Andrew Gardners SuperBlog

Posts Tagged ‘Age Disability’

This week I have been involved in lots of discussions and consultations about the seven strands of equality (age, disability, gender, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender). During these discussions a couple of other areas have been highlighted as possible strands including ‘money’ and ‘class’.

Brain injury, although falling under the disability strand, may cross all seven strands depending on the individual concerned. I know that each strand has its own barriers to participation but I’ve come to the conclusion that if you have a brain injury, and can no longer form short-term memories, then you are even more disadvantaged than most other people.

This is one of the reasons it’s known as the Hidden Disability because it is not obvious. Did you know?

-Each year, around 1.4 million people attend hospital Accident and Emergency departments in the UK following head injury
-Approximately half of deaths in people under 40 are due to head injury
-Head injury accounts for about 30 per cent of traumatic deaths and a higher proportion of long-term disabilities
-Men are two or three times more likely to have a brain injury than women. This increases to five times more likely in the 15-29 age range
-The major causes of head injury are road traffic collisions, falls and accidents at home or at work
-The majority of traumatic head injuries (80%) are classified as ‘mild’ with most people seen in Accident and Emergency and discharged home. Although ‘mild’, people often suffer from ongoing debilitating symptoms such as headaches, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration and memory problems. Such symptoms may be prolonged and impact on family relationships and employment. Approximately 10% of head injuries are ‘moderate’, require a brain scan and admission to hospital. These people are at high risk of ongoing symptoms. The other 10% are those with ‘severe’ head injury who are in a coma and require specialist treatment in intensive care