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Michael Paul Mason, BrainLine (page 2 of 2) Page 2 of 2
Looking Ahead
Our understanding of TBI is changing in front of our eyes. As organizations such as the Brain Trauma Foundation continue to define the best practices in treating brain injury, medical care is slowly improving — at least for those patients able to gain access to early trauma care. The war in Iraq has already changed the way we treat TBI in America. Military surgeons who learned life-saving techniques like early cranioplasty are able to employ similar protocols in American trauma centers
In the years to come, we may increasingly see brain trauma as a chronic but manageable condition similar to diabetes or cardio-pulmonary disease. That perspective might also help in reducing the negative stereotypes of TBI. For now, though, TBI survivors and those who care for them continue to face serious challenges in finding help and finding acceptance.
TBI is a much more manageable injury today than it has been in the past, but it remains a major health problem. As people with TBI continue to live longer and face the challenges of aging with TBI, it will be our duty to provide better education and long-term programs and services. We all have brains; let’s continue to use them — injured or not — to support TBI prevention, research, and treatment.
BrainLine
Michael Paul Mason has served as an editor for two literary publications, and has appeared on several national media outlets, including the Lehrer Newshour, CBS News, and NPR's Morning Edition.
His writings have appeared in several newspapers and magazines, including Discover, The New York Times, and The Believer. Mason remains active as a lecturer and speaker. Mason has also built a reputation for noteworthy journalism. When Mason's article, "Dead Men Walking", appeared in Discover magazine, it ignited a national debate about the treatment of brain injured soldiers. Mason has since traveled to Iraq to report on healthcare and humanitarian issues.
Mason's first book, Head Cases: Stories of Brain Injury and Its Aftermath is an exploration into the harsh realities endured by brain injury survivors. While currently a brain injury projects manager at the Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital, Mason continues to advocate on behalf of Americans with brain injury and is involved with several national legislative initiatives.
He is currently the founding editor of This Land, a monthly magazine based in Tulsa. He is also at work on a non-fiction book called The Human Assembly: The Discovery, History, and Industry of our Parts, Tissues, and Organs.
The contents of Brainline (the “Web Site”), such as text, graphics, images, information obtained from the Web Site’s licensors and/or consultants, and other material contained on the Web Site (collectively, the “Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Specifically, with regards to medical issues, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Web Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Web Site does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Web Site. Reliance on any information provided by the Web Site or by employees, volunteers or contractors or others associated with the Web Site and/or other visitors to the Web Site is solely at your own risk.
Comments [15]
I fell down the steps of my mother\'s basement when going after her cat. I fell on my right side and bruised the left side of my brain from the impact. I stayed in the hospital for 50 days and am now home learning how to live again. I have long and short term memory loss. I recognize people I have known all my life but I have to ask their name. My family has to repeat everything over and over. Some of it sticks with me but most of it does not. Even though I recognize objects and people, I cannot always call them by name which is frustrating. I get my words mixed up. I am in pain with daily headaches, dizziness, gait and confusion. I know who I used to be and feel like I am trapped inside of someone else\'s body as my head feels like it is sitting next to me instead of sitting on my neck. I am thankful to God and feel I have some sort of purpose but cannot imagine what it could be at this moment in my life as I do not feel like doing anything. My wife is typing this for me as there is no way I could begin to pick out the correct keys to type this. I hope one day I will be able to come back to this page with a better story but at this time, I am going through alot. Good luck to all suffering with this. Thanks to my family as I feel like I have a great support system which is the reason I am doing so well.
i had a tbi from an accident in 08. this past july i had surgery for a tumor in my right parietal lobe. i have had extensive theerapy these 3 years, and want to know if this tumor is relevant to the tbi. it was not discovered until 3/08 and the craniotomy showed a bloody mass when removed???? no cancer in the pathology, thank god.
