Question:
From what I understand Tennessee has some parts of Debi's idea. We have a registry and we have a Tramatic Brain injury program run by the department of Health. At that office there is a medical social worker who trys to help with questions and problems. From what I see is that these resources are not being advertised(?????) People are still being told by the neurologist's that things wil get better with time and things like its only depression. These people only seem to get involved in MAJOR trauma or as clean up people after a life is screwed up. We are tring to start a community resourse program, they might have the funding next year. Again it would be 1 person for 20+ counties. I am hoping to work with our state BIA (Brain Injury Assocation) and the ILC (Independent Living Center) The Disability Resourse Center to try to provide some of these services.

Answer: To add to what Donna is saying, The Brain Injury Assocation is now in the interview process hiring a person who will provide supportive services in the Middle Tennessee Area. Unfortunatly, in the early stages there will not be any hard research done because it will be our goal to provide support as a person goes through their life over the next few years. I like that too Vicki. We often forget to tell our doctors things and if we tell them later or at inappropriate times we come off like hypocondriacs (sp?).

The following is one of the recommendations I made to the AMA:

All providers should be required to collect and report brain injury data and the demographics about the person who had the brain injury to a single agency. This will assure up to date and accurate statistics to ascertain the cost of brain injury on society and develop a better understanding of the outcome from brain injury.