Brain Injury Association of South Carolina

The annual Life With Brain Injury conference has been a transformative day filled with education, inspiration, and community support. Thank you to our generous sponsors, presenters, and participants for making it truly memorable.
South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council
Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital
SC Department Of Disabilities & Special Needs
Rosen Hagood
USC School of Medicine - Center for Disability Resources
Congilive

Thank you to all of the wonderful exhibitors who participated in today's Life With Brain Injury Annual Conference including USC School of Medicine - Center for Disability Resources, Collage Rehabilitation Partners, Comfort Keepers Home Care - Columbia, SC, and Able South Carolina.

Here's a sample of some of the wonderful, interactive sessions at today's Life With Brain Injury Annual Conference. Thank you to our inspiring and informative presenters!
SC Developmental Disabilities Council Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital

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BIASC staff and friends are excited about the annual Life With Brain Injury Conference! They met today to prepare and assemble items for all of the registered attendees! We look forward to seeing everyone this Friday at the Cooperative Conference Center!

South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs

Whether you're a professional, caregiver, or survivor, the Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, connect with experts, and find support in your journey.
Don't miss out on this transformative event!
• Inspiring Keynote Speaker: Eric Washington
• Essential Sessions on Critical Topics
• Networking Opportunities
• Interactive Q&A Sessions
• Cutting-Edge Research and Innovations
Register Now: https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference

Special thanks to our sponsors:
South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council
Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital
Cognilive
Brookhaven NeuroRehabiliation Network
SC Department Of Disabilities & Special Needs
Rosen Hagood, Attorneys at Law
USC School of Medicine - Center for Disability Resources

Still haven't registered for the Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference? There are lots of great reasons to attend! Don't miss out – registration ends Wednesday, July 17!

https://www.biaofsc.com/press/top-5-reasons-to-attend-lwbi2024

Top 5 Reasons to Attend LWBI2024 — Brain Injury Association of South Carolina If you haven't registered yet, here are the top 5 reasons you won't want to miss this transformative event. 1. Inspiring Keynote Speaker: Eric Washington Eric's journey from a spinal cord injury and undiagnosed traumatic brain injury to becoming a powerful advocate is truly inspiring. 

Two more days to register!
Don't miss out on the 2024 Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference! Friday, July 26, at the Cooperative Conference Center in Columbia, SC.

Join us for an incredible lineup of sessions and speakers, including:
Keynote: Eric Washington, Overcoming Adversity
Personal Emergency Response
Vision Considerations After Concussions
Special Travels
And many more!

Secure your spot today so you don't miss out on all the valuable content this conference offers. biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference

Joyce Davis, Executive Director, BIASC, and Dede Norungolo of Reintegrate Counseling, LLC discuss brain injury and the upcoming Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference with Jamarcus Gatson of Your Carolina on WSPA 7News. Learn more about the conference and register at https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference

Cooperative Conference Center

The Life with Brain Injury Conference Dede Norungulo joins us to share her brain injury story and tell us more about the Life with Brain Injury Conference happening July 26 in Columbia. Register: www.biaofsc.com

Vendor shoutout!

Mike, BIASC Veteran Outreach Coordinator, had an opportunity to connect with another non-profit organization at the South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association annual conference!

Brandy(L) and Ann (R) work with PlaySafe USA

PlaySafe strives to support essential sports medicine services to our athletic youth and community by providing certified athletic trainers to secondary schools in our community. We believe that professional, comprehensive sports medicine services begin with a certified athletic trainer (ATC) and are critical to safe and healthy athletic participation.

Certified athletic trainers are sports-related injury prevention, assessment, and care experts. Simply put, the presence of a certified athletic trainer can save a life.

Vendor highlight: South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association

Our representative at the South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association Conference had an opportunity to meet several of the vendors.

Maggie works with Below 104, a non profit, that helps to educate and prevent injuries sustained from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

When we think of how brain injuries are sustained, we rarely think about the heat. Heat stroke is defined as the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

Heatstroke can lead to brain damage, organ failure or death.

If you suspect someone may be experiencing a heat stroke you should immerse them in cold water. - A bath of cold or ice water has been proved to be the most effective way of quickly lowering your core body temperature. The goal is to lower the body’s temperature below 104 degrees as quickly as possible.

To learn more about heat related illnesses visit http://www.below104.org

Join us today at 3 p.m. ET for our webinar: Early Life Stress as a Risk Factor for Prolonged Recovery After Concussion. This webinar will discuss how mild traumatic brain injury is modeled in preclinical studies, review the risk factors that influence outcomes after concussion, and describe how chronic stress primes the immune system to alter recovery after concussion. Register here: https://bit.ly/4eTuaj6

Shoutout to Dr. Jeff Holloway and the South Carolina Athetic Trainers Association! Thank you for providing an opportunity to educate others on concussions and head injury!

Dr. Jeff Holloway will be presenting an LLR education session on Concussions: A Clinical Update in Ballrooms B & C in 15 minutes!

🙌 A huge thank you to the SC Developmental Disabilities Council for sponsoring the Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference! Your support is invaluable in empowering and uplifting our community. Together, we're making a difference! 🧠❤️

A heartfelt thank you to Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital and CogniLive for their support of the Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference! Your commitment helps us make a real difference in the lives of those affected by brain injury. Together, we are stronger! 🧠❤️
Learn more at: https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference

🎆 Happy July 4th! 🇺🇸 As we celebrate Independence Day, let's remember to prioritize safety:

1. Wear helmets during outdoor activities like biking or riding scooters.
2. Keep fireworks away from children and follow all safety guidelines.
3. Be mindful of those with PTSD—loud noises and crowds can be overwhelming.
4. Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.

