Brain Injury Association of Texas

Peace of Mind 5K

May 9, 2008

This Flag Day, help support our returning heroes who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Please join BIATX, EasterSeals and Runtex on June 14, 2008 for this great event. More information.....

 

2008 National Brain Injury Caregivers' Conference June 6-8, 2008 Dallas, Texas

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) will present the 2008 National Brain Injury Caregivers' Conference June 6-8, 2008 at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport Hotel in Dallas, TX.

You are not alone. As a caregiver of a person with a brain injury, you know first-hand how difficult it can be to juggle everything that comes at you.

Get the information, support and guidance you need to help those you care for and to take better care of you at the 2008 National Brain Injury Caregivers’ Conference.

Join special guest and best-selling author, Lee Woodruff and over 25 experts on all aspects of brain injury and caregiving at this vital education and networking opportunity. More Information

 

 

 

A Message From the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Serivces

April 28, 2008

"The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Serivces (DARS) thanks the Brain Injury Association of Texas (BIATX) again for providing quality information and referral services to our consumers in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Serivces program (CRS). With the assistance of BIATX and our many providers around the State, the CRS program has already served 622 consumers and expects to serve more by August 31, 2008-the end of the fiscal year.

We expect to be able to reduce the waiting list in the CRS program with the $9.6 million that will be available to serve consumers starting September 1, 2008.

Historically, 5% to 8% of the consumers in the CRS program are veterans. While we require all consumers to use other available resources first, veterans have the same opportunity to receive CRS as other Texans.

CRS Eligibility Criteria

The consumer must have a traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury that results in a substantial impediment to functioning independently in the home and in the community in terms of mobility, self-care and/or communication; and

• be at least 16 years old when services on the individualized written rehabilitation program (IWRP) are completed;
• be a citizen or immigrant alien of teh United States;
• be a resident of Texas for at least six months, or have a family memeber living in the state for at least six months who is, or will become, the comsumer's primary caregiver;
• be willing to accept treatment.

Comsumers may want to discuss the eligibility criteria with their DARS counselors. Some other eligibility criteria may also need to be met.

The CRS counselor must reasonably expect that having received CRS program core services the consumer will be able to function more independently in the home and the community.

As we move forward, in order to provide the most timely services, we hope we can enlist your support in ensuring referrals early in the recovery process. If you know of people, veterans and others, who are recovering from traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, please refer them to the CRS program or DARS."

For more information about the CRS program please call 800-628-5115, or visit the DARS website at http://www.dars.state.tx.us/drs/index.shtml.

 

Austin Man Competes in Triathlon to Finish Race His Father Never Began

May 5, 2008

Contact: Erin Ochoa

Elizabeth Christian & Associates Public Relations

Office 512.472.9599

Austin Man Competes in Triathlon to Finish Race His Father Never Began

Austin, Texas- On May 10, 28-year-old Jason Ledlie will compete in the Texas Tri Series' "Rookie" triathlon at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels to symbolically finish the race his father never began.

Twenty-two years ago, Ledlie's father's dream was cut short when he unexpectedly suffered a stroke while training for his first triathlon at the age of 35. Having been an avid swimmer and runner for most of his life, his family was left in a state of shock. As a result of his accident, Ledlie's father incurred a substantial degree of brain injury, leaving him unable to compete.

"In February of last year, I suddenly felt compelled to compete in a triathlon," Ledlie said. "The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was something I wanted to do for my father and for myself. Though finishing the race itself will be a physical challenge, it will more importantly represent the overcoming of persoanl challenges."

In honor of his father, Ledlie and his racing companions, Team Glutes Engage, have set a goal of raising $5000.00 for the Brain Injury Association of Texas and the National Stroke Association through their efforts.

"In the beginning, I was only focused on finishing the race by myself, but since my friend came up with the idea to raise funds for charities it has become so much more than that," he said.

Though he has always been physically active, Ledlie said he didn't know what he was in for when he began training last July.

"All I knew of a triathlon was swim-bike-run," he said. "After researching triathlons on the Internet, I made a training schedule for myself. I run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays, go to Jack and Adams Bicycles' CORE work-out class twice a week and squeeze in a bike ride on the weekends."

Ledlie said he has enjoyed his immersion in the triathlon culture so much that he will continue his involvement in it after the race.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.ledlie.net .

TBI Act Update From BIAA

April 29, 2008

Please read the Brain Injury Association of America's latest release regarding the reauthorization of Traumatic Brain Injury Act. Press Release

 

Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool

The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool was created by the Texas Legislature to provide health insurance to eligible Texas residents who, due to medical conditions are unable to obtain coverage from commercial insurers.  For more information on this valuable service please visit our Links page.

 

Spring 2008