School Kids Get a Head for Cycle Safety

NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE TO GIVE FREE CYCLE HELMETS TO KIDS 

Left to Right: Alastair White, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Miranda Barty-Taylor, Mary Dryburgh, Victoria Aquino; Richard Simpson MSP

Specialist cycling lawyers, Cycle Law Scotland (www.cyclelawscotland.co.uk), have joined forces with brain injury charities, The Child Brain Injury Trust and Headway to launch an initiative to improve cycle safety among children. 

The Cycle Safety Roadshow, launched today at Govan’s Lorne Street Primary School, will be touring a number of schools across Scotland delivering workshops to improve awareness of the dangers of not wearing a helmet and raising awareness of acquired brain injury among children. 

At the event attended by Deputy First Minister, Health Secretary, and MSP for Glasgow Southside, Nicola Sturgeon and Shadow Health Minister, Dr Richard Simpson, each child taking part will receive a free cycling helmet, donated by Cycle Law Scotland and Halfords, as part of the initiative’s “Great Cycle Helmet Giveaway”.

According to the latest Scottish Government statistics, there were 149 child cycling casualties in 2009.

For solicitor with Cycle Law Scotland, Victoria Aquino, improving safety is all about changing attitudes:

"At Cycle Law Scotland we see first hand the damage that cycling accidents can have on people.  As cyclists we know only too well the dangers of the road and the importance of promoting safe cycling as early as possible. The key to making people safer on their bikes is by changing attitudes.  This is what these road-shows are all about.

We’re here to tell children that it is vitally important when you’re out on your bike to wear a helmet.  Some children may think that they don’t want to because it’s not what their friends do, but hopefully today we’ll get the message across that a helmet and safe cycling is the only way to cycle.

We’re all delighted that Ms Sturgeon and Dr Simpson have come along today to show their support for this initiative.”

Mary Dryburgh, of the Child Brain Injury Trust, said:

“Brain injury is the biggest cause of death and disability in young people in the UK. Events such as these get children thinking about staying safe when cycling as well as the effects a brain injury can have."

Headway, have a total of 13 branches helping teenagers and adults with brain injuries across Scotland get support and helping them return to community living.  Gaille McCann works with Headway in Glasgow.  She said:

“This is a great opportunity to get the message across about the challenges people with brain injuries face in a way that interests the kids.  At Headway we aim to prevent brain injuries, educate people about the challenges and support those affected continue a happy and active life. Hopefully they’ll take away the message that it’s important to be safe cyclists and caring to those with brain injuries.” 

Speaking of the event Head-teacher at Lorne Street Primary School, Ms Marjori Thompson, added:

“I and the staff at Lorne Street Primary School are delighted to welcome everyone involved in the Cycle Safety Roadshow and both Ms Sturgeon and Dr Simpson. Events like this really enrich our pupils’ education and understanding of the world around them.  I’m sure they’ll make great use of the cycle helmets and come away knowing just how important bike safety is.”  

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy and MSP for Glasgow Southside, Nicola Sturgeon attended the event and presented the children with their helmets along with Shadow Health Minister Dr Richard Simpson.    

Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:

“I’m delighted to support this initiative and welcome the fact that it’s being launched here in Govan. Cycling is a great way to get exercise and promote healthier lifestyles in communities across Scotland, but it’s important that it’s done safely.  To see the Child Brain Injury Trust, Headway and Cycle Law Scotland all come together to promote cycle safety in our schools shows how important this issue is.
We need to encourage a new generation of safety conscious cyclists and better awareness of the needs of people with brain injuries.  I have no doubt that this initiative will do just that.”   

Dr Richard Simpson MSP, said:

“Safety is vitally important when cycling.  People might think wearing a helmet or safety wear is an optional extra.  It should never be seen that way. Educating children about the benefits of wearing safety gear and giving them helmets is a great way to get that message across.  I welcome the fact that Cycle Law Scotland, the Child Brain Injury Trust and Headway have come together to offer these road-shows.  It’s a great initiative and I’m delighted to get behind it.”  

