HU2BI at Collegiate 2017

Having learnt a bit about the brain through their HPE class, the students welcomed Alf and Dominic to the classroom to present the Heads Up 2 Brain Injury (HU2BI) program.

Instead of being a standard presentation, HU2BI focusses on engaging and interacting with the students on a level that's relevant to them. Having a young person present the program, including themes such as snapchat, getting your license and all the 'hip' trends, enables key messages to better resonate with the students.

Key topics discussed include learning about what acquired brain injury is and isn't, how you can sustain a brain injury, the effects of abi, and also importantly - the way an abi can impact the student's aspirations.

New to the presentation is getting students to initially write down their short-term goals and ambitions, that often include things such as finishing school, achieving independence through driving or moving out of home, and travelling with friends. At the end and through out the program, students reflect on their individual goals and the way that a brain injury may affect these.

A highlight is always Alf's Story, detailing how his one choice has impacted not only his life, but the lives of those around him. Although humour engages the students, the hard hitting messages of life with an abi always hit home when hearing about the way a brain injury affects Alf.

The Collegiate girls were a great audience, listening intently and asking questions between the smaller groups and wider class. Running through role-play situations, the girls were also great in demonstrating the potential outcomes of undertaking high risk behaviour, and how it is like getting dealt a hand of cards - you never know what you're going to get.

You can learn more about the HU2BI program at http://www.biat.org.au/hu2bi