By the time the clock strikes midnight tonight, between 21 and 38 new brain injuries will be sustained by individuals in British Columbia. In the United States, it is anticipated that a brain injury will occur every 21 seconds. These numbers are added to the numbers from the day before, the month before and the year before. The impact and devastation to families and individuals affected by brain injury is staggering.
An injury to the brain is likely to result in death or permanent disability; brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Males are more likely than females to incur a traumatic brain injury and the highest rate of injury occurs between the ages of 15 - 24 years. Over half of all acquired brain injuries are a result of car crashes and each year, over 60 children in Canada die as a result of bicycle related injuries -- a large number of them with brain injury. When wearing a helmet, bicyclists reduce the risk of brain injury by over 80 percent.
Often, it is the families who are left to care for a loved one who has sustained a life-altering injury such as a brain injury. A large number of these individuals never leave their homes and a significant number of brain injury survivors never return to full-time employment.
Brain injuries result in many kinds of physical, cognitive and behavioral/emotional impairments. These may be permanent or temporary. Brain injuries result from falls, blows to the head, physical violence, car crashes and sports. It is imperative that individuals engaging in outdoor activities wear the proper protective gear and become educated in the do's and don'ts of the sport of the their choice. Safety guidelines are not meant to damper your fun, rather they are in place to ensure you have an enjoyable experience.
Families and individuals do not have to walk this road alone. Their are brain injury associations and support groups throughout North America. To find a brain injury association near you, in British Columbia call 1-800-510-3221 and in the United States call the Family Helpline with the Brain injury Association of America at 1-800-444-6443.
Headline is a quarterly publication serving the Brain Injury Community at no charge. It provides families, individuals and professionals with up-to-date articles on research, legal information, survivors profiles and reputable professionals in your area who have experience in serving clients with brain injury.
If you would like to receive Headline (no charge), please contact Mary Lou at mlr@telus.net
Headline is distributed at no cost to subscribers, thanks to our advertisers. If you would like to advertise in Headline, please contact Mike at rossiter@telus.net
