Basics of Traumatic Brain Injury

Definition: Traumatic brain injury is an insult to the brain caused by an external force, that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness, which results in impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total functional disability or psychological maladjustment. A traumatic brain injury affects a person not only at a discrete point in time, but throughout that person’s lifetime.

According to the CDC and the National Institutes of Health

The leading causes of TBI are motor vehicle crashes and falls (mostly among the elderly) (Adopted by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National Head Injury Foundation, 2/22/86 ).

The author, Nancy Bauser, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., B.C.E.T.S., B.C.D.T., survived a head-on collision which resulted in a severe brain stem injury in 1971. The writer decided to continue her education receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976. After graduation she achieved admission to the Academy of Certified Social Workers. From the years 2002 until 2004, Ms. Bauser obtained recognition from The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and holds a Board Certification in Disability Trauma. The reason she chose to publish a new edition of Acceptance Groups for Survivors, A Guide for Facilitators is that she had earned more professional credentials that she wished to display and wanted to change the cover color, from a bland beige to a vibrant pink.

Before Ms. Bauser's injury and subsequent disability, she describes herself as an active, liberal rebellious college student. She remembers being very social, well organized, intelligent and goal oriented. She recalls laughing a lot, handling stress without much thought or anxiety, and being able to manage multiple demands with ease. on one mid-November afternoon, her world collapsed. She sustained a severe brain injury. From requiring life-support to physical, occupational and speech therapies, MS. BAUSER DEVELOPED QUESTIONS THAT SURVIVORS OF ANY TRAUMA MAY NEED OR WANT TO ASK THEMSELVES, AS THEY ATTEMPT TO RESUME AS MAINSTREAM A LIFE, AS IS POSSIBLE.