March 2008 MIM Meeting: Dr. Janene Hawkins- A Silent Epidemic
Dr. Janene Hawkins, a neuropsychologist at Courage Center, specializes in brain injury and we were lucky enough to have her speak at our March MIM Event. Although Dr. Hawkins is a highly valued neuropsychologist at Courage Center, she strolled into our little church basement as though we were a prestigious group of her peers. Right away, you knew this was going to be just so good!
She was our Dr. Oz! Like any good teacher, she had visual aids. She brought along a life-sized model of the brain and used it to demonstrate shaking, rolling, jarring that the brain can receive in an accident or fall. She used it to point out various areas of the brain and how an injury can affect the functions of an area. We learned that the brain has the consistency of jello.
We can’t cure brain injuries so we must prevent them:
- use seat belts
- put kids in car seats
- wear the best helmet you can buy for bike and motorcycle riding, skiing
- leave an abusive relationship before a brain injury happens
- avoid repetitive injuries to the brain
Any part of the brain can be bruised. The brain has a complex wiring system of axon nerve fibers which connects the brain’s billions of neurons. Those fibers can be twisted in a brain injury and can affect different functions of the brain. An injury can occur from a fall or an accident. A concussion is a brain injury. A mild brain injury can result in difficulty remembering things, keeping track of things. It’s important to get to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Typical difficulties experienced after a traumatic brain injury are:
- Physical:
headache, pain, senses damaged, lack of coordination
- Behavioral:
weakened self-control, impulsivity, impaired social skills, inflexibility
- Emotion/personality:
depressed, anxious, fearful, frustrated because of inability to do things as efficiently, worried about not being able to do things, a sense of apathy—lack of engagement with life
- Thinking/memory:
loss of sense of time, confusion, difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering, reasoning
The challenges of a brain injury can affect relationships, resulting in divorce and loss of jobs. Families have to look at whole family systems and explore how to support and help rebuild relationships. People with brain injuries need to look at their strengths and build on those. Build structure into daily life. Declutter the environment. Keep directions simple. Be gentle and patient with each other. Keep chemically free; have the best possible environment for the brain.
The Twin Cities have many resources for traumatic brain injury recovery, such as Courage Center and the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota. BIA offers support groups and education classes as well as many other resources. Courage Center also has many offerings for survivors and families including rehabilitation, physician care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, adapted sports and many other opportunities for involvement as well as psychological and neuropsychological services.
Caregivers need to learn to take care of themselves. Do things that revitalize and relax you. Find relief for yourselves. Have time away from home.
Theresa’s opening prayer reminded us that
- When we struggle
- When we fight
- When we hustle
- Through this life
- We are not alone.
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| Mary Paradis is a long time member of St. Joan of Arc with her husband, Claude. Mary is currently the co-chair of the Mental Illness Ministry. Mary can be reached at claudemaryparadis@comcast.net.
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That was a big message of the evening. We are not alone as we struggle to recover from traumatic brain injury. Give each other support and praise. Know that there are resources to help rebuild lives and learn about those resources. Monday we had one such resource, Dr. Janene L. Hawkins, Psy.D, L.P., ABPP-CN and our Dr. Oz!
