Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 3-18-16

2 March 18, 2016 Commentary Thunderbolt
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeaf b http://www.luke.af.mil

FLIGHTLINE FEAST March marks Brain Injury Awareness Month

M 5:30 p.m. until by that improve the lives of our patients, beneficiaries, and
e the food runs out KAREN GUICE, M.D., M.P.P. all Americans who sustain TBIs. Our work is even taking
n us back to college to examine the impact of TBIs on ath-
April 7 Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs letes. The NCAA and the DOD are currently sponsoring
the “Mind Matters Challenge,” a landmark initiative to
Behind Hanger 914 Often called one of the “invisible wounds of war,” trau- enhance the safety of student-athletes and service mem-
matic brain injury is the result of a blow or jolt to the head bers. The partnership is the most comprehensive study
(same location as the chief’s burger burn) that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Anyone of concussion and head impact exposure ever conducted.
can suffer a TBI, it can happen on the sports field, in your
• Baked Ham • Mac & cheese home or on the job. For TBI patients, TRICARE covers rehabilitative services
• Potato • Dinner rolls • Salad provided by physicians, psychologists, physical therapists,
• Dessert • Fruit During March, the Military Health System is focusing occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
casserole • Beverages its talent and efforts on the issue of TBI. We will provide The DOD offers a variety of products such as clinical rec-
• Veggies tools and resources to educate service members, their ommendations, tool kits, and mobile applications to assist
families, retirees and Defense Department civilians about health care providers in the diagnosis, evaluation, and
u Presented by the prevention and treatment of TBI, while highlighting treatment of patients with mild TBI.
Luke Air Force Base Chapel ongoing MHS research and breakthroughs.
One of the most important steps in TBI treatment is rest,
ACTION LINE According to the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- which allows the brain to physically and mentally recover,
vention, each year 1.7 million people are diagnosed with a and removes the risk of suffering another concussion while
56fw.pa@us.af.mil brain injury. The most common form of TBI, even for the the brain is healing. Early diagnosis of TBI, as well as evalua-
military, is mild TBI (also referred to as a concussion) and tion, and treatment can shorten return-to-duty time and lead
The Commander’s Action Line the vast majority occurs at home. The Defense and Veterans to the best possible outcome for those entrusted to our care.
is your direct line to me with ques- Brain Injury Center reported that from 2000 TO 2014 more
tions or suggestions about subjects than 313,000 service members were diagnosed with TBI, Along with our partnerships and cutting-edge research,
of concern to the entire Luke Air and most of these were mild. MHS is making great progress in improving and prolonging
Force Base community. the quality of life for those living with TBI.
MHS research has produced several breakthroughs
I appreciate your feedback.
Your ideas and concerns help Those left behind are separated but not alone
build a stronger foundation on
which we can successfully com- by Senior Airman everything I felt like the world was notice how my family was doing.
plete our mission and take care of LAUREN-TAYLOR LEVIN crashing down on me. It was as if I was a The caregiver said, “Your son is
our people. first-time mother trying to figure out if I
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs was doing anything right and becoming starting to become antisocial, not eat-
To receive a response, leave Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus completely overwhelmed. My office was ing as much food and becoming a bully
your name and telephone number. 56th FW commander As the dawn broke over the moun- starting to notice a change in my atti- at daycare.”
Action Lines of general interest are tains, I woke up to the sun peeping tude and how quickly I became agitated
printed in the Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and through my window. Once I got up I to otherwise insignificant events. I felt as if I was failing as a mother,
most efficient way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to went straight to the kitchen to make and I had to get help, not only for my
the responsible agency or through your chain of command. my family breakfast, yet in the back of My co-worker and I decided to hang son, but myself as well. The only prob-
my mind, all I could think about was, out once a week to discuss everything lem was I had no idea where to start.
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along “How am I going to manage taking that was on our minds. Although it was
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, care of my children, dogs and work nice to vent and get some relief, it only The caregiver gave me a pamphlet
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. life?” Just the thought of knowing I’ll went so far with reducing the stress. about dealing with separation and
have twice the amount of things to do inside was a card. I called to make an
PHONE NUMBERS at home all while balancing my mili- Unfortunately, because of the hours appointment to talk to the counselor
tary work, made my heart sink a bit. my husband worked, I could only see about how I could help my son and
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 him for an hour or two each day on myself through this time of separation.
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 Growing up as a military child Skype, after I put the children down
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 myself, I knew separation could be to sleep for the night. I met with the counselor, and we
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 extremely hard and hit at any time. discussed my everyday routine. I found
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 Looking back, I now know how alone A week went by and I had to pick up out I wasn’t failing as a mother, and I
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 my mother felt whenever my father my children one afternoon, and I was felt some kind of comfort.
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 went on deployments or temporary stopped by a staff member at the child
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 duty. It seems like an eternity waiting development center. The counselor explained that re-
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 for your loved one to return home so gardless of a child’s age, they can
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 you aren’t carrying all the weight on She asked, “Is there anything going tell when a family member is gone or
Housing office ...................................................... 623-856-7643 your shoulders. on in your household?” stressed. Although you may think it
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 won’t rub off on them, it does.
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 There are dozens of base agencies I explained how my husband was
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 to make these separations easier, but TDY and I’d been dealing with a lot As we continued our conversation
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 I didn’t realize it yet. of stress. he recommended I try some exercises
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 with my children and see their reac-
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 After just three days of being with Shortly after my explanation she tions to it.
Office of Special Investigation .............................623-856-6821 my children and trying to balance notified me that my son wasn’t acting
Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 like himself either. I was so consumed One exercise in particular was the
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 with my own problems I didn’t even See SEPArATED, Page 12
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 Luke Editorial Staff The Thunderbolt uses material from the Armed Forces Information Service, Air
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 Force News Service, AETC News Service and other sources. All advertising is handled
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus by Aerotech News and Review. They can be reached by calling 623-487-7321.
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 Public Affairs chief ................................................. Lt. Col. Matt Hasson
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty The Thunderbolt is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 Internal information............................................... Staff Sgt. Staci Miller way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 56th
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the
Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. govern-
Editorial Information ment, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force.

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