Unique presentation encourages families to know signs, symptoms of head injuries

By Paul Bello, National Museum of Health and Medicine

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Families visiting the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) for its August Medical Museum Science Café came away informed and entertained, courtesy of a special presentation about concussions and brain injuries by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) and Washington based singer/songwriter Marsha Goodman-Wood.

Sherray Holland, physician assistant and clinical educator at DVBIC, led a discussion highlighting the organization's new educational initiative, "A Head for the Future," which has information about concussions and prevention tips for families. She has spent time at concussion care centers helping young athletes through their rehabilitation.

DVBIC started the "A Head for the Future" initiative to raise awareness and lower the risk of concussion. DVBIC is reaching out to military service-members, military families and the general public on the signs, symptoms and treatment of brain injuries and how to prevent them.

"This is a timely topic because school has either started or is about to start for many kids," Holland said. "A majority of kids that have concussions don't lose consciousness. CAT (computerized tomography) scans don't always tell if someone has had a concussion, either."

The best way to tell if a young person has had a concussion is if the child appears dazed or confused, Holland continued. Other symptoms might include headaches, nausea, vision impairment, problems maintaining balance and memory loss.

In the event of a head injury, Holland recommends that a child rest for the first 24 hours after the injury occurs. She said it's very important they get enough mental and physical rest as part of the recovery from the injury.

"There's no right or wrong way when it comes to recovery. Though, you don't want them to do too much or too little," Holland said. "It's good to start with reading a book. I recommend 15-20 minutes and increase the time from there. If kids are able to do that, then they're able to get their cognitive activities up."

More information about "A Head for the Future" can be found online at http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/aheadforthefuture.

While representatives from DVBIC explained the importance of wearing a safety helmet and what symptoms are associated with head injuries, Wood delighted guests with several original songs focusing on science and child safety, including the song "Wear a Helmet." Wood is no stranger to topics like concussions or traumatic brain injuries, as she once worked as a researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience. She is always thrilled to perform for families and happy to share her knowledge of science through a song.

"The idea of putting what I know into song came to me and it went from there. Music definitely connects with kids," Wood said. "You can do more complicated concepts with kids through songs. It reaches them in a different way. It's fun and it inspires them."

NMHM's Medical Museum Science Cafés are a regular series of informal talks that connect the mission of the Department of Defense museum with the public. NMHM was founded as the Army Medical Museum in 1862 and moved to its new location in Silver Spring, Md. in 2012. For more information, visit www.medicalmuseum.mil.

	Caption: Pamela Sjolinder, regional education coordinator for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), speaks to a young boy about the importance of wearing a helmet to prevent concussions during the National Museum of Health and Medicine's monthly Medical Museum Science Café, held August 25, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
	Caption: Sherray Holland, physician assistant and clinical educator with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), discusses common cases associated with concussions during the National Museum of Health and Medicine's monthly Medical Museum Science Café, held August 25, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)
	Caption: Marsha Goodman-Wood, a Washington based singer/songwriter, performs during the National Museum of Health and Medicine's monthly Medical Museum Science Café, held August 25, 2015. (National Museum of Health and Medicine photo by Matthew Breitbart / Released)