Thanks for the image Benita!

National Brain Injury Awareness Month
Brain Injury Association of America
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 611
McLean, VA 22102

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from "mild," i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to "severe," i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.

How many people have TBI?
Of the 1.4 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States:

• 50,000 die;
• 235,000 are hospitalized; and
• 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department

The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown.

What causes TBI?The leading causes of TBI are:

• Falls (28%);
• Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%);
• Struck by/against (19%); and
  Assaults (11%).1

Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in war zones. Two men in my family have TBI and are retired military.

Who is at highest risk for TBI?

• Males are about 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI.
• The two age groups at highest risk for TBI are 0 to 4 year olds and 15 to 19 year olds.
• Certain military duties (e.g., paratrooper) increase the risk of sustaining a TBI.
• African Americans have the highest death rate from TBI.

What are the long-term consequences of TBI?

TBI can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, and/or emotions. It can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.7

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
1600 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314

Colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — affects both men and women. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable. Go see your doctor and get tested. Your loved ones will appreciate it!

The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. Starting at age 50, men and women who are at average risk for the disease should get screened. Some people are at a higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and may need to be tested earlier. Because of disproportionate screening, minorities, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in advanced stages. As a result, death rates are higher for these populations than they are for white Americans. Recent research has shown that African Americans are more frequently diagnosed at a younger age, and experts now suggest that African Americans begin screening at age 45.

National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Symptoms of MS

Common symptoms of MS include fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, numbness, vision loss, tremors and depression.
Not all symptoms affect all MS patients. No two persons have the same complaints; no one develops all of the symptoms.
Symptoms may be persistent or may cease from time to time. Most patients have episodic patterns of attacks and remissions throughout the disease course. Symptoms may remit completely, leaving no residual damage, or partially leaving degrees of permanent impairment.
Because the symptoms that define the clinical picture of MS are the result of nerve lesions causing disturbances in electrical conduction in one or more areas of the CNS, the nature of the symptoms that occur is determined by the location of the lesion. For example: an optic nerve lesion may cause blurred vision; a brain stem lesion may cause dizziness or double vision; a spinal cord lesion may cause coordination/balance problems. There are many famous and not so famous people with this disease.

Jacqueline Creed Archer - Civil rights activist
Richard Berghammer - Wildlife Painter
Clive Burr - Iron Maiden Drummer
Carrel Cowan-Ricks - historical archaeologist and anthropologist
Annette Funicello - singer, dancer, former Mouseketeer
Teri Garr - Actress (Young Frankenstein, Tootsie, Close Encounters and others)
David Humm - NFL quarterback, Oakland Raiders
Natalie Mandzhavidze - NASA Physicist

National Endometriosis Awareness Month
Endometriosis Research Center
World Headquarters
630 Ibis Drive
Delray Beach, FL 34444

Endometriosis is a reproductive and immunological illness affecting millions of women and girls around the world. Mistakenly stigmatized as merely painful periods, Endometriosis is far more than just "killer cramps". There are far to many doctors out there that will tell you "this is all in your head". Too many women out there are suffering needlessly, if your doctor will not help you find one that will!

The far-reaching effects of this Endometriosis can negatively impact all of society. The ERC strives to make a positive difference in the lives of all those affected by the disease. The ERC is an International leader in raising Endometriosis awareness; providing education, encouragement and empowerment to all those living with this illness; facilitating global Endometriosis research efforts; and so much more. Unlike similar organization, the ERC is unique in that we are not fee-based. There are many ways in which the ERC can help you, whether you are a patient, loved one, physician, researcher or media contact. We are dedicated not only to improving the quality of life for those with Endometriosis, but also to continuing our important work with clinicians and researchers all over the world to find more effective treatments for the disease - and ultimately, to find the cure.

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When people talk about March, they always mention the lamb and lion thing. Pretty interesting, but frankly, we venture to guess that most folks are happy to see the month go -- under whatever circumstances. Sure, the calendar turns to spring on March 20, but this can be a kind of cruel hoax in some parts of the country, where snow and ice are not necessarily banished yet.
An interesting note is that some skywatchers believe that the lion and lamb saying has a heavenly connection. The constellation Leo, the lion, is rising in the east at the beginning of March, hence the "comes in like a lion," while Aries, the ram, sets in the west at the end of March, and so "will go out like a lamb."

Just a personal note~I guess I should have made myself clear on the post below, the asshat that I was talking about has been out of my life for a very long time. This is just a reminder that abuse comes in many forms and it shows how far I have come since then! For the record, no it was not the father of my children. Thank you for your emails and comments!

Now lets all have a great month!

Labels: March, MS, pirate, TBI

N Posted by Rain at 3/01/2007 12:01:00 AM

8 comments from:  choochoo,  Anonymous,  Anonymous,  Anonymous,  Marie,  jedimerc,  COLORADO BOB,  Anonymous,