A good friend and wife of a Veteran with a TBI told me about the following:
AVBI is providing a medical alert dog tag and a tri-fold credit-card sized identity card in a small carrying case, to American Veterans who have suffered brain injuries. For veterans who may be r endered helpless due to seizure or other medical condition(s); the dog tag will alert medical personal to the identity card for further information. The identity card not only contains medical conditions and pertinent information; it lists common impairments and can be used to help a brain injured veteran better communicate their difficulties, particularly in times of stress.
Veteran’s who have suffered a brain injury (or a family member) are encouraged to APPLY NOW for an AVBI ID. Please fill out the on-line application and then submit.* Once we receive the application we will mail to the veteran, FREE of charge; 1 medical alert dog tag w/chain and a tri-fold card in a clear plastic pouch (pictured below).*If you have any questions or difficulty filling out the application email AVBI.
I’m a 9-year U.S. Navy veteran, from 1978 – 87. I served in during the hostage crisis for 11 months off the coast of Iran. In 2008, I wrecked my motorcycle (helmetless of course), which put me in a coma for 54-days. My LOC was 4 at the scene, and Indy’s Methodist Trauma brought me back to life 3 times in 6 days. There was a 4th when the plug was pulled, but I get credit for that save! I spent recovery time (still) at RHI, and spend time with vets coming home at our Brain Injury Coping Skills class. It’s cool, we can talk, and somehow I can to normal folks as well (thank you Dr. Backhaus). As a Peer Mentor, I facilitate a BI Support group for Eastern Indiana. A year after my wreck, a county deputy saw me walk funny in front of the hospital. He thought I was drunk and brutilized me. Worse yet, my 90-year old Pearl Harbor surviving father for trying to tell the cop I was a TBI patient. I thought if I could get these dog tags it would of helped me a bunch, and the other TBI guys must be identified before this takes place more often. One day, a trained vet is going to not realize it’s Al Smith the cop being ruff with him, it’s Al-qida, and some one will be hurt REAL bad, and I bet it isnt the cop. Thank you for your time, and reading my rambles.