BrainLink Services Limited

22/08/2025

Legal and financial

BrainLink has a list of several legal and financial considerations you may want to consider if you are caring for someone with a brain injury.

Click on the link below for a practical guide on how to get started.

https://www.brainlink.org.au/understanding-acquired-brain-injury/living-with-abi/legal-and-financial

21/08/2025

Grief and loss

When experiencing sudden illness, such as a brain injury, it is not uncommon for feelings of grief and loss to follow. It is a natural and normal reaction.

You may initially feel shock and denial, but it is also not uncommon to feel anger or despair or even anxiety about what has happened and how different the future might be.

Understanding your feelings and reactions and seeking appropriate support can help. Take some time out to learn more about Grief and Loss following a brain injury.

https://www.brainlink.org.au/understanding-acquired-brain-injury/living-with-abi/grief-and-loss

20/08/2025

It starts with understanding and recognising the personal impact brain injury can have in many forms. Thank you Synapse - Australia's Brain Injury Organisation

“You’re not stupid, your brain works differently.”
That’s what a youth worker finally told him, after years of being labelled, excluded, and punished.
This young person was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, raised in a parentless home, and cycled through schools and services that didn’t understand him. By 14, he was in youth detention not because he was ‘bad’, but because no one stepped in early enough with the right support.
His story isn’t unique.

36% of young people in Western Australian youth detention had fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) prevalence, and many undiagnosed, invisible, and misunderstood.

We need early identification, trauma-informed education, and coordinated responses across health, justice and community sectors.
Because with the right support, lives can change.
You can't punish anyone out of a brain injury.

Join us in calling for visible change for invisible disabilities this Brain Injury Awareness Week.
Discover how you can help: synapse.org.au/brain-injury-awareness-week
Read Luca's story here: https://synapse.org.au/brain-injury-awareness-week/biaw-2025-lucas-story/

20/08/2025

A wonderful initiative by Brain Injury Association of Tasmania. We are supportive of the positive impacts of Art, boosting wellbeing and confidence to support brain injury recovery.

20/08/2025

Eating and swallowing

Most of us don’t think about how we go about swallowing our food and drink; we just do it! People with a brain injury, including conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, may sometimes struggle with swallowing.

Swallowing is a complex task involving lots of muscles. When these muscles weaken, swallowing can become more difficult. The good news is that there are some things that you can do to make it easier to swallow.

If you are dealing with swallowing difficulties as part of your invisible disability, let's work together to create a visible change today by following some of our tips.

https://www.brainlink.org.au/understanding-acquired-brain-injury/living-with-abi/eating-and-swallowing

19/08/2025

Driving

The carers dilemma: Should individuals with a brain injury be allowed to drive? This is a sensitive subject that may increase your heart rate and could spark a debate amongst your friends and family.

It's important to recognise that not all conditions affect a person’s ability to drive. A person's condition can also change over time and result in physical and cognitive changes that impact their driving.

But let’s face it, it takes a few skills to be able to drive. You need sharp thinking, quick reflexes, good vision and the ability to keep your cool when faced with other drivers' frustration, such as being cut off or honked at for no reason!

While being able to drive provides an important level of independence, it is also essential to prioritise safety for yourself and other road users.

Find out more about how to navigate driving after experiencing a brain injury.
https://www.brainlink.org.au/understanding-acquired-brain-injury/living-with-abi/driving

18/08/2025

Changes in thinking and behaviour following a brain injury

When someone is diagnosed with a brain injury, it is not uncommon to see changes in the way that person thinks and behaves. You may see changes in:
• Attention and Concentration.
• Memory, planning, organisation and problem solving.
• Loss of motivation or drive.
• Behaviour control.

The best approach is often to help them to help themselves so that they can be as independent as possible and be aware of how you can manage your own behaviour. As challenging as it can be, sometimes the smartest thing you can do is learn to pick your battles. In the words of Wayne Dyer: “Conflict cannot survive without your participation.”

Find out more about the impact of brain injury on thinking and behaviour below.
https://www.brainlink.org.au/understanding-acquired-brain-injury/living-with-abi/changes-in-thinking-and-behaviour

15/08/2025

Every day, thousands of Australians live with the ongoing challenges of brain injury, many of which are invisible to those around them.

This Brain Injury Awareness Week (18–24 Aug), BrainLink will be highlighting the daily impacts faced by individuals and families navigating life after brain injury.

With this year’s theme, ‘Invisible disabilities deserve visible change’, we’re encouraging greater understanding and empathy.

Follow along as we take a closer look at just some of the challenges that deserve to be seen and supported. 💙

🔗 Learn more: https://www.brainlink.org.au/brain-injury-awareness-week-2025

07/08/2025

Anyone Hungry? Our Manager of Carer Services, Beau Stewart, recently talked with Meyya Venkat. Meyya is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, and the founder of Nutrition Revitalised. If you want great tips on being your best self with a balanced diet, check out our workshop 👉 https://bit.ly/40QzxdB

24/07/2025

We've launched our new website! 💻 At BrainLink, we are committed to delivering a high-quality personal and digital service to our participants and the wider Brain Injury community. Visit our site and discover:

- Access to BrainLinks range of services. 🤝
- Stories and latest news from the brain injury community. 🗣
- Trusted resources to inform you about brain injury 🧠
- Opportunities to help BrainLink support the more people impacted by brain injury 🫶

Visit our site today and let us know what you think 👉 https://www.brainlink.org.au/

27/06/2025

⏳ Only days left to make a meaningful impact this tax time.

Last year, Diane tragically lost her father Brain — her fiercest advocate who helped her rediscover her love of music.

With BrainLink’s support, she was able to transition into a Supported Disability Accommodation where she was surrounded by loved ones. Diane's world is once again filled with music. In January, she saw Suzi Quatro live at the Palais Theatre. 🎶

Your donation helps fund special projects that reignite passion and purpose for people living with brain injury.

💛 Help someone find their voice again.�
👉 Donate now: www.brainlink.org.au/tax-appeal-2025

25/06/2025

🌍💙 World WellBeing Week 2025 💙🌍

Taking care of others starts with taking care of yourself. Whether you're living with a brain injury or supporting someone who is — your wellbeing matters too.

Small daily steps can make a big difference.