THINK! QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | Issue 36 1

April - June 2016 I think life is sort of like a game of tennis. You have no choice how that ball comes to you but it's how you hit it back that counts.

Margaret Moth, CNN camerawoman

The voice of those affected by head injury IN THIS ISSUE Te reo o nga tangata i pangia i te mate mahunga

The Traveller By Leonie Moxham-Smith THINK NOT Research Report - Page 2 Information about Teen Online I feel I am a traveller Think not of the amount Problem Solving (TOPS) study, Trudging down a narrow to be accomplished, the now ready for testing in NZ. road difficulties to be Stranger in my Place - Page 3 My feet are worn and tired overcome, or the end to be attained, but set A poem about the ‘new’ me For I’ve borne a heavy load! earnestly, at the little task Upcoming events – Page 4 I mostly miss my children at your elbow, letting Planned events for the next few Now grown and standing tall that be sufficient for the months Oh how fast my life’s fled by day. Balance problems - Page 5- me Sir William Osler Common balance problems Since I had that terrible fall! following TBI

Think positive now - for I can Meetings and events Page 6 walk and talk Information about Support And lead a comfortable life Groups &Education Sessions

But I often wish I could return Fundraising / donating Page 6 Just to the role of mother Ways you can support us. New and wife fundraiser by Josh Barker

From our photo gallery Page 7 I’ll feel better in the morning For tonight the light grows What we’ve been up to “Bringing together those dim in need with those who Membersip - Page 8 And soon I will be fast asleep wish to give” Memberships are due on 1 April. For tomorrow’s race I’ve yet Your contribution helps us to to win! provide essential services.

THINK! QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | Issue 36 2

Research Report However, it can be difficult to LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Dr Kelly Jones, Senior access face-to-face services Research Fellow, due a variety of reasons, such Like us on Facebook and National Institute of as travel times or limited connect with like minded Stroke and Applied availability in a particular people from all around the Neurosciences, AUT geographical region. This type World! University of treatment delivered via the Internet offers an accessible As many of you may be alternative. THINKHeadInjuryAwareness aware, last week was Brain NZ Awareness Week 2016! This annual, interactive public Sincere thanks to all our event is organised by the funders and supporters University of in partnership with the After several years of planning Neurological Foundation of and preliminary research, one and Brain program known as ‘Teen Research New Zealand. The Online Problem Solving’ (TOPS) week started with Brain Day – is now ready for testing in New Your Amazing Brain at The Zealand. The program University of Auckland’s includes video footage of Tamaki Innovation campus. A local teenagers sharing their series of research panel experiences after TBI, along discussions were held chaired with actors’ role playing respectively by Dr Jessie scenarios and demonstrating Jacobsen, Associate Professor techniques that may be Ralph Buck and Associate helpful for teenagers. The Professor Cathy Stinear. This therapy sessions cover event is a great way to keep problem solving and informed. behavioral skills as well as WDFF Karamu Trust, family education in stress NZ Community Post, Jumble Adolescents face greater risk management, planning and Around, Donny Charitable of traumatic brain injury (TBI) organisation, communication, Trust, The Norah Howell compared to other age anger management and self- Charitable Trust, Page Trust; groups. Subsequent regulation. Discussions are Waikato Lyceum Charitable behavioral difficulties may currently underway with ACC Trust, Waikato Provincial Rural include poor attention, more and rehabilitation providers Women NZ, Ministry of Health, emotional problems, and around the design of a pilot D.V. Bryant Trust, Grassroots increased aggression trial of TOPS to ensure Trust, Jet Creative Design, compared to teenagers C1 South, Oosh Cambridge, maximum benefits for without a brain injury. 4Good NZ, -Te Poi Lions teenagers impacted by TBI Cognitive-behavioral therapy Club. and their families. Please is a type of treatment that has contact me if you would like Thank you to everyone who has been shown to be helpful for more information - given a donation, but for helping teenagers in their [email protected]. privacy reasons cannot be recovery. named.

