Ke Kalahea

Ke Kalahea - University of Hawaii at Hilo Student-Run Newspaper

Letter To the Editor

Be Your Own Superhero – Help Prevent Concussions, Stroke, and Spinal Cord Injuries

by Violet E. Horvath, Ph.D., Director, Pacific Disabilities Center

Individuals at a 'Hawaii Neurotrauma Registry' information table

Eat. Class. Study. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. It might feel as though that is all that UH Hilo students do, but we know it’s not the case when surfing, hiking, soccer, biking, dodgeball, or the siren song of Two Ladies Kitchen mochi becomes too much to bear and you must answer the call. There’s got to be some fun (and deliciousness) to balance things out!

But it just takes an instant for something to go wrong. In the blink of an eye, anyone can sustain a concussion or other brain injury, have a stroke, or end up with a spinal cord injury. These are collectively known as neurotrauma injuries. If the person survives, their injuries can be life-altering. Survivors may need to re-learn things that most of us take for granted, such as walking or talking or feeding themselves. They may have to adapt to using a wheelchair, walker, or other assistive devices.

No one is immune. People of all ages can fall inside or outside of the home, or be involved in an accident that injures their brain. Intimate partner violence is another possible cause of concussions and other neurotrauma injuries. Research finds that more young people are having strokes, primarily as the result of unchecked high blood pressure and illicit drug use. Getting wiped out by a wave while surfing or bodyboarding could lead to a spinal cord injury.

Prevention and the recognition of the signs and symptoms of these injuries are key. They take just a few minutes of your time to learn and can make a tremendous difference. Things like learning what F-A-S-T stands for (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to call 9-1-1), so you could spot a stroke and take quick action. (Watch this short, really cool Khan Academy video about strokes and FAST .) Take a second before jumping into the ocean or pool to make sure the water is deep enough to avoid getting a brain injury or spinal cord injury. Talk to someone you think might be in an abusive relationship. Get your blood pressure checked at least once every year. Now, that’s not so hard – do these kinds of easy things that don’t take much time and you can get an A+.

The Hawaiʻi Neurotrauma Registry Project can help. The project is funded by the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Health, and administered by our organization, the Pacific Disabilities Center. It has three goals: Provide free education to the public and professionals about brain injuries, stroke, and spinal cord injuries.

Offer free information and referral services for residents of Hawaiʻi of all ages who have had a neurotrauma injury, along with their families and other supports.

Collect data from neurotrauma injury survivors in Hawaiʻi through a brief (10-12 minutes), confidential survey that will assist the Department of Health in determining what services and policies are most needed on each island.

Interested in a presentation for your group, or know of an event coming up at which we can distribute information? How about a fun and educational storytime or egg race for elementary and middle school students? Know someone who has had one of these injuries and could use some help or might want to take the survey? We need as many people as possible, but we especially need surveys from younger people (below the age of 30) and Neighbor Island residents. Let us know! We’d love to work with you. Here’s how you can reach us:

  • Hawaiʻi Neurotrauma Registry Project
  • Phone: (808) 692-1370
  • Toll-free from all islands: 1-866-447-9023
  • Email: HawaiiNT@hawaii.edu
  • Facebook: @HawaiiNT
  • Twitter: @HawaiiNT
  • Instagram: @pdc_hntr_jabsom
  • YouTube Channel: Hawaii Neurotrauma Registry

Don’t wait for Wonder Woman or Deadpool or Black Panther to save you. Wolverine might be tied up elsewhere. Be your own superhero. The Hilo Vulcans are tough, but even they can get hurt. Have fun, but be safe. Practice prevention and learn the signs and symptoms of concussions and other brain injuries, stroke, and spinal cord injuries. The life you save may be your own or that of someone important to you. Help us gather valuable information from neurotrauma survivors so the Department of Health can make informed decisions about what policies and services are needed. You are vital to the success of this project.

Now put down that peanut butter mochi and get back to writing that paper!