BrainLine News — January 2009
Happy New Year! To kick off 2009, we feature people and technologies that can help individuals with brain injury and their families. We present information and resources on assistive technology and devices — from PDAs to help with memory and organization to tools to assist with dressing and eating. In addition, because we realize that rehabilitation specialists are often the tenacious professionals who help push their clients' recovery to the highest levels, we wanted to recognize their contribution by featuring their work.
In This Issue
- Did You Know?
- Resources and Events
- Research and News
- Ideas For Caregivers
- Inspiring Stories
Did You Know?
Send Your Questions to BrainLine's Experts
BrainLine.org's new Ask the Expert series features a new question and answer each week. To start, the roster of experts includes a clinical neuropsychologist, a TBI case manager, an expert from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and a longtime caregiver. Please send us your questions!
Submit your question >>
For Rehab Specialists: An Intervention Plan To Introduce Clients to Electronic Helpers
Most people can use some help remembering appointments or organizing their busy lives. For people with a brain injury, this kind of help can be crucial. Research is showing that PDAs (personal digital assistants), Smartphones, and even some cell phones can help people with TBI remember appointments and daily tasks. This guide gives rehabilitation specialists a simple assessment tool they can use to decide if an electronic helper is appropriate for an individual.
Read more and download full intervention plan >>
Resources and Events
New Resource for Wounded Warriors, Families, and Caregivers
The National Resource Directory (NRD) was developed for injured service members, veterans, their families, and the families of service members who have died. That, of course, includes those returning home with a brain injury. The NRD provides information on medical and non-medical resources across the country — from information on benefits and compensation to resources for family and caregiver support. The directory is web-based and is maintained by the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs.
Find out more >>
Fourth Annual Brain Injury Rehabilitation Conference
This two-day conference — taught by an interdisciplinary team of specialists in brain injury rehabilitation at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas — focuses on interventions and management for medical and physical rehabilitation as well as cognitive, emotional, and social problems common to TBI. This year's meeting will be held in La Jolla, California, February 20-21.
Read more and register here >>
Research and News
DVBIC News: The NFL and Military Team Up
In September 2008, participants from the National Football League and the military met to discuss common challenges they face when dealing with concussion management within their populations. The organizations shared information and strategies — from biomechanics and helmet design to tracking single and multiple concussions in an individual. Future discussions will focus on potential collaborations.
Read more >>
Rehabilitation comes in many forms. It can mean learning to walk or talk again and it can also mean finding new ways to communicate or problem solve. Rehabilitation might involve using the arts — music, dance, painting — to develop physical and cognitive skills and to build self-esteem. At the Northeast Center for Special Care, creative arts therapy is an important part of the recovery process, and research is now showing that it can be a valuable piece of a rehabilitation program. Watch Fine and Performing Arts Director Rick Soshensky and a group of "resident-neighbors" at the Northeast Center find healing and inspiration through music.
Watch video >>
Ideas For Caregivers
Getting That Extra Help with Adaptive Equipment
Figuring out how to be independent again after a TBI can be a challenge. Adaptive equipment was developed to make daily tasks — like eating, washing, or dressing — easier for people with special needs. "Adaptive Equipment: An Illustrated Guide" was created by the Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network and is a photographic guide that describes items that may help people achieve more independence. For example, the universal cuff is designed for people who need help gripping a fork or toothbrush, and the long-handle shoe horn can help people put on their shoes without bending over. Read on to learn more about adaptive devices that may help you, your loved one, or consumer.
Read more >>
Inspiring Stories
National Hockey League Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine was forced to retire prematurely as a result of a series of concussions suffered during his career. As much an outstanding humanitarian as an outstanding athlete, LaFontaine also helps other athletes and people with TBI by sharing his story. Hear LaFontaine recount his story and the steps he took during his recovery.
Watch video >>
Meet Sabrina — a teen talking to other teens about her experience after brain injury. "I think it's really important to talk about your brain injury 'cause if you don't ... you get really upset about it," she says. "With me, if people want to know about it, I'll talk about it. It lifts pressure off my shoulders. It makes me feel a little bit better 'cause people know what I've gone through and what other people may have gone through. If you hold it in, you'll get really depressed and desperate for help." This video is a segment from "Teens Talking to Teens," produced by Lash and Associates Publishing/Training and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children.
Watch video >>
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 is a service of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capitol.
BrainLine is funded by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, the primary operational TBI component of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, through a subcontract award with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine.
This material is based upon work supported by the USAMRAA under Contract Number W81XWH-08-C-0066. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAMRAA.