Someone asked the question – what are the figures for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and  Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Ireland?

Whatever about the answer – it’s the right question to ask.

In 2011, the government published the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015. Surprisingly, it did not include what business people would call a market study, and what medical people call an epidemiological study. In other words, the Government did not establish the need for neuro-rehabilitation in the country which seems to be surprising.

A CEO of one of the major interest groups and service providers said to me that this study does not exist, because the Government is afraid for the public to have access to those figures. Would he be right?

Again, looking at Germany and transferring the figures to Ireland – which is not, strictly speaking, valid but should give us an idea. Remember, this is just for TBIs, not for ABI, and not for rehab in general – in this case the figure would be much higher.

Without going into too much detail: Ireland’s only National Rehabilitation Hospital has 3 beds for early neuro rehab for severe TBIs, and 110 beds in total for any kind of rehabilitation (source: Quick Facts about NRH) – when there is a likely demand for 92 beds in early neuro rehab and 575 beds for rehab just for TBI patients.

Pádraig is ok these days, not terribly awake or aware, but he continues to communicate with his tongue (although slowly), he eats (although little and very slowly), and all his vital parameters are ok. We asked for a meeting with his doctor to find out about his current medication and plans for further treatment. Today, there was a special nurse examining the skin on his shoulders which needs some attention – maybe it’s just regular cleaning, but there are a few small wounds, though nothing serious. A very nice nurse helped me today to transfer Pádraig into his wheelchair and back into bed, and all in very good humour:) We went out onto the roof terrace, the temperatures are still quite high here and we’re taken advantage of the good weather, as long as it lasts.

Check out Donal’s fundraising page for the Marathon, just in case you haven’t done so already.

We have to organise ourselves – I know there will be a few people running this year, in addition to Donal. There was Ciara, there’s Cian, Fergal, and myself (though I’m still recovering from the half marathon which is not a good sign). Anybody else?

Keep watching out for the Dreamboat – it’s getting closer and closer to our shores!