This week on IPS we are learning about brain injury and living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
 We had a fabulous warm & insightful conversation with Fiona Hopper, Peer Project Coordinator at Brain Injury Matters (BIM). BIM is a membership based peer to peer support group based in Melbourne.

There are many aspects of living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), while firstly acknowledging it can be traumatic and a major stressful change of life and circumstance. 
And, BIM has several aims which include supporting people with an Abi and trying to educate and inform the public of what brain injury is and its impacts on people with an ABI.

As both a support group and an advocacy agency BIM aims to;
Help provide support to alleviate the isolation and marginalisation experienced by people living with an Acquired Brain Injury. BIM is also an active advocate that acts as a voice of people with an Acquired Brain Injury to inform local, state, and national bodies around relevant issues affecting people with an ABI.

It was a pleasure to meet and talk with Fiona Hopper who is a passionate skilled peer worker.
Fiona describes some of the important  roles and functions of BIM and particularly the peer networks and supports.  She helps to coordinate  both the in person groups and online catch-ups.     

This conversation with Fiona who has an ABI and also happens to be blind reminds us about the importance of good quality supports and keeping connected with people who have similar life experiences to yourself.
It’s a great example of a community working well and working together with the same aims.