Picnic puts brain injuries in spotlight

HAVING A LAUGH: Brain Injury Association Northland clients (from left) Richard Barnett, Frances Maria Hiramatiu, Vikki Herdman (association liaison officer) and Ronny Thomson. PHOTO/ JOHN STONE

Dispelling stereotypes and educating children about brain injuries are the key goals of this year's global picnic.

The picnic - hosted by Brain Injury Association Northland on September 21 at the Canopy Bridge - is about raising awareness about brain injuries worldwide and starts in New Zealand and finishes in Hawaii.

Brain Injury Association Northland client Richard Barnett is helping organise the picnic, and says there will be fire engines, circus performers, prizes for kids and adults, coffee, music and other entertainment.

"Bring your own picnic. It'll be a perfect time for parents to bring the kids down and have a day together," he said.

"It will be good to pass on the message to kids, like to wear your helmet on your bike to avoid head injury."

He suffered brain injury after an aneurism in 2006.

He said the awareness picnic is about changing people's preconceived ideas about brain injury sufferers.

"We are just normal, everyday people - you wouldn't even know."

Brain Injury Association Northland liason officer Vikki Herdman says it's the second picnic and the association hopes to make it an annual event.

"I think every opportunity we have of creating awareness is important. We [New Zealand] have the most brain injuries per capita of the developed world and if we can increase education and awareness around it, that's good," she said. "It's just getting everyone to think for a day - that's what it's about."

Symptoms of brain injury include extreme fatigue, cognitive difficulties, memory problems, sensory disabilities and personality changes.

An AUT study late last year found the number of New Zealanders with traumatic brain injuries has reached epidemic levels, with a new injury occurring on average every 15 minutes.

The research, published in November in international medical journal The Lancet, found most were due to falls (38 per cent), followed by mechanical forces, transport accidents, and assaults.

The picnic goes from 11.30am to 2pm on September. It is a gold coin donation entry, which goes to the Brain Injury Association Northland. Tables and chairs will be provided.