Brain injury workshop

    Photo courtesy of TAMC
    A recent workshop coordinated by Green Ridge Neuro Rehab, a service of The Aroostook Medical Center, brought together local healthcare professionals and those touched by brain injury to discuss treatment options and share stories. The workshop, held at Northern Maine Community College, included presentations from Dr. Celia McLay, an Eastern Maine Medical Center physiatrist (physician specializing in rehabilitation) who also sees rehab patients at AR Gould Memorial Hospital; Louis Lamont, father of a brain injury survivor; Beverly Bryant, a brain injury survivor who used humor to describe the patient perspective; and Kristi Leblanc, an educator with the Maine Brain Injury Association. Brain injury is the number one killer and disabler of children and young adults. Among the two million traumatic brain injuries that occur in our country each year, two-thirds of the victims are under the age of 30. Although advances in trauma care have resulted in a much higher survival rate, only one brain injury victim out of 20 is receiving appropriate rehabilitation. Pictured, from left: Beverly Bryant, Kristi Leblanc, Louis Lamont, Renee Guerette and Dr. Celia McLay.