Dear Reader,
If you are reading this chances are you have a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) or a more general ABI (Acquired Brain Injury).
Bear with me if you are an old hand. For all those who are embarking on this daunting but exciting new chapter of your life you are in for a learning experience that all people with brain injury undergo yet there will be peculiarities unique to you.
One of the best ways to help you deal with the big and little challenges that arise is to join a self-advocacy group, this applies to old hands as well of-course.
A self-advocacy group supplies massive benefits. One meets and is supported by like-minded individuals with a similar experience, the importance is not to be underestimated. Secondly if you are personally being mistreated and your rights as a human being are being violated or just ignored, with the encouragement and backing of other like-minded individuals you can learn to be empowered and stand up for yourself or if it’s a particularly challenging situation one could use the members’ knowledge to be referred to an appropriate advocacy group. Another advantage not often commented on is that one develops useful contacts.
Now at the moment there is only one ABI self-advocacy group in the whole of Australia, Brain Injury Matters based in Melbourne. As I’ve outlined, a self-advocacy group is of immense importance so please consider, not just consider, establish a self-advocacy group in your area. Enlist the help of your local council, to be seen helping a disability group means huge kudos (for the council.) You may think there wouldn’t be much demand for it but I guarantee you’ll be surprised.
Good luck,
A person with an ABI
