Letters to the Editor

Support for Cognitive Rehabilitation for Brain Injury Survivors

Dear Editor,

I am writing to support important legislation that will help survivors of brain injury.

In 2009, my life came to a halt when I was hit by a snowboarder in Aspen, Colorado. The snowboarder ran into eight instructors and went straight through us like a bowling ball.

I knew right away that I was hurt badly. I had torn my ACL and MCL, but it took months before doctors realized I had also sustained vertigo and a traumatic brain injury.

While most people know the importance of physical rehabilitation after you injure your knee, few people realize how important cognitive rehabilitation is after you injure your brain. Of all the surgeries and therapies I received, I think my cognitive rehabilitation made the most difference.

A traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, not everyone who has experienced a traumatic brain injury has access to cognitive rehabilitation. I was lucky to have Mass Health, which covered these services, but most private insurance plans don’t cover these medically necessary treatments.  I also feel that the therapy should last much longer or have annual check ins with therapists to fully benefit.

There is legislation at the State House –  S.502/H.2166: Improving Lives by Ensuring Access to Brain Injury Treatment –that would change that.  This bill will help survivors, families, and communities impacted by acquired and traumatic brain injury access needed healthcare by requiring commercial health insurance carriers to cover the cognitive rehabilitation services necessary after brain injury.

The North End is lucky to have such strong leadership at the State House from Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Senator Joseph Boncore. Both are on the committee that is reviewing this legislation, and Representative Michlewitz serves as chair. I urge them, as a constituent, an advocate and as a brain injury survivor, to support this bill.

Linda Whittle

 

 

INSPIRED BY HIS WORDS

Dear Editor:

Martin Luther King’s uplifting words have empowered thousands of people, including me, to seek equality and justice for all races, express love and hope without prejudice and have the courage to make a difference.

In my opinion one of his most powerful quotes was “No one knows why they are alive until they know what they’d die for.” These words inspired me to find a purpose and be willing to sacrifice myself for what I know is right. They give me the courage to make a difference and give it everything I’ve got.

Another inspiring quote is his message of perseverance. He said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but by all means keep moving forward.” This quote reminds me when I lose hope and feel I will never succeed, to remember, “I need to keep moving forward,” and it encourages me to strongly persist until I reach my goal.

Finally, the words that empower me the most are, “Out of a mountain of despair there is a stone of hope.” This inspires me to remember at times of despair to hold on to that stone of hope and see our world optimistically, knowing that someday there will be a whole mountain of hope and happiness.

Martin Luther King’s words have inspired me to have hope in times of despair, to have perseverance in times of struggle, and be courageous to always do what is right.

The following letter was an essay for a school project.

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