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Celebrating Brain Injury

Awareness Month

Brain injury is often referred to as an “invisible” injury or disability. It is referred to as this
due to the impairments and effects of the injury not always being visible or immediately
evident. However, to anyone who has suffered a brain injury, or to those that care about
someone who has, the effects of brain injury are complex and can pervade many aspects of
the individual’s life.

We are proud to join brain injury survivors, caregivers, and supporters in celebrating Brain Comprehensive
Injury Awareness Month. For decades, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has
led a nationwide public awareness campaign during the month of March to de-stigmatize Rehabilitation for
brain injury through outreach and education.
Adolescents and Adults
According to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI), in Michigan alone, 58,500 with Neurological
people sustain a brain injury each year. The truth is that no one
plans for a brain injury, but brain injuries can happen Dysfunction
to anyone, at any time. Please join us this month
as we spread awareness and educate others on
the definition of brain injury, its causes, and
where to seek proper rehabilitative care.

What is a Brain Injury?
Just as there are no two people alike,
no two brain injuries are the same. An
acquired brain injury is an injury to the
brain that has occurred after birth; these
injuries are not a result of heredity, nor are they
congenital or degenerative. There are two types of
acquired brain injuries,
non-traumatic and traumatic.

A non-traumatic brain injury is caused by damage to the
brain by internal factors, such as lack of oxygen, exposure to
toxins, pressure from a tumor, and so on. A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain
that is caused by an outside force or impact that is sudden and damaging.

Common Causes of Brain Injury?
Common causes include, but are not limited to, stroke, falls, tumors, motor vehicle
accidents, sports, assaults, and more.

Brain Injury Recovery:
Following a brain injury, it is imperative to receive the proper rehabilitative care. Brain
injury survivors can experience an array of cognitive, physical, and emotional/behavioral
challenges. These symptoms can often concur feelings of hopelessness in survivors and
caregivers, but there is hope.

The goal of brain injury rehabilitation is to maximize function and encourage survivors to
attain their fullest potential. Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center brings together a
team of experts in order to tailor a care plan to the needs of each survivor.

At Origami, survivors and their support systems are an essential part of the interdisciplinary
team and the rehabilitation journey.
(517) 336-6060
Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center is a CARF accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization resulting from a unique
alliance between Peckham, Inc. and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Origami provides OrigamiRehab.org
comprehensive rehabilitation for adolescents and adults with neurological dysfunction through their residential,
outpatient, and community based programs.

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