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WITH reference to the Saturday Special report, 'Looking beyond disAbility' (April 12),�I would like to shed some light on the situation of a specific segment of the population, people with brain �injuries (PBI).�As an occupational therapist working with PBIs, most of whom are survivors of road traffic accidents, I have come to realise there is a big gap in re-integrating this group back into their worker roles. Many PBIs are�relatively young men who have many years ahead of them.�Other than being a heavy socio-economic burden to their families and society, the loss of worker roles affects their sense of self-worth, autonomy, emotional well-being and quality of life.�That is why positive vocational outcomes are important for them.
PBIs usually face a lot of obstacles in returning to work. Though they usually make good physical recovery after the acute and �sub-acute phases of rehabilitation, many suffer from residual cognitive and neuro-behavioural deficits like memory impairment, poor attention span, poor problem-solving skills and agitation. Some may have difficulties in daily�activities like managing money and independent travelling within the community.�As a result, many PBIs are not able to return to work and many spend their �days at home doing nothing purposeful.�They frequently sink into�anxiety, depression and social isolation.
�There is currently no customised programme to help PBIs �re-integrate back into society and their worker roles. The few given a �chance at sheltered workshops did not quite succeed due to lack of personal meaning of the type of work (usually simple repetitive contract work) and meagre allowances. A voluntary welfare organisation that provides placement services for the disabled has low success rates with PBIs, mainly due to their cognitive and neuro-behavioural deficits. Yet, these difficulties are not insurmountable if a vocational rehabilitation programme that is specially tailored to their �needs can be developed.�Funding has always been an issue due to the resources required.
At the national level, from an economic perspective, returning PBIs to the workforce means lower �socio-economic burden to society. At a personal level, being productive and contributing members of society restores their sense of self- worth and quality of life.�In line with the Government's initiatives to maximise the nation's employability, can we aim higher towards starting an integrated national 'Return to work' centre to provide a comprehensive range of 'Return to work' services for all types of disabilities, as well as elderly workers?�After all, resources required for the disabled and elderly in vocational training are quite similar.
Doreen Yeo (Miss)
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