Alfred Health News

Caulfield Hospital will celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Week with a range of activities across the site.

Patients and staff in the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Rehab A, B and Community Rehabilitation will all join in the planned events.

ABI Rehabilitation Centre Nurse Manager, Katrina Neave said her patients and staff have a busy schedule planned for the week. 

Activities include a sausage sizzle, several morning and afternoon teas and a ‘beanie beautification competition’, where patients and staff will compete for the title of best-dressed beanie.

“This comes at a really exciting time for the service, as we are about to celebrate our first anniversary of operation,” Katrina said.

Nick James, 17, came to The Alfred in a critical condition in December 2013 after being involved in a car accident.  

Nick suffered a severe TBI, resulting in significant physical difficulties.Nick’s mum, Jane explained the significance of Brain Injury Awareness Week to her family.

“Helping to make people aware of the huge consequences of a brain injury is why this week is so important,” said Mrs James.

“It’s not like a broken leg or even a spinal cord injury.  It is far worse.  The brain is the center of our very being and once it is damaged a person is changed both physically, mentally and emotionally.  The road to recovery takes many years.

“We need ‘hope’ to maintain our energy, to remain positive, to continue striving for improvement and to navigate our new lives.”