3/12/96
Disability Services Minister Kevin Minson will this afternoon launch the Headwest Society's booklet of personal accounts by people who have an acquired head injury and those who care for them.
`Lost With My Past' is a graphic account by 26 people of the struggle to regain a degree of independence after a head injury and the impact on families and friends.
Mr Minson said the booklet also served as a warning to the community.
"Some 600 people in Western Australia receive head injuries every year - a large number of these occur through traffic accidents," he said.
"WA's road toll tells us how many people die in car crashes, but not how many will struggle with a brain injury for the rest of their lives.
"Of the 26 people whose stories appear in Lost With My Past, 21 were injured in car crashes or hit by vehicles."
Mr Minson said the Headwest Society- formerly the Head Injured Society of WA - could be proud of its achievements in helping raise public awareness of acquired brain injuries.
"Lost With My Past will not only encourage those doing battle with head injuries, it will assist in providing helpful information through the personal accounts of each contributor," he said.
Lost With My Past is available from Headwest, 645 Canning Highway, Alfred Cove 6154 or by telephoning (09) 330 6370.
Media contacts: Caroline Lacy (09) 222 9211 or -
Glyn Davies - executive officer, Headwest Society (09) 330 6370
