It is has been quite a month and it is still going strong. As discussed in the last blog post, March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and there have been a lot of activities supporting advocacy.
Kelly spent two days on Capitol Hill along with other advocates meeting with legislators and staff members educating them about brain injury and trying to obtain support for funding programs that will benefit those affected by this chronic condition. We also urged funding for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to track the number of concussions so we have fresh data to analyze and use to help prevent and treat new ones. This was the first time the event was held in person since 2020 so it was great to see other advocates face to face once again. Kelly always returns exhausted yet exhilarated by the energy and enthusiasm of the others. It is also a learning opportunity to learn about the advances in research and what other states are doing in their advocacy efforts.
Darcy Keith, Kelly Lang and Carole Starr (members of the Brain Injury Association of America’s Brain Injury Advisory Council) advocating on Capitol Hill.
Last week Kelly and Mike traveled to the Maryland Brain Injury Association Annual Meeting in Pikesville, MD. It brought us back full circle since our daughter, Olivia, received in-patient rehabilitation services at Kennedy Krieger Institute, and this is a conference Kelly always wanted to attend. The timing never worked until now. In the morning, we held a workshop, Becoming An Advocacy Super Hero”. We discussed what advocacy means to us as well as what we have learned during our time advocating for our daughter and ourselves. The session was well received by the participants. Staff members from brain injury programs, therapists, social workers, family members, and survivors attended the session.
Later in the day, Kelly was the keynote speaker for the last session. When Bryan Pugh, Executive Director of the Maryland Brain Injury Association, introduced Kelly, he mentioned our earlier session and commented that attendees approached him asking how they can become “superheroes” too. A testament to the message we try to convey.
Kelly spoke about communication and brain injury recovery and taught others how these conversations can be improved. She gave examples of how a small adjustment such as eye contact or allowing moments of silence to process information can increase understanding and help develop better relationships. After all, if our relationships with providers, family, and caregivers are strong then recovery can be easier.
Kelly shared a video of Olivia learning to advocate when she spoke at the Brain Injury Awareness Day in March of 2017. It is important for everyone to learn how to advocate for themselves whether they have a brain injury or not.
Kelly ended the session by reminding the attendees that it takes a team of people working together to assist in recovery and aid in stability. It is a lifelong process. The Care Team includes caregivers, educators, employment support, doctors, therapists, and a support system. If one of these is missing then the circle is broken.
This week, Kelly travels to West Virginia as the keynote speaker for the West Virginia TBI Conference. It has been an exciting month but the advocacy continues the other 11 months of the year as well. We are thankful for all these opportunities to spread the word and help others recovering from brain injury. As Bryan Pugh mentioned, we are part of a tribe. We are here to support one another.