carers on our site https://braininjurysa.org.au/services/support-for-families-and-carers/
📷 Taken from Brain Injury Awareness Week 2021 panel of participants with their families.
#internationaldayoffamilies #carers #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysa #braininjuryaustralia
One of our participants Elvin was very excited to receive an electric recliner chair that allows him to stand from a chair independently, something he has not been able to do without physical assistance.
Together with an Occupational Therapist, it was determined that a standard recliner chair did not meet Elvin’s needs related to his disability. With OT support, Elvin trialled several options and was able to select an appropriate option which supported his independence.
Elvin has also worked with his Occupational Therapist to find a suitable chair for the dining room which allows him to require less assistance from his partner and carers. Overall, with support from these pieces of equipment Elvin requires less support and is building his independence, something which is very important to him.
#braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrecovery #disabilityaustralia #braininjury
Are you looking for employment or want to build your confidence and work readiness?
By participating in the ‘Employ Me Project’ you will be working closely with project staff to improve your employment outcomes and build confidence. You will also have the opportunity to create a personalised video that can be used by you to gain and maintain employment.
The Employ Me Project is free and does not require any source of funding to sign up.
📌 Limited spaces remain though so if you are interested or would like some more information please contact Maddie at Brain Injury SA via email to madeleinem@braininjurysa.org.au or via phone 08 8217 7600 @braininjurytasmania
#braininjuryawareness #braininjurysa #braininjurytasmania #disabilityaustralia #braininjurysupport #employme #equalopportunities
Our Mothers are such important people in our lives and this weekend we celebrate them and all they do for us!
To all the Mums in our Brain Injury SA community; those with brain injury and the carers, partners and family that support you – we hope you have a lovely weekend celebrating you! 🙏💜💙
📷 from left Teresa (Mum, Grandma + BISA reception), Barbara (BISA participant and active Mum to 3 children), Tansy ( Mum + BISA Allied Health Assistant) and Angela (Mum + BISA Executive Team Assistant). ❤️
#mothersday #braininjurysa #braininjuryaustralia #braininjury #disabilityaustralia
Getting In Touch With Nature at the Botanic Gardens, it’s Brain Injury and Support time tomorrow!
If you haven’t already, RSVP to Edward via edward@braininjurysa.org.au and join us to soak up the autumn beauty at the Botanic Gardens...
📌 Meet at the Café at 10.30am for a coffee then a stroll for those interested after that. If it's drizzly with rain, we'll just stay undercover at the Cafe.
#whatson #braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysupport #supportgroup #braininjuryawareness #adelaide #adelaidebotanicgardens
Join us at the Central Rewire Hub for some dancing! 🕺💃 🧠
Grab an expression of interest form from any Hub, North, South or Central, and let us know you'd be keen to come along! Alternatively, give us on a call on 08 8217 7600 to find out more!
#dancetime #braininjurysa #braininjurysupport #braininjuryaustralia #braininjuryrecovery #adelaide #adelaidewellness #southaustralia
Join us for some time in the Botanic Gardens this May!
The Brain Injury and Support Group (BISE) is free to attend and held on the first Wednesday of every month. Facilitated by a BISA psychologist, these groups feature a new topic every time. In May we’re going to enjoy some green time by getting in touch with nature in the beautiful Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
To join us on Wednesday 4th from 10.30 – 12.30, please RSVP to Edward via edward@braininjurysa.org.au
#whatson #braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysupport #supportgroup
We celebrated a few birthdays at last weeks Northern Hub catch-up. Happy Birthday to BISA receptionist Louise and participant Anthony! 🎂🥳
These catch-ups happen weekly across our Rewire Hubs and are free to attend, just grab yourself a coffee and settle in to connect with others in the brain injury community!
