April, 2005
This past month I had the opportunity to represent the State of California at a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) conference in Washington DC. I was introduced to several exciting projects that have been developed in other states that may be applicable in California. They are certainly needed. Based on figures compiled by the Center for Disease Control it is estimated there are over 110,00 TBI-related emergency room visits per year, over 22,000 TBI-related non-fatal hospitalizations per year in California, all resulting in over 7,000 TBI-related people with disabilities each year.
Each year an estimated 1,500,000 people sustain a TBI in the United States. This is 8 times the number diagnosed with Breast Cancer and 34 times the number of new HIV/AIDS cases. We presently have over 5.3 million Americans living with a TBI related disability (a little over 2% of the population). I sure hope these figures make you sit up and take note.
A Traumatic Brain Injury can result from a blow/jolt to the head or a penetrating skull injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The severity of the TBI may range from mild (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to severe (an extended period of unconsciousness or prolonged amnesia). According to the Center for Disease Control any TBI can result in short and/or long term disabilities.
In one of the related discussions we heard about a significant increase of brain injuries among our service men/women returning from the War in Iraq. they will be depending on community assets to re-enter community life. In past conflicts, TBI was present in 14-20% of surviving combat casualties. Preliminary information indicates this number is much higher in this conflict because of improved survivability. New information is coming to light about the fact that repeated shocks to the body (like multiple hard parachute landings and multiple jolts from a parachute opening) can result over time in a TBI.
As I listened to the presentations I realized that many people who have experienced an accident that has involved some kind of blow to the head, may not realize they may have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI); not all TBI's require an open wound. Since March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, I thought it would be a good opportunity to review some of the things to look for if you or a loved one has been in an accident that might indicate a brain injury.
A person who has received a TBI may experience partial or total impairment in any of the following function areas: memory, problem solving, speech, word comprehension, social interaction, learning ability, attention span, physical capabilities, hearing and/or seeing. The impact of a TBI on the individual and his/her family can be profound and life altering, with the effects becoming magnified when the needed supports and services are unavailable or inaccessible. The impact extends to the entire community in ways more costly then need be if timely and appropriate services were available. Some of the effects can be:
- The inability of students to achieve pre-injury grade level work. (Has your child had a recent head trauma followed by a decrease in their grades/ ability to handle grade level work?) Schools some times try to diagnose this as other learning disabilities.
- A reduction in disposable income and an increased dependence on public assistance because the individual must reduce hours, loses their job or must become the caregiver for an injured person.
- Homelessness or incarceration of injured persons who have inadequate support systems.
- An intensification of problems associated with substance abuse and mental health after a TBI is acquired, whether or not either was present pre-injury.
If some of this sounds like it might apply to you, a family
member or friend and you would like assistance, please contact the New Options
Program at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living. Remember - Disability is a random
event that can occur in any life, at any moment.
- Michael Bradshaw, Central Coast Center for Independent Living