Brain injury affects America as a whole, and its importance should be recognized on Capitol Hill. As part of this national recognition, on March 5, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders introduced Retired Marine Corps Sergeant John Peck to the press. Peck’s story is remarkable and therefore must be noted in its entirety: “Sergeant Peck suffered a traumatic brain injury in Iraq during his first tour of duty. Then, after two years of therapy, he re-enlisted and deployed to Afghanistan. While there, he stepped on an IED and lost both arms and legs. He spent two years at Walter Reed, and in 2016 received a double arm transplant. He is now doing physical and occupational therapy at Walter Reed, and doing incredibly well.”
Earlier this week, our legislators further honored brain injured Americans at Brain Injury Awareness Day, which is always honored on Capitol Hill during Brain Injury Awareness Month. Generally, from what I can determine, the day is simply associated with Brain Injury Awareness Month and, therefore, in March. However, Brain Injury Awareness Day is not honored on a specific calendar day. (For example, in 2017 it was on Wednesday, March 22. This year it was on March 20.) The point of the day, though, is unchanging: to increase knowledge and awareness of brain injury with our elected officials.
As noted in an earlier article, the theme of 2018 Brain Injury Awareness Month is Change Your Mind. Scheduled by the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, co-chaired by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ) and Thomas J. Rooney (FL), the events this past Tuesday were a Brain Injury Awareness fair, a Congressional briefing and a reception celebrating Brain Injury Awareness Month.
When I can find the audio of the Capitol Hill Congressional briefing, I will post it on this site. Additionally, as I find state events honoring the month, I will post them.