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Official Launch of the (Brain Injury) National Assistance Card
The Brain Injury Association of Tasmania launched its National Assistance Card on Wednesday 1 December 2021.
The Brain Injury Association of Tasmania launched its National Assistance Card, which will help people with brain injuries communicate the impacts of their disability.
It lists a person’s key information, the difficulties related to their brain injury, ways they can be assisted, and a nominated person’s contact details. An optional QR code will also link to a personalised video of the person explaining the impacts of their brain injury.
The card is currently available to all Australians living with brain injuries.
Cate Curwood, a resident of Hobart, lives with a brain injury that was caused by a 12.5kg curtain pelmet falling on her head. She experiences sensory overload as a result of the injury, and has used the card to help her in public settings.
Once, Curwood found herself rushing out of a retail store after becoming overwhelmed by noises.
She did not realise unpaid items were in her hand.
When security approached her, Curwood presented her card and was met with empathy and understanding.
“There are senses and noises that can simply make me run through the door with whatever is in my hands, and I found myself struggling to explain that that’s what had happened,” she said.
“The National Assistance Card has given me the independence to live life and it’s enabled me to rejoin the normal day-to-day activities I used to enjoy.”
The launch was held today (Wednesday 1 December 2021) at Mawson’s Pavilion in Hobart.