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Stranger in my Place Report from Congratulations to Lyn By Sandra Linley

headquarters Clement who is the winner of by Ella & Marion the mystery prize draw for My husband has a new wife paying a membership fee. My daughter, a new mother. Greetings everyone And sometimes I think I hate

We need your input on the The stranger who has taken We do hope to see you at one following: my place. of our meetings or sessions.  What you think the benefits On top of our existing It's painful just to watch her should be for financial programs, we also have Do what I once did. members; events coming up in the next She cooks (a little), cleans (not  Questionnaire on our how few months page 4. well), our services assisted you; In April we have a workshop And dreams her little dreams.  In a sentence or two say with Ron Dick, what brain injury is for you – Neuropsychologist. Our But where is the laughter, the we need quotes for our Annual General Meeting is on passion, newsletter and posters. The two of us used to know? 31 May at the office. June is Head Injury Awareness month. Where, the bright hopes and We thank Hinuera-Te Poi Lions the wonder We will be at Fieldays sharing sincerely for their kind a stand with Healthcare That bound us, heart and soul? donation that allows us to Rehabilitation. We have continue services in And yet my husband loves her another full day seminar for . (I wonder how he can) Professionals and Service A person slow and awkward, Providers on 24 June. Marion had a great time at Limited and sad. the Brain Day at Auckland AUT is still conducting their University, and attended some The accident that brought her research study on ‘Community very interesting presentations Saw the old me die Integration after Brain Injury’. and interactive workshops Left this strange new person If you haven’t completed the designed to engage both the To carry on in my stead. questionnaire yet, it would be left and right brain. The Now my daughter calls her a good idea to contact the Celebration Choir made up of Mommy, office so we can send out a people with a range of And trusting takes her hand. pack or the link to complete it neurological conditions made My husband calls her Dearest online, which is available on a special impact. Very our website. This study looks at And draws her into his arms. inspiring, and a nice lead in to aspects of living with a brain Shona’s proposal see page 4 But deep within me something injury / stroke at least 6 months to start something similar Remembers and protests, or longer after the injury. running here. I refuse, I will not be This stranger who has taken Don’t forget we still would ike Remember we are only a my place! to feature your poem. We phone call or email away, for hope you enjoy the poem support and advocacy. Taken from: kindly provided by Leonie – http://www.bindependent.com/poe We are starting a carers front page and the one in the ms.htm (14/3/16) support meeting, please get next column. in touch if you are interested.

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UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE IS AWARENESS TUNE IN … APRIL: MONTH Singers, would-be singers, Workshop with once-were singers and Ron Dick, Neuropsychologist people who appreciate the Topic: Relationships value of singing in a group… Communication in daily life Making music together, the after a brain injury camaraderie and the When: 20 April 2016 physiological benefits of Where: 11 Somerset Street, singing and belonging to a Frankton, Hamilton therapeutic community Time: 10:30am We will have community singing group Cost: $10 education displays in … in the Spring of 2016 Financial members $5 different towns. We aim to Please RSVP by 12 April 2016 sell home baking again and Join a Community Singing Limited numbers would like your support in Group or Groups,

making this happen. facilitated by a NZ registered MAY: Music Therapist, dedicated Annual General Meeting There is a list of volunteers to members of THINK! and When: Tuesday, 31 May 2016 jobs on our website, if you anyone else associated with Where: 11 Somerset Street, are availble to volunteer neurological and healthcare Frankton, Hamilton please get in touch with Ella. services in Hamilton and the Time: 10:30am greater Waikato. Guest speaker: Shona How, Fieldays 15-18 June New Zealnd Registered Music Healthcare Rehabilitation Therapist. Limited has kindly agreed for Shona will share an insight us to share their stand. If you into music therapy & will also are at the Fieldays, please invite you to participate in a come and say hi. ‘taster’ of a component called ‘improvisation’ often Full day seminar included within group music For Health Professionals and

