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Introduction: The Family To Family Link Up Program (f2f Link Up) is a pilot program aimed to promote connections between families who have a family member with an Acquired Brain Injury. Methods: A total of 46 families participated in the program coordinated by The Bouverie Centre in Melbourne Victoria. Link-Ups, involving one or several sessions with members from two or more families. Link-Ups were conducted by Victorian metropolitan and regional ABI workers who were trained as Link-Up facilitators. A co-operative inquiry action research methodology was used to provide insights into the development and implementation of the program. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from families and facilitators on the effectiveness of the program and their experience of each Link Up session. Results: Evaluation of the program showed positive impacts for both families and facilitators and provided useful feedback on program implementation issues, benefits and constraints of the program. Conclusions: The opportunity to meet other families in brief, time-limited contacts with a trained facilitator is a useful and needed addition to a range of supports that might assist families caring for a member with an acquired brain injury.

Acquired brain injury profoundly challenges the identity of the affected person and family relationships. Narrative practices offer valuable therapeutic tools to assist families to face the enormous task of adjusting to an acquired disability. The integration of family therapy and group work provides multiple avenues for families to have their experiences validated and to support reconnection with strengths, values and goals. It is from this more empowered position that families can find ways to live their lives to the fullest, in spite of the difficulties.

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The conceptualization of resilience following acquired brain injury needs to remain sensitive to the complex nature and enduring dimensions of trauma, loss, and stress. It is essential that a systemic and dynamic view be maintained with a focus on the key adaptation tasks that families face: grieving, restructuring, identity redefinition, and growing through adversity. These tasks are explored in a case example illustrating how these challenges reemerge across the life cycle. The key theme in this contribution is that resilience is a fluid property, a potential that practitioners and service systems can listen for, support, strengthen, and hold in trust.