March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. In this episode of This Caregiver Life, we are joined by health scientist Roxana E. Delgado, Ph.D., a national advocate and the wife of Sergeant First Class retired Victor L. Medina, MRC, CRC, a combat-wounded, Purple Heart Recipient veteran. She assumed the caregiving role, which has inspired her advocacy work and career path. With over a decade of experience in military medical research in the areas of health and wellbeing, most recently working with military families and caregivers, Roxana is active in the military and veteran caregiver community and is an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow Alumni representing the State of Texas. She is a co-author of “The Caregivers Companion” book and serves as an advisor to several organizations aiming to improve the health, wellbeing and national policies for wounded, ill and injured veterans and their families.
During our conversation with Roxana, we explore the multi-layered topic of Traumatic Brain Injury, known as TBI. What is TBI? A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” (i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury).
People with TBI may experience moderate to severe disabilities that can interfere with their regular activities and quality of life.
Cognitive function (e.g., impaired attention or memory);
Motor function (e.g., extremity weakness or poor coordination and balance);
Sensation (e.g., loss of hearing, vision, perception, or touch); and
Emotion (e.g., depression, anxiety, aggression, loss of impulse control, or personality changes).Caring for a loved one with TBI can be challenging, exhausting, and sometimes even overwhelming. In this episode, we discuss those challenges, tactics for coping, and ways we can all support those in our community who are living with TBI.
Learn more about how our sponsor, TBI Warrior Foundation, and their mission to improve the quality of life of veterans, civilians, and children living with brain injury and their caregivers, through community integration, education, and advancement programs. https://www.tbiwarriorfoundation.org
Read more about the Brain Injury Association of America's March Awareness #ChangeYourMind campaign: https://www.biausa.org/events/march-is-brain-injury-awareness-month
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