Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is introduced: Prevalence of ABI worldwide, costs to community of ABI and the similarities and difference between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and acquired brain injury (ABI); problems associated with ABI; the lack of self-awareness The concept of ‘Headwork’ and relevance to the study is outlined The difference between ‘blank spots’ areas known about but needing to be filled in and ‘blind spots’ issues that cannot be seen because of an obstruction, or not known about, is described An examination of where people with ABI and their families might obtain information about ABI is undertaken as well as an examination of Websites prior to the study and information contained Books written by ‘insiders’ the ‘emic’ perspective are reviewed Issues that had to be addressed prior to data collection are outlined and the development of ‘talk-about’ cards for the study described The aims of the study and the importance of ‘doing no harm’ are stated and explained.