merrion street

Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath TD today officially launched Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s Research Report “Getting my life reset – Living with an Acquired Brain Injury: The Irish experience”.

The Minister paid tribute to the 15 participants in the research who live with an acquired brain injury, saying “The authentic voices and stories of those interviewed for the research describe very clearly the challenges faced by people with an acquired brain injury.”

The Minister continued: “It is also evident that the participants have an admirable capacity to achieve and persevere, despite the challenges they have faced. We must respond to this resilience and work together to ensure the availability of appropriate services for people with an acquired brain injury and their families.” To this end, the Minister re-emphasised the Government’s commitment to the area of neuro-rehabilitation. “I am happy to say that the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish a plan for advancing Neuro-Rehabilitation services in the community”, the Minister added.

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland commissioned a team at the University of Limerick to complete a report which would enhance understanding of the impact of an acquired brain injury on the daily lives of those with the condition. The research team included Professor Orla Muldoon and Dr Elaine Kinsella from the Centre for Social Issues Research at the University of Limerick, Dr Stephen Walsh from the Department of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University and Mariah Curtin from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

The Minister also acknowledged the work of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, which for 17 years has provided a wide range of flexible and tailor-made services for people with acquired brain injury.