Advocacy by and for People with ABI (Acquired Brain Injury)
Public Policy of the Brain Injury Network
Policy Date 6-13-09
Funding Priorities for Survivors: People's lives are saved in hospitals, and medical research and programming is very important to save lives and enhance outcomes. But life for survivors goes on well after they leave the hospital. The survivor might spend a month or several months or even a year in a hospital acute and then subacute facility. However, thereafter a survivor many live out a normal life span. This could mean thirty, forty, fifty or more years. Although medical (in hospital and rehabilitation settings) interventions are vital, community reintegrative programs are also important to brain injury survivors. Please recognize that supports for day-to-day living once the survivor leaves the hospital setting are also essential. Sometimes these supports are required for a life-time. Funding for these community programs is also essential.