 The mission of the Brain Injury Association of Vermont is to create a better future for Vermonters with brain injury and their families through prevention, education, advocacy and support. Our vision is to bring Vermont to a place where brain injuries are prevented and those who already have a brain injury can get all the help they need.
Toll-Free Helpline: 1-877-856-1772
 The Brain Injury Association of Vermont’s 7th Annual Walk for Thought Saturday, June 20, 2009 @ 9am
Oakledge Park • Burlington, Vermont Please visit our Walk for Thought page for more information on this annual event. Download the Walk for Thought Registration Brochure Download the Walk for Thought Team Captain Packet Get involved by becoming a SPONSOR for the Walk for Thought
B r a i n I n j u r y C a n b e P r e v e n t e d !! The Facts: A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. -
Each year, as many as 3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur in this country. -
Athletes who have had at least one concussion are at increased risk for another concussion. -
A repeat concussion that happens before the brain fully recovers from the first can result in brainswelling, permanent brain damage, and even death. This is called “second impact syndrome.” After an impact to the head, a person with a brain injury can experience a variety of symptoms, but not necessarily all of the following symptoms. This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or examination. A person with a suspected brain injury should contact a physician immediately, go to the emergency room, or call 911 in the case of an emergency. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can include, but are not limited to:
- Spinal fluid (thin water-looking liquid) coming out of the ears or nose
- Loss of consciousness; however, loss of consciousness may not occur in some concussion cases
- Dilated (the black center of the eye is large and does not get smaller in light)or unequal size of pupils
- Vision changes (blurred vision or seeing double, not able to tolerate bright light, loss of eye movement, blindness)
- Dizziness, balance problems
- Respiratory failure (not breathing)
- Coma (not alert and unable to respond to others) or semicomatose state
- Paralysis, difficulty moving body parts, weakness, poor coordination
- Slow pulse
- Slow breathing rate, with an increase in blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Lethargy (sluggish, sleepy, gets tired easily)
- Headache
- Confusion
- Ringing in the ears, or changes in ability to hear
- Difficulty with thinking skills (difficulty “thinking straight”, memory problems, poor judgment, poor attention span, a slowed thought processing speed)
- Inappropriate emotional responses (irritability, easily frustrated, inappropriate crying or laughing)
- Difficulty speaking, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing
- Body numbness or tingling
- Loss of bowel control or bladder control
Neuro-Resource Facilitation Neuro-Resource Facilitation is a case management approach that focuses on developing partnerships to help individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), their families and communities access information, services and supports. A Neuro-Resource (NR) Facilitator can provide you with valuable information on TBI and help you apply for available services and benefits. An NR Facilitator can also help you access additional TBI funds that can be used to support independenence. Click Here to download the NRF / TBI Application. For more information, please calll our Toll-Free Helpline 1-877-856-1772.
Brain Injury Advocacy Day at the Vermont State House Thursday, February 5th, 2009 was Brain Injury Advocacy Day at the Vermont State House. The BIAVT staff and members of the TBI community worked very hard to educate Legislators and Policy Makers about the needs of Vermonters with brain injury and their families. The BIAVT would like to thank everyone who attended this event and for helping raise awareness of Brain Injury.  From left to right: Trevor Squirrel - Executive Director Megan Wright - Information & Referral Specialist Jessica LeBlanc - Office Administrator Anna King - TBI Survivor / Advocate Alysha Wood - Pride Inc. Ted Stachulski - Veterans Outreach Specialist Dedicated members of the Brain Injury Association of Vermont (BIAVT) work together to increase the public's awareness of brain injury and its consequences, develop support systems, encourage appropriate rehabilitation for survivors and disseminate information about brain injury. BIAVT believes that everyone who faces life after brain injury deserves the opportunity to achieve maximum functioning. BIAVT advocates for statewide public and private services and the funding to pay for them. We advocate for and with people who have sustained a brain injury and their family members by responding to their challenges and representing their concerns through legislative efforts and active support of programs created for their needs. The Association participates with the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR), State TBI Program and other state agencies, and the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) program in efforts to improve Vermont’s capacity to support and serve Vermonters experiencing brain injury and their families. Click Here to download the Advocacy Day Talking Points
 21st Annual Vermont Brain Injury Conference
Save the date!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center - South Burlington, Vermont Please visit our Brain Injury Conference page for more information on this annual event.
Bookstore The Brain Injury Association of Vermont is a non-profit organization receiving its funding from grants, membership, fundraising events and donations. Through the generosity of many we have been able to raise awareness, increase prevention and develop needed programs that have supported families and survivors. It is our hope that our participation in the Lash & Associates Bookstore Affiliation Program will further these endeavors. When you use the link below and place an order on their website, Lash and Associates will contribute a percentage of the sale to us to support our programs and services for persons with brain injury. Thank You! |
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