March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and the Brain Injury Association of America’s (BIAA) theme for 2021-2023 is #MoreThanMyBrainInjury. The goal of this campaign is to improve understanding of what it is like to live with brain injury. Brain injury is a chronic condition, affecting millions of Americans. Some statistics published by the BIAA highlight the prevalence of brain injury:
- Over 3.6 million people sustain an acquired brain injury (which includes traumatic and non-traumatic) every year.
- Every 9 seconds, someone in the US sustains a brain injury.
- At least 5.3 million Americans live with a TBI-related disability. That’s one in every 60 people.
Leading Causes of TBI
According to the BIAA, the leading causes of TBI are as follows:
- Falls: 47.9%
- Struck by/against something: 17.1%
- Unknown/other: 13.2%
- Motor vehicle: 13.2%
- Assaults: 8.3%
We outlined the typical continuum of care for brain injury survivors in a previous blog. However, as we mentioned earlier, brain injury is a chronic condition. So, what can we do to help those who continue to live with the effects of their brain injury after formal rehab ends? A good place to start is by raising awareness of brain injury.
Raising Awareness
Raising awareness of brain injury is crucial. One place to start is to join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign during the month of March. Speaking up about brain injury helps to:
- Increase awareness of the incidence and prevalence of brain injury.
- Reduce stigma associated with this disease.
- Highlight the diversity of the brain injury community.
- Improve support for the millions of Americans living with brain injury.
In addition to raising awareness, another way to support the brain injury community is to provide quality services that address ongoing needs.
About Our Services
At Lotus Speech & Wellness, we believe in the importance of improving overall wellness in life with brain injury. We provide continued support for cognitive-communication needs by combining speech therapy with the practices of yoga and mindfulness. Our specific services include:
- Skilled speech therapy to address your cognitive and communication goals in the states of Maine and Massachusetts
- Yoga and mindfulness meditation training nationwide
Please reach out to find out more about how you can work with us to highlight your strengths, and help you see that you are more than your brain injury.