Warning from woman left brain damaged after binge accident - Health - Scotsman.com

Warning from woman left brain damaged after binge accident - Health - Scotsman.com

Kids' brain injuries can cause lingering problems for years, study finds

By Linda Carroll

Courtesy of the Napadano family

  

Mark Napadano watched in horror as his 13-year-old son slammed head first into the hard ground after a motocross accident.  In seconds he was at the side of his son, Sam, terrified by the sight of the junior high athlete so full of life just moments before lying limp in front of him - and not breathing. “It was like a nightmare,” Mark remembers.

At the hospital doctors examined Sam and gave Mark the frightening news: Sam had a large pocket of blood pooling near the top of his head and two smaller bleeds in the front and two in the back. “They didn’t say he was going to die, but they didn’t say he was going to live,” recalls the 45-year-old car dealer.

Sam was in a coma for days and in critical care for almost a month. By the time he was released to a rehab facility the 5-foot-4-inch teen had dropped from a trim and muscular 114 pounds to just 84. For months Mark and his wife, Sue, watched as their son learned to talk and walk for a second time.  

Now, three years after the wreck Sam is almost back to where he was before, Mark says. Sam returned to school three months after the accident and kept up his rehab for two years. He still has some short term memory problems and though his working memory has improved, it can be a challenge if too many commands are thrown his way at the same time.

While conventional wisdom is that children have a great capacity to overcome damage from a severe traumatic brain injury, or TBI, because their brains are still developing and “plastic,” a new study shows that many may actually end up with some lasting deficits. The study followed 56 children for 10 years after they’d sustained a TBI between the ages of 2 and 7.

During the study, the Australian researchers repeatedly examined the children’s intellectual abilities, as well as social and behavioral skills, according to the report published in Pediatrics. 

The report confirmed earlier research showing that most kids with mild TBIs recover completely, but the prognosis for children with more severe injuries is less predictable.

These new data suggest that “the majority of these kids will have long-term problems,” says the study’s lead author Vicki Anderson, a researcher at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne. “And while there was some ‘spontaneous’ recovery, those who had access to rehab did better.”

 

 

Office Move

An exciting piece of news from our Scotland office is that they will be moving in February to great, new premises in the East of Edinburgh city centre. They will be based at Norton Park in the Leith area which is a converted school occupied by non-profit, community organisations in Edinburgh run by Albion Trust. It is our hope that this move will allow us to further build on our relationships with other, related organisations that are also based there such as ‘Into work’, ‘The Action Group’, ‘Edinburgh Young Carers Project’, ‘Venture Scotland’ to name but a few!


The new address will be:Child Brain Injury Trust - Scotland
Norton Park
57 Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5QY

Although all email addresses will remain the same; marydryburgh@cbituk.org bethwales@cbituk.org clairemurray@cbituk.org our phone number will be changing on the 1^st of February to: 0131 475 2598

Digby Brown support us at the 9th World Congress on Brain Injury - Edinburgh 21 - 25 March 2012

Digby Brown Solicitors has kindly donated £700 towards the cost of the Child Brain Injury Trust attending the International Brain Injury World Congress in March 2012 in Edinburgh.

Without their support we would not be able to present the two posters that have been selected for us to present.  The first  will highlight the work we are doing across the UK to raise awareness of the link between offending behaviour and childhood acquired brain injury.

The second will showcase the pioneering Peer Support work that the Child and Family Support Project in Scotland has delivered and the impact it has had on young people.

We look forward to seeing you there too http://www.internationalbrain.org


Our thanks and gratitude to Robert Swanney Partner at Digby Brown

still smiling

14 lengths done - 7 to go

Thank you to all sponsors so far - I have raised nearly £1,800 .  I desperately want to achieve the target of £2,100 for the charity to give it a really kick start

please sponsor me at www.virginmoneygiving.com/lisaturan

thanks

Lisa

Day 9 of Challenge 21 - why am I doing this??

