Polytrauma

Virtual care means Veterans with TBI have access to specialized polytrauma and TBI clinical services no matter where they live.

Hear from Veterans who have survived multiple serious injuries and how VA is helping them in the Polytrauma program.

I have had a series of mentors over the years. Air Force Brigadier General Charles “Chuck” Yeager, the first pilot to fly faster than the speed of sound, took me on my first flight in an F100F fighter in 1958. Air Force Colonel Henry Godman, a pilot in the first full squadron to fly the B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II and later the head of Strategic Air Command, taught me to fly a propeller AC.

After a plane crash lead to his paralysis, VA introduced Chris to adaptive skiing. One run down the mountain gave him his life back.

When Army Veteran Jason came to VA for help recovering from an IED injury, he didn’t realize he would find a purpose in life.

From strokes to other major brain injuries, the Minneapolis polytrauma team provides world-class care unlike anything in the civilian community.

The crash killed her three friends, and almost killed her and her mom. Despite a severe brain injury, Olivia is coming back from the near-death crash.

From not being able to walk or talk, Army Veteran Cathy Davis now makes presentations at polytrauma conferences. A large team of VA doctors and specialists and her resolve made it happen.

While treatment for headaches is available at all VA medical centers, seven hospitals are specifically working to help polytrauma and TBI Veterans.

VA researchers are hoping to improve the experience of parents who are caregivers for their adult children who have served in the military and are battling severe physical or mental injuries.

TBI is often caused by a strong impact to the head or from an object penetrating the brain that may or may not result in a loss of consciousness.

The annual event assembled more than 350 participants from the federal government, private industry, professional sports, medical research, caregivers and Veteran communities to collaborate and advance discussions around the prevention and treatment of TBI and concussion.