In time for Brain Awareness Week, March 12-18, an article by the Center for Brain Health in a recent newsletter focuses on Traumatic Brain Injury and its effects.
Heroes on the Water has served thousands of injured active duty military and veterans, and over the past four years has helped many of them realize breakthroughs while dealing with the challenges of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through kayak fishing and the outdoors.
This article helps us to better understand the challenges many of our veterans face upon returning home and in reintegrating with society.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. With military members, this is often the result of a concussive blast or explosion. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain.
Read more about TBI here
http://veterans.vermont.gov/healthcare/tbi
http://veterans.vermont.gov/healthcare/tbi
http://www.oasas.ny.gov/tbi/severity.cfm
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm
Heroes on the Water Impact:
“I will never forget one of the kids we took fishing on the coast,” said Jim Dolan, HOW’s national coordinator. “He was totally lost in whatever had happened to him in the Middle East and, when he responded to our questions, his responses usually consisted of one word. “The first fish that he caught resulted in a big grin. Forty eight hours and several fish later, he was looking us in the eye and speaking in three or four word sentences. We didn’t cure that kid but we put a crack in the shell where he was able to see something other than his own problems.”
Freedom Captured.
Awareness of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury is growing. Americans with family and friends that have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan understand first hand the challenges our country's men and women face as they transition back into society. Being out on the water kayak fishing has a very calming effect on an individual and aids in the healing process. A great opportunity for our injured military folks - thank you to all who make it possible!
ReplyDeleteKyle was the first warrior that I saw a marked change in. From that point I knew we were doing something very good with HOW.
ReplyDelete@Cory Routh: Thanks for your Comment. Glad that you felt that way.
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