BrainLine News - May 2009

With spring comes Better Hearing and Speech Month — a chance to focus on communication disorders and treatment that can help people with speaking, understanding, or hearing problems. This month, we highlight several articles from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). We also feature two new video interviews about cultural diversity and TBI, an interview with a returning veteran who lost a leg and sustained a mild TBI in combat, and more.

In This Issue

- News and Resources
- Ideas for Caregivers
- Inspiring Stories

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News and Resources

In recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month, we bring you several features from ASHA — from personal stories of people with TBI to a podcast interview with Lee Woodruff, author, wife of ABC Anchor Bob Woodruff, and mother of a daughter with a hearing impairment. Learn why speech-language pathology is such an important part of the recovery process for people with TBI.

Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength
In early May, the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury will launch a public awareness campaign about combating the stigma associated with seeking care and treatment for psychological health concerns — often resulting from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Titled "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength," the campaign has a website with articles, videos, and resources on a variety of psychological health issues for service members, veterans, and their families. The DCoE Outreach Call Center is also available 24/7 at 866.966.1020.
Read more >>

For Professionals: The Three C's of Communicating with Patients and Families About TBI
Talking with families after brain injury can be challenging. Families understandably want answers at a time when there are few certainties. Learning three basic rules of communication can help professionals better support families.
Read more >>

Have You Discovered BrainLine's Ask the Expert Series?
Each week, one of BrainLine's experts answers a question sent to the website. Your questions have ranged from why rest is important post-injury to what assistive technologies are available and helpful for people with TBI. You can find an archive of all the Q&As here. And please keep sending us your questions.
Submit your question >>

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Ideas for Caregivers

Brain injury is a global issue. Rehabilitation providers must be ready to help people who speak different languages and who come from diverse cultures. In these two interviews Caron Gan, RN, a marriage and family therapist, and neuropsychologist Tedd Judd share their experiences supporting families from different backgrounds.
Watch Caron Gan Interview >>
Watch Dr. Tedd Judd Interview >>

May Is Month of the Military Spouse
In honor of Month of the Military Spouse, we highlight two of our videos about marriage and intimacy after TBI. Both presentations are honest, insightful — and full of humor, too.

Avoiding Guilt and Blame
When someone in your family sustains a TBI, dealing with the overwhelming emotions can be difficult. Survivors and their family members often feel intense anger, sadness, or loss. "Avoiding Guilt and Blame," created by the National Resource Center for Traumatic Brain Injury, Virginia Commonwealth Model Systems of Care, includes a short self-assessment plus practical information on how to cope with these feelings.
Read more >>

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Inspiring Stories

During a grenade attack in Iraq, Army Specialist Robert Andrzejczak lost his left leg above the knee. He also sustained a mild traumatic brain injury. After just a handful of months in rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Robert is not only walking with confidence on his prosthesis but he is helping other wounded service members by sharing his story and strength.

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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 capital.

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-09-C-0026. 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.