A resource site for those that have suffered brain injury and those that care for them

Support home   Other help Support and advice Brain Injury & Brain Tumours Headway is a national charity that helps and supports those with brain injury. They have local and regional branches. They deal with people who have acquired or traumatic brain and head injuries. The outcomes of these can be similar – sensory impairment, loss of confidence and self esteem, anger and frustration, memory loss, loss of coordination. Headway will help through one on one help, group support, advice and help, signposting and empathy. www.headway.org.uk See also: Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust Brain Trust Related to brain cancer and other effects of tumours, see: Cancer Research UK Cancerbackup Epilepsy Action at www.epilepsy.org.uk HANDLE at www.handle.org Brain tumour sufferers may find solace and support from these charities. They have helplines via the phone and via the internet, and are extremely helpful and supportive. www.birt.co.uk www.brainstrust.org.uk/cms/home www.cancerresearchuk.org www.cancerbackup.org.uk Memory Memory loss has reduced Hazel's quality of life significantly. She lost it following a epileptic seizure. Radiotherapy can affect memory both short and long term. To help with your memory, there may be a Memory Clinic in your area. You may want to seek an audience with a neuro-psychologist, who can monitor and measure your memory deficiencies, and discuss the emotional aspects of coping with memory loss. Memory can be maximised if stress and anxiety is reduced. See also: MIND (mental health) No Panic (anxiety, panic attacks) www.mind.org.uk www.nopanic.org.uk Sight loss Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) provides membership, newsletters, local contacts, regular contact, talking books and much more. Locally, Hazel has been in touch with the Wiltshire and the Oxfordshire Associations for the Blind. There may be a local group for you. Hazel receives a talking newspaper every week from a local group, and there are similar groups in other localities. If your sight impairment appears to be lasting, don’t hesitate to seek to become registered as sight impaired. This brings other benefits, such as travel concessions, parking concessions and discounts into attractions and cinemas all over the country. The Ophthalmic Department of your local hospital is a good place to seek advice. www.rnib.org.uk See also: Guide Dogs for the Blind www.guidedogs.org.uk Other Advice (inc. Financial) Ensure that any benefits entitlement is maximised. This may include Incapacity Benefit and/or Disability Living Allowance. You may be eligible for Direct Payments through your Council. You can also try the 'Entitled to' link below to further check what you should be receiving. Other organisations, such as Shaw Trust and Macmillan, offer valuable advice and resources. The websites below offer a starting point for this. Government Department Your Council may also help through: • Completing forms • Hearing and Vision Team • Support through the Libraries • Social Services • Disability Advice and Signposting • Day Centres There will be day support groups in your area. Try the local hospice, community centres and your GP - they will have advice and information. www.dwp.gov.uk See also: Shaw Trust Macmillan Cancer Support Entitled To: What You Can Claim www.shaw-trust.org.uk www.macmillan.org.uk www.entitledto.com