America's Shame

Shame on rehab hospitals who refused to give Brenna a chance to recover and benefit from their services. Seventeen hospitals receive federal funds for the rehabilitation of patients with a brain injury. They want only traumatic brain injuries. They have a 35% quota for hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries and want to reduce that number. A reduction in numbers accepted equals fewer beds available for hypoxic/anoxic brain injury patient and a reduction in services to the most vulnerable.

To read Brenna's story, please check out her book: Condemned to Die: Ask me how. Tell me why. You can purchase the book online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or WestBow Press. You can purchase a Kindle or Nook version.

Cognition History of Brenna Deshawn Dowd

These were sent to rehabilitation hospitals along with videos and PowerPoints to show Brenna’s progress. One rehab hospital called to tell me they don’t DO evaluations this way. Many of the rehab hospitals are funded by tax dollars yet do not want to accept a patient with an anoxic or hypoxic brain injury.

•         Day 1 - Has always known her Mom/always tracked Mom

•         Day 1 - Face showed abject fear at negative comments around her

•         Day 1 – Calmed by Mom singing inspirational songs

•         Day 2 – Opened eyes to watch Mom/ Squeezed friend’s hand

•         Day 3 – Startles to loud sound

•         Day 4 – Tracked staff at hospital

•         Day 5 – Nods yes to questions

•         Day 6 – Raised right hand at mom  – 2X – Staff observed

•         Week 2 – Showed fear at new environment

•         Week 2 – Depression at new environment/spiraling backwards

•         Week 2 – Grinding teeth

•         Week 2 – Cried when Mom left for night

•         Week 2 – Banging head to express pain

•         Week 2 – Kicking with right foot

•         Week 3 – Vocalized frustration at environment

•         Week 3 – Expressed pain in abdomen by pressing with right
                 hand

•         Week 3 – Expressed need to potty by pumping right arm/hand

•         Week 4 – Cried when physician said she “wasn’t going
                anywhere”

•         Week 4 – Extreme agitation – neuro storming

•         Week 4 – Raised mom’s hand when told she was “busting out” of

                     the first nursing home

•         Week 5 – Sitting on side of bed/holding balance

•         Week 5 – Attempts to clean self after bowel movement – pushing 

                     gown and sheets between leg

•         Week 5 – Tracking staff

•         Week 6 – Potty feeling activated upon sitting up

•         Week 6 – Fighting too small wheel chair

•         Week 6 – Putting legs out of bed

•         Week 7 – Expressed extreme anger  with eyes at being suctioned
                 by  nurse

•         Week 8 – Sucking on foam tooth brush

•         Week 9 – Scissoring in bed to escape messy bed

•         Week 9 – Fighting too small  cardiac chair

•         Week 11 – Expressed anger at presence of someone she knew 
                  did not belong in her life

•         Week 12 – Responded to Dr. Capricchione/Tracking/Watched
                  intently

•         Week 13 – Watched BSU Bronco game (and all subsequent games)

•         Week 13 – Song “Climb up Sunshine Mountain” brought her out 
                  of situation caused by excessive potassium

•         Week 13 – Responded to Dr. Ziola/Tracking/Watched intently

•         Week 13 – Understood transferring to new facility

Therapy Responses (After transfer to LCTV)

•         Transfer to Life Care Treasure Valley Sept 9, 2010

–        Receiving intensive therapies

–        Watching favorite kids’ movies

–        Tracking sounds

–        Smiling at staff

–        Rolls shoulders forward to sit up

–        Crosses legs at ankles

–        Responding to anyone blocking TV – glares until person moves

–        Moves head back and forth to “wash” face

–        Sticking out tongue on command

–        Turning head on command

–        Opens mouth on command

–        Stands with assistance (needs encouragement at times)

–        Straightens spine on command

–        Standing in LiteGait

–        Initiated foot movements on treadmill in LiteGait

–        Moving feet in LiteGait — up to 1000 feet

–        Lifts head to assist aides with dressing/trachea mist

–        Pushing leg straight against Mom’s leg

–        Shakes head for “no”/Blinks eyes rapidly for “yes”

–        Answered appropriately: Are bears blue? Are penguins purple?

–        Ate snow

–        Pointing tongue

–        Remembers homework to stick out tongue at everyone

–        Strumming of right hand indicates need to potty

–        Pushing right hand toward crotch indicates she has pottied

–        Indicates boredom at isolation in room

–        Lost spacey look in good eye

–        Interested in sink-purposeful movement toward sink

–        Looked around with interest during transfer to hospital for PEG replacement

–        Attempts to stand before given OK by therapist

–        Rolls forward to count of 3

–        Assists in turning herself

–        Holds herself in position to count of 10 most of the time

–        Blinked yes to “Do you want to go to brain injury hospital?”