Hooikaika

The newest Hooikaika special about traumatic brain injury issues, entitled “Sports and TBI” will be airing on Channel OAHU 52 throughout December 2011. Sports and TBI is a talk show about how we are protecting our island’s keiki from TBI. Guests include Elzy Kaina from the Thinkfirst Program and Ross Oshiro from the Department of Education Concussion Management Program.

Channel Oahu 52 Airdates

• 12/15/11, Thu, 1:00 pm
• 12/19/11, Mon, 5:30 pm
• 12/21/11, Wed, 6:30 pm
• 12/22/11, Thu, 4:30 pm

Starting on December 18, The show will also be streamed online at http://www.olelo.org/olelonet.

Tags: DOE Concussion Management Program, Life Goes On, Olelo, Television, ThinkFirst

Hooikaika staff and volunteers recently appeared on Hawaii Public Radio’s weekly health program The Body Show. Project Director Robin Brandt spoke about the need for mentoring and volunteers Nick, Mary and Valerie spoke about living with brain injury.

Download MP3: Excerpt from The Body Show

00:00 – Introduction
01:03 – Re-Introduction
01:35 – The Hooikaika Peer Mentoring Project
03:00 – What is traumatic brain injury?
05:40 – Nick describes the subtle but lasting changes a work injury made in his life.
08:40 – How can peer mentoring assist people with traumatic brain injury?
11:30 – Mary speaks about the how her injury had a major impact on her life.
22:45 – First caller describes her difficult but successful recovery from injury.
27:00 – Second caller describes her severe, continuing symptoms.
30:25 – Third caller speaks about his head trauma and asks about the long term effects.
33:40 – Robin discusses brain injury research.
34:25 – Valerie talks about how her life was affected by the stroke that occurred after being injured at work.
37:18 – How can you prevent head injury?

Thanks to Kathleen Kozak for inviting us on her program and to Hooikaika volunteers Nick, Mary and Valerie for sharing their story.

Tags: Mary, Mentoring, Nick, NPR, Radio, Valerie

Title: Services and Support
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM HST

The Hooikaika project invites you to join an online discussion about services and support for persons with a disability.

• Where do you look for services?
• What is available in my community?
• When do you disclose a disability?
• What are accommodation needs?
• How do I create an accommodation brochure?

Robin Brandt, the meeting facilitator, will present practical suggestions on how to find and access disability services in Hawaii.

Continue reading for registration information.

Continue Reading – Services and Support Webinar May 2011

Tags: State Services, Webinar

Life Goes On: Work and TBI is a discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing persons with TBI who are returning to work.

Channel Olelo 52 Airdates

• Wednesday, 4/13/11, 7:30 pm
• Thursday, 4/14/11, 11:00 am
• Wednesday, 4/20/11, 9:00 am
• Thursday, 4/21/11, 2:30 pm

Special thanks to Hooikaika volunteers Valerie Yamada and Greg Lee, and vocational rehabilitation staff Diane Sakumoto, for being our guests on this program.

Tags: Employment, Greg Lee, Olelo, TBI, Television, Valerie Yamada

Bike to School day is a great chance for East Honolulu kids to get exercise and learn about bike safety.

Contact Natalie Iwase, Bike Mom, to join the ride on May 17, 2011.

• (808) 395-3233
• the-green-one@hawaii.rr.com

Continue reading for route information and start times. Continue Reading – Bike to School Day May 17!

Tags: Bicycling, Kids, Safety

What is Neurotrauma?

Neurotrauma is an injury to the nervous system. This could be a stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury.

What Is the Neurotrauma Special Fund?

Hawaii’s Neurotrauma Special Fund was created in 2002 to fund projects dedicated to neurotrauma prevention, education and research. The money for the fund comes from traffic violations such as tickets for speeding and not using seat belts. In other words, activities that lead to neurotrauma injuries.

Some of the projects supported by this fund include the Hooikaika Peer Mentoring Project, the Brain Injury Association of Hawaii, the Student Athlete Concussion Management Program, the Elderly Falls Prevention Study and the ThinkFirst injury prevention program.

For more information about the fund, check out this star-bulletin column.

Tags: Advocacy, Neurotrauma Fund

Contributed by Lyna Burian, Brain Injury Advocate

The State Legislature will open on January 19, 2011.

The Legislative Advocacy group is planning to re-new their efforts to require health insurers to cover Cognitive Rehabilitation. It has been proven that consistent cognitive rehabilitation improves the brain injury survivor’s cognition and capabilities. There has been several research studies already done on the Mainland that proves the effectiveness of some types of cognitive therapy. However, this type of therapy is not covered by health insurers in Hawaii, and most survivors cannot afford the cost.

Continue Reading – Brain Injury Legislation in 2011

Tags: Advocacy, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Helmet Law, Legislature, Lyna Burian, Pickup Truck Bed Ban

Contributed by Kevin Furutani

Did you know that if you are 100% disabled, you can qualify for a tax break?

Benefits If You Qualify

• The first $2000 of income is exempt from taxation.
• Instead of paying 0.04%, you only pay 0.005% (that’s $5 on every $1000 of income).
• The 0.005% rate applies to up to $30,000 of income.
• You can refile for past years.

Continue Reading – Tax Breaks for Persons With TBI

Tags: Disability Tax Exemption, Kevin Furutani, Taxes

Based on writings by Jo-Ann Inouye

Ho‘oikaika helps those of us with traumatic brain injury (TBI) develop “cohesiveness.” By participating in project activities, we get to know each other better. As we trust each other more, we aren’t afraid to talk honestly or open up about the issues that are most important to us. We feel safe and accepted. There is no shame.

Brain injury causes a loss of self worth. We can’t remember. We become confused. People treat us as if we are “dumb” or lacking. We are not; we are recovering from an injury. The struggle can be monumental. Volunteers in the project understand and help each other maintain a sense of self-esteem.

Ho‘oikaika provides opportunities for volunteers to bond with each other. These bonds help grow a Ho‘oikaika ohana, a family. In a family, each member has a value. We all belong.

Tags: JoAnn Inouye, Ohana

The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific offers a variety of therapeutic programs for individuals with traumatic brain injury and other disabilities. Click the links below for more information.

• Louis Vuitton Creative Arts Program
• Total Fitness Program
• Adaptive Sports Programs
• Access Surf
• Back in the Swing
• Adaptive Driving Information

Tags: Rehab Hospital