Every year at least 500,000 children and young people will visit A&E with an injury to their head.  Some may be fine, but many will result in an acquired brain injury.

An acquired brain injury in childhood or whilst the brain is still growing (it matures at approx 22 years of age) can have a devastating affect on the whole family.

For example,  Susan was 9 she fell from her bedroom window on the first floor.  She sustained a broken arm and collarbone and was, prior to being discharged 2 days later, found to have a blood clot on the brain which required immediate surgery. 

The doctors predicted that the operation might lead to some memory loss and issues with concentration.  Susan’s head injury was referred to as a ‘mild’ but her parents were assured that the issues would be short-term.  Mum and Dad were encouraged to ride out the potential, but unlikely, 2 year recovery period and view these issues as entirely surmountable. 

Susan returned home 2 weeks later and returned to full-time school.

One follow-up appointment was arranged with the community paediatrician, at which time Susan was given the all-clear.  Mum and Dad were asked about any issues that concerned them, but they both felt confident that Susan had made a remarkable recovery.

Since her return to school, Susan has continued to make ‘acceptable’ academic progression, but has not coped well with the transition from primary to secondary school.

4 years on and Susan is now 13.  She is in her second year of high school, but teaching staff are finding Susan increasingly difficult to understand. Susan’s school reports indicate that she has the potential to 'try harder' but chooses not to. 

The school believe that Susan may be suffering from depression.  When she is on a ‘downer’ teachers have said that she point-blank refuses to listen to or consider any point of view other than her own.  Staff have tried their best to reason with her but on these occasions, they maintain that it is almost as if it goes 'in one ear and out the other'.  These occasions are becoming much more frequent and are leading to extreme and irrational behavioural changes.

Susan also struggles to get from class to class when the corridors are crowded.  She often finds herself tripping over books and bags and bumping into people and lockers.

She can’t remember things that she is told in class even though everyone else in the class understands it perfectly well.  Susan is reluctant to ask for things to be repeated.   Even when Susan does understand what she has to do, she often has great difficulty initiating the task and the steps involved in completing it. 

She comes to school each day with half finished homework. There have been times when Susan hasn’t been able to find the notes she has made for herself for homework and/ or has had difficulty understanding them, so it has been impossible to complete.

Susan gets easily distracted in class.  She tends to think about other things quite a bit and has great difficulty following verbal instructions. 

She struggles to keep up with the pace of classroom activity, and seems to work less effectively in group activities.

PE isn’t something Susan enjoys, particularly when the sports teacher is shouting out instructions and you are expected to get involved in team

sports.  Susan has PE straight after morning break, and it leaves her absolutely exhausted. 

She also struggles to change back into her school uniform afterwards as it’s impossible to tell which way things go.  The other kids at school think it’s hilarious if Susan puts her shoes on the wrong feet or has her jumper round the wrong way.  

Susan has been accused by her friends as having a sense of humour failure.  She doesn’t ‘get’ their jokes and has a tendency to take what is being said in the wrong way. They are embarrassed to be with her and she feels increasingly lonely.

Susan goes to bed exhausted of an evening, averages between 8 and 9 hours sleep but still struggles to get up the following day. 

Mum and Dad are increasingly worried about her behaviour, attitude and general well being.  Mum is getting tired and Dad is becoming irritated by mum's lack of time for him.

This story is just one example of how an acquired brain injury can impact on the family and the young person themselves.

Supporting people like Susan and her family is what the Child Brain Injury Trust do .  No matter how big or small the issue is the charity will do what it can to help the family get through with hope and peace of mind for the future.

I hope the money that I raise for Challenge 21 will support families so that they don't have to go through the pain that Susan and her family have had to go through.  So even though I have pain in my arms, its nothing like the pain families go through so  please support me and help me raise £2,100 www.virginmoneygiving.com/lisaturan

Day 8 - Challenge 21 - injured but keeping afloat!

