I realize that this is mainly a craft blog, but I need some assistance in getting out some information to any and all that will listen. Brain injuries (concussions) occur daily with our teenagers. And I have found over the past year that most persons are ill-equipped and illiterate about what is involved. I am not just talking about parents but about all the people with whom your child comes in contact(peers, educators, Scout leaders, extracurricular activity leaders). A brain injury is NOT VISIBLE to the normal person but it is VERY REAL to the person who has the injury. I hope by bringing this to your attention you will be more understanding and more knowledgeable should you find yourself or friends in need of help and assistance.
I will be posting several articles over the next few weeks. Please take the time to read and share this information. Thank you.
Brain Injury…aka concussion
"A concussion is a brain injury that
temporarily alters brain functions. It usually is the result of a direct blow
to the head, but it also can be the result of a blow elsewhere on the body that
has sufficient force to affect the head. Most young people are not knocked out
during a head injury, and many do not experience any memory loss. Often, a
concussion does not show up on an MRI or CT scan."
(www.familymedicineassociates.com)
Most of you probably associate a concussion with a
contact sport. We all hear about concussions in professional football - even in
high school sports. But you do not have to be playing a sport to sustain a
concussion.
Another little known fact is that concussions in
children and teens are MORE SERIOUS than in an adult as their brains are still
developing and are more fragile.
I'm sure that our educators are very complacent with
their concussion knowledge. Schools have policies that require a baseline
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test. This
is ONLY an aid. It is not a cure. It is not a solution. THIS DOES NOT INSURE
THAT YOUR CHILD WILL RECEIVE THE HELP HE NEEDS.
I have found that teachers, coaches, trainers, and
school administrators have NO CLUE about BRAIN INJURIES. And furthermore, even with the technology
available to us today, parents are having to educate the educators. Schools
NEED to have workshops for TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, and PARENTS. The school
nurse is often the ONLY person who knows about concussions and as most of you
know, she is not the one who is in daily contact with your child. She has no influence on what is done in the
classroom. The TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS need to be informed and trained because
those are the people who dictate what is being done in the classroom to help a
student with concussion symptoms.
More later.
Memorial Day is a day to honor our men and women who have served and died for our country. We should all be grateful to these persons for keeping our country a free country. Today we still have numerous family members who are away from their families so that we can be safe. 
