On Friday I toured the Durham VA OT Department as part of my fieldwork preparation. I learned that TBI is the "signature injury" for the military serving in the Perisan Gulf and Afghanistan. According to the Brain Trauma Foundation, between 150,000 and 300,00 military personnel have experienced some form of a TBI. Many of these service members do not take the injury seriously and do not seek treatment right away after an explosion. It is part of the service member's nature to be strong and get back to work as soon as possible.
The Brain Trauma Foundation is developing new technology to determine if an individual has received a TBI in the combat zone. Medical personnel will be able to determine if a service member has received a TBI and start treatment immediately.
The lead story for the News & Observer on February 6, 2011 was "Hobbled Vets Regain Sense of Self Through Active Living". Staff writer Martha Quillin writes "It's one of the cruel tricks modern combat injuries play on soldiers. Healed from their visible wounds, they look like their strong, confident, active former selves. They just can't figure out how to be those people anymore." The story goes on to say how important it is for the service members to find a purpose and learn to live life to the fullest with a TBI. OT is extremely important for these individuals.
TBIs can be devastating to anyone, but especially to a strong, young person serving his/her country. We need to do a better job supporting our servicemen and servicewomen.
References: newsobserver.com
braintrauma.org
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