Teach An Saol

Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury (sABI)
#WeWouldRatherLive

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Will Taoiseach Simon Harris
announce Teach An Saol in 2024?

Simon Harris, T.D. and Minister for Health at the time, met families proposing the An Saol Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury on 19 September 2016. On 15 February 2017, he announced funding for the Centre at the National Carers Conference in Croke Park. Will he be announcing, now as Taoiseach, the leader of the Country, the next step – funding for our proposal to develop a purpose-built National Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury (sABI) in 2024? Will he match our energy and determination to change the lives of those who Would Rather Live?

UPDATES

10 April 2024 Teach An Saol Delegation visits Leinster House and gives a briefing to the Members of the Houses of Parliament, the Oireachtas, facilitated by Deputy Neasa Hourigan.

11 April 2024 Senator Mary Fitzgerald asks the Minister for Health to support Teach An Saol.

14 April 2024 #LastOneOnTheTrain – A series broadcast on RTÉ Radio One that tells the personal stories and day-to-day experience of 6 young wheelchair users in Ireland and captures the humour, the personalities and the colour of the lives of the people who feature, none of whom set out to become disability advocates but had no choice.

Click here to listen back to Pádraig’s story.

18 April 2024 Deputy Paul McAuliffe raises Teach An Saol in the Public Accounts Committee of the Dáil

Teach An Saol

The House of Life, “Teach An Saol“, will offer an inclusive network and a multi-layered space for Life and Living with sABI.

It addresses the diverse needs of individuals with sABI, encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects.
It supports the holistic recovery from the effects of devastating injuries for all those affected by them and promotes the values of community, responsibility, and healthy living.

We are building Teach An Saol, the An Saol Foundation’s National Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury, with Social, Therapy, Respite and Transitional Living Hubs, as well as a nationwide network of Satellite Centres, in response to the request of the HSE Clinical Lead for Disability and the 2023 recommendations of the HSE appointed international independent expert panel who evaluated our initial pilot project (2020-2022) and who stated:

  • “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.”
About us

A Passion for Life

We have been left behind
as hopeless cases,
not curable,
not worth the effort

But we have a passion for life,
a passion to be active,
to seek new experiences,
and healthy living

We Would Rather Live

Watch our testimonies
We Would Rather Live

We are ready to implement the 2023 HSE recommendations, long standing Government policies, and international human rights conventions to develop services for those who have no other place to go.  Now the Government and the HSE need to provide us with the means to do so.

Ask your local politicians to encourage the Ministers and the HSE to act swiftly and provide the An Saol Foundation with the means to start building the An Saol Foundation’s National Centre for Life and Living with a severe Acquired Brain Injury in 2024.

#WeWouldRatherLive #TeachAnSaol

Professor Joseph J. Fins sends a message of support for Teach An Saol in a video call with Reinhard Schaler, CEO An Saol Foundation. He stresses that meeting the needs of those with a severe Acquired Brain Injury is an unmet Human Rights Imperative. He expresses his view that Teach An Saol is a model that should become available to other similar programmes around the world.

Comprehensive (Re-)habilitation

We deliver innovative and personalised rehabilitation programmes that address the diverse needs of individuals with severe Acquired Brain Injuries, encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects. The aim is to support holistic recovery and promote independence.

Advocacy for Rights

We advocate for the rights of individuals with severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI) at local, national, and international levels. We raise awareness about the challenges faced by our community, and work towards breaking down societal barriers and stigma.

Awareness and Education

We promote awareness and understanding of severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI) among the general public, healthcare professionals, and relevant stakeholders. We aim to educate communities about the impact of brain injuries and the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments.

Research and Innovation

We actively engage in and support national and international research initiatives focused on advancing knowledge, treatments, and technologies related to severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI). We strive to contribute to the development of cutting-edge solutions that improve rehabilitation outcomes and enhance the quality of life for those affected.

Community Support

We foster a supportive and interconnected community for individuals, families, and caregivers affected by severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI). This includes organising support groups, counselling services, and community events to create a network that provides mutual support and encouragement.

Promoting Dignity and Inclusion

We actively work towards eliminating stigma associated with severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI) and promote a society where individuals are recognised for their unique abilities, resilience, and potential contributions. We seek to create an inclusive environment that respects the dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their neurological condition.

Capacity Building

We need to develop highly specialised education and training programmes for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the broader community. We aim to build expertise, raise the standard of care, and foster a more compassionate and knowledgeable support system for individuals with severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI).

Global Collaboration

  • Collaborate with international organisations
  • Share best practices
  • Contribute to the global dialogue on brain injury care
  • Influence policies
  • Promote a shared understanding of the needs and rights of individuals with severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABI)
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Windows of a building in Nuremberg, Germany

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“We are the voice for those whose severe Acquired Brain Injury (sABI) has seriously challenged their abilty to advocate for themselves.“

Reinhard Schaler

CEO, An Saol Foundation

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