Making Cents by Saving a Head
The situations below are true and typical but the names have been changed to protect their identities.
Several years ago Edie drove from Eureka to Fortuna for a holiday party. It was a gathering of 8 or 9 friends who enjoyed the usual holiday snacks, winter casseroles, some wine and passing the bong. A few hours later, she headed home on Highway 101, ran off the road near College of the Redwoods and hit a tree. Edie became unconscious because her head had struck the windshield. A passing driver witnessed the crash and called 911. Although her head injury was considered relatively mild, things were never the same for Edie. The immediate medical treatment totaled $300,000.00 and in the coming months her inability to concentrate cut short her plans to become an architect. Her brain injury resulted in years of medical and mental treatment that over her lifetime would cost millions of dollars.
Jimmy got a new skateboard for Christmas. When his parents weren’t looking, he took off his helmet. He said it was uncomfortable and he didn’t want to stand out amongst his friends. While jumping a curb, he fell and hit his head. Jimmy sustained a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) leaving him unable to remember his friends, his family and for a while, even his name. He grew up and was able to hold jobs for short spans of time but his memory lapses and low tolerance for frustration resulted in losing most jobs. His poor judgment led him into petty theft and several stints in jail. The TBI caused Jimmy’s speech to slur and many, including the police thought he was drunk. Chronic headaches resulted in the constant need for pain medication and a cycle of suffering and expense to social services and law enforcement began.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a blow to the head from an external source causing damage to the brain. It is often known as “concussion” in its milder, more temporary form. Over a lifetime, the average cost of a TBI is 4-5 million dollars.
In a difficult economy, the holidays can bring us back to our most basic values. Through sobriety and forethought, 85% of all TBI is preventable. Preventing Brain Injury can be our most precious gift because it is the gift of a lifetime.
Gail Pascoe is founder and Executive Director of Making Headway Center for Brain Injury Recovery. She has over 30 years of experience in Brain Injury prevention and treatment.