SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - The Brain Injury Association of Washington, Public Health, and the Adler Giersch law firm unveiled a new wall mural today in the Denny Regrade area, designed to raise awareness about care and prevention of traumatic brain injury. Famed, local artist David Heck, best known as the painter of the Tower Records mural wall, painted the mural.
The "Hope and Help" mural by local artist, David Heck. |
The colorful mural, entitled "Hope and Help", is located at 333 Taylor Avenue North in Seattle on the southern, exterior wall of the building. It is a dramatic and incisive representation of the sudden transformation that occurs when one suffers a brain injury.
"This mural's powerful images serve as a reminder to all of us about the importance of preventing brain injuries as well as the hope for good care and support of those who have already sustained them", said Richard Wilson, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Washington.
Every 15 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury, with 50,000 people dying each year from this kind of trauma. Moreover, approximately 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from brain injury.
The consequences of brain injuries include short- and/or long-term memory loss, trouble processing information or concentrating, impaired judgment, seizures, muscle spacicity, loss of senses (e.g., vision, smell), and sleep problems, among many others.
For those with brain injury, simple tasks often are no longer simple. Phone numbers, recipes, directions that once sprung readily to mind can no longer be easily recalled.
The risk of traumatic brain injury is highest among adolescents, young adults and those over age 75 years. After one brain injury, the risk for second and third such injuries increases dramatically, often resulting in even more serious consequences including death.
"The risk of brain injuries can be dramatically reduced by following simple, proven strategies such as wearing helmets and seatbelts and avoiding alcohol use before driving," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
Some common sense strategies can significantly reduce the risk of brain injury for children and adults alike including:
- Wear a helmet when riding bicycles or motorcycles, skateboarding, and skating;
- Avoid alcohol use before or during driving or water recreation (e.g., swimming);
- Wear seat belts when driving and appropriately secure children in the vehicle;
- Do not keep hand guns at home; or, if you do keep them with safety locks; and,
- Modify living environments of seniors to reduce the chance of falls.
This beautiful wall mural, "Hope and Help," has been made possible by a generous contribution from the law offices of Adler Giersch.
