Students listen to presentation on brain injuries

SUSSEX BOROUGH — The students listened intently during the Driver Education — Traumatic Brain Injured Presentation on March 24 at High Point High School.
State Trooper Jim Bambara presented videos showing why to drive carefully. Helen Woolley, also a teacher at High Point, facilitated the presentation of eight clients from Progressive Times of Milford, Pa., who powerfully urged students to avoid traumatic brain injuries.
Steve, Justin, Tara, Jana, Alicia, Paul, Laurie, and Michelle were all injured for different reasons: not wearing seat belts, drinking and driving, distracting the driver, speeding, drag racing, or being hit by distracted drivers.
For the benefit of the students, each client volunteered to relive the day which dramatically changed their lives forever.
Bambara showed a poignant video of a young girl who texted and drove, resulting in an accident and traumatic brain injury with permanent disabilities. Sadly, the text was from her mother.
About 60 percent of accidents are due to cell phones and distracted driving, said Bambara. He reminded everyone, “Heads up. Phones down.”
Students then saw a graphic video of an accident. Bambara explained three collisions occur during an accident: the crash with what is outside the vehicle; the crash with the contents in the car; and the crash of the brain against the forehead and the organs against the body.
Bambara also taught people have responsibility even when not driving. If the driver is being reckless, just say, “I have to throw-up or use the bathroom.” He said, “You need to speak up. It's your life.”
Woolley explained after someone comes out of a coma, they have to relearn forgotten things. Some never learn to walk again and remain in wheel chairs. Others continue to need help with basic life skills like showering and feeding. She added reckless driving has consequences.
For example, Steve said he fell asleep at the wheel and hit a guardrail. Then he flew out of the car and landed on his head, because he was not wearing a seat belt. Some of the damage is permanent.
Justin said he regrets drinking and driving. Now he is in a wheel chair and wishes he could use his degree. In spite of it all, he added, “I am blessed to be here. I am blessed to be able to speak.”
Tara was injured in the back part of her brain after running head on into a Fed Ex truck while drag racing. Her brain injury removed the filter over her words and emotions.
Jana distracted the driver, resulting in a head on collision. Someone else was killed, but she is too injured to comprehend the other person's death.
Alicia was the victim of a car spinning out of control. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, even though she was in the back seat, wearing a seat belt.
Paul was hit by a car while crossing a street. The accident stopped him from finishing high school.
Laurie had just finished college, was going to be a teacher, and was on her way to work, when she was in a car accident.
Woolley said, “She [Laurie] had a future, and it was taken away from her as well.”
Also, Michelle was severely hurt after another car ran into her door. She has permanent memory problems after hitting her head. Michelle encouraged the students, “Please play it safe, your life depends upon it.”