Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1000484
out that there was such research carried out already! And that the knowledge resulting from this research was common and applied in practice, so the official did not see a point in coming back to the matter – the problem is that there was no such research and that our state facilities do not offer such form of rehabilitation. The term of TBI is not in use in Poland, and optometric exercises/ rehabilitation/examination are not included in any official post-traumatic medical procedure. What's the reason behind such skepticism? My work offers a chance to get real and immediate help, to take advantage of individually designed training plans that can be put into practice at home or in rehabilitation facilities. So why not inform those who might be potentially interested? I've received a lot of assistance, which I am absolutely grateful for, from veterans from various units, who've made me familiar with the Polish post-traumatic reality. I have also got support and a motivational boost from Grzegorz Wydrowski from the ALLIES OF GROM Foundation, which I intend to continue working with. I can't forget to mention FRAG OUT! magazine, who has helped me with the production of leaflets and graphics. So it is possible to be supportive, as you can see; it's a pity, though, that the "companies" apparently involved in activities to support veterans showed the least interest. F What next? Together with the ALLIES OF GROM Foundation we'd like to draw the general attention to the need for extending the scope of diagnostics, and for popularizing knowledge about the options of rehabilitation among specialists and general public. Let's bear in mind that TBIs and PTSDs affect not just soldiers, but hundreds of thousands of civilians in Europe alone. SUMMARY Traumatic brain injuries can affect each one of us. Having post-traumatic syndromes analyzed by specialists from a broader perspective, and a better access to information about possible diagnostics, offered by e.g. physiotherapists, optometrists, or speech therapists, will certainly accelerate the detection of post-traumatic disorders. As shown above, the subject area of vision disorders is very complex and it's important to bear in mind that problems with processing visual information after a TBI are not always persistent. Not every specialist in the area of vision protection is familiar with the methods of diagnosing the said conditions, nor are they always able to interpret the obtained results correctly. Ignoring the visual aspect may have a negative impact on the progress of overall rehabilitation, and on the well-being of the injured. If you have been involved in events described in this article, remember to bring this fact up when you are examined by a specialist, and to report any newly occurring changes you have been experiencing. As you already know, some after-effects of TBIs may be overlooked or occur with a delay. Invitation to take part in a visual system examination: I would like to invite veterans and public safety officers of any profession, who have participated in missions or training sessions and: sustained head injuries, been affected by an explosion, or have taken part in another event that has had a negative impact on their health. The invitation is addressed in particular to persons suffering from headaches or problems with: vision, concentration, spatial orientation, maintaining balance, or other functional abilities. The examination is free of charge and fully anonymous. Would like to get yourself checked? Do you have any questions or doubts? Maybe you'd like to collaborate with us? Write to: b.szelezynski@ fundacja-sprzymierzeni.pl Cited works 1. Optyki, Polskie Towarzystwo Optometrii i. [Online] 04 11 2017. http://www.ptoo.pl/optometria/optometria/. 2. Jonathan M. Silver M..D., Thomas W. McAllister M..D. and, Stuart C. Yudofsky M.D. Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury Second Edition. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 2011. ISBN 978-1-58562-357-0. 3. Veterans Health Initiative. [Online] 2611 1126 2017. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/vhi/traumatic- brain-injury-vhi.pdf. 4. Praktyczna Medycyna. Praktyczna [Online] 27 11 2017. https://www.mp.pl/ interna/chapter/B16.III.23.8. 5. Penelope S.Suter Penelope, and Lisa H.Harvey Lisa., Vision Rehabilitation Multidisciplinary Care of the Patient Following Brain Injury. Broken Sound Parkway: CRC Press, Tylor and Francis Group, LLC, 2011. ISBN 978-1-4398-3655-2. 6. [Online] 20 11 2017. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/tbi. htm. 7. R.W. Thatcher R.W, D.M. North, D. M., R.T. Curtin, R.T., R.A. Walker, R. A., C.I. Biven, C.I., J.F. Gomez, J. F., & A.M. Salazar, A.M (2001). An EEG severity index of Traumatic brain Injury. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Sciences, 13, pp. 77-87. [Online]. 8. Prevention Centers for Disease Control and. Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. [Online] 04 10 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/severe.html. 9. McAllister T.W. (2008). Neurobehavioral sequelae of Traumatic brain Injury: evaluation and management. World Psychiatry, 7, pp. 3-10. [Online]. 10. [Online] 23 11 2017. https://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/NICoE/about/SitePages/index. aspx. offo Disease Control and. Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. [Online] 04 10 2017. https://www.cdc. gov/traumaticbraininjury/severe.html. 9. McAllister T.W. (2008). Neurobehavioral sequelae of Traumatic brain Injury: evaluation and management. World Psychiatry, 7, s. 3-10. [Online]. 10. [Online] 23 11 2017. https://www. wrnmmc.capmed.mil/NICoE/about/SitePages/index.aspx.