Statewide Brain Injury Conference "Life with Brain Injury"

The Brain Injury Alliance of South Carolina (BIASC) and the South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council will be having a Statewide Brain Injury Conference on Thursday, May 14- Friday, May 15 at the Columbia Conference Center, located at:

169 Laurelhurst Ave.
Columbia, SC 29210

The conference objective is to provide a forum for the exchange of information on programs, resources, and best practices in brain injury rehabilitation and services. The conference targets individuals with brain injury, family members, caregivers, and professionals working in the field of brain injury.

To visit The Brain Injury Alliance of SC webpage, please click on the Title above

A college experience is a part of growing up…

Pro Parents (Winter 2008) -- Sean Tuck can’t wait to go to college. He can’t wait to move out of his parents’ home and into an apartment with his college roommates. Is he worried about living on his own?

“It’s been too long I’ve lived with my mom and dad,” he said. “I’m excited. It’s going to be like my home away from home.” But then, with a shrug and a laugh, he said there are two things he’s not good at. “I can’t cook,” he said, rolling his eyes. “And I’m not good at banking.”

So how is that different from most other college students? It’s not, but Sean is.

Sean, 21 of Greenville, has Williams syndrome — a rare genetic condition, estimated to occur in 1 of every 7,500 births, which causes medical and developmental problems. But Sean gives very little indication of someone who is labeled “intellectually disabled.”
Bright, funny, and friendly, Sean is one of three area charter students in Clemson’s new LIFE program. Sharon Sanders, program manager, said the program is a college school-to-job transition for these youths, just like all high school graduates.

The program is one of more than 100 across the country, she said, and the third in South Carolina. Currently the plan at Clemson is for LIFE students to live in four-bedroom apartments near campus – three students with a supervisor.

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Discovery Could Help Scientists Stop 'Death Cascade' Of Neurons After A Stroke

ScienceDaily (Jan. 20, 2009) — Distressed swimmers often panic, sapping the strength they need to keep their heads above water until help arrives. When desperate for oxygen, neurons behave in a similar way. They freak out, stupidly discharging energy until they drown in a sea of their own extruded salts.

Every year, millions of victims of stroke or brain trauma suffer permanent brain damage because of this mad rush to oblivion that begins once a part of the brain is deprived of blood. It is well known that a ubiquitous cell receptor drives these oxygen-starved neurons’ lemming-like behavior. But this particular receptor, for the neurotransmitter glutamate, is also responsible for the rapid transmission of information between neurons required for all cognition, among other things. Shutting it off has serious consequences, like coma.

Now, a team of scientists at The Rockefeller University has identified a single subunit of this receptor that drives neuronal death. This new discovery suggests that drugs targeting a specific subunit of the complex glutamate receptor might be able to slow brain damage without disrupting other crucial brain functions.

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Book Review by Kristin Florian

Head Injury: The Facts 2nd edition
By D. Gronwall, P. Wrightson, and P. Waddell

This is a reference guide mostly for those taking care of a loved one who has had a head injury. The book is divided into sections, which can be quickly referenced or read all the way through. Starting with the effects of a head injury, the book goes through all the stages including the hospital visit, leaving the hospital, and recovery in the long-term . The progress of three cases is sprinkled throughout the book and correspond with each section. Names have been changed to protect identity. Samuel is an eleven year old boy who falls while trying on his new rollerblades, Jonas is a twenty year old carpentry apprentice who gets into a car crash, and Pauline is a middle aged Lawyer who is hit by a load falling from a delivery truck. A nice feature in each section is a text box which summarizes the content. This guide is well organized and seems to be comprehensive . It explains many of the issues that come up with brain injury and suggestions for coping and improving the situation.

Testing when eyes become vulnerable to cataracts

Yahoo!News (Jan.19, 2009) -- WASHINGTON – Space shuttle science may soon come to an eye doctor near you: Researchers are using a NASA gadget to finally tell if a cataract is brewing before someone's vision clouds over.

It's a story of shot-in-the-dark science that paid off with a noninvasive test that tells when eyes are losing the natural compound that keeps cataracts at bay.
That brings the potential to fight the world's leading cause of vision loss. Knowing their eyes are vulnerable could spur people to take common-sense steps to reduce that risk, like avoiding cigarette smoke, wearing sunglasses and improving diet.

More intriguing, the device allows easier testing of whether certain medications might prevent or slow cataract formation. Studies involving astronauts — whose space flights put them at extra risk — and civilians could begin later this year.

