Traumatic brain injuries are a serious health problem in the population at large – each year, nearly 1.7 million people are estimated to be affected by brain injuries (whether traumatic or not). And yet, unfortunately, there’s still a dearth of collective knowledge, and even conversation, surrounding this issue. People simply don’t talk about it, and the media is even less inclined to focus on the true extent of brain injuries.

When such a large percentage of the population is affected with something so life-altering, it’s time to do something about it. It’s time to disseminate awareness and education amongst our communities – after all, chances are that you know and love someone who’s struggling with a traumatic brain injury (or TBI).

One of the best ways to become more aware and educated on the issues surrounding traumatic brain injuries is to join a support group! Here are the top five reasons to seek out a TBI support group.

• Brain injuries can be inherently isolating, and it can help to have a community afterwards.
• Family members and friends can become more educated about what the TBI survivor in their lives has gone through.
• Education is a critical part of the advocacy process, by which survivors can build awareness and acceptance in their lives.
• Building a support network is important during this time.
• Knowledge is power!

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about the reasons to seek out a TBI support group? Don’t hesitate to contact TryMunity. Here at TryMunity, we provide a vast, comprehensive web of resources for just that! We also have several support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you, and offer our assistance.

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury, the last thing you want to do is have to figure out all the terminology that goes along with it — particularly when it comes to rehab specialists. Here, we’ve outline what exactly a rehabilitation specialist does:

People with disabilities, whether physical or emotional, often need a particular type of support to be able to live independently — particularly those people that have experienced a TBI. This is where rehabilitation counselors come in. They help individuals cope with the effects of their disabilities as they relate to independent living. Without the services of these counselors, many people who are quite capable of living on their own would instead be forced to live in some type of a care facility. Research has shown that when people can be supported to live independently they are far healthier, are less reliant on family caregivers, and are more productive members of society as a whole.

And, rehabilitation is a team effort. The team of traumatic brain injury rehabilitation specialists usually includes physiatrists, neurologists, rehabilitation nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, social workers, recreational therapists, and case managers. This team seeks to reduce disability in certain areas that can crop up, post-TBI.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about how to understand the roles of rehabilitation specialists? Don’t hesitate to contact TryMunity. Here at TryMunity, we provide a vast, comprehensive web of resources for just that! We also have several support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you, and offer our assistance.

Returning to work after a traumatic brain injury can be daunting and incredibly challenging. TryMunity is here to help! Here are some tips for how to look for work after a TBI.

• Help your union promote a “Return-to-Work” policy for injured workers.
• Work with your doctors and your employer to prioritize tasks, timelines, hours of work, and even location of work, i.e., telecommute. Allow extra time for completion of tasks, and when necessary negotiate for additional time, and /or support services.
• Familiarize yourself with your employer’s policies on rehabilitation, re-employment and assistance for job re-entry.
• Federal law requires that disabled workers be given reasonable accommodations concerning re-employment.
• Educate your employer concerning the types of accommodations you need to help make your return to work efficient, and productive for all parties.
• Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers. Discuss the types of  support and assistance that they can offer to assist you in your return to work
• If you are a member of a union, help them to help you. You can make a difference not only for yourself and your co-workers, but for future generations.
• Work together and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety practices.
• Make workplace safety foremost in the minds of your co-workers. Join with them in sticking to the practices.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about how to look for work after a TBI? Don’t hesitate to contact TryMunity. Here at TryMunity, we provide a vast, comprehensive web of resources for just that! We also have several support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you, and offer our assistance.

Do you know someone who has suffered from a traumatic brain injury? If so, it can be difficult to know what to say. However, here are five things NOT to say to someone who has been afflicted with a TBI:

1. “Maybe you should be more active.” Often, especially in the days and weeks just after recovery, a person with a TBI may demonstrate signs of being sluggish and apathetic. But, this is far from being abnormal.
2. “Maybe your problem is that you take too many medications.” Blaming anything on medications is never a good idea. Why? Because you’re not a doctor, and by blaming meds for anything, you could stop someone from taking an important drug prematurely.
3. “I will do that for you.” Encouraging the TBI survivor in your life to do things on his or her own is crucial. Regaining independence is a vital part of the recovery process!
4. “You should just be grateful that you’re alive.” Telling someone that they’re lucky to be alive and that they should just be grateful is not helpful — for anyone.
5. “You seem perfectly okay to me.” There are many, many invisible signs of  the TBI recovery process. By telling someone they seem okay when they aren’t feeling that way will only lead to hurt feelings.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about things not to say to someone recovering from a TBI? Don’t hesitate to contact TryMunity. Here at TryMunity, we provide a vast, comprehensive web of resources for just that! We also have several support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you, and offer our assistance.

If you know someone who’s been affected by a TBI, then you know that this can be a very difficult time – both for the TBI survivor, as well as his or her family members. You may be wondering how you can help (or if you can help, at all). First, the answer is YES – you can certainly do your part to help! Here are some helpful ways to support a family that has been affected by a traumatic brain injury:

• Make food. Cooking and bringing food over to the family is always a great idea. There’s no better way to show you care than through homecooked food!
• Read up on traumatic brain injuries. Another excellent way to support the family? Read up on what they’re going through!
• Help them find a supportive community for TBI survivors. There are people out there experiencing the same challenges – help the family find their fellow TBI community.
• Check in on them frequently. One of the best things you can do is to check in on the family from time to time, to let them know they aren’t forgotten.
• Just show up. Sometimes, one of the best things we can do for loved ones that have been affected by a TBI is to simply show up.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about how to support a family that’s been affected by a TBI? Don’t hesitate to contact TryMunity. Here at TryMunity, we provide a vast, comprehensive web of resources for just that! We also have several support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you, and offer our assistance.