The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Community Integration of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury at TIRR

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by something outside the body. It is different from a stroke, which is caused by something inside the body: weak blood vessels, blood clots, etc. There are many things that can cause a TBI. Some of them are: a car crash; a hit to the head with a bat, bottle, or other object; hitting the head during a fall; or a gunshot wound to the head.

There are two types of TBI:

What is PTA?

PTA stands for post traumatic amnesia. This is a period of confusion that follows the injury. It is normal for people to not remember the events that occurred right before or right after their injury. However, people differ with respect to how long the period of confusion lasts after injury. It may last for minutes, hours, days, or weeks. During PTA, people are usually unable to make new memories. They may be unable to remember what happened to them, where they are, or what they did a few minutes ago. One way to judge the severity of an injury is by how long the post-traumatic amnesia lasts. The longer the person is confused and not remembering information, the worse the injury.

What is GCS?

The Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool that measures how severe an injury has been. It is often used in hospitals. It is a way to measure if a person responds to their environment. This indicates the degree to which they are unconscious. The GCS looks at three things: eye opening (does the person open their eyes when asked?), motor responses (do they move when asked?), and verbal responses (can they tell the doctors where they are?). The GCS score can range from 3 to 15. A higher GCS scores means the injury is less severe.

Will I continue to recover from my TBI after 18 months?

While the rate of recovery can be different for everyone, there are some general rules. The fastest improvements usually happen in the first 6 months. Improvements can continue for 1 to 2 years after injury, but they are usually more gradual than in the first 6 months. Most professionals agree that people usually show little change after two years, although many people can continue to make changes in the way they function by using strategies and supports. Most people continue to have some problems, although they may not be as bad as they were early after injury. Some common problems that tend to last longer are slowed thinking, memory and attention problems, and problems getting organized. However, many people are able to return to their activities in spite of problems. For example, people may go back to work, return to school, take care of their household, or return to other activities that they did before injury.

How well someone does after injury is dependent upon how severe the injury is, what part of the brain in damaged, the strategies used to get around problems, and the support that a person has.

How can I get on the mailing list for the newsletter?

There are two ways to sign up for the newsletter, you may:

  1. Contact Terri Hudler-Hull at 713.797.5971 or terri.hudler-hull@memorialhermann.org to sign up.
  2. Sign up on line at http://www.tbicommunity.org/forms/signup.html

Can you find me a job?

No, our project is not designed to help people find jobs. The best resource for vocational rehabilitation services for people with traumatic brain injury is the Vocational Rehabilitation offices within each state. In Texas, this office is called the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services. For a complete list of the Vocational Rehabilitation Offices in each state, go to the internet link of the Job Accommodation Network at http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902

How can I sign up for art classes?

There are 3 ways to best sign up for classes:

  1. You may contact Terri Hudler-Hull at 713.797.5971 or terri.hudler-hull@memorialhermann.org to sign up.
  2. You may download or print out the current flyer from our web site at http://www.tbicommunity.org/training/T4/mailer.pdf and fax it to Terri Hudler-Hull with your information.
  3. You may complete a form on line at http://www.tbicommunity.org/forms/CCEinfo.html

When will the next art classes begin?

Our final 12-week session of art classes supported by this grant project will begin in early March 2008 and end in late May 2008.

How often do the art classes occur?

Our class sessions have run twice a year with each class occurring once a week for 12 weeks.

Are there any specific qualifications to attend the art classes?

Yes. A person must be a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivor and be at least 18 years old.

What creative expression opportunities are out there for families of TBI survivors?

We don’t know, but when you attend the art classes you meet people of similar interests and find out resources. For example, we had a gentleman attend who did not have any idea what classes were out there that he could attend. One of the other survivors told him about a class she was attending and invited him to come. This was a class open to the general public and was not a class set aside for just TBI survivors so everyone was welcome.

How old does a person have to be to participate in the Center for Creative Expression classes?

At least 18

Can families attend the Center for Creative Expression classes?

One of the purposes of having these classes is to promote community re-integration. It is better if the survivor has the chance to interact with the other survivors without a caregiver being right there. This removes the added barrier of awkwardness of a caregiver being there.

What are other things to do when the Center for Creative Expression class is not in session?

You may contact local art programs in your area to see what they have to offer. Some of these may be free and some may cost. It depends on the program. Good places to look for these classes are in your local newspaper or by contacting your local library, your church, or the local recreational programs in your area. You can also ask friends if they know of classes in your area.