Morris,+Marissa,+Traumatic+Brain+Injuries

= = =** Marissa Morris **=

I’m Basque and from Maui Hawaii. This is the first time I’ve ever lived outside of Maui in my whole life and it’s a big culture shock.
 * __Something that you want us to know about you or something about you that is interesting?__ **

business want to graduate and pursue a cosmetology degree or a master’s degree in education. Eventually I would like to have my own preschool or daycare. Also my boyfriend is perusing a degree in Medicine and we would like to open our own practice one day. If possible we would like to incorporate child care into buisness because we want to have a family holistic practice. I might also want to get some kind of business degree as well to help our family business be profitable.
 * __Explain your education & career goals?__ **

I am an ocean baby. Going to the beach and swimming in the ocean brings me joy. It’s similar to meditating because the ocean is quiet and you feel like you’re in zero gravity. It cools you down and refreshes you. It also allows you to be free with you body and the positive and negative ions being generated by waves help improve your mood. I also love being able to take my dogs down for a good run and swim.
 * __What brings you joy?__ **

Failing a student or harming them in any way. I’m always worried about saying the wrong thing or doing something that could negatively affect them.
 * __What is your greatest fear about being a teacher?__ **

Yes I was a struggling learner all through elementary school. I was put into the “behind” math classes all the time which made me think I wasn’t as smart as my peers. It also made me feel bad about myself and wonder why I should try if I’m just stupid no matter what I do. That feeling stayed with me until I got to college and learned about learning styles and found that I could succeed. I think my history will help me when working with students with learning differences because I have been in their shoes before. Being labeled can make a child give up and loose self confidence. I know that everyone is good at something and focusing on this area allows them to build self confidence that can be transferred to the areas they struggle in. With confidence one can work hard to over come short falls.
 * __Did you ever experience a time when something was extremely difficult to learn? Explain that time and how it made you feel. How might this piece of your history help you connect to students with learning differences?__ **

I want to learn how to intervene with out making a student feel less smart then their peers. Also id like to know how to help catch a student up, who has fallen behind and may give up on school all together.
 * __What do you want to gain from this course?__ **

=__ Introduction of Topic: __= I chose to research brain injuries, because I have personal experience with a brain injured student. Seeing as the person is a college student and personal friend I have seen the difficulties they go through trying to adapt. I have also learned many things about the types and severity of brain injuries, as well as their various implications on students. Something as small as a concussion can significantly affect the way a child learns. That is why this research is important to me. A brain injury isn't always obvious and learning more about them will help me better asses my students and determine their needs. After this project I hope to be more informed and able to create an inclusive classroom for such students.

=__ Top 5 Things I learned: __=
 * 1) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) is characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: a brief loss of consciousness, loss of memory immediately before or after the injury, any alteration in mental state at the time of the accident, or focal neurological deficits.
 * 2) Ages 0-4, 15-19 and 65+ are most likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury.
 * 3) About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury.
 * 4) Injuries to the brain that are present at birth or progressive in nature, such as Alzheimers disease or Parkinson's is not considered a traumatic or acquired brain injury.
 * 5) Of children 0-14 years old, TBI results in 435,000 trips to the emergency room annually, 37,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 2,700 deaths.

=__ Top Resource: __=

**Center for Neuro Skills,** **[]**

__ Rating: Five out of Five Stars __ This website has great resources for anyone wanting to know anything or everything they can about brain injuries. It focuses on rehabilitation and treatment for people with TBI. It offers specific information on the different types of brain injury's as well as resources. There is a glossary of terms, research articles, common brain injury assessment tools, courses and more links to other resource sites. On the home page it has taps for careers, family's, news and events and employees. Its very accessible and easy to navigate.

=__ Additional Resources: __=

** 1. The Brain Injury Association of America, []**
__ Rating: Five Stars out of Five Stars __ The Brain Injury Association of American website has everything anyone would need. It has history of TBI and links to resources for families. One can find a BIA nearest them by just clicking on a tab. They provided information, resources, education and advocacy for individuals living with brain injuries. they also have plenty of information and resources for professionals, parents, and teachers. This website connects you the the heart beat of whats currently going on and is very easy to navigate.

** 2. Academy of Brain Injury Certified Specialist, []. **
__ Rating: Three Stars out of Five Stars __ This website has a lot of general information as well as specifics about certifications. Also it has a link to The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation new letter and an Alliance program. It doesn't have a lot of hard information or tips that would benefit a classroom teacher. However this website is a great resource for a school with more than one brain injured student and families of such students, because it focuses a lot on the certifications and programs needed if working with brain injured peoples.

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This website has tips on injury prevention and control. Its not specifically designed around brain injury's but has a lot of good information. It has information about concussions, mild TBI, severe TBI, concussion in sports, statistics, potential effects, causes and risk groups, reports and fact sheets, and media. It also has pictures and the latest brain research available. In addition it has a separate section for educational initiatives and campaigns, which has great resources for teachers. ======

** 4. Traumatic Brain Injury Forum, []**
__ Rating: Three out of Five Stars __ This online forum is dedicated to traumatic brain injury. I gave it three stars because it doesn't have a lot of general facts and statistics but its a good resource for any one personally affected by TBI. Its a safe place to get advice and talk to people who can understand what its like, whether they be family or the person them self. Also it good to know that your not alone and you have people to lean on.


 * 5.The Brain Injury Recovery Network, **[]

__ Rating: Four out of Five Stars __ This is a fantastic site created by the family of Asleigh, a girl who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. The family has told her story of success and has created this website to help others. Asleigh has bog on the website also. The offer support for the crisis phase as well as the long term phase. They offer a general overview of TBI, injury overview, discussion groups, help with legal and insurance issues, and information on alternative therapies, rehab that works, equipment, assistive aids, computerr tools, back to work/school and brain training games.


 * 6. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, **[]

__ Rating Four out of Five Stars __ This site offers a lot of information, tips and personally stories. TBI defined under the IDEA act and its prevalence is listed, as well as the signs/symptoms. There is tips for parents and teachers. Also their is a lot of resources and more information.


 * 7. Brain Line, **[]

__ Rating Five out of Five Stars __ This is an all inclusive website, it has videos, multimedia, personal stories and a resource directory. The home page has taps for TBI basics, for people with TBI, for family and friends, and for professionals. The have a free news letter and featured articles.


 * 8. The Brain Trauma Foundation, **[]

__ Rating Four out of Five Stars __ This website has information on TBI facts, a glossary and links. It has specific sections for information on concussions, and comas, with videos and checklist. They also have free educational webinars and current news links.