Leitrim event marks World Brain Day with focus on acquired brain injuries
An acquired brain injury survivor from Leitrim shared his recovery story as ABI Ireland raised awareness of hidden disabilities and local support needs.
People learned about brain health, brain injuries, the importance of self-care and preventative measures at an information stand in Carrick-on-Shannon on Wednesday, July 22. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Ireland hosted the stand outside Glancy's SuperValu, sharing advice and raising awareness to coincide with World Brain Day, which also took place on Wednesday.
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury sustained after birth and can be either traumatic or non-traumatic, including injuries resulting from a stroke, a fall or a road traffic accident.
Ann-Marie McBrearty, Local Services Manager with ABI Ireland, spoke about the services the organisation provides and the number of people it supports.
“Nationally we would support 1,300 people receiving some element of service. That could be in the community, it could be in assisted living or be in transitional living services,” she said.
Ms McBrearty explained that 19,000 people in Ireland acquire a brain injury each year which is the equivalent of 52 people every day.
She said awareness and understanding are fundamental.
“Community support is very important,” said Ms McBrearty. “Understanding what a brain injury is, and understanding that it's quite a hidden disability. What a brain injury might look like to some people could be in the form of having memory difficulties, having difficulties with their speech, difficulties with concentration and attention, problem solving,” she added.
She noted that other symptoms can include weakness on either the right or left side of the body, adding that the effects vary depending on which part of the brain is affected.
“People having patience and understanding that some people may need more time, and understanding that the effects of brain injury are lifelong. It's really about awareness,” she said.
The organisation is a non-profit and relies heavily on fundraising. Ms McBrearty said ABI Ireland is always “really open” to volunteers.
It also operates the country's only Transitional Living Unit for people with acquired brain injuries, based in Sligo, where survivors receive rehabilitation to help them work towards independent living.
Leitrim man Alan Dooner, who was also at the information stand, spent three months in the Sligo Transitional Living Unit after suffering a stroke and said the support he received from ABI Ireland was transformative.
“I'm here to help raise awareness on acquired brain injuries as a person who has used this service. I know from my own experience when I used the service, I didn't know anything about it. I want to help educate people on the services there if needed,” said Mr Dooner.
Following his stroke, he received cognitive rehabilitation and hand therapy through ABI Ireland, helping him regain the ability to carry out everyday tasks such as shopping, tying his shoelaces and buttering bread. The organisation also supported him in rebuilding his social life.
Mr Dooner spoke about the wider impact an acquired brain injury can have on a person's family and loved ones.
“My stroke didn't just affect me. It affected my wife, family and outer circle. ABI were there, a psychologist was there to speak with my wife and my daughter or any family. It doesn't just affect me,” he said.
Reflecting on the information day in Carrick-on-Shannon, he added: “It has been great. People have stopped and are learning about stress and how to relax the mind.”
Councillor Gary Prior also attended the event, describing ABI Ireland as a “fantastic service and we'd love to see one in every county.”
Speaking about acquired brain injuries, he said: “The one thing that's worrying us all is we all overwork and stress ourselves. We need to take care of our bodies and our minds. Stroke can happen at any time and any age.”
After speaking with people at the information stand, Cllr Prior said he had heard concerns about gaps in local services, particularly speech and language therapy, and intends to raise the issue in the near future.
“There is a big concern that there's no follow up care. It's certainly something that needs to be looked at. There is a big problem with speech and language therapy, there's a massive gap there at the moment,” he said, adding that one person told him the only way to access speech and language therapy locally was as an inpatient at St John's Hospital, Sligo.
“We need a greater urgency for more speech and language therapists. The access is a serious concern at the moment,” he added.
According to ABI Ireland, the organisation has helped 62 young survivors transition out of nursing homes, while 98.7 per cent of people using its services said the support enabled them to do things better.
The organisation is currently calling on the Government to invest €2.3 million in Budget 2027 to fund 20 additional specialist case managers and establish a nationwide brain injury case management service.
To find out more about ABI Ireland and its work, visit abiireland.ie.