New car sticker launched to protect drivers recovering from brain injury
At the launch of the ABII car sticker in Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow were Sharon O'Neill (ABI Ireland), Lynda Fleming and her daughter, Hannah Photo: Derry Lenehan
LOCAL Carlow people were instrumental in designing a car sticker aimed at road users to be mindful of drivers and passengers who have suffered brain injuries.
Members of group, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABII) launched the initiative in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, which involved an awareness badge for cars, showing that there is a person who has suffered a brain injury driving or as a passenger in the vehicle.
Lynda Fleming, who suffered a serious stroke in 2022, came up with the idea.
Throughout her rehabilitation journey, Lynda faced many challenges. However, she was fortunate to have passed the assessments allowing her to drive once again, which was a huge milestone in regaining her independence.
“From the minute you have the stroke, you are surrounded by people for years. It is very seldom that you will be on your own, even for five minutes,” she says.
“When you do go through the medical assessments and all of the protocol and doctors’ reports to get back driving, it is the first time that you can actually be free and have a little bit of independence,” she adds.
Despite the relief of being back driving, Lynda notices that as she has ventured out onto the road more, many drivers become impatient and frustrated behind her if she drives at a slightly slower speed.
“Because you drive at just a slightly slower pace at times, people get so frustrated behind you, start beeping their horns, and nearly drive off the road when you are just trying your best to get back to life and independence,” Lynda says.
It was these experiences that prompted her to come up with the idea of an awareness badge for the rear window, featuring a jigsaw puzzle with some pieces missing. Each piece of the puzzle represents all the different types of brain injuries.
“Not everybody is going to take notice,” explains Sharon O’Neill of ABII, “but some people will, and they might say, ‘oh God there is somebody in that car that needs to be a bit slower,’ instead of beeping them off the road, or overtaking them on a dangerous bend because they are so frustrated.”
Sharon and Lynda say the response to the launch has been extremely positive, with people travelling from all over the south east and beyond to pick up a sticker.
“Brain injuries affect thousands of people in Ireland every year. There are 19,000 new brain injuries in this country every year so it needs to be made aware of as it changes your life completely,” says Sharon.
“Lynda’s life is totally different to the life she had before her stroke. Yes, her life is getting better bit by bit, but she went through an awful long hard road to get where she is today.” “I have had massive support from my children, extended family and Sharon over the last four years,” says Lynda.
“Sharon has always been there to listen to me, on the good days and the bad days, and I wouldn’t be here today without her.” For more information on how to pick up a sticker, visit Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s website at www.abiireland.ie.
