Nonprofit Spotlight on the Brain Injury Association of Michigan

"Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone: Brain Injuries Do Not Discriminate."

That's the theme the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) is using to promote brain injury Awareness this month.

At least 1.7 million people each year are affected by a traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Of those 1.7 million: 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized and 1.3 million (about 80 percent) are treated and released from an emergency department.

BIAMI, located in Brighton, was founded 31 years ago by families and professionals to provide support for people with brain injuries and their families, according to BIAMI President Michael Dabbs. There are currently 20 chapters statewide that provide that support function.

The BIAMI also exists to educate, support research and advocate on the behalf of those suffering from brain injuries, both on an individual basis and through public policy.

"There is only one cure for brain injury as we know it today: prevention," Dabbs said. "Because a person who sustains a brain injury is likely to have some lifelong impact."

The Brain Injury Association defines the most common causes of brain injury being car crashes, falls, sports injuries (concussions) and violence. However, Dabbs said it can include brain tumors and cancer as well.

Dabbs believes that the significance of brain injuries has come to public attention in the past decade mainly because of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We saw many of our soldiers coming home seriously injured. In fact, brain injuries became known as the signature wound of the wars of Iraq and Afghanisan. And that led to greater awareness. Even in sports, with the NFL leading the way of sports concussions. That too, is a brain injury. A lot of people don't realize that."

The Brain Injury Association says that 75 percent of brain injuries that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild brain injury.

"It's absolutely imperative that a person rests after receiving a concussion," Dabbs said. "And it's not only not playing sports, they have to avoid going to school. They may have to literally stay home and rest. And by resting, I don't mean playing video games. Because that video game is causing the brain to work. That doesn't help. We're talking true rest -- not reading  in a dimly lit room until the brain is truly healed. If the brain is re-injured, quite frankly, it could lead to death."

Dabbs said the nonprofit organization is currently working on statewide youth sports concussion legislation along with the Michigan High School Sports Association.

Who's at risk for brain injuries?

• Children 0-4 years
• Adolescents aged 15-19 years
• Adults aged 65 years and older

Dabbs said that falls result in a largest number of brain injuries, especially for young children and senior citizens.

Brain injury resulting from car crashes are seen more among 15 to 24-year-olds, Dabbs said.

Prevention Tips

• Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
• Buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child's height, weight, and age).
• Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Wear a helmet and making sure your children wear helmets when:
  • Riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, or all-terrain vehicle
  • Playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing
  • Using in-line skates or riding a skateboard
  • Batting and running bases in baseball or softball
  • Riding a horse
  • Skiing or snowboarding
• Make living areas safer for seniors, by:
  • Removing tripping hazards such as throw rugs
  • Using nonslip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors
  • Installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower
  • Installing handrails on both sides of stairways
  • Improving lighting throughout the home
• Make living areas safer for children, by:
  • Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows
  • Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around
  • Making sure the surface on your child's playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood mulch or sand

For more information about brain injury, visit BIAMI online at www.biami.org.