therapy sessions. Service Providers When: Friday, 24 June 2016 Auckland’s got one … Tandem charity ride Where: Hamilton Gardens CeleBration Choir Josh Barker, showjumper, Time: 9:30am – 2:45pm ’s got one … and his girlfriend Maggie, are Cost: $75 BrainWave Singers doing a charity tandem bike Morning Tea & lunch will be Wellington’s got one … ride from Cape Reinga to provided. SoundsWell Community Bluff during May 2016. They We have a great line up of Singing Group will raise awareness of brain presenters. This year family Christchurch’s got one … The injury & funds for THINK!. members will be sharing their Cantabrainers Choir Follow them on facebook stories of living with a person And now it’s Our Turn! https://www.facebook.com/Rid who sustained a brain injury. Watch this space in the July e-2-Think-698162233619888/ edition of the quarterly To donate go to newsletter. https://givealittle.co.nz/fundrais Shona How, NZ Registered Music er/ride2think Therapist

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Balance problems after traumatic brain injury These otolith organs contain Traumatic endolymphatic crystals that make you hydrops occurs when there is People with traumatic brain sensitive to movement and a disruption of the fluid injury (TBI) commonly report gravity. balance within the inner ear. problems with balance. When this happens, you may If your vestibular system is Dizziness includes symptoms have periods of vertigo, damaged from your head such as lightheadedness, imbalance and ringing in your injury, you may have problems vertigo (the sensation that you ears that last for hours to days. or your surroundings are with balance, dizziness, or a moving), and imbalance. sudden sensation that you’re Treatment options When you have poor balance spinning or that your head is Balance problems can have you have a high risk of falling spinning. many different causes, each one requiring a different and having another brain Three types of vestibular injury or broken bone. treatment. Your doctor, impairments are: physical and occupational What are common causes of Benign paroxysmal positional therapists and/or other health balance problems after TBI? care providers will work with vertigo (BPPV) is one of the Medications: A number of most common causes of you to understand and treat commonly used medications vertigo. With trauma, the all the different causes. can cause dizziness, crystals in the inner ear can be lightheadedness & decreased moved out of place, making Ways you can improve your balance. Ask your GP if any of you sensitive to changes in balance: the medications you are gravity. BPPV is characterized Increasing your strength and taking may be causing by brief episodes of mild to flexibility will help your balance dizziness or balance problems. intense vertigo. Find your limits in balance by A change in medications or moving your body over your Labyrinthine concussion or dosages may improve the feet as far as you can without injury to the nerve to the problem. lifting your feet vestibular system are also Practice standing or walking in Problems with eyesight (vision causes of vertigo and different conditions impairments): Eyesight is one imbalance after brain injury. Practice activities that will of the key senses you need to improve your balance while keep your balance. Eyesight walking, such as walking problems such as double longer distances; walking and vision, visual instability, partial keeping up with someone else loss of vision, and problems while carrying on a with depth perception can conversation; walking over make your balance worse. different surfaces.

Inner ear problems (vestibular Be cautious when working on impairments): Your inner ear your balance, and make sure contains many tiny organs you work at an appropriate that help you keep your level to avoid falling when no balance (called the vestibular one is around Taken from - adapted system/labyrinth). It also has http://www.msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/Balance- other structures (otolith Problems-After-Traumatic-Brain-Injury (14/3/16) organs) that monitor linear movements of your head. THINK! QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | Issue 36 6

THINK! SUPPORT Education sessions Fundraise / donate GROUP MEETINGS with Healthcare Give a Little Rehabilitation Ltd We are registered with

givealittle. To support the Sessions for clients, families, work we do, go to carers, & anyone interested www.givealittle.co.nz/org/whi in the topic of brain injury. s/donate Cambridge nd Sessions are on the 2 Third Tuesday of each Wednesday of the month at month at 10:30am at 10:30am at the THINK! office. Cambridge Community House, 193 Shakespeare April: Street, Cambridge Wednesday, 13th April Payroll Giving Topic: Emotional coping Why not consider donating

