Building Teach An Saol: The Next Step

Wednesday 10 April 2024

Press Briefing *** Buswells Hotel *** 13:15 – 14:15

Oireachtas *** AV Room Leinster House *** 15:00 – 16:00

---

The National Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury (sABI)

“Living with a sABI” DocuVideo Series Launch

Call for Action with a message by Professor Joseph J. Fins

---

We were told that we had no future

There was no cure for a severe Acquired Brain Injury

We had no reasonable chance of a meaningful recovery; precious healthcare resources could not be invested in us. It might have been better, had we died. We would have an intolerable live – but could substantially improve the lives of others by donating our organs.

We Would Rather Live – We Know How

We work together in Community  ·  We take Responsibility  ·  We strive for Healthy Living

We set up a Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury, a three-year pilot project (2020-2022) made possible by ministerial order of the then Minister of Health, Simon Harris. A HSE-lead independent international expert team reported in 2023, that –

• “The pilot project demonstrated the need for and value of providing a service for people with sABI, which supports their rights to health and wellbeing, facilitates their habilitation and supports the needs of family members.”
• “This model should be strengthened and developed further allowing Irish disability services to play a leading role internationally in developing innovative day-services for people with sABI.”
• “A paradigm shift should change the pervasive nihilism that continues to complicate patient management, family adjustment, medicolegal issues and healthcare policy.”

We are building Teach An Saol, The National Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury, with Social, Therapy, Respite and Transitional Living Hubs, in response to the request of the HSE Clinical Lead for Disability and the recommendations of the international expert panel.

We are telling our stories and give testimony of the impact the An Saol Foundation Centre has had on our lives in Living with sABI to be released on 10 April and a series of six personal DocuVideos over the coming weeks.

Leadership and Action

Philanthropic Commitment  ·  Political Leadership  ·  Health System Support

Eight of Ireland’s leading planning, engineering, architectural, and legal companies, the Minister for Disability, and the HSE are supporting Teach An Saol.

While support has been pledged, Leadership and Action are now required by the State and its Agencies to seize the opportunity and start building Teach An Saol in 2024. What is needed now – 

• Official commitment from the Department of Health and CEDIY, and the HSE
• Official commitment by DCC to the building site identified
• Direct access to the decision makers in the HSE and Departments
• Long-term financial commitment to Teach An Saol with country-wide satellites