We all carry round a computer more powerful than the largest mainframes. Yet our brain is protected by a just few millimetres of skull and an accident can severely affect us.
Headway Gateshead and South Tyneside tells me that men are two to three times more likely to have a traumatic brain injury than women. This is five times more likely for those between 15-29. In Gateshead in 2007 there were 333 recorded cases of traumatic brain injury.
The group provides support and information to people living with brain injury as well as their families, friends and carers. Headway also supplies information to social and health professionals and other organisations.
They organise events, activities, projects and initiatives to reduce social isolation and help improve confidence, self esteem and encourage peer support. Improving social interaction can also help reduce the number of GP visits made because of depression.
Headway improves the experience for people with brain injury accessing health and social care services.
Their next event is called the Mind's Eye - a life photography exhibition which is a contribution to national Brain Injury Awareness Week.
The exhibition, which has received sponsorship from Gateshead Council, runs from Wednesday 11 May until Wednesday 18 May 2011 at Blaydon Primary Care and Leisure Centre, Shibdon Road, NE21 5NW.
They see it as an unique opportunity to raise awareness of brain injury and to break down some of the barriers and myths surrounding brain injury. It is often seen as the "hidden disability" which makes it difficult for others to understand the complex nature of the issues people face.
The exhibition allows members to share parts of their everyday lives. As well as traditional photography members have been using new technology. Sensecam, kindly loaned by Vicon, is a small camera worn around the neck. It takes photographs automatically to build up images of an event, activity or part of a day and can assist people with short term memory problems.
I wish Headway a fair wind in its valuable work. It's open to new members and its phone number is 0191 283 46 23. Its website is www.headwaygateshead.org.uk
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |