Headway - Brain Injury Auckland

We are naturally resilient beings. If you are interested in developing your resilience, you might be interested in this zoom session on Sunday. Read more below.

The six pillars of resilience workshop reminder - https://mailchi.mp/mindfulnessworks.co.nz/awakening-the-teacher-within-you-workshop-1858308

Vital neurological research is being led by researchers here in New Zealand such as Helen Murray.

Former New Zealand Captain Dr. Helen Murray Continues to Lead With CTE Research New Zealand's own Dr. Helen Murray continues to break new ground on the ice and in CTE research.

Research into the impacts of TBI helps increase understanding and can lead to better support in the future.
Why not consider getting involved in this research to help create better support and outcomes?
Reach out if you have any questions.

The creativity and connection keeps flowing even when we have a smaller group due to winter ills.

An AUT research project aimed at understanding the experiences of adults with mild traumatic brain injuries on intimate relationships (e.g. partner, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend) is now recruiting. People aged over 18 years who have experienced a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion within the last 10 years are invited to take part. Please email Genevieve Overhill. Ph 0274 512 910 Email
[email protected]

A great day with the New Lynn Brain Hub crew. Peer Support Groups through the mediums of Learn, Move, and Connect are facilitated every Wednesday at New Lynn Community Centre. Thanks to our awesome OT students from AUT - Auckland University of Technology for your input and ideas on youth support.

We have been so lucky to have had excellent Occupation Therapy students from AUT - Auckland University of Technology with us for the past few months. They have thrown themselves into connecting with clients, learning about brain injury and helping develop new programmes including our Young Adults Peer Support Group. We have been so impressed by their work ethic, knowledge and enthusiasm. They have set a high bar for the next group joining us in semester 2!

Headway is now delivering support from five community centres around Auckland ensuring that we reach more people and reduce inequities of access.
Our new permanent sign is up at New Lynn New Lynn Community Centre - thanks for supporting the brain injury community New Lynn!

Our Headway community created some stunning pieces on Monday - while continuing to build connections and friendships.

It is great to see that ASB Bank has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative. Brain injuries are often invisible, and people impacted by them face stigma and misunderstanding. These lanyards let staff know that the wearer has a disability that may not be obvious. This is a good start. To fully support someone with brain injury, a leading cause of long-term disability, staff would receive brain injury training. Headway provides Workforce Training and Education.

We’re excited to be the first bank in New Zealand to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme 🌻 With this initiative our people will be trained to recognise and assist customers and colleagues with a non-visible disability who are wearing a Sunflower Lanyard or pin to signal they may need extra support.

Almost a quarter of New Zealanders live with a disability, with more than 900 disabilities listed as hidden or non-visible. This can include long-lasting effects of an injury, neurodiversity, and chronic health conditions. Being hidden, it’s not immediately obvious when extra care is needed.

We will begin training our people in the coming months, focusing on understanding hidden disabilities, and how to offer extra assistance to those who choose to wear a Sunflower Lanyard or pin.

Read more 👉 https://www.asb.co.nz/documents/media-centre/media-releases/asb-becomes-first-nz-bank-to-partner-with-hidden-disabilities-sunflower.html

Love this!

Teamwork and friendship at Headway.

It is good to see on-going, vital research around brain injury and CTE thanks to Neurological Foundation of NZ and generous donors. The causes of neurodegenerative diseases are multifactorial and not all of these causes can be modified or avoided. The number of head impacts we expose ourselves to however is something that can be modified or reduced.

Breakthrough research continues, enabled by the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank and by the generosity of families donating the brain of their loved one to research. First NZ former league player diagnosed with CTE after death (1news.co.nz)

www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/03/first-nz-former-league-player-diagnosed-with-cte-after-death/

It is wonderful to see more research around CTE.
“This study is a positive step because only when you start doing research on conditions like this can you affect positive change."

Former Kiwis league player is NZ's first case of national rep with CTE Calls for action as the silent killer haunts New Zealand's sporting community.

We mourn the loss of Sir Robert Martin and are filled with gratitude for his powerful advocacy. His contributions to the disability community have been felt not just in Aotearoa but across the world. Thank you Sir Robert.

Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, joins the disability community in Aotearoa and across the world as we acknowledge the passing of Sir Robert Martin KNZM. Through his work, Sir Robert advocated for a more accessible and inclusive world for disabled people. Among his many achievements Sir Robert was the first person with a learning disability to be appointed as an independent expert on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In 2023, Sir Robert was announced alongside Gary Williams MNZM as Patrons for My Home, My Choice – a Whaikaha programme focused on the work needed to transform the way people in residential services are assisted so they have more choice and control in their lives. Through this work, Sir Robert continued his vision of everyone having an independent life.

Whaikaha Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero MNZM reflects on the impact of Sir Robert.
"For many of us at Whaikaha, we knew Sir Robert as an advocate, an ally, and a friend. Today, and every day going forward we reflect together on his life and his achievements. Personally, I will forever be changed by knowing such a generous, kind, and thoughtful person. Sir Robert made it his life’s work to advance disability rights. I join many disabled people today expressing gratitude for the work of Sir Robert.

On behalf of Whaikaha, I would like to extend our sympathy to Sir Robert’s wife Lady Lynda, his family, friends and the People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi community. Sir Robert’s generosity, humility, and passion will continue to be a shining light for us."

Image description
Sir Robert Martin stands with Paula Tesoriero in front of a large window at the Whaikaha office at the launch of My Home, My Choice. They are both smiling and looking at the camera.

This is a wonderful opportunity to
join in with some amazing community art. The Connection the Dots team are excellent facilitators and have experience working with our brain injury community. If you are free Thursdays, give it a go!

Our OPEN STUDIO starts next week!

We are excited to invite local older adults, or people living with dementia or brain injury, to join our Make Moments art workshops in Onehunga. They will run every Thursday morning this term as a drop-in to test the waters!

We have had so many inquiries from people who have family or friends with dementia or perhaps an older adult looking to make new friends while making art.

Workshops are $10-$30 each, depending on what you can afford. All materials and morning tea included.

Why do people attend our Peer Support Groups?
"Before I came here, I was alone ...now I have a family"
"I feel accepted"
"A place to talk and be listened to"

Thanks Community Comms Collective for the awesome comms support and the great write up. I love the photo of our gardening group - volunteers, Sally and Kathy, creating a space for learning and connection.

Fresh comms headspace helps drive Headway forward Auckland’s brain injury association, Headway, has been operating for more than 40 years, but it wasn’t meeting the needs of the brain injury community effectively – partly because few people knew it existed.  Gardening and growing connections with Headway volunteers Kathy and Sally New CEO St...

ANZAC Day - we take time to remember today.

It was an absolute honour for us to collaborate on the Growing Connections - TBI Event with AUT - Auckland University of Technologyand the Neurological Foundation of NZ.
The buzz and potential of 100 people in one room committed to tackling TBI was palpable.
Special thanks to all the presenters - especially our experts by experience whose voices had a powerful impact on all in attendance. It's time to rethink TBI support.

Join our Term 2 Art Programme with the experts at Connect the Dots Charitable Trust.
Whanau of a client recently said that the classes were "beyond amazing, the impact they have on his week is immeasurable... seeing (him) build relationships with the others at the sessions has been icing in the cake so to speak!"
Register your interest at [email protected]

The Growing Connections event was an amazing opportunity to bring together the voices of so many people passionate about tackling TBI - including experts by experience. We were proud to be involved. More information from the day to follow - including information about access to the recordings of the presentations.

Fantastic to be Growing Connections at AUT today, learning about amazing research taking place in brain injury. It's been particularly special hearing from people with lived experience of concussion & TBI, reminding us why research & education are so vital. 🧠

This is an excellent read: "CTE is a real thing. It occurs from years of small, undetectable head knocks. The risks increase with the number and force of hits. And the consequences of getting CTE are brutal. Players at all levels need to know what the researchers are finding."
To make informed decisions about participation in contact sports, we need to have the necessary information. Let's keep talking and sharing the latest findings and research.

My father’s love of rugby left him with CTE; all rugby players should know the risks OPINION: The consequences of getting CTE are brutal. Players at all levels need to know what the researchers are finding, writes Geoff Cooper.

Brain injuries caused through family violence are far too common in our country.
This story is just one example of many.
His violence has left his ex-partner with a serious brain injury, robbing her of her independence and the life she had ahead of her. To hear that his sentence has been reduced is beyond disappointing.

Woman left with serious brain injury after assault by partner Kasinga Filivao beat his partner so badly, she now lives in care and is unable to feed herself.

Taking time to practice breathing exercises, mindfulness and meditation is how we start our Peer Support Learn Groups. These practices develop neuroplasticity and help overcome trauma as we work to develop new patterns of thinking.

Understanding the Trauma Brain Neuroplasticity provides hope if you suffer from trauma or PTSD.

The closure of the Laura Fergusson Rehabilitation Centre back in 2020 was a devastating blow for the Auckland community. Our Headway community has been involved in the research undertaken by the new board to understand needs and interest in a new hub - a space to collaboratively support spinal and brain injury people on their journey.

Disability trust committed to rebuilding Auckland rehabilitation site The new board of a disability trust says it's committed to rebuilding a rehabilitation site for Aucklanders with spinal injuries after Laura Fergusson's Auckland centre closed in 2020, despite opposition and protests. Melanie Earley reports.

Are you interested in sharing your lived experience to positively impact the delivery of telerehabilitation in Aotearoa?

If you are impacted by a long-term condition/injury and have accessed/are accessing rehabilitation services (of any kind), you may be able to impact the future of telerehabilitation. If you are whānau of someone who meets the above criteria, your experience is needed as well.
Check out the link below to learn more about the research at AUT. Your experiences can help others!

Registrations closing 16th April and tickets selling fast - book your seat today:
Connecting researchers and community to tackle Traumatic Brain Injury
A one-day community event designed to bring together healthcare professionals, rehabilitation specialists, those living with TBI, their whānau, and the public to raise awareness, share the latest research, and discuss practical approaches to TBI rehabilitation and support.

Tuesday 23rd April 9am - 4pm AUT City Campus

$120 Professionals - includes a CPD certificate.
$60 Community - Students, Carers and all those interested in TBI
$30 Impacted by TBI - Lived Experience and Whānau

A community Event with:
Eight Research Speakers
Lived Experience Speakers
Interactive sessions
Facilitated Networking sessions

Hear about opportunities, play with new technologies currently being tested and learn about services supporting people and their whānau who have experienced brain injury.

https://www.headway.org.nz/growing-connections-tbi-community-event