Recent News & Events
Fall 2007 BIATX is actively recruiting new Board members to help further our mission. If you think your could spare a couple hours per week and would like to make a qualitative difference in the lives Texans with brain injury, then we encourage you to join. Most meetings can be attended via teleconference. Besides Board meetings and volunteering for the committee work of your choice, members are “on-call” for two weeks once or twice per year for information and referral. These calls are of great importance since many callers represent people with brain injuries or their families looking for resources. We have a brief on-call tutorial for new members as well. If you are interested in becoming a Board member, please send a resume and statement of intent to us at the address below. One of our Board members will call you with more information. The next Board meeting will be the morning of Saturday, November 10 at Texas State University in San Marcos. TX. We will meet at a location to be determined and then all work the Walk for Thought event later that day. Join us for the fun!
Two Fundraisers for BIATX Planned for this Fall
The Brain Injury Association of Texas is excited to have two fundraisers planned for this fall. These events help to elevate the recognition of our organization, create advocacy regarding brain injury issues and allow for much needed fund raising to continue the Association's operations for the coming years. The first is a joint fundraiser to benefit BIATX and the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation. Join former UT and NFL star Doug English, Lady Longhorns Track coach Bev Kearney and former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd as they host a movie night at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Lake Creek in Austin on Thursday October 4 starting at 7:00 PM. The seats are $100.00 each and include dinner, dessert, tea or coffee and of course a movie in the unique atmosphere of the Alamo Drafthouse. Shoot 'Em Up (2007) is a new action/thriller written and directed by Michael Davis and stars Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci and Paul Giamatti. Seating is limited so an RSVP is strongly urged. Those interedted in attending may call Mike Haynes at (512) 673-7823 or email Mike at mike@lonestarparalysis.org. The second fundraiser is rd BIATX's 3 annual Walk for Thought to be held Saturday November 10 at the Texas State University footbal stadium in San Marcos, Texas. The TSU service fraternity APO is again helping to organize this event that has attracted more sponsors and walkers each year of the event. Application packets are posted on the BIATX web site for those wishing to walk, donate or organize a walk team. Corporate sponsorships are available and provide a unique and effective way for business to prote their goods or services. The Texas Medical Association will also be at the event with their Hard Hats for Little Heads program, a helmet give-away program for youngsters. Additional details will follow, so keep checking the website.
BIATX Survivor of the Year Honored by City of Houston
Jamie Garza, the Brain Injury Association of Texas Survivor of the Year for 2007 and his wife Kathleen Garza were both honored by Houston Mayor Bill White and City Council with an official city proclamation that reads: Jamie and Kathleen Garza Day- July 26, 2007 Traumatic brain injuries (hereinafter referred to as TBI), contributes to a substantial number of deaths and permanent disabilities each year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans, about two percent of the United States population currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living due to TBI. Each year in this country, at least 1.4 million persons sustain a TBI. Lifetime costs of TBI totaled $60 Billion in 2000, including direct medical and indirect costs as lost productivity. In recognition of exceptional courage, determination and tremendous efforts in the continuance of overcoming the many obstacles imposed by brain injuries as presented by the Brain Injury Association of Texas, the City of Houston hereby recognizes and salutes (Continued)
For information, contact
Brain Injury Association of Texas 316 W. 12th Street, Ste 405 Austin, TX 78701 Telephone: (512) 326-1212 Toll Free: (800) 392-0040 Fax: (512) 478-3370 Email: info@biatx.org
(From Page 1) Jaime Garza & Kathleen Garza as survivors. Jaime Garza as Brain Injury Survivor of the Year for 2007 in accordance to the Brain Injury Association for the State of Texas, and Kathleen Garza for her selfless, unconditional nurturing and awareness in bringing this silent epidemic into the light. The City of Houston salutes and commends Jaime & Kathleen Garza on this important occasion, and recognizes them for raising awareness regarding this major health challenge.
Jamie and Kathleen Garza Day: (l to r) Kathleen Garza, Jamie Garza, Houston City Council Member Toni Lawrence. (photo by Skyloft Studios)
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Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Makes DVD Available
The University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, in conjunction with their partners, the Aging and Disability Service Administration (ADSA) and Harborview Medical Center, would like interested parties to have a DVD copy of the new documentary, “Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury”. This 30 minute documentary is the compelling story of four people living with a traumatic brain injury with commentary and insight from experts in the field of traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury affects over a million people a year in the United States and is the signature injury affecting out military personnel in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. It has been called “The Silent Epidemic”. It is hoped this documentary will give voice to those affected by TBI and their families. This documentary can be obtained in a number of ways: Download or view at www.tbi.washington.edu or contact The University of Washington at uwtbi@u.washington.edu
Caught
By Jason Ferguson
BIATX To Provide CEU's On-Line
The Brain Injury Association of Texas is in the process of developing an on-line, web-based educational tool for its members and any individual wishing more information about brain injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment and other issues. The information will be free to all BIATX web site viewers unless continuing education units are needed for professional licensing and certification. These CEU's will be available for a small fee to cover the CEU application expenses and help fund this education initiative. We are currently soliciting interested professionals and providers to submit content for this education project. We are actively looking for content in these core areas:
Caught within my own self, HELP! HELP! HELP! Caught within my own self, I try to yell, can’t, can’t scream for help, I can hear the outside world, and I understand, Quit speaking for me! I try to yell again but no words come out, What happened to me? Who are you? I would tell you who I am if I could. The man in the mirror, is that me? There is some resemblance I can see. Parts of me that worked before aren’t working now, Numb, no feeling! Hey, wake up! The constant spinning is slowing; I think I am catching up. Almost, but not quite there, If I can just get off this treadmill, I could make up ground, I will make it to the light, but for now I will bask in the warmth, It is not so cold in here any more, for I am not alone. A sense of peace and calmness reassures me that I will be okay. Jesus can hear me, why can’t you. Peace
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Brain Injury 101 Brain Injury Prevention Brain Injury Diagnosis and Treatment Post Acute Treatment and Rehabilitation Returning to Home Issues
Subsequent to posting these core content areas, the Association will be making be available additional topics for individual professional disciplines, ethics, advocacy, promising new treatment techniques, etc. BIATX and its Board encourages all members to request specific content areas for future courses. Individuals or providers who provide content will be acknowledged on the website. Additionally and as is available on the current BIATX website provider listing, enhanced acknowledgments linking directly to provider home sites will be available to content providers for an advertising and promotional fee. This represents a novel advertising opportunity for providers to disseminate quality brain injury information, reach 1200 unique web visitors per month and build brand name and goodwill in the Texas brain injury community. If you or your company is interested in this marketing opportunity, please email us. (Content material must be approved by the BIATX Board. The BIATX Board will maintain complete editorial control over content. No advertising or specific product or services endorsements will be allowed in the educational content and materials.) All interested parties should submit an email to info@biatx.org.
WALK FOR THOUGHT SAVE THE DATE
November 10, 2007 Texas State University, Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM