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BrainLine News - August 2009

For people with brain injury — and their family and friends — one of the hardest challenges post-injury is adjusting to changes in behavior or personality. This month we feature articles, tools, and videos about dealing with behavioral issues. And since the start of school is just around the corner, we also highlight content on succeeding in school after a brain injury, reaching your goals for higher education, and knowing what services and accommodations are available to you in the education system.

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BrainLine Exclusive: Working the Sidelines
"Don’t even try to fool me because I’m watching you!" So says Jay Driscoll, ATC / CSCS, athletic director at Washington, DC’s St. Albans School, to his student athletes, alluding to the fact that some athletes cover up a mild brain injury so as to stay in the game. With a no-nonsense attitude and a keen sense of humor, Jay talks to BrainLine about his program on injury prevention, care, and rehabilitation services as well as how he helps his athletes meet and exceed demands by enhancing their physical fitness, performance, and health. Produced by Victoria Youcha and Brian King, BrainLine. Transcript of this video.

"Don't even try to fool me because I'm watching you!" So says Jay Driscoll, athletic director at Washington, DC's St. Albans School. He aims his comments at his student athletes, alluding to the fact that some athletes try to hide their brain injury to stay in the game. With a no-nonsense attitude and a keen sense of humor, Jay talks to BrainLine about his program on injury prevention, care, and rehabilitation services.

Watch video >>

"I Don't Know My Loved One Anymore ..."
Changes after brain injury can be hard to understand. Spouses miss their supportive partner, and parents are baffled by their child's lack of motivation. They worry that these changes are permanent. "Living with and Having Mixed Feelings About a Survivor Who Is Very Different" — an article from the Virginia Commonwealth Model Systems of Care — includes strategies for coping with these mixed feelings about a loved one who is now very different.
Read more >>

DVBIC News: Kids and Stress from Parents' Deployment
Did you know that the stress of having a parent deployed can increase the risk of brain injury in children? Increased stress can lead to risk taking or inattention, which can lead to brain injury. Two websites offer strategies for preventing brain injuries and managing stress.
Read more from www.afterdeployment.org >>
Read more from www.childrenssafetynetwork.org >>

Finding the Right Answers to Make School a Success
It's almost time to kick off a new year of school. For students returning to the classroom for the first time post-injury or for those struggling after brain injury to find new strategies to succeed in school, the start of school can be tough. "Helping Your Child Return to School Successfully," an article from the Virginia Commonwealth Model Systems of Care, includes a list of strategies to help you and your child's teachers start to develop an effective return-to-school plan.
Read more >>

What About College and Beyond?
People between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rate of brain injury — the age when students are getting ready for college. Unfortunately, a brain injury can change this path in an instant. Written for students, parents, and advisors, "The Student with a Brain Injury: Achieving Goals for Higher Education" — from George Washington University's HEATH Resource Center — defines the categories of brain injury and describes their impact on an individual's ability to learn and to live independently.
Read more >>

What Do You Think?
BrainLine has added a "comments" section at the end of each of our articles so that you can tell us what you think. See what other people are saying and add your thoughts. To write or view comments, scroll down to the bottom of an article and look for the "Add Comment" link.
See an example >>

Understanding the Prevalence of Long-Term Disability
How many traumatic brain injuries occur each year? What are the statistics for people living with long-term disabilities after TBI? How is this data gathered, and why have the numbers changed in the last few years? BrainLine advisor Jean Langlois Orman, ScD, MPH — scientific program manager for Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research and Development Service at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — wrote "How Is the Prevalence of Long-Term Disability Counted," a short article that explains the processes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention use to collect this type of information.
Read more >>

BrainLine Video Exclusive: Recovery from Drugs, Alcohol, and TBI
Jan Brown, founder and executive director of SpiritWorks Foundation, has sustained two brain injuries and has lived in recovery from addiction for the past twenty-two years. In these videos, Jan talks with BrainLine about the difference between sobriety and recovery; how children are affected by their parents' addiction; and redefining herself and her spiritual journey.
Watch videos >>

For more information about TBI, please come visit us at BrainLine.org.

All the best from BrainLine.
Noel Gunther, Executive Director
Christian Lindstrom, Director, Learning Media
Victoria Youcha, EdD, Director, BrainLine
Matthew Bruce, Web Manager
Victoria Tilney McDonough, Associate Editor
Elaine Phillips, MSP, CCC/SLP, Research Consultant
Theresa Rankin, Outreach Consultant
Brian King, Senior Multimedia Producer
Kimberley Larson, Web Designer
Ian Collins, Technical Web Manager
Leon Gittens, Project Administrator
Krystal Klingenberg, Project Coordinator

Newsletter editor: Victoria Tilney McDonough

About BrainLine
BrainLine.org is a WETA website funded by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center through a contract with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Government funding support is not an endorsement of WETA or any of its products, including this website.