Acquired Brain Injury Mobility
'Part of my world is missing'
The Acquired Brain Injury Mobility Service (previously known as Neurological Mobility) provides a specialised assessment and training for clients who have a vision loss caused by a brain injury. Assessment aims to determine mobility needs and ascertain whether specific training can help the client develop compensatory scanning skills to enhance the use of remaining vision and the other senses.
Who could benefit?
Approximately 13, 000 Victorians experience severe to profound brain injury each year from conditions such as stroke, head injury, brain tumour, post operative damage. The majority of such people experience a significant level of vision loss. Although the common perception is that vision loss occurs through damage to the eyes, many different areas of the brain are involved in interpreting what our eyes see and directing appropriate responses. So there is a strong likelihood that any brain injury will result in changes to a person's vision and impact on their mobility.
There are different kinds of vision impairments that can develop as a result of damage to the brain. For example, people experience double vision, severe low vision, total vision loss, difficulties with eye movement or closure of their eyelids. In all these cases, new glasses or eye surgery cannot solve the problems.
Visual Field Loss
One of the common conditions resulting from brain injury is a visual field loss often referred to as Homonymous Hemianopia. To a person with this kind of vision loss, the world (visually speaking) has suddenly been reduced by half.
People standing opposite them have suddenly lost half a face. Moving around in a busy or cluttered environment is particularly hazardous. People and objects seem to appear from nowhere and there is a constant danger of collision with obstacles on the affected side of the visual field. The individual may even fail to see half the food on their plate and wonder why their dinner has consisted of meat with no accompanying vegetables.
This type of vision loss can affect either side of the visual field and to varying degrees. One example could be the loss of a quarter of a person's vision. The indizidual will invariably believe that they are blind in one eye. This is not so.
How much does it cost the Client?
All Acquired Brain Injury Mobility training programs are provided entirely free of charge to clients. Where appropriate, this free service includes accommodation at Arnold Cook House on Guide Dogs Victoria's campus at Kew.
If the person's training is funded by a Government agency such as the Transport Accident Commission or Veterans' Affairs, or is subject to a court case, the Acquired Brain Injury Mobility Service will seek reimbursement from the relevant agency.
Referring a Client
Referrals are welcomed from individuals, family members and health professionals. In order to refer a client to the ABI service, the following forms must be completed.
Referral Form: This is to be completed by the individual or person referring the client
Medical Form: This must be completed and signed by a doctor
Action Plans: If in the medical form the doctor identifies that the client has Asthma, Diabetes or Epilepsy, the corresponding action plan must be completed and signed by the doctor.
Phone: (03) 9854 4467
Email: referrals@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
All enquiries from health professionals, family members and individuals are welcome.
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