Transforming lives
Together, we can create a brighter future for The Brain Awareness Centre
Transforming lives
Together, we can create a brighter future for The Brain Awareness Centre
What is an acquired brain injury (ABI)?
What is ABI?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is the result of damage to your brain that may occur at any time during your life after birth. This damage could occur in a variety of ways and can cause many different problems for the person affected.
ABI is different from an intellectual disability or a mental illness
What causes ABI?
- trauma or injury to the head(sometimes called a traumatic brain injury)
- Stroke
- drugs, alcohol or poisons
- not getting enough oxygen to the brain for an extended time (for example, a near-drowning)
- infection
- tumours
- degenerative brain conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia
Caring for a person with an ABI, and living with ABI
Living with an ABI can be an adjustment to both the person with a brain injury, their family and carers.
Recovery may include specific goals, such as to regain lost skills, and/or to return to work or study. This can be challenging.
If you are living with an ABI, it is important that you look after your health and wellbeing to give your brain the best chance of recovery. If you care for someone with an ABI, there are support organisations that can help.
A National Assistance Card may be useful for both emergencies and everyday situations where a person with an ABI may need assistance or support.
what we do
thank you to our sponsors
Our morning teas
Our regular morning teas are a place to meet people who are on the same journey through the world of acquired brain injury, hear stories of experience, and hear advice from guest speakers.