Brain injury is common, but can be prevented in Alaska

Members of the Alaska Brain Injury Network are in Talkeetna this week holding their quarterly business meeting.  As Amanda Randles reports, the group holds their meetings in different places throughout the state and uses the time as outreach toward those who have suffered brain injuries.

listen to full story [audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1TBI229.mp3|titles=1TBI229]

Traumatic Brain Injuries can be caused by automobile accidents, falls on the ice, assaults, almost anything.   But unlike broken bones or visible blood, brain injuries can be virtually invisible, and often go untreated or undertreated.  But brian injuries can have pervasive, long lasting effects on the victims – they can include speech problems, memory problems, even what appears to be large changes in personality.  Richard Rainery, Interim Executive Director of the Alaska Brain Injury network, says that Traumatic Brain Injury can be caused by many things, but the most common are automobile accidents, along with ATV and snowmachine accidents.

cut 1 0:34 “Alaska is a hot bed, if you will….the way they lead their lives.”

Rainery says the rate of brain injuries in rural parts of the state is far higher than the urban areas, which is why the network likes to hold their quarterly meetings in various communities – to get information out about what they do; and to give residents of that area a chance to communicate with them.

The Alaska Brain Injury Network exists to provide advocacy, develop services for those who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries and and their families, as well as offer a referal service towards other available services.

Rainery says the first step, however, is prevention:

cut 2 0:33 “The helmet is the ….. pay attention to that

While in Talkeetna, the members of the network have held open information sessions and public testimony, as well as holding their regular business meetings.  More information and assistance for those suffering from a brain injury can be found at Alaskabraininjury.net.