Published on: 02/01/20
January: ‘Living with a brain injury’ film made
The final touches were made to our new film ‘Living with a brain injury’. The film helps families understand more about the effects of brain injury on children and young people and was made by Nescot Creative Media students. You can watch the film and read about it here.
February: A royal visit
HRH The Countess of Wessex visited The Children's Trust to open its new Music Zone specially designed for children with brain injury undergoing rehabilitation.
March: Brain Injury Hub’s Legal Week
We offered Parents' guides to legal support for serious injury and road traffic accidents and for medical negligence including birth injury claims, in association with Irwin Mitchell.
April: Feature on Paediatric acquired brain injury and hidden disability
Leading neurorehabilitation magazine NR Times published a view from the frontline of child brain injury care by Katy James, head of The Children’s Trust's Brain Injury Community Service.
May: Fatigue focus for Action for Brain Injury Week 2019
To mark ABI Week we shared Rebekah’s experience of living with fatigue and parent and teenager tips on how they manage fatigue.
June: Extension of the blue badge scheme
The Blue Badge scheme was extended to those with hidden disabilities. It was the biggest change to the scheme in 50 years and was rolled out in August 2019.
July: Summer special
We looked at the most accessible beaches in the UK, beach wheelchairs and the locations of great beach facilities available to those with disabilities.
August: Getting ready for the return to school
We launched our new booklet for teachers and school staff. School staff can be hugely influential in a child's successful transition back to school and ongoing journey after a brain injury. Our booklet provides info, tools and strategies to help support school-aged children.
Mum Holli shared how supportive her teenage son’s school was following his brain injury – and the lessons learnt.
September: Roald Dahl facts
For Roald Dahl Day 2019 we shared 10 facts on the writer and his fascination with medicine. From attributing his creativity to his own brain injury through to his pioneering medical breakthroughs, he inspired many.
October: Pet therapy, horse riding and acquired brain injury
Animals can play a big part in therapy. We met dog Cal and his owner and they shared their community visits to children with acquired brain injury and the training Cal had to become a PAT dog.
Riding isn’t just fun there are many physical and social benefits for children and young people with brain injury. A Riding for the Disabled coach, and specialist occupational therapist from The Children’s Trust, spoke about the visits and of the physical and social benefits of riding.
November: Occupational therapy, stroke and music therapy awareness
We shared tips on childhood stroke (including storytelling, sleep and support), gave an insight into how occupational therapists can help children regain skills and independence after brain injury, and explained how music therapy can help in a child’s recovery.
December: Top books featuring disability and Heads Up, Tim Tron review
We found ten of the best children’s books about disability, brain injury or feeling like the odd one out. The books feature super hero characters, animals and children with disabilities. They all have different themes and stories with a variety of characters for children to relate to.
A mum and daughter reviewed Heads up, Tim Tron, sharing their thoughts about the book and how it helped them better understand brain injury.
A busy year – we look forward to sharing more news and insights with you in 2020! You can also read the Real Stories families shared with us in 2019.
