Brain injuries occur around the world due to car, motorcycle and sports accidents.
As part of Dramatic Brain Injury Awareness month, the student nursing association at Ball State will be having Gary Turner, a brain injury victim speak in Cooper Nursing Building tonight at 7 p.m.
"Having Turner come to speak is important for students to hear a story about a survivor and to inform them about prevention from brain injuries," said Michelle Lachtefelt, president of the Student Nursing Association.
Turner was in a car accident a couple of years ago, suffering a shear stress and two hemorrhages in his brain affecting him like a stroke. Turner had to go through therapy to learn how to walk, talk, eat and bathe himself.
"My right side of my body and left side of my face were weakened after the accident," Turner said. "God kept me going strong, and there is a reason for me being here today to talk to students about prevention from brain injuries."
Turner said he believes wearing seatbelts and bicycle helmets can minimize accidents and prevent people from getting traumatic brain injuries.
"There are 100,000 people in Indiana who have traumatic brain injuries," Turner said. "A total of 40,000 will not make it and 60,000 will survive from the injury."
Anna Garrett, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Indiana, is dedicated to helping people with brain injuries and their families by providing information, resources and support by advocating for life-saving research and treatment.
Garrett said that the most common brain injuries happen to people playing sports, many suffer from concussions and are injured during falls. Students texting while driving can make it difficult for them to concentrate on the road, which causes accidents.
Garrett works by helping patients learn how to find coping strategies and connect them with their community support system.
"We help people find therapists and coordinate 20 support groups around Indiana," she said. "The groups offer resources and guidance for injured patients during their recovery."
Garrett said she believes reducing the impact of brain injuries is their goal, by informing people that prevention is the only cure for people to stay safe.
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