Neurotrauma describes two complex conditions: aquired brain injury (ABI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). Aquired Brain Injury is defined as damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It can happen to anyone in an instant. ABI is a catastrophic injury that can result in a varitey of difficulties including: cognitive, physical, social and psychological. These difficulties can create challenges throughout the person’s lifetime. ABI can be traumatic or non-traumatic. Concussion/mild TBI (mTBI) is the most common form of traumatic brain injury. While most people will recover from a concussion within a relatively short period of time, up to 20% of those injured can continue to experience significant symptoms beyond three months. Concussion can happen to anyone from the very young to the very old, regardless of age.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic injury to the spinal cord that leads to varying degrees of motor and/or sensory deficits and paralysis. It can happen to anyone – a teenager diving into a lake while on a summer holiday, a farmer working outside doing everyday chores or a mother involved in a car collision. Spinal cord injury can lead to permanent paralysis and the inability to walk. Neurotrauma has a severe human and economic impact. It affects individuals, families and also their communities, as a range of support and services are needed to assist the person who sustains a neurotrauma injury to live and participate in their community .