Acquired Brain Injury (ABI):  Damage to the brain, which occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease. These impairments may be temporary or permanent and cause partial or functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.                 World Health Organization (Geneva 1996)

Categories of ABI

• Non-Traumatic Brain Injury including lack of blood flow to the brain (stroke), brain bleed, lack of oxygen to the brain, infections in the brain, toxic exposure, fluid build-up in the brain, and tumor
• Traumatic Brain Injury including closed head injury such as explosion, bicycle or vehicular accident, falls, sports injuries, physical abuse and penetrating head injury such as gunshot wounds

Resources for more information:

Brain Injury Association of America: BIAA’s mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. We are dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury. With a network of state affiliates, local chapters, and support groups, we are the voice of brain injury.                           http://www.biausa.org/index.htm

Brain Injury Network: (BIN) is the first brain-injury-survivor-operated, international and USA national, Survivor of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), nonprofit, advocacy organization. (Founded 1998.) This nonprofit organization is for and by the brain injury survivor community. We members at BIN are people with ABI in its various forms which include but are not limited to aneurysm, anoxic or hypoxic injury, brain illness, brain tumor, stroke, or traumatic brain injury (TBI). http://www.braininjurynetwork.org/aboutbin.html

 BrainLine Talks with Dr. Gregory Goodrich:  Vision Issues After Brain Injury  http://www.brainline.org/content/2010/02/vision-issues-after-brain-injury-brainline-talks-with-dr-gregory-goodrich.html

 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:  The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts and supports research on brain and nervous system disorders. Created by the U.S. Congress in 1950, NINDS is one of the more than two dozen research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH, located in Bethesda, Maryland, is an agency of the Public Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NINDS has occupied a central position in the world of neuroscience for more than 50 years.  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm

NORA: Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation Association                                                    Introduction to Vision and Brain Injury                                                                              http://noravisionrehab.com/