can anyone advise us about assistance following brain injury

dk67

Hello,

Sadly my brother was attacked last week and as a result has a serious brain injury.

We are trying to support him in every way we can - but are unsure as to what benefits etc we can apply for on his behalf or organisations who can offer advice. He is not entitled to any help from his job, has no insurance and has a wife and 2 children (one born the day after the attack).

So happy he is alive as he was on life support for several days,though he still cannot speak or move one hand - not sure how long this will be a problem for. Short term we hope.

We would be so grateful for any advice - many thanks

milkydrink

I don't know of any practical help, but the CAB should be a good place to start.
My mother (& believe it or not my Mother in Law as well) had brain haemorages. They were both very serious & had full brain surgery.

Both now have full use of all limbs. Speach can take a while too, it did with them.

Its really early days for your Brother, I hope hes feeling better soon.
I really believe you will see an improvement week by week. It takes time for the brain to heal.
A doctor said to me its like the brain has been bruised & it takes a while to recover.

Hope the get the animal that did it.

chrisewey76

i have a list of benefits, charities etc (my son is autistic) disability living allowance (also ask for the mobility component) - cares allowance (for day and night!) - income support (if wife not working!)- child tax credit- housing benefit (not sure if they help with mortgage payments) - council tax benefit - council tax-disability reduction scheme - family fund trust - benfit enquiry line 0800882200 - i have just written down everything on the list as it may or may not help!!

dk67

thanks so much - kimevans, great to speak to someone with personal experience. really hope speech will return soon - he is only 40 and must be so frustrated not able to communicate.
chrisewey76, what a brilliant list - think i need to speak to the CAB about starting these applications.

oh ... and the animals are already behind bars!

pboae

There are lots of places that can help you but the two big ones are

Headway http://www.headway.org.uk/ freephone 0808 800 2244
and Basic http://www.basiccharity.org.uk/ freephone 0800 750 0000

I hope he recovers quickly.

lil_me

Really sorry to hear that you are having to go through this, hope he makes a quick recovery.

Agree with Headway, they are fab

Few more that might be able to help

http://www.disabilities-trust.org.uk/
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017577
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/index.htm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Pay/DG_10027238
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10021385
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/YourRightsInHealth/DG_10016888

List on the bottom of this page for national charities

http://www.equip.nhs.uk/topics/neuro/injury.html

belfastgirl23

I have done some work with Headway (in NI) and they are fantastic, a real source of support, not only for people with brain injuries, but also for their families. Definitely give them a go.

And lots of luck

cat4772

Hi DK67,

I'm sorry to hear of your brother's injury. I only know about traumatic & acquired brain injury from the paediatric side, but depending on the severity of the residual injuries, your brother may be entitled to disability living allowance. Headway really is a good place to get support for him and his family.

Depending on whether he needs long-term therapy (ocuppational, physical and speech/language) he may need to attend an adult residential therapy centre (such as Highbank at Bury).

If he's lost income as a result of the accident, he may also be entitled to compensation so a good personal injury lawyer would be good (but do your research; some are better than others!)

I hope he makes a full & fast recovery.

Best wishes, Cat.

Nicki

Have you asked at the hospital whether they have any advice workers or social workers who can advise? They would be best port of call as they should know about local services and assistance as well as national ones. My uncle had a stroke last year and the hospital were very helpful in advising about what he would need when he finally came home.

Bananabelly

I agree with Nicki, the hospital should be your first port of call, there should be a social worker assigned to his case who will help his wife and family with all the applications.
Also, I assume it was an assault? There is also a victims of crime compensation fund which can be applied to, but it might take some time and with those kind of things often they want to wait until recovery is as complete as it will be before deciding on the amount to award.
I am a physio (though I don't work in that area) and I would say keep positive, recovery from neurological damage can occur for a long time after the original incident (and the power of positive thinking should never be underestimated).

dk67

thanks all - been looking at the Headway site today - so useful. will also speak to the hospital about a Social Worker.

his accomodation is really unsuitable too (3rd floor council flat) so i hope they can help there too

it was an assault - so the criminal injuries payment may come into play at some point

really appreciate all the advice and kind thoughts