Conference to focus on growing up with ABI
TRUST-ED CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON GROWING UP WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURIES
Leading international practitioners in the field of acquired brain injuries (ABI) in young people will once again come together at a unique annual conference.
Entitled More than just a moment in time . . . Exploring the long-term consequences of childhood acquired brain injury, and being presented by the charity Trust-Ed, the conference will examine the possible long term effects of ABI in childhood and adolescence.
The chairman for the conference, taking place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, on Monday, November 8th, between 9am and 5pm, will be Dr Ron Savage from the USA, internationally known for his work with young people with ABI. Also on the programme is Dr Michael Collins, Assistant Director of the UPMC Sports Concussion Program in Pittsburgh, USA, Professor Huw Williams, Associate Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at Exeter University and Dr Rob Forsyth, Senior Lecturer in Child Neurology at Newcastle University.
Beth Wicks, chair of Trust-Ed, commented: “This is an exceptional line-up of leading figures in this area. The unique conference is an ideal forum where interested parties, including lawyers, educationalists, healthcare professionals and insurers can meet and discuss the issues of ABI in young people.”
Also speaking at the conference, now in its third year, will be Dr Tom Beattie, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh and Dr Ruth Kent, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine from Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.
Topics will include: childhood TBI and future offending behaviour; post-traumatic epilepsy; the significance of acute medical care on long-term outcomes; the effects of childhood ABI on future employment and independent living prospects and also the future effects of mild traumatic brain injuries and sports’ concussions.
The programme will also include contributions from young people and their family members to describe their personal experiences.
Jane Goulding, a personal injury specialist at solicitors Freeth Cartwright, which is organising the event, commented: “Children with acquired brain injuries have unique special needs that need to be addressed on an ongoing basis as they grow up.
“With the right rehabilitation and support from professionals and families, young people with acquired brain injuries can fulfil their potential. This unique conference will examine some of the issues these young people face in later life and look at some of the solutions.”
Trust-ed aims to promote understanding and awareness of the long-term education needs of children and young people with ABI, to disseminate information, to promote expertise in addressing these needs; and to provide specialist short and long-term education and assessment for students with ABI.
Trust-Ed is a charity that has support from a number of organisations, including The Encephalitis Society, The Child Brain Injury Trust, Headway - the brain injury association and the Brain & Spine Foundation.
All profits received from this conference will be used to further these aims.
For more information about the conference, or to book a place, contact Julie Scheller by e-mail at julie.scheller@freethcartwright.co.uk, or call her on 0115 935 1879.
ends - 7 September 2010