Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Howard S. EmanuelAcquired Brain Injury (ABI) - The Issues (Howard Emanuel)Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can be the result of a Sporting, Vehicle, or Work Accident. Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse, Stroke, Brain Tumor, Surgery, Illness or a lack of oxygen to the brain. Read more...
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can be the result of a Sporting, Vehicle, or Work Accident. Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse, Stroke, Brain Tumor, Surgery, Illness or a lack of oxygen to the brain. Whatever the cause or set of circumstances that produces the trauma, one certainty is that some quality of life issues will arise for the sufferer. One concern I do have is to learn that those unfortunate enough to suffer a severe brain injury are most often if they cannot remain at home placed in aged care facilities in this sate. Whilst one is assured to know that some form of accommodation is available to support these people, I would have to question the legitimacy of housing persons of often a young age in a facility with persons much and sometimes many times older than themselves. We should not take the condescending and ignorant view that whilst these type of injuries can create difficulties for sufferers, their innate instincts and desires can and do remain intact. That is to say that one should be able to mix with people of their own age, their peers, particularly the young and as well that opportunities for interaction with the opposite gender are available. Age and gender appropriate rehabilitation and social support should be accessible if desired and be purpose designed to ensure maximum benefit to the individual. Privacy in which to meet with family and other friends should also be available to ensure quality time often at a premium, is spent in the most fortuitous circumstances. Perhaps we might consider this issue and ask ourselves the appropriateness of the current approach. As a community should we not support the most dignified and enhanced living experience we can for those that suffer from ABI, and with this in mind perhaps we can consider new approaches. Such as purpose built Independent Living Units accompanied with 24/7 support by professionals fully and specially trained to meet the needs of these community members. Whilst aged care specialist staff are obviously dedicated and committed to their work, are the certain skills and insights required to care for those whom suffer an ABI, available without focused and expert training? Perhaps it is time the state took a critical look at this situation and asked itself whether in fact we as a community are doing all we can to ensure those with an ABI are able to lead a life of dignity and full expression, whilst having their personal needs met in a facility of one kind or another. We are constantly progressing in our attitudes to those with a range of disabilities and ABI should and could be right up there in the mind of government, as a very salient and poignant human/social issue. Thank you. Howard Emanuel. Independent Candidate for the Federal Seat of McMillan. Convener: Rural Social Justice Movement Tele/Fax: (03)5684 1561 E-mail: howard@howardemanuel.com Website: www.HowardEmanuel.com
"Bringing the People back into Policy!" Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kris@howardemanuel.com
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