News from DAC NEW
By Erin Ferrier
Did you know that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month? According to the Brain Injury Association of America, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury every nine seconds. This is why it is important to address misconceptions and knowledge gaps about brain injuries. A brain injury affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. The symptoms and impacts are wide ranging and can change everything about someone in a matter of seconds. Brains injuries affect both the survivor and their support network.
Here is more information from the Brain Injury Association of America:
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when brain function is altered by an external force. This happens when something strikes the head or when the head hits something as the result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, assault, and more. There are many different causes of TBI and several different types. Learn more about TBI.
A concussion is sometimes referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury or mTBI because they are usually not life threatening. A concussion is caused by a bump, jolt, or blow to the head that causes the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull. Although these are referred to as an mTBI, these are not necessarily mild injuries in terms of their symptoms and impacts on the survivor. Learn more about concussion.
Non-traumatic brain injury (also commonly referred to as an acquired brain injury) causes damage to the brain as a result of internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, and pressure from a tumor. Learn more about non-traumatic brain injury.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Motor Vehicle Crashes account for 50% of all TBIs. This includes autos, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians hit by vehicles.
- The leading causes of TBI vary by age: falls are the leading cause of TBI among persons aged 65 years and older; transportation is the leading cause of TBI among persons under the age of 65 years.
- Estimates suggest that sports related brain injury accounts for close to 300,000 injuries each year, with winter sports such as skiing and ice-skating accounting for close to 20,000 brain injuries.
Consequences of Brain Injury
Brain injury can cause many kinds of physical, cognitive, and behavioral/emotional impairments that may be either temporary or permanent. Impairments may range from subtle to severe. Brain injury may result in seizure disorders.
Finding Help and Resources
Brain Injury Program
Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center 711 S Cowley St, Spokane, WA 99202 (509) 473-6000
Traumatic Brain Injury Resources and Workbook
Traumatic Brain Injury – Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
Resources in Washington State
Remember, DAC NEW is here to assist you in navigating resources and finding support. DAC NEW is also here is help with getting reasonable accommodations at school and at work. Please call us at (509) 606-4639. A help request can also be submitted through our website at Contact Spokane, WA.