On the road to help others in Waikato
A brain injury can occur every 15 minutes in New Zealand and is often referred to as the silent epidemic.
The effects go largely unseen and have long term consequences.
But there is support available, especially in the Waikato, where a regional advocacy group has just undergone a name change ahead of its 30th anniversary.
Head Injury Society Waikato is now known as Brain Injury Waikato. The change was to make the organisation easier to identify with and would be more inclusive with its national body, Brain Injury New Zealand.
The organisation will also be able to help more people around the Waikato thanks to a Morrinsville business.
Nicholson Auto Morrinsville and Suzuki New Zealand have sponsored a car for Brain Injury Waikato to use. Nicholson Auto Morrinsville also paid for the professional signage on the car.
Chairwoman Isy Kennedy, in her report for the organisation’s first newsletter of the year, thanked Nicholson Auto Morrinsville.
‘‘The car will be used in the field, which will lift out profile tremendously in the community. Our sincere thanks to our board member, John Grey, for the part he played in getting the sponsor- ship.’’
The society, established in 1987, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
In the beginning, people who had sustained a brain injury and their families attended support group meetings, but realised there was a need for an advocate. After discussions, the Head Injury Society Waikato was established.
‘‘June is our Brain Injury Awareness month. We will have displays in various town, with the cross street banners in Hamilton and Cambridge,’’ Kennedy said.
Seminars by a range of specialists including neurologists, neuropsychologists and professionals in rehabilitation will be organised.
These were normally attended by society members, clients, family/whanau, carers, service providers and health professionals.
‘‘But this year we will also invite people from the public to attend. The themes this year will be children with brain injury and adults with brain injury, and will cover the impact brain injury has on peoples’ lives.’’
Kennedy said the society provided advocacy, information and support to people who had sustained a brain injury, their families and carers.
Support Group meetings were held in Hamilton, Cambridge, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Tokoroa and Huntly.
‘‘Our service is unique in the Waikato area. Our monthly support group meetings are for clients, family, partners, spouses and caregivers give them the opportunity to get peer support and share strategies in a social setting thereby reducing isolation.’’