There have been many support people and specialists that have helped me, particularly during the first year. I had changed in many ways, I knew that I was operating at a lower level and went to my first meeting of the Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay support group not long after it started. In those days the group ran as a support day once a week. It helped to meet others who were experiencing the same problems, memory loss, fatigue, and headaches, being the main ones. We also had many activities organised, along with morning tea and a midday meal, sometimes a picnic on a day trip in the van. They were fun times but cost a great deal. Funding was always hard.
Having been elected on the Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay board as a client representative, it was easy to see that changes had to be made. Nowadays the remains of the original support group, with some recent additions, meet for lunch once a month to catch up and there is still a Christmas party. However, the BIA today has a lot more staff who work to help many times the number of people.
Two liaison officers answer clients questions about their injury and provide support with ACC and WINZ meetings, doctors appointments, housing, the concussion clinic and make referrals to other community groups and sports clubs if required. Education is an important focus and the BIA has run several clinics for local health professionals, which I have attended as a panel member. We are also organising a New Zealand Concussion Conference which will be held in Napier later this year - the latest research will be interesting I'm sure.
The education officer is doing her level best to get around all the schools in Hawke’s Bay with the message on preventing and managing concussion, its a big job. As a reward the pupils have fun meeting our mascot, the large Newfoundland dog Kiana dressed in the Hawke’s Bay Rugby kit. The Hawke’s Bay branch has also embraced the Blue Card protocol to help prevent and reduce the effects of concussion in sport. Most senior school first fifteen players have completed a test, which is used as a baseline if concussion is suspected.
The list goes on, but most important is the help and advice given to the family and caregivers of clients who have suffered Brain Injuries. I have been fortunate that unlike so many, my wife and family have been fantastic - partly due to the education and support they received from the Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay after my injury.
Since the changes to the Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay it has become obvious that we are now much more well known in the community. This helps with the many fundraising events such as concerts and dinners the board arranges. It also means that we get more referrals.
The picture of me is the front cover of a book I wrote years ago, as part of an ACC programme, which my girls published for me. It is about Rosa, a Welsh Terrier given to me as a rehab dog shortly after leaving hospital. Rosa did as much or more to get me out and engaging in the real world as anyone else. I joined the Hawkes Bay Obedience Club. One of their members taught me to walk instead of stagger when heeling the dog. Later, I had to learn to run when we started doing Agility together. We eventually made it to the top 10 in New Zealand in a year long monthly agility competition. This was great effort for a small dog running against the big Dobermans, Shepherd's, and Collies.
So often there is improvement from a brain injury, this takes time, patience and support.
Remember there's always someone who is worse off, someone who needs help and advice. Someone who needs a friendly face. The Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay provides that.