📍Elizabeth (Tuesdays – 9.30-11.00am)
- please note these take place at the John McVeity Centre
📍City Hub (Wednesdays – 9.30-11.00am)
📍South Hub (Mondays – 10.30-11.30pm)
**If you are interested in attending, please contact BISA on (08) 8217 7600.**
#braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysupport #braininjuryrecovery
BISA PARTICIPANT STORIES 🧠 Robyn Baillie
Robyn has had a passion for gaming since the days of the Atari. She has recently started live streaming her games which is having a positive impact on her life. After a bit of a break from gaming when she was first diagnosed with Huntington’s, Robyn re-found her thirst in December 2021 and set herself the goal of becoming an affiliate gamer on Twitch TV. Robyn achieved this really quickly and is now streaming regularly and donating 50% of her profits to Huntington’s SA and NT inc. To date she has raised $60.
We caught up with Robyn last week to chat with her about what her gaming means to her.
Robyn described her confidence as through the roof and no longer feeling the need to hide under her hoodie. She also feels more able to talk to people and has created a new social circle of online friends who she describes as non-judgemental.
Robyn has also noticed an improvement in her memory and cognition, including problem solving and trouble shooting skills and feels she has gained a lot of new skills. She reports waking up feeling satisfied and more motivated and that she is more able to pick herself up when she does feel down.
Robyn has also found it easier to do things away from the computer, feeling more motivated to do her day-to-day activities, improved routine and spending less time in bed overthinking things.
Robyn told us that 3 years ago she had no hopes or dreams and found it difficult to get out of bed. Now Robyn feels that setting herself the challenge to become an affiliate gamer has helped her to accept her diagnosis of Huntington’s and changed her outlook to be more future focused.
You can visit Robyn’s home page at https://www.twitch.tv/ghelflaing
The page includes lots of information about Robyn and you can follow her for free or you can donate to subscribe so that you can play games with her.
Keep an eye on twitter @ghelflaing for notifications of the next live stream. Scroll through the pictures to see a shot of her homepage!
#braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryaustralia #disabilityaustralia
It’s that time of year when our office will be closed for a few days over the Easter break.
We wish you and your families the best over the period and will see you back in the office from Tuesday 19th April. 🐣
In the meantime, if you need support please remember the following services;
▪️ Emergency services: 000
▪️ Lifeline: 13 11 14
▪️ Mental Health Triage: 13 14 65
#happyeaster #braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysupport #braininjuryrecovery
Did you know? 25 Australians are diagnosed with Parkinsons every day and currently 80,000 Australians live with the condition.
The 11th of April is World Parkinsons Day and the month of April is dedicated to raising awareness of the condition and funds for continued research into a possible cure.
For more on Parkinsons or to donate head to @parkinsonsaus 🧠
#parkinsons #worldparkinsonsday #parkinsonsawarenessmonth #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysa #braininjuryaustralia #disabilityaustralia
With Bruce Willis’s recent aphasia diagnosis, we have seen a lot about aphasia coming up in the media. Let’s take a moment to talk about it;
🧠 What is aphasia? Aphasia is an acquired communication difficulty, occurring after birth. Aphasia can happen at any age and is caused by injury to the brain. This can be a suddenly occurring injury like a stroke or head trauma, or can gradually occur from progressive conditions like a brain tumour, or primary progressive aphasia.
🧠 What does aphasia look like? Aphasia is different for everyone, depending on the type and severity and can impact a person’s understanding of spoken language, ability to express themselves, reading and writing. Aphasia does NOT affect a person’s intelligence.
🧠 What can I do to support someone with aphasia? When communicating with someone who has aphasia, remember to be respectful, patient and understanding.
You can learn more and access support through The Australian Aphasia Association: https://aphasia.org.au/. Or by contacting Brain Injury SA and chatting to one of our Speech Pathologists on (08) 8217 7600 or 1300 733 049 for country callers.
#aphasia #aphasiaawareness #braininjurysa #braininjuryawareness #braininjurysupport
Sunny autumn days at Light Square, the home of our Central REWIRE Hub. #braininjurysa 🧠☀️
#braininjuryawareness #braininjury #braininjurysupport #disabilityaustralia #southaustralia