NSW Brain Injury Rehabilitation Forum May 2011

 

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The Accelerator Project : how the project will support the community impacted by brain injury
LOIS MITCHELL, The Friendship Foundation

 

Title: The Accelerator Project: how the project will support the community impacted by acquired brain injury

Author: Lois Mitchell, The Friendship Foundation Ltd.

The Accelerator Project had its beginning when the Hosking family started to claw back from two major setbacks. The first occurred in 1999 when one family rnernbersuttered a moderately severe TBI. Then in 2001 another family member suffered a stroke.

Over time the family recognised huge skill-gaps within the community that made life harder than it needed to be for people living with ABI and chronic conditions in general.

The family has a background in teaching; corporate training and management consulting. The family's companies have well over 25 years experience in bringing about organisational and individual change.

The family tried to resolve some of the skill-gaps by establishing The Friendship Foundation Limited; later the Accelerator Project and forming community partnerships with individuals and organisations such as:

1. Cheryl Keonig: author of three books about ABI;
2. Community Outreach Ministries: a charity focusing on disability and community isolation;
3. Lois Mitchell who has over 25 years experience in the medical field; and
4. Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council.

They are currently in discussions with TAFE NSW.

Concurrently, in 2002 the World Health Organization estimated the burden of chronic conditions will account for 80 per cent of healthcare expenditure by 2020. They identified huge skill-gaps that exist among both medical professionals and consumers (patients, families and carers) that need resolving if the world is to avert this overwhelm possibility.

Could your organisation/practice become a community partner and support the launch of a series of programs to address major issues in the area of AB/?

'Crossroads: A recovery program for the loved ones of people living with acquired brain injury', will be launched in June.