BAIL's TALES : NOVEMBER

Our researchers have made great progress this year on their various projects and BAILs research portfolio continues to expand. Here is some of the work we are currently involved in or supporting.

Impact of Christchurch earthquakes for people living with disabilities.
We have two projects underway funded by Rotary, Canterbury Community Trust and Ministry of Social Development examining issues for wheelchair users at a time of natural disaster. Johnny Bourke continues to develop his PhD proposal and Jason Nicholls is working on his Masters thesis exploring views of stakeholders regarding the use of technology to improve the emergency response for people living with disability.
Traumatic brain injury research
Rachelle Martin is now in the process of final editing and submitting of her Masters thesis: Exploring the experience of life goals for people with severe acquired brain injury who require residential rehabilitation services. Rachelle is presenting from this work at our next Peer Research Meeting so make sure this date is in your calendars.
Our HRC funded mild traumatic brain injury study led by Dr Deborah Snell is underway and we are currently recruiting participants. This study is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Otago, AUT University, CDHB and New Zealand Brain Research Trust.
Spinal Cord Injury and sleep apnoea
Dr Carolyn Beaver is working on a qualitative study examining CPAP adherence for people with obstructive sleep apnoea and high level spinal cord injury. She recently attended the Sleep Health in Quadriplegia symposium in Melbourne where she presented her thesis proposal and some preliminary results.
Return to Work Outcomes for people who sustained injuries during the Christchurch earthquakes
Jo Nunnerley continues with her PhD data collection and is presenting some of her work at the ISCoS Scientific Meeting in Istanbul Turkey at the end of October. We look forward to hearing all about her trip when she returns in November.

What’s coming up?
Research Peer Group Meeting (Allan Bean Centre Thurs Nov 14th 12noon).
Theme: Developing and maintaining social relationships after serious injury
Presenters: Claire Freemen: Maintaining relationships after spinal cord injury.
Rachelle Martin: Life goals following severe traumatic brain injury.
RSVP to Hans Wouters (hans.wouters@burwood.org.nz)

BAIL End of Year Function (Allan Bean Centre Thurs 5th Dec Time TBA).

Hans Wouters – Project Manager Burwood Academy Of Independent Living.