Brain injury is a leading cause of disability and affects the lives and livelihoods of nearly two million people in the U.S. every year. Previously, it was believed that the window for brain recovery was at most one year after injury, but our brains are both resilient and regenerative, and research has shown that the brain can be repaired months and years after injury if the right intervention is applied…
On November 19, 2014 Rep. Williams from Texas asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for 5 minutes to talk about Brain Health:
“The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) for 5 minutes.
Mr. WILLIAMS.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous work of the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas and its Brain Performance Institute. Not only do their programs and research benefit the public, they have a team that specifically focuses on serving Active Duty serv ice mem bers, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers.
More than 2.5 million men and women have admirably worn the uniform to protect America’s freedom since 9/11. Sadly, nearly 20 percent of them come back from Iraq and Afghanistan with *PTSD or major depression. More than 250,000 serv ice mem bers have sustained a traumatic brain injury in the last decade.
This ring that I wear is a sobering reminder that 22 serv ice mem bers or veterans commit suicide each and every day. Something has to be done to help these heroes battle their inner enemies, and that is where the Brain Health team comes in.
The Brain Health team is dedicated to creating public and private partnerships to not only eliminate the stigma often associated with PTSD or TBI, but to improve treatment and access to that treatment. This team is essentially retraining brains to build their resilience, regeneration, and reverse losses in mental capacity, giving these men and women the opportunity to overcome the trauma of war and pursue a happy and healthy future.
The Center for Brain Health and Brain Performance has provided scientifically proven programs to more than 500 warriors in seven States, including my home State of Texas. The institute’s service to our troops is outstanding. They are the perfect example of America’s commitment to take care of our warriors and their families, and I am proud to recognize their good works.
In God we trust.”
Source: Congressional Record
*Note: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you have gone through an extreme emotional trauma that involved the threat of injury or death.
See video: BrainHealthVeteranResearch.mov http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KknFX20C8l0#t=11
See related video: Traumatic Brain Injury Panel – Center of BrainHealth Summit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx1UziXZ5sY