Every March, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in recognizing Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge and support the millions of Americans affected by brain injury. The theme for this year’s awareness campaign is “More Than My Brain Injury”. In recognition of this national campaign, the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall is proudly presented by TeachAids and BIAA, and the National Council of Youth Sports (NYCS), in collaboration with the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education and 19 of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies (NGB). These NGBs include: USA Archery, USA Artistic Swimming, USA Baseball, USA Bobsled & Skeleton, USA Cycling, USA Diving, USA Fencing, USA Field Hockey, USA Football, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, USA Karate, US Lacrosse, US Ski & Snowboard, US Soccer, US Speedskating, USA Taekwondo, USA Triathlon and USA Wrestling.
This groundbreaking product features an interactive database of 700 individual’s stories relating to how an injury occurred, the symptoms experienced, and personal suggestions from those who have been injured by a concussion (also known as a mild traumatic brain injury). It is intended as a comprehensive resource to help develop an understanding of the injury and appreciation for the whole person for the many who are impacted (athletes, parents, coaches, officials, teachers and military veterans).
“The CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall is a culmination of more than two years of research and development and thousands of hours of volunteer support,” says Dr. Piya Sorcar, founder & chief executive officer of TeachAids. “We are excited to launch this in partnership with such renowned and respected organizations as BIAA, NCYS, Palo Alto VA, SPICE and in collaboration with the support of USOPC’s National Governing Bodies.
An additional highlight of the Concussion Story Wall is a panel of 14 of the world’s leading medical experts addressing specific aspects of concussions related to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and beyond. Individuals in need of further information, resources, and support after a brain injury may speak with an expert by contacting BIAA’s National Brain Injury Information Center (NBIIC) 1-800-444-6443.
“We are proud to launch the Concussion Story Wall with our valued partner TeachAids – especially in conjunction with Brain Injury Awareness Month,” offered Susan H. Connors, BIAA’s president and chief executive officer. “In addition to supporting those who have been injured and their loved ones, this resource will help raise awareness and be especially valuable for medical professionals in their interactions with their patients.”
The National Council of Youth Sports will make the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall available to its membership which serves 60 million boys and girls across organized youth sports programs.
“NCYS is committed to promoting practices that help young people to play so they can thrive physically, socially and emotionally,” says Wayne B. Moss, executive director of NCYS. “Our vision aligns perfectly with the CrashCourse education products by TeachAids. We are excited to arm our members with these state-of-the-art interactive tools.”
The CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall is available at no cost starting today.
About TeachAids
TeachAids is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit social venture that creates breakthrough software addressing numerous persistent problems. Their HIV/AIDS health education has been instituted in 82 countries. Also being used worldwide is their CoviDB education initiative, a community-edited platform organizing resources across a comprehensive set of topics relating to COVID-19. In partnership with 19 of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees’ National Governing Bodies, TeachAids has also launched the CrashCourse multi-sport concussion education product suite. These evidence-based applications are available online and in virtual reality. All TeachAids products are available at no cost. For more information on TeachAids visit TeachAids.org or follow us on Twitter @TeachAids, Facebook @TeachAids, LinkedIn @TeachAids, YouTube at TeachAids, and Instagram at @teachaids.
About the Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. We are dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury. For more information on BIAA, visit https://www.biausa.org/or follow us on Twitter @biaamerica, Facebook Brain Injury Association of America, LinkedIn at Brain Injury Association of America, and Instagram at @bia_usa.
About the National Council of Youth Sports
The National Council of Youth Sports’ (NCYS) mission is to unite and lead communities to realize the positive power of youth sports. NCYS is nationally recognized as a leading advocate for the importance of access to quality youth sports programs played in safe and supportive environments. NCYS member organizations serve some 60 million registered participants in organized programs. Members are many of the key decision-makers, influencers and advocates for youth sports. For more information, visit www.ncys.org. Follow us on Twitter @youthsportsNCYS, Facebook @ncys.org, and LinkedIn at National Council of Youth Sports.
About the VA Palo Alto Health Care System
VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) is part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), which serves Veterans in northern and central California, Nevada, Hawaii, the Philippines, and U.S. Territories in the Pacific Basin. VAPAHCS consists of three inpatient facilities located at Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore, in addition to seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in San Jose, Capitola, Monterey, Stockton, Modesto, Sonora, and Fremont; as well as two residential homes for Veterans in the Compensated Work Therapy program. VAPAHCS operates over 800 beds, including three nursing homes and a 100-bed homeless domiciliary - all to serve more than 67,000 enrolled Veterans.
VAPAHCS operates one of the largest integrated health care systems in VA in terms of specialized programs, research and graduate medical education; primarily affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary, tertiary and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care.
About Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education
Since 1976, SPICE has supported efforts to internationalize K–12 and community college curricula. As a program of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford University, SPICE draws upon the diverse faculty and programmatic interests of Stanford University broadly—and FSI specifically—to integrate knowledge, inquiry, and practice in its curriculum development, teacher professional development, and distance-learning course offerings. SPICE addresses the Common Core State Standards and other national standards in its work, and recognizes its responsibility to present multiple perspectives and enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills in social science classrooms. SPICE can be followed online and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
