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Brain Injury Outcomes / Cognitive changes / Starting Out

What does ‘COGNITIVE’ mean?

Cognitive impairment is common following brain injury. A person may have minimal, or no physical effects, yet be significantly changed by cognitive damage. This makes it important to understand what 'cognitive' really means. For some reason the idea of spelling bees came to mind. Do you remember them? The teacher says “Spell Cognitive” and an earnest voice says "COGNITIVE, C-o-g-n-i-t-i-v-e spells COGNITIVE". Well spelling 'cognitive' might be a whole lot simpler than trying to understand its meaning. Still let's have a go, how hard can it be!!  Well I do know when I started out I found the meaning of "COGNITIVE" difficult to grasp: How did it differ from intellect? What did it do for us in everyday life? What kinds of functions would be damaged when someone had 'cognitive impairment'? At a conference on brain injury, during my early working life, I bought a cassette tape (that dates me a bit!) that described cognitive and executive functions. I listened to it…

12 Comments
April 23, 2013
Life Changes After Brain Injury / Strategies Approaches and Support

‘A Flower between the Cracks’ Family hope, grief and life after brain injury

Last week I heard a wonderful radio interview with Helen Sage, a mother, whose daughter Jane, has lived with brain injury for the past 13 years. As I listened it reminded me of so many aspects of understanding family life after brain injury: hope and grief, finding capacities and positive outcomes, ambiguous loss, and the concept of growing through trauma. All described, not in the language of a brain injury text book, but in a compelling and personal way. The interview centred on a new book “A Flower between the Cracks” written by Helen, about their family experience. (See the link to the interview at the end of this post, it's well worth a listen). I have immediately ordered the book, and hope to share more once I have read it.  Meantime the interview with Helen was a poignant and enlightening discussion about the impact of brain injury. What did I learn listening to Helen? Brain injury happens to families It is…

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April 17, 2013
Brain and Function / Brain Injury Outcomes

The BRAIN Takes Centre Stage

FINALLY, a momentus year for the brain. Yes the BRAIN is to be recognized and studied for the amazing organ it is. This week Barak Obama announced a project appropriately called BRAIN aimed at discovering, not the mysteries of outer space, but our very own brain. Earlier in the year the European Union announced an even larger project, the Human Brain Project. As a part of this project they aim to create a realistic simulation of the brain to assist study the brain and find treatments for brain disorders. What's this got to do with brain injury? Think about how we all stand to benefit from these projects: through our own increased knowledge of all things brain related, through the ability of scientists and people involved to collaborate and build shared knowledge and hopefully new treatments and prevention of brain injury and brain disorders. A short video here explains more about the Human Brain Project, an exciting initiative. It reinforces the complexity…

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April 10, 2013
Brain Injury Outcomes / Cause and Incidence

10 Million People Each Year. Yes We Need to Care about Brain Injury Incidence!

This week I was reading reports about brain injury (often undiagnosed) in young people, particularly young men and felt I just had to share some thoughts. Yes, I know I promised not to shower you with too many statistics about brain injury. Yes, I did say that we would talk about all types of brain injury not just Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We will. Really, we will. But first: Why keep on about the incidence of brain injury? It seems we are still not as aware as we should be of the risks inherent in many activities. This  includes sports such as cycling, football, skiing, boxing, vehicles both on and off road, and war related injuries whether direct or indirect. We are also still learning about responsibilities for prevention and ongoing support. As the numbers increase, (as they continue to do), we are all very likely to meet people in all kinds of situations who have a brain injury and this should…

5 Comments
April 1, 2013
Brain Injury Outcomes / Strategies Approaches and Support

CAN DO! Strengths and Brain Injury.

Build on the CAN DO instead of focussing on the CAN’T DO.  Great idea. Work from the strengths and abilities rather than problems a person has. Wonderful. What about when a person has a brain injury? Yup, seems a great way to work. What does it look like in action? How do I do it? If you are having these kinds of thoughts and questions, about supporting a person from a strengths approach, join me in the learning. If you already have an understanding – please share some of your insights with us. For most of us focusing on strengths, rather than solving problems, is not our natural way, yet we know it is a great way to enable people to achieve their best. Think about your own life. Who amongst us says “Well these are all my faults, I am going to make those really obvious and concentrate on them”?  No!  We usually work to hide our faults and shine up…

