ABIAW

In Australia, were pretty organised in educating people about the dangers of causing one’s self injury.

Particularly when it comes to self-inflicted brain injuries or violence related Brain Injury.

Oh no! I used another acronym!

ABIAW stands for Acquired Brain Injury Awareness Week!

The first event I went to was about 5 or 6 years ago. The Service Provider hired a venue. The North Melbourne Football Club.

They arranged catering and a door prize. I won a North Melbourne Football Mug.

I do not do football – Grumpy face. And they invited some guest speakers and all of their clients and families (some anyway).

That day, rather than go up to people and say Hi!

Nice weather, I generally sought people out by asking what their ABI was…. I know sounds rude, but we all did it…

The only difference was I started by asking “so stroke” Partied hard and took too many drugs?”

Luckily they laughed and in turn asked me if I’d had a stroke, I then explain I’ve not had a stroke, it just looks that way…

I always decide ad hoc how much I bother to explain to people, because regardless of what I say, I know they are still thinking she partied too hard and took too many drugs…