Brain injury survivors and therapists share treatment challenges
10 reported
A collection of letters published in The Guardian responds to an article by Ian Sample about neurotherapy and brain injury recovery. Speech and language therapist John Swan confirms that neuroplasticity can continue for months or years in some patients, but that therapy and rehabilitation services are subject to a postcode lottery. He describes a patient with locked-in syndrome who was able to communicate by blinking and later returned to work after specialist neurorehabilitation. Jonathon O’Brien from the University of Liverpool argues that therapists’ recommendations must be implemented by nursing and support staff around the clock. Marcie Shaoul, who has a prefrontal lobe injury, states she runs two businesses and published a book, noting the brain can heal to an extent. Dr Jill Fenton and Nick Fenton describe privately funding multiple therapies for their daughter after NHS community therapy was limited. Linda Leroy, an artist, says drawing helped her recovery after a brain injury. Norm Mohamid, a former government policy writer for people with disabilities, says early intervention benefits should be available to everyone. Anna Bauer Ross criticizes the misconception that neuroplasticity can repair all brain damage.
What’s reported
John Swan is a speech and language therapist specializing in stroke and neurorehabilitation.
He states that for some people, damage from neurotrauma cannot be recovered from, but for others, neuroplasticity continues for months or years.
He describes a patient with locked-in syndrome who could only communicate by blinking one eyelid; the patient was cognitively intact and later returned to work.
Jonathon O’Brien says therapists’ recommendations must be implemented by nursing and support staff outside therapy time.
Marcie Shaoul has a prefrontal lobe injury, runs two businesses, and published a book last year.
Dr Jill Fenton and Nick Fenton say NHS community therapy was not forthcoming for several weeks after their daughter’s discharge and eventually amounted to six physio sessions.
They are privately funding additional therapies including physiotherapy, neuro-occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, and music and art therapy.
Linda Leroy, an artist, says drawing helped repair damage after a brain injury and she has reached 21 months of recovery.
Norm Mohamid worked for 22 years writing policy for people with disabilities and says early intervention benefits should be ensured for everyone.
Anna Bauer Ross says neuroplasticity does not mean the brain repairs everything.
Misconceptions
Anna Bauer Ross addresses the misconception that neuroplasticity can repair all brain damage, stating it does not mean the brain repairs everything.
Key figures
John Swan, speech and language therapist
Jonathon O’Brien, Department of occupational therapy, University of Liverpool
Marcie Shaoul, brain injury survivor
Dr Jill Fenton and Nick Fenton, parents of a brain injury survivor
Linda Leroy, artist and brain injury survivor
Norm Mohamid, former government policy writer
Anna Bauer Ross, brain injury survivor
Ian Sample, journalist (mentioned as author of the original article)
Dr Orlando Swayne, doctor (mentioned in the original article)
Sources: The Guardian
