Today’s guest post comes from the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, one of our 22 member charities, sharing how you can help support those with brain injury across the state.
As you know, individuals of all ages across the state experience a brain injury including TBI, concussions, strokes, anoxia, aneurysms, infections and more are still too often, unseen, unheard and definitely underserved. The individuals that BIA-NE is currently working with through Resource Facilitation are only a fraction of the total number of our huge, growing diverse population living with long-term effects of an injury to the brain.
We need to hear from you! A brain injury can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time. Please join in the following efforts to increase awareness.
The Brain Injury Advisory Council is collecting vital data about the population living with the effects of a brain injury, family members and professionals. Please take a few minutes and have your experiences anonymously included in a statewide survey here.
Attend the 2019 Living with Brain Injury Summit in Kearney from 1 – 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Individuals living with the effects of a brain injury, family members and professionals are all encouraged to attend the free event.
Check out the presentations and register at www.biane.org for the Annual Brain Injury Conference to be held at the Younes Center in Kearney on Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29, 2019. This year, we have a fantastic line-up of presenters for individuals living with the effects of a brain injury, family members and professionals! Plenty of choices depending on what you want to get out of the conference.
Teens & Twenties Support Group. If you or someone you know experienced a brain injury as a youth, this group was started for you! Meeting on the third Sunday of each month (February 17) from 3-5 p.m., people may join in person at Bergan Mercy in the 4 Season’s room or by Facebook - Omaha Teens & Twenties Concussion/TBI Support Group.
Please contact your Senator to let them know the need for a Nebraska Brain Injury Network that is the intent of LB 642 the Brain Injury Trust Fund, currently in the Appropriations Committee. Hearing has yet to be scheduled. Brain injury impacts every segment of our society. Healthcare, of course, but also education, employment, housing, veteran services, corrections and Medicaid reform.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 we are planning an advocacy event from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Lincoln to recognize March as Brain Injury Awareness Month.. Be the voice your Senators hear at the Capitol in Lincoln.
While it would be wonderful if no one ever had to experience the lasting effects of a brain injury, that isn’t possible. Advances in detection and treatment continue but what is needed is greater awareness.