Invisible Disabilities Week: Raising Awareness of Brain Injury Impact

From 20th – 26th October 2024, Invisible Disabilities Week takes place across the UK. At JCP Solicitors, we are proud to support Headway to raise awareness of the impact a brain injury can have on survivors.

An acquired brain injury can be caused by injury or illness such as a stroke, a brain tumour, meningitis, or a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries can have long-term effect on survivors, impacting the ability to think and process information, changing behaviours, and affecting physical and emotional processes.

The majority of brain injury survivors are left with these invisible – yet life-altering – changes. Many feel frustrated and dismissed, as their disabilities cannot be seen.  

The purpose of Invisible Disabilities Week is to shed light on the impact having a hidden disability can have, supporting people to better understand and recognise invisible disabilities.

In a survey by Headway, 86% of brain injury survivors felt that a lack of understanding from society posed one of the main challenges they faced when navigating life after injury. 67% also felt that their friendships were negatively affected.

Kirsty Meech, Director in the Catastrophic Injury team at JCP Solicitors, said: “We are proud to help raise awareness of invisible disabilities caused by brain injury.

“When supporting a friend, family member or colleague who has suffered a brain injury, it is important to take the time to listen to their individual needs so you can make any adjustments to accommodate them. Suffering brain injury can be hugely traumatic, and patience is key when supporting someone to navigate life in recovery.

“Each individual is impacted differently by brain injury, and most of the effects are not visible. Always listen to what they are asking for, whether they need more patience when processing new information or greater understanding around behavioural changes they are going through. By understanding the challenges of invisible disabilities, we can ensure everyone feels seen and supported.”

JCP Solicitors has supported Headway for many years, and we are named in their Head Injury Solicitors Directory for Wales.

For any queries, please get in touch on 03333 209244 or email hello@jcpsolicitors.co.uk.