Hello

My life changed when I was in a road traffic accident while on a research expedition to Brazil in 2019. I suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. You can follow these links to read or listen to my story . Since then I've become an adcovate for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland calling for investment in neurorehabilitation services. During brain awareness week 2021 I spoke with Oliver Callanan on the RTÉ Ryan Tubridy Show and Orla Rapple on Beat FMs Sunday Roast to highlight th Irish government needs to provide extra rehabilitation for people living with brain injuries in a community setting. Rehabilitation changed the trajectory of my recovery and I want to ensure everyone can access timely intensive rehabilitation and rebuild their lives after brain injury & live it to their full potential. I wrote articles that Irelands postcode lottery system for neurology rehabilitation services must change and another on Rehab after a brain injury is a human right - Ireland needs better resources.

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Approximately 19,000 people in Ireland sustain an acquired brain injury annually and a further 120,000 people are estimated to be living with disability caused by brain injuries. It’s likely almost everyone knows a brain injury survivor. There is an abysmal lack of community neuro-rehabilitation services across Ireland. They’re the services – like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology support, speech and language therapy, or help to return to work or education – that are crucial for brain injury survivors when we’re discharged from acute hospital care. This insufficiency is so harmful to brain injury survivors and their families across the country, so I wanted to give a voice to the Irish brain injury community. I’ve been working with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABII) on its ‘Right to Rehab’ campaign, which was funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. It sees brain injury survivors raising awareness that rehabilitation is a human right.

 

June '23 RTÉ Today with Claire Byrne 'Gaps in Rehab Service: Younger People in Nursing Homes'

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Mar '23 Irish Indepdent interview 'I almost ended up in a nursing home in my 30s after brain injury’ – services need improving

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Nov '22-The Journal Opinion article -'Rehab after a brain injury is a human right - we need better resources'

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Mar '21 The Journal Opinion article - 'Brain injury means recovery has become my life, I face new challenges every day'