News

Brain Injuries May Lead to Sleep Woes

May 27, 2010: Brain injuries can disrupt the body's production of the hormone melatonin, potentially leading to sleep problems, a new study suggests.

May 24, 2010: What has been called the "signature wound" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan— the mild brain damage troops suffer from a roadside bomb — might be so unique in its destruction that it could be a newly discovered disease, scientists say.

New TBI, mental health center to open in June

May 20, 2010: A new 72,000-square-foot center for treatment of service members and veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions will open June 24 at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The National Intrepid Center of Excellence, to be funded by private donations, is a project of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a nonprofit organization begun by the Fisher family for supporting service members and their families.

Competing for new life at Warrior Games

May 17, 2010: Gavin Sibayan was captain of the swimming team at Westminster High School his junior and senior years, but that was 11 years ago. That was before he enlisted in the Army, became an MP, went to Iraq, nearly got killed by an improvised explosive device and received a Purple Heart.

May 13, 2010: Sharada Akin had her hands full courtside here yesterday as she entertained her 16-month-old daughter, Trinity. Her cheerful, blue-eyed little darling scampered back and forth around the bleachers, laughing and playing with a seemingly endless amount of energy.

May 11, 2010: Traumatic Brain Injury has been called the signature injury of the Iraq war. Nationwide, studies suggest 300,000 returning veterans experience the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI. In San Diego, the V.A. Medical Center reports about 50 veterans a month present at the TBI clinic for testing.

TBI vets face delays, poor access to care

May 6, 2010: Last month, a 24-year-old veteran received his first treatment for trauamtic brain injury from the Veterans Affairs Department — more than a year after he was discharged from the Marine Corps. “The hand-off from [the Defense Department] to VA was very slow,” Jonathan Barrs told the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on Wednesday.

Obama signs McNerney's veterans health bill

May 6, 2010: A congressional bill aimed at improving care for U.S. military veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries - considered the signature wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts - was signed into law Wednesday in the White House by President Barack Obama.

May 4, 2010: Patrick Kertson returned from his time in Iraq thinking the worst was over. Instead, his wife asked for a divorce, he failed in an attempt to return to school as an electrical engineer and he found he had limited time with his two sons, Michael and Mason. When he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), some of the changes in his life began to make sense.

May 3, 2010: The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, led by Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME), held a hearing to assess the progress of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in implementing an enhanced contract health care pilot program for veterans living in rural areas.

April 29, 2010: Military veterans and their families received help from Congress on several fronts this week. In-home caregivers of severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will receive a government stipend and other aid as a result of a bill passed Thursday by the House of Representatives and Senate. Meanwhile, women would have improved maternity benefits under the legislation; rural and homeless vets would have more health care options; and former and current troops with mental health problems would have more access to treatment.

Vet court could expand under new law

April 26, 2010: A veterans court in Colorado Springs could expand under a bill from a local lawmaker that’s been signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter. The measure, which allows the establishment of similar courts statewide, also gives the local program authority to seek federal grants, said Dan May, 4th Judicial District Attorney.

April 22, 2010: To get a better handle on traumatic brain injury, one of the invisible wounds of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Defense Department is developing databases to track cases to aid diagnosis and treatment.

April 20, 2010: A well-known treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is showing promise in helping soldiers deal with the horrors of combat.

April 19, 2010: Major League baseball players are honoring the sacrifices made by our nation's wounded warriors by launching an exclusive line of military-themed licensed products to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project

April 16, 2010: After a nine-year deployment, one soldier deserves a medal as the best fighter in the unit. Except it doesn't happen. The honor goes to this slick-talking guy from the intelligence wing. Feeling passed over and unappreciated, the soldier tries to murder the unit's top commanders and fails.

April 14, 2010: Many veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) find that trying to transition back into their community while dealing with the effects of their injuries leaves them feeling disconnected and misunderstood. They may find it difficult to talk to family members about their deployment experiences, or they may be struggling with speech problems, emotional issues or anxiety as a result of their injuries.

April 13, 2010: The goal of the inaugural Warrior Games, scheduled for May 11-14, is to build confidence and provide rehabilitation for disabled servicemembers and veterans, the commander of U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command said yesterday.

April 8, 2010: Army veteran Patrick McDonald loved serving his country, but after a tragic training accident in South Korea in 1991, his four-year military career came to an end. A broken neck and back left McDonald paralyzed from the waist down.

April is Month of the Military Child

April 6, 2010: There are 1.7 million American children and youth under 18 with a parent serving in the military and about 900,000 with one or both parents deployed multiple times. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community.

April 6, 2010: While serving in Iraq, Joel Hunt suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being only 25 feet away from a severe blast. Upon returning home, he was confined to a wheelchair and experienced frequent headaches, dizziness and short-term memory loss. With the help of Operation TBI Freedom, Joel received therapy to lessen the effects of his injuries and help him walk, first with a cane and then without assistance.

April 5, 2010: The Defense Department will conduct an 18-month study on whether hyperbaric chambers -- often used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning -- could help the treatment of mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Army Times reports.

Disabled Skier Manages TBI, Paralysis

March 4, 2010: Joel Hunt is a disabled skier who can negotiate difficult black diamond runs and pop through moguls. Two years ago, he was just getting out of a wheelchair. In his former life, he played high school football, then joined the Army and served three rotations in Iraq.

March 1, 2010: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Denver OptionsBarb Lundy, Communications Phone: 720-218-5999 Email: blundy@denveroptions.org Brain Injury Awareness: Information, Events and Resources for Coloradoans Monday, March 1 – Denver

For Women Veterans, Battles Go On at Home

Februrary 23, 2010: More than 212,000 female service members have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan - 11 percent of the total force. One hundred twenty have been killed in action and more than 600 wounded, but the losses don't end there. CBS News correspondent Russ Mitchell reports on the battles these female warriors face after they return home.