Glenn Thompson: “Today is Brain Injury Awareness Day, and I welcome those who are in Washington today to share their stories. This issue…”

“Today is Brain Injury Awareness Day, and I welcome those who are in Washington today to share their stories. This issue is near and dear to my heart. For nearly 30 years, this was my area of practice and expertise as a therapist and rehabilitation services manager. I served as a board member for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and helped form a brain injury support group. The theme for this year's campaign is Change Your Mind. This public awareness campaign strives to destigmatize brain injury; empower those who have survived, as well as their caregivers; and promote the many types of support available. The need to raise awareness is great. More than 2.8 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries in the United States each year. The 13 million Americans living with brain injuries want what we all want: to be defined by who they are as people, not by their injury. Mr. Speaker, everyone recovers at a different pace, and we should do everything in our power to support and encourage brain injury survivors. They deserve no less. ____________________”