Thursday November 5, 2009, 8:12 am
Here is the article:

Posted: 11/05/2009 12:00:00 AM MST

— By Alysa Landry —

The Daily Times

FARMINGTON — More American Indians with traumatic brain injuries can expect assistance finding services following the announcement of a $20,000 grant to the Native American Disability Law Centers in Farmington and Gallup.

The grant, announced by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, means more resources for veterans returning with traumatic brain injuries.

"It's sort of the signature injury of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Therese Yanan, executive director for the Native American Disability Law Center. "Because of the nature of the injury, we're trying to reach out to them as they return and are having difficulties assessing services."

Traumatic brain injuries occur as the result of a sudden, violent blow to the head. The brain collides with the inside of the skull, bruising it, tearing nerve fibers or causing internal bleeding.

Such an injury usually results in partial or total physical or psychosocial disability, said Branda Parker, traumatic brain injury life skills coach at the San Juan Center for Independence. The resulting symptoms, including memory loss, speech problems and loss of reasoning abilities, often are permanent.

"There is no cure for traumatic brain injury," Parker said. "You can rebuild what has been damaged, but a lot of times you have to do things in a different way."

One of the biggest obstacles for people suffering from traumatic injuries locally is transportation to health care clinics or other resources, Parker said. Another obstacle is getting a correct diagnosis, especially among veterans who are dealing with other health care issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Native American Disability Law Center helps connect all American Indians in need of services with the appropriate assistance, Luján said in a prepared statement that announced the funding.

"The Native American Disability Law Center provides valuable services for their community, from assisting individuals with traumatic brain injuries to providing resource guides to individuals who may qualify for Social Security," Luján said in the statement. "This grant will continue to assist the law center in its efforts to support and advocate for Native Americans suffering from traumatic brain injuries who need help navigating the legal system and finding services that will meet their needs."

The money is coming to the Farmington and Gallup locations based on where the clients are and the services they need, Yanan said. The federal government disburses the money on a monthly basis.

Yanan did not have information on the number of American Indian veterans needing help with traumatic brain injuries.

"It's really difficult to put a number on it," she said. "We know veterans need help, but what we're finding, what we're hearing is the younger veterans stay in the metro areas because the services are more readily available."

The center is working to reach the veterans who are far from home, but it also wants to reserve money for veterans who are returning to the reservation and seeking help.

The Native American Disability Law Center largely is funded by grants from the federal government. It also receives assistance from local sources and private donations, Yanan said.

A large population of American Indians suffer from traumatic brain injuries, she said, and while it can be difficult to receive services in Farmington, it's even more difficult on the reservations.

"With most of the community we serve, people are trying to coordinate services with tribal, state and federal facilities," Yanan said. "Brain injuries are lifelong physical injuries that need to be accommodated both externally and by individuals. It's an invisible' injury, but people need to make adjustments."

Thursday November 5, 2009, 9:31 am
It should be clear that brain injjured patients need all of the medical and scoial service available, thank you Kat, for this article and your detailed explanation.

Thursday November 5, 2009, 11:05 am
Thanks Kat

Thursday November 5, 2009, 11:09 am
Thannnnnnxxx Kat... more money needs to be poured into the rural areas, clinics and young doctors doing their training could also be used to facilatate.. in these areas... hospitals to could be built...

Thursday November 5, 2009, 11:23 am
This was a great article Kat. It seems, though, that $20,000 doesn't go very far these days. In person-hours, even at a modest $15/hr that only buys the assistance of one person for less than a year. It seems like a token gesture to me for such a devastating problem. I hope this funding will be ongoing past the expiry of the first $20K.

Thursday November 5, 2009, 3:29 pm
Yes, Karen S., it doesn't seem to be very much of a grant. Hopefully it will continue to grow and heal the ones who are in need. Natives should be considered "Americans"! Duh!

Thursday November 5, 2009, 6:00 pm
May we pray that this will mutiply a thousand fold to help more who are in need of treatment.

Thursday November 5, 2009, 6:14 pm
Seems like they rather put money on a 50 billion monument for the follies done in life to the world.

Thursday November 5, 2009, 8:15 pm
noted thank you

Friday November 6, 2009, 2:53 am
Kat, thank you. That is a great story for what they have done for Native Veterans. Good for them!

Canada needs to step up to our Natives much mor than they have as they deserve so much more respect than they are given.

I'm glad to hear this, they are such lovely and spiritual people. I am grateful for all Natives wherever they may live.

Nick J Davis
Toronto ON Canada

Wednesday November 11, 2009, 6:59 am
Kat

I hope more resources become available for natives with disabilities living on reserves. The support and love of family and friends is important for the well being of people with disabilities.

Some Natives that must live in urban areas closer to resources face isolation and loneliness, and a loss of identity without their culture and family.

Peace & Love