In summer 2010 Lash Publishing will publish the English version of 'Hooi op je vork', titled 'Support After Brain Injury (SABI): a program for survivors and caregivers for regaining control of life'.
Acquired brain injury (ABI) can have radical implications for the individual as well as the individual’s family. In many cases, the person with ABI will have to rely on long-term help from carers. Caring for people with ABI encompasses a broad spectrum of questions that need answers: How can I help the person with ABI to sort out his life again? What does he aspire to achieve in the future and are his aspirations realistic? How do I talk about these things with him? How can I help care for him without taking over his life?
SABI is a unique support for carers and people with acquired brain injury designed to help them ask the right questions and explore the answers. It is widely used by a variety of organisations in the health and social service sectors, as well as by homecarers.
Research shows that people with ABI and their carers respond enthusiastically to the SABI method. This book is the product of working for eight years with the findings of the evaluation report on a carer’s model for people with acquired brain injury published by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
SABI: a unique support for carers and people with acquired brain injury contains valuable tips and advice on how to understand the consequences of brain injury in relation to the individual’s pre-injury and post-injury life. This essential information will help you to help the person with ABI to evolve and lead a more fulfilling life.
Reaction on an earlier version of the book from expert Katarina Ehlin, psychologist at a rehabilitationcentre in Sweden:
I really liked the book. I don't just say that to make you happy, I really liked it! It's not just a book full of clinical experience, it is also a book with a rare vision for every human beeings value and right to "speak" for themselves. Every person should be the head person in their lives. And this book give you tools to make that happen for people with ABI.
Another thing I like with the book is that it highlights the question about motivation. I like the sentence "the persons own motivation is extremely important, because motivation is the fuel that provides energy and willpower to undertake o task or activity". You also talk about boosting a persons motivation. I work this way with my neuropsychological assessments. I'm very accurate wtih the patients knowledge about what we are going to do and why and I don't do anything if my patient isn't motivated. If my patient isn't motivated the results will be difficult to interpret. Stephen Finn from USA describes this in his book "In our clients shoes". Have you read it? That's a really good book.
In your book you also give a clear picture of the complex situation a person with ABI has to deal with. But you describe the complexity so good that it is easy to understand. I also like the way you can describe peoples complex and sometimes contradictory behavoir without giving for examples the carers the right to force people (persons with ABI) to changes. You can never get people to change by force.
