Q. Can you be born with an Acquired Brain Injury [ABI]?
A. No. ABI is the loss of normal brain function, in varying degrees of seriousness, caused by accident or incident in which the brain is damaged.

Q. What are the main causes of ABI?
A. 70% of cases of ABI are caused by road accidents. Other causes include: stroke; assault; sporting accidents; industrial accidents; tumours; infection, and lack of oxygen, as in near-drowning for example.

Q. How many people suffer ABI?
A. Every year in the State of New South Wales alone, 45,000 people will sustain a brain injury. Of 115,000 people in the state who have an ABI, 55,000 are severely affected and require some form of assistance with everyday living.

Q. How many organisations are there like Headway?
A. Although there are other Headways throughout the world, here in New South Wales there are only 15 community support centres for people with ABI, including Headway Illawarra. These have a combined capacity of only 370 persons. There is obviously a huge gap between service availability and unmet need.

Q. What age group does Headway cater for?
A. Our participants range between 18 and 55 years. Children with ABI require special developmental and educational support and are cared for in or through the 13 Brain Injury Rehabilitation Units in NSW hospitals, two of which are dedicated to children only.

Q. Does it cost much to attend Headway?
A. No. Funding support is provided by the government. A small monthly fee is levied to cover the cost of amenities like tea and coffee and special materials. A low fee is also charged for most programmed activities to help offset costs.