WHAT IS A BRAIN INJURY?

A brain injury (BI) is damage to the brain from an internal event (ex: stroke, anoxia, aneurysm, carbon monoxide poisoning) or external forces (ex: assaults, motor vehicle accidents, falls, sport injuries) resulting in impairments to functioning (ex: speech & language, motor & physical functioning, attention, memory, speed of processing, psychological behavior).

DID YOU KNOW?

  • More than half a million Colorodans are living with a brain injury
  • More than 250,000 of those have sustained a moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (loss of consciousness over 30 min)
  • In 2019 there were nearly 20,000 ED visits and nearly 5,000 hospitalizations for TBIs in CO
  • No two brain injuries are alike
  • Each year 62,000 children are hospitalized due to a brain injury.
  • Brain injury is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents in the US.
  • 435,000 children between the ages of 0 to 14 visit emergency departments due to a brain injury.
  • 37,000 children between the ages of 0 to 14 are hospitalized every year due to a brain injury.

CONCUSSION AWARENESS DAY IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Events

CDHS Webinar For School Professionals

As educators, your students’ well-being is of utmost importance. Join us for a crucial session with experts Karen McAvoy, PsyD and Toni Grishman, RN, BSN where we’ll discuss points of vulnerability in school concussion protocols and how to address them effectively.  You might believe your school has a solid concussion protocol, but there could be areas of vulnerability that require attention. Let our experts guide you through a comprehensive assessment to ensure your school’s readiness in supporting students with concussions.

Stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in concussion management. Our speakers will provide insights to help you make informed decisions and implement evidence-based changes.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscuirrj4uHtNoAeh0CVPw5MEorLh3SQjg

For inquiries, please contact:  Toni Grishman grishman_t@cde.state.co.us 

Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to strengthen your school’s concussion support system. Join us as we work together to create a safer environment for our students and ensure their well-being during their academic journey.

 

Resources

Brain Injury Association of America’s website: https://concussionawarenessnow.org/

Concussion Awareness Training Tool: https://cattonline.com/

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado: https://biacolorado.org/concussion-protocol/

MEET BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Ben

Bennett Genzel suffered a head injury at the age of four. A fall in a playground that was dismissed at the time.

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Jules

I’m Jules Bryant. I’m an unorganized mess. My executive functioning skills are very poor despite all the cognitive therapy I’ve had. Six years ago, my PA referred me to have what I call ECT torture treatments done.

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Maria

I received my first concussion as a youth riding a motorbike, it was the beginning of my journey with brain injuries. Throughout my life I have experienced concussions related to high impact sports.

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Nadine

My daughter passionately played basketball since the age of 8 and sustained multiple concussions while playing with the last one resulting in a diagnosis of mTBI when she was a freshman in high school.

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KID’S CORNER

RESOURCES

BRAIN INJURY STATISTICS IN COLORADO

  • Colorado ranks 9th in the nation of fatalities due to a TBI and 13th in the nation of hospitalizations due to a TBI
  • Almost 5,000 individuals are hospitalized and nearly 1,000 die due to a TBI in Colorado each year
  • 23,500 emergency room visits each year are due to a TBI
  • Males are twice as likely to sustain a TBI in Colorado as females
  • The age groups with the highest risk of sustaining a TBI in Colorado are 15-24 and 65+
  • Each year, 2,200 individuals continue to experience disability one year after hospitalization for a TBI

More Colorado Statistics

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EVENTS

BI Month Events for 2023 have expired. Please check back next year.

RESOURCES

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