Neuro News: Food for Thought Issue 32

Brain Injury Association of MS/United Spinal Association MS Chapter • October 1, 2024

The brain injury association of mississippi and the united spinal association of mississippi

A group of people are standing next to each other in a park.

Upcoming Events

NogginFeast 2024

Join us on Monday October 14 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for this year's NogginFeast: A Celebration of the Brain - an evening of food, drinks, music, and fun at the Renaissance at Colony Park . Get your admission and drawdown tickets at EventBrite .

Joseph La Salla, local favorite and long time supporter of BIAMS/USAMS, will open for the event and Chris Gill, renowned blues musician and himself a survivor of TBI, will follow.

All of last year' People's Choice Award winners - Half Shell Oyster House, Old Capitol Inn, and Kathryn's Steak House and Seafood Restaurant - are returning to compete against other outstanding area eateries for your vote in this year's tasting table showdown.

The $5,000 Live Drawdown will be presented by WJTV's Walt Grayson. We will again be honoring the Mississippi National Guard in a Salute to Our Heroes This year's Distinguished Unit is the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment.

Art in Mind

Wednesday, October 23, 1 PM Mississippi Museum of Art

Art in Mind is an interactive art therapy program now available to our chapter members.

The afternoon session is for individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. By stimulating observation, recall, and response, this program helps participants manage their stress or anxiety, cope with change, and gain personal insight. This offering is facilitated by licensed art therapist Susan Anand and an MMA Educator.

Thanks to our sponsors, participants will also receive an art kit of basic art supplies to empower participants in the art-making portion of the program. Lunch is provided on site at 12:00.

Space is limited, and you must be registered through our office to participate. If you are interested call us at (601)981-1021.

Matter of Balance

Ridgeland Library beginning October 18 (Fridays 9:30 to 11:30)

Do you have concerns about falling? Would you like to learn simple, but highly effective, exercises that you can incorporate into your routine that will increase your mobility and improve your balance? Come to our informational and registration class on Friday October 18, as we begin our next cycle of eight classes. For more information, call our office (601)981-1021 or email Tonja Mangum tmangum@msbraininjury.org .

Expanding Support Groups

Community Groups for Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Survivors and Caregivers

Our community groups provide a platform for peer-to-peer connection, community engagement, and information sharing. We are looking forward to planning our holiday parties, Bowl-a-Rama 2024, and other group outings at our October meetings while we are together. Zoom links are available for all our monthly Community Groups and are open to survivors and caregivers no matter where they are! If you would like to be included on our Community and Support Group email list, reach out to us at (601)981-1021 or cbishop@msbraininjury.org .

Jackson Area - Monday, October 7 5:30 pm

October's get together is moved from the second Monday to the first Monday for this month only. We will meet at the Flowood Family YMCA .

Hattiesburg Area - Tuesday, October 1 6:00 pm

At Crosspoint Community Church on the first Tuesday of each month.

Gulf Coast Area - Thursday, October 17 6:00 pm

At the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA on the third Thursday of each month.

Tupelo Area - Monday, October 21 6:00 pm

Our newest group is now meeting in-person at the Tupelo Regional Rehab Center .

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

A green ribbon is crossed over itself on a white background

Since 2013, September has been recognized as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. As the month comes to an end, we want to reflect on spinal cord injury.

About 300,000 Americans live with spinal cord injury.
Most spinal cord injuries happen from preventable trauma.
Men account for about 80% of spinal cord injuries.
The average first-year cost for treating spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis falls between $519,000 and $1,065,000, depending on the severity of the injury (resulting in an estimated annual cost of over $10 billion).
Federal funding for spinal cord injury research annually is $71 million.

Fall Prevention

In September, we took part in the Department of Health's annual Fall Prevention Awareness Week. This year, the focus was on adopting healthy habits and easy-to-implement strategies to reduce the risk of falls in the home. Falls are the leading the cause of injury in adults age 65 and older - many of these injuries are head and spinal trauma. If you are concerned about your risk of falling, or are concerned about someone else's risk, click on the image below for a risk-assessment.

A group of women are standing next to each other and smiling.

Concussion Awareness

With football season going strong, we want players, coaches, trainers, and parents to remember that concussions are a traumatic brain injury. Over 17% of Mississippi high school students have experienced a concussion. Being concussion savvy can lower the risk of injury and improve long-term outcomes. Click on the image below for more information and resources.