BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota group is launching a campaign to increase awareness of traumatic brain injuries and how to get help.
Officials of the North Dakota Brain Injury Network have started advertising through television, radio, print and online media that will run through June. The advertisements will depict the warning signs of brain injury and provide information on how to stay safe, The Bismarck Tribune (https://bit.ly/2l9jRfv ) reported.
“This is an opportunity to bring attention to brain injury in the state,” said Rebecca Quinn, North Dakota Brain Injury Network program director. “To help them understand there’s resources available.”
The campaign is called “Know Your Noggin” and is meant to coincide with Brain Injury Awareness Month in March. The effort is brought by the North Dakota Department of Human Resources and North Dakota Brain Injury Network and is funded by $325,000 in one-time federal dollars.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, about 13,000 North Dakotans have long-term disabilities rooted in traumatic brain injuries and 3,700 in the state suffer from the injuries each year, Quinn said.
Quinn said it’s a misconception that these injuries always involve contact sports and that the campaign aims to show that everyone is vulnerable.
One of the ads features Shannon Binstock, of South Heart, who was not wearing a helmet when she was thrown off a horse several years ago and now suffers from severe memory loss.
Binstock said it was hard for her to find help after her injury so she later initiated a support group for those dealing with brain damage.
Kristine Medeiros of Watford City and her son, Asa Omlid, came to the campaign launch Tuesday. Omlid is also featured in an ad because he was partially paralyzed in a car accident.
“It’s a journey, and we’re getting there,” Medeiros said of her son’s recovery.
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Online:
Know Your Noggin: https://www.knowyournogginnd.com
North Dakota Brain Injury Network: https://www.ndbin.org
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com
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