Today was the 8th mile I have swam - I thought I might not make it this morning as I have have pulled a muscle in my arm which is causing some 'smarting' issues. However, I pushed through it and found myself at waters edge at 7am - alone today.

The water is really not too bad - quite warm and clean, although my skin is beginning to develop an aroma of chlorine which I can smell all day (how do Olympians cope?).

Also the hair drier was broken today which added to my 'drying time' considerably!!!!

I have decided to alter my technique tomorrow whereby I'll introduce the 'back stroke' into my swimming schedule for variety and to help avoid any boredom that might creep in.

I am still a little short of the target I want to raise , so if you would like to support me you can through www.virginmoneygiving.com/lisaturan

7 Miles in and still going

7 miles in and still going  - swimming a mile a day is quite easy but its fitting it in around a full time that is beginning to be an issue.  In fact swimming is the most relaxing part of my day (so far), apart from the sleeping bit which I do between 11pm  and 6am!

Early mornings have never been my strength as the girls in the office will tell you 'don't talk to Lisa before she has had a coffee!' Never before has my morning coffee at the office been more welcoming...  his morning I had some company .  My daughter Zoe (15) decided that she would give it a try and she did.  It was really quite sweet to see her slightly swollen eyes, squashed face and general 'i'm still in bed' attitude next to  me in the car at 6.30 this morning.  She braved it and should be commended for it - having completed half a mile, showered, blow dried and ready for school all before 8.15 - well done Zoz.

As for me - the pain in my left elbow persists and their is absolutely no point dying my hair until the challenge is completed - therefore I am greyer than ever but still enjoying the challenge.

Day 4 - cramps start to hit

Day 4 of  CEO challenge 21 took me to Edinburgh to a lovely Victorian pool near the city of Edinburgh.  I decided quite early on that if I am to succeed at this challenge I need to find a pool wherever I am in order to maintain the momentum and to ensure that I stay on track. So having to be in Scotland to meet supporters and the team meant the need to find a suitable venue to continue.

So with new goggles in bag (I forgot to bring any with me, so had to walk two miles to find some and then realised that the pool would probably sell them - dah) I set off to find the pool (on foot again) with the help of a AA route map and my nose!

What I found was the above pool which I have to say was beautiful - albeit a little small and a tiny bit cold! Having the changing rooms around the outside of the pool was really good and made me wonder whether I should have bought my Victorian swimming costume complete with bloomers and bonnet - too much information!!

I made my way down to the pool side and slid in to begin 72 lengths of this 25 yard pool.... about 25 lengths in the cramps started and oh they didn't stop until about 65 lengths, so it was a pretty hard and painful hour!!!  However, I managed to complete the task and felt pretty good once done. Although today I am beginning to pay with aches across my neck and ache which should be sorted out with a massage and long hot bath when I get home tonight.

So day 4 and only 17 miles left to do.  Please sponsor me if you haven't already done so www.virginmoneygiving.com/lisaturan
thanks for your support

Challenge 21 - Let the Challenge Begin

Day 1
CEO Challenge

Not being a natural 'early riser' may bit a bit of a problem over the next 21 days - you see the only time I am able to get to the swimming pool to complete my mammoth challenge of 21 miles in 21 days is to be at the pool by 7am.

So after a very lazy Christmas break, this morning's alarm was a rather nasty shock! With rain speckling the window and the darkness of the night still around, I dragged my sorry self to the car and drove the 5 miles to the warmth of the Swan Pool in Buckingham.  The Christmas indulgence has taken its toll and I am in need of a good toning up, so the challenge will not only raise money for the charity but should also help with my general well being and fitness as we move into a very busy 21st year.

The first 20 lengths were probable the hardest and then the rest follows - 64 lengths done - 1,280 to go!!!

If you would like to sponsor me please go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/lisaturan to help me raise the first £2,100 towards our £210,000 target


Lisa Turan