source : the age
Of the millions of Australians who live with some form of chronic health condition, it is estimated that the overwhelming majority have an invisible disability. This means that not only are large tracts of people dealing with the unique challenges and daily setbacks of a disability, but that they are also doing so with an extra tier of difficulty when it comes to inclusivity and acceptance. Our lead story today looks at one such group – the 450,000 Australians living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Writer Tim Elliott details how having a TBI manifests in countless but often unseen ways – from cognitive fatigue and compromised impulse control to the loss of careers and relationships. TBI also has a deep impact on the community around the sufferer: one person describes her condition as feeling “like it casts a fog” over almost every aspect of her family’s life, which revolves around managing her condition. But while our story is a sobering look at a global health crisis, it also showcases incredible stories of recovery and resilience. – Melissa Stevens, editor
