STATE CAPITOL — The Brain Injury Association of New York State hosted an advocacy day in Albany on Tuesday to call for $1 million in the state budget for a program that helps people recovering from such injuries.
The leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are falls, car accidents and assaults. Speaking at the event in the well of the Legislative Office Building, state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said brain injuries are often “a surprise and a very unwelcome surprise.”
“And all of a sudden, [they] harmfully [change] our life for a long time. Oh, yes, some are mild. There's certainly a lot of concussions out there, and to that extent, we're thankful that people get better,” he said, adding concussion science has increased dramatically in recent years, “But, not everybody does recover and that’s something we have to be cognizant about, and traumatic brain injuries are common in New York.”
According to the state Department of Health (NYSDOH), 157 incidents of TBI occur daily in the state and result in death or hospital treatment. TBIs result in more than 2,200 deaths, 17,000 hospitalizations and almost 38,000 emergency room visits annually.
Schenectady resident Andrew Reynolds’ condition came to light after he received his COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021. He was suffering numbness in his body after the vaccines and had a seizure, which ultimately led to a stroke. All that ultimately led him to receiving an MRI at St. Peter's in Troy, which revealed a brain tumor that cannot be removed.
“Last thing I remember is somebody saying something to me, and the next thing I know I wake up in Albany Med with a tube in my throat. They had to intubate me and, since I was intubated, they had to move me for a CT scan and I was there for six weeks,” Reynolds said. “I was so miserable, but fast forward and here I am.”
Reynolds’ tumor is non-fatal and he has recently begun to walk again with the help of a walker.
“It’s been different. I couldn’t do what I did prior to me getting sick, but there’s other things I can do to make my voice heard and show everybody that I’m not in a vegetative state,” Reynolds said. “[I can] make my voice heard to show that people who have traumatic brain disorders that their life isn’t over yet. It’s a setback. It’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up that shows your character.”
Reynolds is in a day program at Living Resources, where he does yoga and participates in painting classes.
State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said Tuesday that people who suffer from TBI don’t only need physical help, but also need support for common instances of depression, anxiety and PTSD.
“We need to get that word out and educate. And I think that's one of the things you guys are pushing for, is educating the professionals and educating the public so they understand. There's often big holes in the understanding from the public about how to support individuals and you are there to make that happen,” Sullivan said. “We also know that individuals, families, supporters, they need help, too. So, peer support groups — things that come together to help individuals cope — [are] so, so important.”