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Exercise Tips for Seniors to Start a Healthy 2009

HealthDay News (Jan. 18, 2009 ) -- Most fitness advice is aimed at a general audience.
But if you're an older adult, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) has some tips for seniors to get started and keep them at the top of their game:
Get a checkup. Talk with your doctor about getting clearance to begin a fitness program and making any modifications to suit your situation.
Know your options. Before starting, pick a program you'll enjoy, so you'll do it regularly. Some people, for example, like to go to a gym for structured workouts, while others might prefer a more informal neighborhood walking club. Checkout the facility and the staff. Is the place friendly? Can you change clothes comfortably? Are facilities easily accessed?
Determine your participation style. Choose what's best for you -- a class or going solo? Morning or night hours? Indoor or outside exercise?
Start slowly. Most people are overeager and sometimes overdo it. Record a baseline of your regular activities and determine a reasonable schedule.
Make a date. Find a buddy to exercise with you and keep you motivated.
Set specific short- and long-term goals. Plan for activity in your day and make it a priority.
Make a list. Try to make the benefits about things you can control, rather than an outcome (such as weight). Looking to decrease stress and depression, build stronger bones or greater strength, get a better sleep? Remind yourself what your goals are.
If it hurts, don't do it. Learn to work around pain, not through it. And once you've reached your goal, treat yourself for the good job you've done, so it will encourage you to continue.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about exercise for older adults.

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Magnesium Sulphate Protects Babies Against Cerebral Palsy, Review Shows

ScienceDaily (Jan. 21, 2009) — Giving pregnant mothers magnesium sulphate when they are at risk of very preterm birth can help protect their babies from cerebral palsy, according to an international review of research involving the University of Adelaide.

The findings of this review - published January 21 on the international research website The Cochrane Library - could help decrease the incidence of this disabling condition, which affects one in 500 newborn babies overall and one in 10 very premature babies (less than 28 weeks gestation). Magnesium sulphate therapy involves giving doses of magnesium sulphate to pregnant women via injection.

The potential for magnesium sulphate to decrease the risk of cerebral palsy in babies was first proposed in the early 1990s. The new Cochrane review, which supports this suggestion, was carried out by leading researchers from Australia (University of Melbourne and University of Adelaide), France (University Hospital, Rouen) and the United States (University of Alabama).

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Pro Parent Calendar of Workshops 2009

2009 CALENDAR OF WORKSHOPS
THESE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN REGISTERING.TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP IN YOUR AREAPLEASE CALL: 1-800-759-4776

1/26/200910:00 am - 12:00 pm
Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) WorkshopBeaufort DDSN1804 Old Shell RoadPort Royal, SC 29935
Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 1, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

1/28/200912:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? (WEBINAR)(This workshop is presented via internet and conference call)
Tanya M. Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 2, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

2/02/200912:30 pm - 2:30 pm
PRO-Parents of SC OverviewBrowns BBQHighway 52Kingstree, SC
Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 1, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

2/04/20095:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Transition Out of Special Education WorkshopBerkeley County DDSN(Berkeley Citizens)1301 Old Highway 52Moncks Corner, SC
Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 1, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

2/09/20096:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
ADD / ADHD WorkshopChesterfield DSS Office201 South Page StreetChesterfield, SC
Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectProgram Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

2/10/20096:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
ADD / ADHD WorkshopOrangeburg DSS2570 Mathews RoadOrangeburg, SC
Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectProgram Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

2/12/20096:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
ADD / ADHD WorkshopAiken DSS2724 Whiskey RoadAiken, SC
Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectProgram Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

2/12/20096:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? WorkshopCoastal Electric2269 Jeffries HighwayWalterboro, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids Project
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

2/13/200910:00 am - 12:00 pm
Communications WorkshopMcCormick County Library201 Railroad AvenueMcCormick, SC
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

2/16/20099:00 am - 11:00 am
Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) WorkshopChester / Lancaster DDSN1126 Camp Creek RoadLancaster, SC 29721
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

2/21/200910:00 am - 12:00 pm
Individualized Education Program (IEP) WorkshopAbbeville Area Medical CenterAdministration Building(Education Room)420 Thomson CircleAbbeville, SC 29620
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

2/23/20096:30 pm - 8:30 pm*
Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? WorkshopLaurens DSS93 Human Services RoadLaurens, SC
Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectProgram Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

2/24/20096:00 pm - 7:00 pm*
Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? WorkshopMacedonia Baptist Church216 Macedonia RoadGaffney, SC
Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectProgram Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

2/26/20096:00 pm - 7:30 pm*
Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) WorkshopJasper DSS10908 North Jacob Smart BoulevardJasper, SC 29936
Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectProgram Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-866-863-1512

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Cognitive rehabilitation helps people with acquired brain injury

News-Medical.Net (Jan. 14, 2009) -- Cognitive rehabilitation after a serious brain injury or stroke can help the mind in much the same way that physical therapy helps the body, according to a new meta-analysis.

Because the data suggest that treatment may work best when tailored to age, injury, symptoms, and time since injury, the findings may help establish evidence-based treatment guidelines. A full report is in the January issue of Neuropsychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

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Gene Associated With Age-related Hearing Loss Identified

ScienceDaily (Dec. 3, 2008) — "Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, accounts for 30 percent of all hearing loss. So, why do some people lose their hearing as they get older but other people can still hear a pin drop?

"This is the first ever and largest genome-wide association study for age-related hearing loss," said Rick Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., lead author and House Ear Institute principal investigator and surgeon at the House Clinic.