Kirikiriroa strategies. this way? It is easy, your

Last Tuesday of each Daniel Molesworth, employer deducts a set amount of your wages and it month at 10:30am at THINK! Counsellor will give coping office, 11 Somerset Street, strategies for emotional ups gets paid directly to us. My sincere thanks to the Frankton, Hamilton and downs. people who are currently

May: Wednesday, 11th May donating through payroll Matamata Topic: Brain Injury giving. Rehabilitation. Fourth Wednesday of each month at 10:30am at Bupa staff will share what Awareness fundraiser Railside by the Green, 41A brain injury rehabilitation Charity tandem bike ride the length of New Zealand from Hetana Street, Matamata looks like at Bupa. Cape Reinga to Bluff. June: Wednesday, 8th June 2 people 1 bike / 2 Islands 1 Tokoroa Topic to be announced. country / 2 stories 1 goal. Second Thursday of each Information about these Josh Barker, showjumper, month at 10:30am at sessions will be on our and his girlfriend Maggie are Tolloch House, Gate One, foing to do this ride to website www.thinknz.org.nz Maraetai Road, Tokoroa promote the importance of

Head Injury Advocates wearing your helmet – be Huntly Only THINK! staff members smart and protect your Please contact the office if are advocates for THINK!. head. They will also raise you are interested in No one else can represent funds for THINK!. To see what attending to ensure you THINK! in an advocacy role Josh is up to, visit his receive the notices once or use the name of THINK! for facebook page we have finalised the other purposes not https://www.facebook.com/Ride- 2-Think-698162233619888/ arrangements . approved by the Board. To donate to this worthy Consultation with THINK! staff is recommended for any cause, please go to Please contact the office https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ for more information or to suggestions made by other ride2think receive monthly notices. head injured people for treatment for a head injury.

THINK! QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | Issue 36 7

Photos from our gallery

Isy Kennedy - Chairperson Margaret Brewerton - Treasurer John Grey - Secretary Due on 1 April 2016 Amanda Straiton Pat Samson Shona How, Music Therapist, kept the John Hadfield audience captivated. Kelly Jones

CONTACT US:

Ella – 07 8391191

Marion - 07 9744592 11 Somerset Street, Frankton Please renew your PO Box 1168, Hamilton, 3240 membership or join today Email: [email protected] Form on page 8 - pay online. TBI study day hosted by THINK! www.thinknz.org.nz Your membership and

www.facebook.com/THINKHe donation help us to make a

adInjuryAwarenessNZ difference in the lives of

https://givealittle.co.nz/donat people who have

e/Organisation/whis sustained a brain injury and

their families. We aim to reduce the isolation people LOVE YOURSELF Get together for women who have experience after a brain had a horse related injury. injury.

MISSION STATEMENT Apart from our regular

We empower people services and programs, this year we will have 2 affected by head injury seminars for clients, families, through the provision of carers & our full day information, education and advocacy support and raise seminar for Professionals.

awareness and prevention THINK! has an outcome of head injury in the focussed approach to community. achieve set outcomes.

With your help we can FEEDBACK & continue our much needed SUGGESTIONS Disclaimer: services. If you need any All care has been taken in We welcome your assistance, please contact the preparation of this suggestions and/or us. newsletter; THINK! disclaims feedback. We want this any liability for information organisation to work for THANK YOU FOR contained within. It is of a you. Please forward your SUPPORTING US IN THE general nature and to be input to Ella at WORK WE DO. used as a guide only. [email protected] THINK! QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | Issue 36 8

11 Somerset Street, Frankton PO Box 1168, Hamilton, 3240 Phone: (07) 839 1191 Fax: (07) 839 5648 Email: [email protected] www.thinknz.org.nz www.facebook.com/THINKHeadInjuryAwarenessNZ

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