7 Comments
March 26, 2013
Behaviour changes / Brain Injury Outcomes / Starting Out

It’s the Brain Injury Talking

Lazy, manipulative, attention-seeking! Have you heard people using those, or similar terms when describing the behavior of someone living with brain injury. Not very helpful is it? It kind of suggests a deliberate tone to the behavior. Maybe at times you have thought what you are seeing is personally directed at you.  I will tell you upfront I get a bit steamed up on this topic. So I really want to talk about this and try and give you some alternative strategies. At some point we all have moments where we think whatever is happening, is personal - it's designed to get at me. Think about the impact this has. Taking behaviours as intentional and personal, seeing behavior as deliberate, believing a person with brain injury is personally getting at you, it can be exhausting for you. It is not helpful for you, (the supporter),it is not helpful for the person with brain injury, and it is not at all beneficial to…

5 Comments
March 19, 2013
Brain Injury Outcomes / Strategies Approaches and Support

What We Can Learn From Gabrielle Giffords

I was watching a news clip of Gabrielle Giffords presenting simply and powerfully to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Gun Violence on January 30th 2013. Her courage, determination and bravery are absolutely evident, and inspirational. I watch, and among many thoughts I think, this is why I do what I do, how amazing, how privileged to be even a small part of the life and support of people who teach so much about courage, resilience, perseverance and so much more. MUCH more. I think about the incredible support, particularly from her husband, that would have been with Gabrielle, get to this point. And of the many other stories I have shared from family, partners and friends supporting their family members through the many challenges and changes. So what can we, as supporters, learn from Gabrielle and her family to help us support people?   Here are just a few thoughts that sprang to mind as I watched that news clip: Build on the…

3 Comments
March 13, 2013
Read more about the article “I’m So Tired My Brain Hurts” Cognitive Fatigue
Brain Injury Outcomes / Cognitive changes

“I’m So Tired My Brain Hurts” Cognitive Fatigue

Have you heard this or similar comments? It’s real. It is termed Cognitive Fatigue. And the good news is there are strategies to help minimize it. Before I get to the strategies, here are a couple of real life descriptions to help explain what it is like: In an article in The Guardian newspaper Tim Lusher  described his experiences following an abscess on the cerebellum, (the part of the brain that controls movement, balance and coordination).He vividly describes cognitive fatigue: [quote]Ah, the tiredness. That's another thing everyone talks about. It's not a tough-week-at-the-office tiredness that you can rally through with a couple of drinks and the prospect of a weekend lie-in. It's a leaden blanket of exhaustion that sweeps over you – utterly undeniable, non-negotiable and unshakeable.[/quote] And this description in an article entitled "Learning to Pace Yourself" from Synapse [quote]Those who haven’t had their brain banged around won’t understand the feeling – they’ll picture how they feel after a bad night’s…

23 Comments
March 12, 2013
Starting Out

The Beliefs I Believe: The Working Be’s!

The Be's                                 Be an encourager - seek strengths, be positive. We all do better working from what we CAN do rather than what we cannot. a finder of the key – seek ways and strategies to ensure life is LIVED. Every person with the right support can be a part of community life, belong and connect. a seeker of knowledge – life-long learning for everyone. There is always more to learn for you, for the person living with brain injury, for family. yourself –  be natural, take on board tips and knowledge from others, be yourself in the way you provide the support and implement the strategies. an improver – look out for ways to encourage improvements. There is always a better way; there is always more to be done; there are always more possibilities available, than we know about. respectful – openness, honesty and respect of the person you are supporting, their family and friends, and yourself in all…

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March 12, 2013
Brain Injury Outcomes / Starting Out

What Causes Brain Injury?

  Before reading any further think about the causes of brain injury you are aware of.  See how you go matching up with the list below. Any surprises? Any questions? Often there are many more causes than people realise. Think about the ages and stages of life, and what types of brain injury might be common to that stage? Understanding a bit about the brain can help identify what the possible causes might be. Understanding the causes can help you understand what kind of damage might result. Both will help you better work with the person you are supporting. When it comes to brain injury, a little knowledge can go a long way in helping you  support a person with brain injury. The main causes of brain injury can vary between countries. I remember discussing brain injury with a person who was working in the Pacific Islands, she reported brain injury from coconuts falling from trees was not uncommon, for me living…

14 Comments
March 11, 2013