The study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Affymetrix in Santa Clara, Calif., and the University of Antwerp, Belgium. It uncovered several genes, but one gene stands out and is believed to put people at risk for hearing loss as they age."

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Support the Post Acute Rehabilitation Funding

From: Brain Injury Alliance of SC

Hi everyone,
I would like to ask your support for the Post Acute Rehabilitation Funding within the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs(DDSN) Budget. For the last 2 years, DDSN has been appropriated $2.1 million in their budget to provide Post Acute Rehabilitation for those with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. This funding was for those who were uninsured and under-insured. SC Medicaid does not cover Rehabilitation. Now, due to budget cuts the funding has been zeroed out for the rest of this year. DDSN is requesting $3 mill. in their FY 2010 budget for the post acute rehab funding at the Ways and Means committee meeting this Thursday. The meeting is at 10:00 a.m., on Jan. 22, 2009, Room 108 in the Blatt Building, 1105 Pendleton Street (corner of Pendleton and Assembly St.), Columbia, SC 29201. During the first year of funding, 23 people were able to receive rehab., and this year 11 people received it, until the funding was cut Please contact your legislators to ask them to support DDSN’s funding request for the post acute rehab funding! Also, if you are available on Thursday, please come to the meeting.

If you have any questions, please give me a call. My contact info. is at the end of this email. Joyce Davis

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND MEDICAID Staff: Marc Aquino

Tracy R. Edge, Chairman H: (843)361-2827 W: (843)448-5123 B: 734-3013
William “Bill” Clyburn H: (803)649-6167 W: (803)725-7617 B: 734-3033
William A. Herbkersman H: (843) 757-5424 W: (843) 757-5464 B: 734-3063
G. Murrell Smith, Jr. H: (803) 773-6263 W: (803) 778-2471 B: 734-3042


Ways and MeansSubcommittee Assignments
Cooper, Daniel T. "Dan" , Chm.
Young, Annette D. , 1st V.C.
Rice, Rex F. , 2nd V.C.
Littlejohn, Lanny F. , 3rd V.C.
Kirsh, Herb , Secy./Treas.
Barfield, Liston D.
Battle, James A. "Jim" , Jr.
Bingham, Kenneth A. "Kenny"
Clyburn, William "Bill"
Cobb-Hunter, Gilda
Edge, Tracy R.
Herbkersman, William G. "Bill"
Kennedy, Kenneth
Limehouse, Harry B. "Chip" III
Loftis, Dwight A.
Lucas, James H. "Jay"
Merrill, James H.
Neal, Joseph H. "Joe"
Neilson, Denny Woodall
Ott, Harry L. , Jr.
Pitts, Michael A.
Simrill, J. Gary
Smith, G. Murrell , Jr.
Smith, J. Roland
White, W. Brian
Smith, Beverly C. , Chief of Staff, Dir. of Leg.
Powell, Allyn H. , Dir. of Budget and Finance
Heatwole, Emily E. , Budget Research Analyst
Ford-Jennings, Nicole Y. , Budget Research Analyst
Rogers, Timothy M. , Budget Research Analyst
Patrick, Paul , Budget Research Analyst
Grant, Rena A. , Budget Research Analyst
Aquino, Marcus D. , Budget Research Analyst
Owen, Katie , Budget Research Analyst
Jackson, Kimberly G. , Exec. Secy.
Bradley, Kaye , Chm. Exec Asst.

Joyce Davis, CBIS, CTRS, Director
Brain Injury Alliance of South Carolina
P.O. Box 21523
Columbia, SC 29221
Tel. (803)731-9823, (877)TBI-FACT (in-state)
Fax: (803)731-4804
www.biausa.org/SC

MARK the DATES:

2nd Annual "Run for Thought" presented by Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital
Saturday, March 14, 2009, Furman University, Greenville, SC

Statewide Brain Injury Conference "Life with Brain Injury"
May 14-15, 2009, Columbia Conference Center, Columbia, SC

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmittal may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this communication in error, please notify sender and delete immediately. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder: Gene Link?

Study Shows Family Connections for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia
By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

WebMD Health News (Jan. 15, 2009) — "The largest study ever to track bipolar disorder and schizophrenia within families offers evidence that the two psychiatric disorders share a common genetic cause.

For more than a century the psychiatric community has debated whether schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were two distinct disorders or were more connected.

Over the course of their illnesses, many patients experience similarities in certain symptoms characteristic of both, such as manic mood swings in bipolar disorder and psychosis in schizophrenia."

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Postpartum depression: Studies show peer support, trained nurses can help

Yahoo! News Canada (Jan. 16, 2009) — "Postpartum depression affects about 13 per cent of women in the first year after childbirth, but two new studies - one in Canada, one in the United Kingdom - have found that early identification and intervention can help new mothers who are at risk.

The result was fewer depressive symptoms in the months that followed childbirth, according to results published Friday in BMJ Online. "

By Anne-Marie Tobin, The Canadian Press

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