Enjoy the festivities and stay safe! 🧠❤️

Friendly reminder:

The Columbia Brain Injury Support Group which meets on the 1st Thursday of each month will not be meeting this month due to the holiday. Meetings will resume in August.

If you would like to find a brain injury support group in your area please visit our website: https://www.biaofsc.com/support-groups

We’re offering a limited number of need-based scholarships for individuals with brain injuries and their caregivers. 💙 If you or someone you know could benefit, reach out to us! Email [email protected] for a scholarship request form or call us at 803-731-9823 or 1-877-TBI-FACT. Requests must be received by July 15.



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As we celebrate this July 4th with fireworks and summer fun, let's also stay informed about safety, especially for those recovering from TBI and PTSD. Learn more about the effects of summer activities like fireworks on individuals with TBI in this article from MAC Alliance Concussion Care.

Remember, safety first while enjoying the holiday weekend and throughout the summer! 🇺🇸

Do Fireworks Affect Brain Injuries? Brain Safety Tips for Summertime Fun - Do fireworks affect brain injuries? What about summer activities like swimming, amusement park rides & trampolines? Read our summer fun safety tips.

🎨🌟 Join Our Virtual Online Art Class:🌟🎨

Are you a survivor of brain injury, an advocate, or a caregiver? We invite you to our special online art class designed just for you! This July, in honor of the 4th of July, our theme is "Stars & Stripes." 🇺🇸✨

📅 Date: July 2, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00AM EST
📍 Location: Online (Zoom link will be provided upon registration)
🔗 Registration Required: https://tinyurl.com/artbrainiac

Supplies (suggested -- you can also use what you have on hand):
Paints
Paper (at least 2 sheets)
Brushes
Water in a cup
Paper towel or rags
Apron to protect clothing

Why Join Our Class?
🌈 Creative Expression: Art is a powerful way to express emotions and thoughts. Let your creativity shine with our "Stars & Stripes" theme!

🧠 Cognitive Benefits: Engaging in artistic activities can enhance cognitive function and improve overall brain health.

🤝 Supportive Community: Connect with others who understand your journey. Share your experiences and create meaningful connections.

🎨 No Experience Needed: Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, our class is welcoming to all skill levels.

💖 Therapeutic Environment: Our class is specifically designed to be brain injury friendly, ensuring a safe and supportive space for all participants.

Don't miss this chance to celebrate the spirit of independence and creativity! 🌟🇺🇸✨

🔗 Registration Required: https://tinyurl.com/artbrainiac



The image is an invitation to join a virtual art class that is brain injury friendly. It features an American flag with stars and stripes in the background, reflecting the theme of Independence Day.

SESSION HIGHLIGHT: Personal Emergency Preparedness
Join Dori Tempio, MS in Counseling, ADA Coordinator Certification, and Mandy Halloran, CPSS (Certified Peer Support Specialist)
as they tackle the unique challenges faced by individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and provide comprehensive instruction on developing a personalized emergency plan in this session intended for brain injury survivors.
Registration deadline: July 17.
https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference

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Whether you're a professional, caregiver, or survivor, the Life with Brain Injury Annual Conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, connect with experts, and find support in your journey. View the full agenda and take advantage of early registration pricing through tomorrow, June 27!

https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference

Don't miss our Keynote, Eric Washington, as he shares his powerful story of overcoming a traumatic brain injury and the steps he took to embrace life following the injury. Eric is a Lived-Experience Faculty Expert for the National Center on Advancing Person Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) Brain Injury Learning Collaborative. Register now! https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference


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Join us on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Conference Center in Columbia, SC, for an agenda packed with transformative sessions. Katie Davis, OD, FCOVD, and Elena Martin, OD will explore the difference between vision and eyesight, review the neurological foundations of vision and how vision interacts with other sensory systems, and discuss visual and visual–cognitive implications of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), such as a concussion. View the full agenda and register today!
https://www.biaofsc.com/lwbi-conference


[A graphic including the Life with Brain Injury 2024 Annual Conference logo on a dark blue background. Beneath it are the words "Session Highlight: Visual Considerations After Concussion." The graphic includes photos of the two presenters, Katie Davis, OD, FCOVD, and Elena Martin, OD.]

WASHINGTON — June 14, 2024, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is including three new cancer types in the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposure under the PACT Act. This announcement marks the continued commitment under the Biden-Harris administration’s Unity Agenda and the Biden Cancer Moonshot to support the nation’s Veterans.

Through a sub-regulatory policy letter published to the Federal Register, the following three cancer types have been included in the list of presumptive diseases:

🧿Male breast cancer
🧿Urethral cancer
🧿Cancer of the paraurethral glands

This policy establishes presumptions of service connection for eligible Gulf War and post-9/11 Veterans who deployed to Afghanistan, Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, and the entire Southwest Asia theater of operations, which includes Iraq. Presumptive service connection means VA automatically assumes service connection for the disease and provides benefits to eligible Veterans who have submitted claims with evidence of a diagnosis.