WHO WE ARE

BROKEN WING, INC. is a small 501(c)3 non-profit, faith-based organization founded by a mother whose life was drastically impacted along with that of her son, who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury at the age of 11 from a motor vehicle accident.  In addition to that, her daughter suffered a concussion a few years afterward that was followed by a medical diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri.

We are devoted to sharing hope with others affected by brain injury through education and connection to community resources.  We consist of brain injury survivors, caregivers, and health care professionals committed to the advancement of brain injury recovery.  

Trying to rebuild lives after such a traumatic event can cause helplessness and hopelessness that is unimaginable. 

Brain injury leads to long-term, and oftentimes permanent, physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities for which innumerable medical programs exist to provide rehabilitative assistance. However, it’s just as crucial for survivors to return to a social life that they consider normal, as well as activities and events outside the ordinary medical or institutional environment. Unfortunately, minor to nothing is offered to address this issue as part of their usual recovery and rehabilitation process.

BROKEN WINGS, INC., provides empowerment, resources and education about the life changing symptoms of head injuries and what to do to get better. We teach other survivors of traumatic events how to turn their tragedies around by providing real time strategies to get results in life in spite of health and wealth challenges.

As a non-profit organization, we can accept donations and conduct fundraising events.  Proceeds gained through donations and fundraising efforts go toward funding group events, activities, and associated costs. The founder considers the establishment of this organization to be a calling to help others, and our overhead is applied to expenses necessary to maintain the organization’s infrastructure as we stand on our motto of “Making The Impossible Possible.”  We encourage and welcome anyone whose life has been affected by brain injury and who finds themselves in similar circumstances to contact us and get involved! And, to those who wish to help in other ways, we welcome your support and greatly appreciate your contributions.

**DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE**

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a bump, blow, jolt, or other head injury causes damage to the brain. TBIs occur when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.  Mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or death.

Every year, millions of people in the U.S. suffer brain injuries. More than half are bad enough that people must go to the hospital. The worst injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Half of all TBIs are from motor vehicle accidents. Military personnel in combat zones are also at risk.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) falls under the broader category of acquired brain injury (ABI), which encompasses two basic types of brain injuries. An acquired brain injury is generally defined as damage to the brain that was not present at birth and includes both traumatic and non-traumatic injuries. Traumatic brain injuries result from a sudden insult or blow to the head caused by such incidents as motor vehicle accidents, open or penetrating wounds, concussions, gunshots, and assaults. Non-traumatic brain injuries originate in more non-violent ways, such as stroke, brain aneurysm, tumors, lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia and anoxia), and infection. While their underlying causes may differ, the result is still the same and often means that a very long and challenging recovery process lies ahead for the injured person and those who love them.

Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

MILD TBI

The signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include:

Physical symptoms

-Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes

-No loss of consciousness but a state of being dazed, confused, or disoriented

-Headache

-Nausea or vomiting

-Fatigue or drowsiness

-Difficulty sleeping

-Sleeping more than usual

-Dizziness or loss of balance

Sensory symptoms

-Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth, or changes in the ability to smell

-Sensitivity to light or sound

Cognitive or mental symptoms

-Memory or concentration problems

-Mood changes or mood swings

-Feeling depressed or anxious

MODERATE TO SEVERE TBI

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, as well as the following symptoms that may appear within the first hours to days after a head injury:

Physical symptoms

-Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours

-Persistent headache or headache that worsens

-Repeated vomiting or nausea

-Convulsions or seizures

-Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes

-Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears

-Inability to awaken from sleep

-Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes

-Loss of coordination

Cognitive or mental symptoms

-Profound confusion

-Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior

-Slurred speech

-Coma and other disorders of consciousness

When to see a doctor:

Always see your doctor if you or your child has received a blow to the head or body that concerns you or causes behavioral changes. Seek emergency medical care if there are any signs or symptoms of traumatic brain injury following a recent blow or other traumatic injury to the head.

The terms "mild," "moderate," and "severe" describe the effect of the injury on brain function. Even a mild brain injury is still a serious injury that requires prompt attention and an accurate diagnosis.