Partnership, not luck, for desperately needed rehabilitation

The Young People in Nursing Homes Alliance (YPINH), together with the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania (BIAT), today called on Tasmanian disability and health services to work together to deliver desperately needed rehabilitation for young people with acquired disabilities.

The call comes as 30-year-old Dave Lewis launches his ‘Ride-for-Rehabilitation’ this morning to draw attention to the plight of young people who cannot get the rehabilitation they need to recover from brain and other injuries, or maintain their health in the face of progressive diseases like Multiple Sclerosis.

Living with an acquired brain injury (ABI) from a motor vehicle accident eight years ago, Dave understands only too well how vital rehabilitation is to recovery.

“Without the rehabilitation I received, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Dave said.

“I certainly wouldn’t be able to ride around Tasmania and I definitely wouldn’t have the independence to live my life as I want to.”

Dr Bronwyn Morkham, head of the YPINH Alliance said while Dave is one of the lucky ones, a person shouldn’t need luck to recover.

“Health and disability services must collaborate to deliver the cognitive and physical rehabilitation and other supports young people with acquired disabilities need to recover their health,” Dr Morkham said.
“Without the rehabilitation that is so critical to their recovery, these people are condemned to a lifetime of care and dependence.”

BIAT Executive Officer Deborah Byrne agreed saying that greater awareness was needed about the importance of appropriate and timely rehabilitation across the spectrum of recovery.

“The value of rehabilitation following an acquired brain injury needs to not only be acknowledged, we need to see this acknowledgement translated into practical measures to plan and improve the provision of rehabilitation services in Tasmania,” Deborah said.

“This shouldn’t be about luck!”
Sue Hodgson, Tasmanian YPINH National Alliance Representative, Deborah Byrne, BIAT Executive Officer