Expo to create more awareness about brain injury

By Sheree Hoddinett  

For many in the community living with a brain injury is a tough journey, one that can often feel like you’re fighting the battle alone. 

Looking to take the stigma away and create more awareness, change and connection for individuals and families living with brain injury, three groups (The Brain Awareness Centre, Brain Injury Group and The Brain Injury Community) have come together to create and co-host the Brain Injury Awareness Expo in Caboolture on August 22.  

Behind every statistic is a unique and extremely courageous individual. It’s their powerful stories of resilience that form the heartbeat of this year’s expo, which coincides with Brain Injury Awareness Week.  

“It’s only when you start talking to people and they realise brain injury encompasses a lot more than just a bump to the head, it hits home how important spreading awareness is,” Jo from The Brain Awareness Centre said. “Our community needs to know that a brain injury can come from anywhere – such as vehicle accidents, concussion, stroke, domestic violence or drug and alcohol abuse – to name a few. 

“The key is understanding that every story is different and the impact of the injury is unique to that person. Conversations need to be had to increase that understanding.”  

The Brain Awareness Centre holds regular meetings in Caboolture to support those impacted by brain injury. 

For Emma from the Brain Injury Group, her journey started four years ago after experiencing a massive headache while at the gym.  

“So I had what is called an AVM (arteriovenous malformation), basically tangled vessels in my brain that I was born with and the first time I knew about it was after the experience at the gym,” Emma explained. “It was pretty dicey and they weren’t sure if I was going to make it, but here I am four years later.”  

Emma, who works as a primary school teacher, also hosts workshops to help others with brain injury so they can reconnect with others in the community and get back to work or other aspects of their lives.  

Ultimately, Jo and Emma would love to create a brain injury hub locally so the community has a central access point for services and support. The upcoming expo is one step to heading in that direction.   

“We have never had an expo like this in our community,” Jo said. “We all have different abilities and stories to tell, so coming together to show what survivors can achieve is exciting.”  

At the expo, you’ll have the chance to meet with expert service providers, connect with support groups, discover tools and strategies that can make a difference in the life of someone living with a brain injury. Survivors, from all walks of life, will showcase a variety of demonstrations using a range of alternative therapies that will definitely inspire.  

“Come along, speak with those living with a brain injury and gain a greater understanding of not only how we flourish, but how we thrive,” Jo said.  

Angela from The Brain Injury Community offers peer support and social activities to alleviate loneliness and isolation after a brain injury. 

For further information you can reach out to: 

The Brain Awareness Centre – 0493 838 171 (Jo) 

Brain Injury Group – 0479 124 938 (Emma) 

The Brain Injury Community – 0475 617 158 (Angela) 

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Event details 

Flourish & Thrive  - Brain Injury Awareness Expo 

Friday August 22, 9am – 1pm 

Apex Park, Centenary Lakes, Morayfield Road, Caboolture.