Past president Helen McCurdy, and Miranda Kennedy
At the November 11th lunch meeting, chaired by Past president Helen McCurdy, we welcomed Miranda Kennedy, Field Officer from the Head Injury Southland Charitable Trust as our Guest Speaker.
Miranda’s talk centered on the theme that everyone deserves the chance to thrive after a head injury. While ACC provides support for the injured individual, she emphasized that the impact of head injuries often extends to the entire whānau.
Miranda spoke to head injuries as “the silent epidemic”, referencing that around 100 people per day in New Zealand suffer a head injury, with approximately 80% linked to sport.
To bring the challenges of what a head injury can be like to life, Miranda invited members to try simulation goggles that replicate symptoms of concussion and other head injury effects. These tools offered valuable insight into the daily realities faced by those living with head injuries.
Founded in 1989, the Head Injury Southland Charitable Trust is a not-for-profit organization serving the southern region from Queenstown to Stewart Island. With over 250 clients, mostly referred from hospitals, the Trust provides advocacy, education, and community outreach to reduce isolation and build inclusive support networks. Their mission is to enable quality of life, independence, and potential for both injured individuals and their families.
Miranda closed with a powerful reminder: “Head injury can happen anytime, to anyone, anywhere.”
