Brain Injury Rehab Florida – The Brain Injury Association of America estimates that more than 3.6 million Americans (children and adults) have sustained a TBI (traumatic brain injury). Moreover, nearly 795,000 people have suffered an acquired brain injury (ABI) from non-traumatic causes. The data is terrifying, especially taking into account all the effects brain injuries have on the injured and their families.

Some of the physical and cognitive impacts of TBI may be permanent, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot do anything more to help TBI patients. There are actually a LOT of things that we can do to help bring back quality and a sense of normalcy to the patients' and families’ lives. One great example is by supporting the National Brain Injury Awareness Month.

For more than three decades, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has proudly led the nation in observing National Brain Injury Awareness Month by conducting an engaging public awareness campaign in March of each year. The theme for this year’s campaign is #MoreThanMyBrainInjury.

The #MoreThanMyBrainInjury public awareness campaign provides a platform for educating the general public about the incidence of brain injury and the needs of people with brain injuries and their families. Individuals who join us to help raise awareness with the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign are essential to:

• De-stigmatizing brain injury through outreach within the brain injury community
• Empowering those who have survived brain injury and their caregivers
• Promoting the many types of support available to people living with brain injury.

To honor this year’s Brain Injury Month, here are some simple ways how you can participate and help spread awareness.

1. Educate yourself

Change starts within yourself. So, if you want people to change their perspective on TBI, then you should work on developing your perception first. One way to do that is by learning about traumatic brain injuries and their effect on their victims.

In our past article, we discussed everything there is to know about traumatic brain injuries一what it is, its types, causes, and available treatment options. We also covered the impact and consequences of TBI on an individual’s life, such as:

• Cognitive impairment (long- or short-term memory loss, difficulty learning and memorizing new things, short attention span, speech problems, lack of concentration, problems with reading and writing)
• Neurological impairment (difficulty with walking, coordination, or balance; loss of taste, hearing, vision, or smell; insomnia; fatigue)
• Behavioral changes (anger, frustration, impatience, reduced self-esteem, impulsivity, anxiety, PTSD, apathy)
• Lifestyle consequences.

Understanding TBI on a whole new level can help you protect yourself and your loved ones by recognizing early signs and symptoms. It also allows you to develop empathy for patients and families affected by the condition. 

2. Impart your knowledge about traumatic brain injury

Everyone needs to know about TBI and how common it is. It is not only to raise awareness for traumatic brain injury but also to bring attention to the patients who struggle with the consequences of the trauma every single day. Their struggles range from limited abilities to reduced mobility to diminished cognitive skills. 

Discussing it with your parents, children, and relatives can encourage them to be an advocate and an ally for healing. It also breaks the stigma surrounding traumatic brain injury, thus helping improve the lives of patients diagnosed with it. 

Some topics that you can focus on include emergency responses to concussion, causes of TBI, and how to prevent it. 

3. Raise awareness on social media

Social media can be a powerful tool in raising awareness. With one click, you can easily share informative publication materials about TBI, distribute downloadable resources or share a friend’s TBI healing journey.

You can also join forums and start a healthy conversation about this condition and why patients need their help. If you have the time and resources, you can even invite a speaker and host a free webinar to impart credible information regarding brain injuries.

4. Donate 

If you have the financial capacity for it, another way to show solidarity is by donating to a local organization or group that supports traumatic brain injury patients. 

Every cent can help fund the recovery and rehabilitation of TBI patients who lack the financial means to afford their medical treatment. Non-profit research groups can also use your donation to support their medical research regarding traumatic brain injuries. 

Of course, these charities and organizations also accept in-kind donations, such as clothes, food, medicines, and other items that can help patients and families.

5. Participate in fundraisers and events

One search on the internet can easily lead you to national events or local fundraisers that support the cause of TBI patients. For example, you can participate in marathons for a cause, purchase goods in their bake sale, or buy for sale items in garage sales.

6. Volunteer

If you want to take your commitment to the next level, then you can show support by volunteering in TBI-related events and activities. Sign up to be a part of an organizing committee or start your own event with the help of friends and family.

You can also volunteer your professional services to your trusted, non-profit organizations for TBI patients. For example, if you are a health worker (e.g., doctor, therapist), then you can volunteer on medical missions or rehabilitation programs to serve those who cannot afford medical treatments. 

If your expertise lies in the creative department, you can volunteer your artistic services to an organization by providing free digital graphics or writing an informational blog about TBI. These efforts can help non-profit groups efficiently raise awareness, which benefits individuals and families affected by brain injuries.

7. Open up about your own experiences

For traumatic brain injury patients, nothing is more encouraging than an inspiring story about recovery. So if you or a loved one has any experience in dealing with TBI, then you can tell your story. Sharing one’s own experiences, struggles, and coping techniques can help a lot of patients and families. Some examples of the things you can share include:

• You can share a bit of helpful advice on how you worked on improving or managing specific symptoms of TBI. 
• If you’re a family member, you can strengthen others by sharing your experiences dealing with the behavioral changes that come with TBI. You can educate others on what to expect and do during specific behavioral episodes.
• You can create a video or written story on your battle against TBI. You can share with others by posting it on social media, uploading it on Youtube, or giving talks on TBI-related events.

For someone diagnosed with a TBI, knowing that they’re not alone in this makes such a huge difference in their outlook in life. Moreover, it can bring a lot of hope and positive influence on their commitment towards recovery and healing.

So, we encourage you to go to the Brain Injury Association of America’s Campaign Page ‘#MoreThanMyBrainInjury’ and get involved!

How we show our support

In our facility, we do our best to make the healing process go as smoothly as possible by making our patients’ needs a priority. 

The brain injury rehabilitation program at NeuLife offers a full continuum of services for patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), non-traumatic/mild brain injury (MBI), or acquired brain injury (ABI) including stroke. The comprehensive program at our brain injury facility encompasses the unique needs of each patient and family. The team focuses on maximizing abilities, providing education, increasing mobility, and preventing complications.

So if you're looking for a neuro rehab near me, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert therapists and medical professionals. 

Rehabilitation for Brain Injury – About NeuLife Rehab

NeuLife Rehabilitation is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. As a CARF Accredited Residential Rehabilitation Program and Brain Injury Specialty Program, NeuLife is continuously evaluated and measured for success. 

We strive to consistently provide the highest standard of care in delivering quality clinical rehabilitative services to patients with catastrophic injuries and other challenging diagnoses to produce superior outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served. 

Our brain injury rehabilitation program includes clinical evaluations, medical care, and therapeutic activities that are customized to meet the goals, needs, and abilities of each patient. 

By leveraging various rehabilitation services, we can create an integrated approach focused on helping each patient recover skills associated with activities of daily living (ADLs) using compensatory strategies and mobility aids to achieve a seamless transition into the community. Every component of the treatment plan is customized to the individual patient for guaranteed results. 

We also offer post acute rehabilitation and catastrophic rehabilitation for other types of injuries. If you would like more information about NeuLife Rehabilitation Services, please contact us at 800-626-3876.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.