Posted June 13, 2017 12:54:11 Dianne Haines thinks it is ironic that a drug that is prescribed in Australia to treat arthritis and psoriasis is not available for treatment of stroke or acquired brain injury. "Yes, the drug is already approved for use and it is approved for use in inflammatory conditions," Ms Haines said. "So the only thing that is different with this treatment is the method of administration." The Townsville woman is the primary carer for her 40-year-old son Jeremy Haines who acquired a brain injury in a car accident 38 years ago. Mr Haines' injuries rendered him hemiplegic he has mobility on his left side but not his right and requires assistance to do basic tasks like eating and dressing. After decades of physical rehabilitation treatments in Australia, the family were curious to try a treatment only available in the United States injection of Etanercept at the base of the neck. The drug is commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis but perispinal injection is not yet legal in Australia and has only been available at Florida's Institute of Neurological Recovery since 2012. In October 2016, the Haines family flew to Florida to receive the treatment at a cost … Continue reading →

Caribou, MaineOn May 24, KeyBanks Caribou branch employees participated in the companys 27th annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day by volunteering at AMHCs Center for Integrated Neuro Rehab (CINR) in Caribou. Eight Key Bank Employees from Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton worked alongside CINR clients, staff and a community volunteer to build and plant five portable raised bed vegetable and flower garden carts. Each cart has 8 square feet of growing capacity and is 3 feet high with wheels so that garden tending can be done while standing and can be moved to gain optimal sun and shade during the day. AMHCs CINR service was selected by Key Bank in March upon submitting a project proposal requesting bank volunteers to help build raised garden carts, as gardening is a much loved therapeutic activity for the Centers clients. In addition to building the carts, Key Bank staff also donated flowers and vegetable plants and seeds. The Key Bank volunteers are Rob Faulkner, Jeremy Flannery, Brian Flewelling, Tanya LaPointe, Erica Moir-Boyles, Matthew Orcutt, Riley Parady, and Steve St. Pierre. Dave Letourneau, one of the staff Certified Brain Injury Specialists, donated the use of his tools and worked alongside Joe Owens, an AMHC … Continue reading →

A Royal Marine who nearly died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan is calling for greater awareness of a 'hidden injury' that at times has made his life unbearable. Harris Tatakis, a former section commander in the Royal Marines, was seriously injured when his Land Rover drove over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while he was serving in Afghanistan in 2007. The blast shattered his left leg, broke his right foot, caused brain damage and ruptured both his ear drums. Ten years after the incident, the veteran has revealed that out of all his horrific injuries, it was an invisible condition that has affected him the most - tinnitus. READ NEXT: How our city failed vulnerable Plymouth man found dead in garden The 39-year-old from Plymouth, who has undergone numerous operations on his leg and treatment for his brain injury, is now calling for greater awareness of the condition. People affected by tinnitus hear a ringing, hissing or whistling sound in one or both of their ears or head, which is not linked to any external source. It is often caused by exposure to loud noise or ear or head injuries. Mr Tatakis said: "Because it's an unseen injury, it … Continue reading →

ROCKLIN >> There is still time to sign up for the Game-Changer Celebrity Golf Classic on Saturday in Rocklin, a fundraiser for research on traumatic brain injuries in high school football and other sports. The Game-Changer Celebrity Golf Classic is headlined by former NFL greats and other sports celebrities, including three members of the NFL Hall of Fame and 20 former Oakland Raiders, including Super Bowl MVP Jim Plunkett and future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson. The fantastic response from members of the NFL is heartwarming knowing they are supportive of our cause, said Jeffrey R. Jenkins, M.D., chief medical executive of Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, who is helping to promote the tournament. Because of this spirit of cooperation, we will be able to make a huge difference in the knowledge about detection, prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injuries among high school athletes. The tournament is hosted by the family of 17-year-old Toran Maronic of Bear River High School in Grass Valley, who was a college prospect in football and lacrosse. In June 2016, the wide receiver sustained a brain injury during a 7-on-7 scrimmage. Specialists believed Toran would never come out of his coma or fully recover, but … Continue reading →