Brain Injury Awareness Week 13-19 August

A passionate advocate for workplace safety since surviving the Beaconsfield mine collapse in 2006, Northern
Tasmanian Brant Webb has accepted a new role as the 2012 Bangonabeanie Ambassador to help highlight the
risks and effects of acquired brain injury (ABI) during National Brain Injury Awareness Week.

“Approximately 50 per cent more people are diagnosed each year with ABI than with breast cancer*, yet very
few people know about it or understand the lifelong impacts a brain injury can have on a person’s life,”
Mr Webb said.

“Education is a key factor. Being hit by falling objects in the workplace is one of the most significant causes of
workplace injury, of which ABI is a significant outcome.

“People need to be much more aware of the impact, including the ‘knock-on effect’ that a brain injury can have
on a person, as well as on their family, friends and the community.”

According to WorkCover Tasmania data, 17 per cent of all Lost Time Injuries in 2011 were caused by employees
being hit by moving objects.

“Because of the invisible nature of ABI, many people are either misdiagnosed, or never diagnosed in the first
place, and the first step in turning this situation around is to increase awareness, which is where the
Bangonabeanie campaign comes in,” Mr Webb said.

Bangonabeanie is a national campaign that raises community awareness of brain injury in the lead up to
and during National Brain Injury Awareness Week. It takes a fun approach to start community conversations
about ABI, which is frequently referred to as the ‘invisible disability’ due to its lack of external signs that a person
may have a lifelong disability.

Launceston woman Susan Guy says a brain injury at 17 changed her life forever.

“Everyday things that most people just take for granted are so much harder for me since my brain injury. It is
important that the community is aware that a person with a brain injury may not look any different but they
may still be experiencing serious problems.”

Mandy Brown, a member of the TABIS (Tasmanian Acquired Brain Injury Services) Committee of Management
said it is estimated that 2500 Tasmanians sustain a brain injury each year.

“A significant proportion of these are young adults whose medical care and support issues are compounded by a
lack of understanding within the broader community of brain injury and its impact on the lives of individuals,
their families and carers,” Ms Brown said.

According to World Health Organization data, around 1.6 million Australians or 1 in 12 are affected by ABI.

“Because of the low rate of diagnosis, however, it is likely that the true figure of Australians affected by ABI in
much higher,” Ms Brown said.

Brain Injury Awareness Week runs from 13-19 August. Tasmanians are urged to buy and wear the blue campaign
beanie, t-shirt or badge to show support for people living with or affected by brain injury.

For more information, visit https://bangonabeanie.com.au/

* Australian Institute of Health & Welfare data, 2010
Brain Injury Association of Tasmania