In last month's blog, we talked about a few of the conditions people who use complex rehab are living with. Today, we're going to take a closer look at another one of these conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI.
TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States, contributing to about 30% of all injury deaths.
Every day, 138 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI. Those who survive a TBI can face effects lasting a few days to disabilities which may last the rest of their lives. In 2010, about 2.5 million emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, or deaths were associated with TBI—either alone or in combination with other injuries—in the United States.
A TBI is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. A rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head, which can force the brain to move back and forth inside the skull, can also cause TBI.
Effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression). Many times, those who have experienced TBI lose motor skill function, and as a result, they rely on complex rehab technology to help them with everyday life.
Here at NCART, we fight to make sure that those who have suffered from TBI continue to receive Medicare coverage for their medically-necessary wheelchairs. We encourage you to contact your representatives in congress to let them know that they should support Medicare funding for complex rehab technology.
We would also like to recognize the work of the Brain Injury Association of America for their contributions to this cause. They are the voice of advocacy on Capitol Hill for those who have suffered from brain injuries.
NCART would also like to recognize the work of the Brain Injury Network for bringing awareness to the rights and issues of those who are living with brain injuries.
March 19, 2016 by NCART