What are Spinal Cord Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and Burn Injuries?

Frequently, we receive requests for explanations on what happens during spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and burn injuries. Because we are librarians and not clinicians, we cannot speak to what you or your loved one may require if you experience one of these injuries. However, we can provide you with reliable informational resources and referrals to help you and your loved one. The resources that follow are ones that we frequently use when we receive information requests dealing with SCI, TBI, and burn injuries. We have grouped these injuries together for your ease.

The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC)

The MSKTC is a wonderful resource for those with SCI, TBI, and Burn Injuries and their loved ones. They provide factsheets for consumers, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers on SCI, TBI, and Burn Injuries in English and Spanish. They also provide resources on knowledge translation and offer an online knowledge translation toolkit.

Spinal Cord Injury

Here are three great resources for people with SCI:

• One of them is the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) which are funded by NIDILRR. At this time there are 14 centers that are part of the SCIMS. Each Model Systems Center participates in independent and collaborative research, contributes to the SCI Model Systems Data Center, and provides information to people with SCI, their family/friends/caregivers, the general public, and to healthcare professionals. To learn more about the center near you, please visit MSKTC.
• A second great resource is the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation shares information on current research, provides the NeuroRecovery Network which develops and expands access to activity based therapies, offers the Quality of Life program which awards grants to non-profit organizations that provide services to people with paralysis, uses the Paralysis Resource Center to promote the health and well-being of people with SCI, and shares statistics.
• Finally, Craig Hospital is a great resource, whose mission it is to "advocate for and provide exemplary rehabilitation care to people affected" by spinal cord injury. Make sure to take a look at their SCI Rehab programs, which include research, videos, and follow-up services.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Here are serveral resources for people with TBI:

• The Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS), which are funded by NIDILRR, currently have 16 centes across the country. Each center participates in the Traumatic Brain Injury Systems National Data and Statistical Center (TBINDSC), is part of independent and collaborative research, and provides information to individuals with TBI, their families and caregivers, the general public, and healthcare professionals. To see which center is closest to you, please visit msktc.
• Craig Hospital provides inpatient and outpatient TBI rehabilitation programs along with videos, research, and educational information. If you are participating in the outpatient program or a family member of someone in their inpatient TBI rehab program, Craig Hospital will help with either on-site family housing or in a nearby hotel.
• The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) advocates for and provides great resources for people with TBI. For those wishing to work with people with TBI, BIAA provides information on certification programs, education, and the Brain Injury Business and Professional Council.

Burn Injury

These are just a few of the resources available for people with burn injury:

• Currently, NIDILRR funds four Burn Injury Model Systems centers (BIMS) across the United States. The centers are located in Massachusetts (1), Texas (2), and Washington (1) and they contribute to the Burn Model Systems Data Coordination Center, which participates in collaborative and independent research and provides resources and information to individuals with burn injuries and their loved ones, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
• The America Burn Association (ABA) provides a list of burn centers by state. They also provide different resources, such as publications, an incidence fact sheet, and links to recommended websites.
• The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is dedicated to empowering people affected by a burn injury. They do so through various programs (including SOAR), their support network, and their resource center.