I had a TBI in 1997 after being hit by a car. Thank god I am not paralyzed. five brain cells died.I lost about forty percent use of my right side because the injury was on the left side of the brain. I cannot recognize a quarter if it was put into my hand if i did not look at it. I get dizzy when standing at times. I still drive a car with no problem, but I had to give up my job as a bread delivery driver. I still can lift my younger grand children up. I visit a neurologist every four months. I read about new ways to get brain cells back, but they are not realistic. Life still goes on and I enjoy it, especially when I see how close I came to being fully impaired.
thank you for helping me i was learning about it and this helped alot thank you
My husband went into sudden cardiac arrest one night. I did CPR for 20 minutes before EMS showed up. He later had a heart attack while being wheeled into the emergency room....He has no reccolection of the two weeks prior to heart attack or about two weeks after. This was 2 years ago. His personality changed so drastically. He became engulfed in TV and spent money wildly. He poured himself into religion and began to holler at me all the time. He was very forgetful. This was NOT the man I knew. A therapist I know casually mentioned TBI to me ands said his symptoms were typical but nowhere can I find information on how to convince him that something is not right....
For my TBI and my young nephew's TBI the best thing I did to correct the symptoms was Brain State Technology. It helped on all levels of problems (such as PTSD and memory and speech and writing) I had for 6 yrs. My nephew has it from a fall for 11 years and is now recovering. Also Atlas Evolution was another technique for migraines and headaches for both of us...one session and they were gone after years of suffering. Also The Results System for transposed brain symptoms with Rick Seivertson over the phone. There is help beyond doctors that works and is not so expensive and fast. I even got rid of a seizure disorder I had for 42 years and dropped meds I took all that time doing Brain State Tech. Please don't give up as there are answers out there and you just have to ask life to direct you as I did. Often I felt like it would never end. Then I would find the right treatment and feel like the miracle wonder that I healed so fast and easily. Hope this helps in your journey to recovery. I wish you all the best.
I have a history of remote head injuries and in 2008 after i fall, it was discover, that I had a tumor in the front of my brain.During my ordeal my Service was allow3ed to stay with me.Please, check out my story. My dog, Henry Miller died with me at his sided on march 26,2010; He died eleven months after my operation that took place on 4/3/2009. There is another story which is called "Inner Circle". For this story, please go to ucsf.edu I hope whoever read fhese, I say enjoy. Now I have adopted another dog who will under go training to become a true Service dog. Manish Aghi is a 14 month puppy who was named after my doctor. Manish Aghi. Thank You. Anaperla. " The Healing Power of Pets" found at abc7news.com
I have had multiple catistrophic dirt bike crashes and at the time I was to proud and macho to take the time to go to the er. One of the crashes was so bad I broke my helmet. I am married now and I suffer from NON-stop headaches, Chronic insomnia and as tough as i think I am, I feel the wrecks are taking a toll on me mentally. I no longer enjoy things i used to love. I am consumed by pain and frustration because I have been to over a dozen doctors. Most are idiots and just think I\'m depressed so they push anti-depressants on me. I gave them a try, and I do mean all, but the side affects of those meds tend to aggrivate the problems I\'m trying to fix. If you are a young man and are reading this don\'t always feel like you have to rise to the challenge. I loved the rush I got when I climbed a monster hill or mad a huge jump, but because i chased that rush i now am suffering the consquences. My married life, my work and simply my state of mind are all a mess due to the battle I fight daily. If someone calls you a wuss or a chicken for not wanting to try something dangerous that is not up to your skill level, WALK away! If i could go back and change anything in my life it would be those collisons with mother earth that I so vividly remember even though they were over 6 years ago. All I do is pray for Gos to relieve me of the misery I am in. I believe he will heal me of my alligments in his time. Lord knows these doctors don\'t have a clue about how to help. Just remember this, whatever mountain or hill challenges you, that challenge will still be there if your instincts tell you your not ready. I made the mistake of ignorning those God given instincts. With age and counsel from God comes wisdom!!
I found this information to be very interesting. I've had two brain hemorrhages.
Thank you! I am in high school in biology 30 and I am trying to learn more and study about the brain and what can happen and this really helped!! I LOVE these kinds of websites! :)
thank u 4 the tbi info it was very helpful. my cuzn had a tbi. he is much better thank GOD for JESUS' wounds. praise the LORD...
its useful for my project work as am a audiologist
THIS HELPED ME. I NEEDED TO READ THIS. MY TBI HAPPENED IN SEPT 98. DEBBIE HOUSTON, TEXAS
Thanks, even us stroke people can learn from your info. Gary Schaaf Huber Heights, Ohio 45424
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when I was a young teenager,i remember not feeling well,next thing I knew,I could not recognize objects around,I found it extremely stressful not being able to put a name to objects and what there purpose was,within a few hours, my condition returned to normal,to this day I don't know what caused it,virus?
Jan 6th, 2012 4:38pm