b'ON the HORIZONDear Reader,Feliz ao nuevo! As Semisonic sings, every newIN THIS ISSUEbeginning comes from some other beginnings end, fitting, as its the beginning of another edition of The Noggin. Its also 2020, which means the end of one decade and the start of another. A lot can happen in 10Brandon Lee Addresses years, which the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona has experienced via some incredibleProfessionals on Overcoming growth and change. In this inaugural editors letter for the new year, I would like toTrauma and Confronting reflect on some highlights of BIAAZs journey through this past decade, so fastenMental Health Stigmas your seatbelts (safety first)! Page 4BIAAZ went from Association to Al- listed through BIAAZs public policy liance and became an affiliate of theefforts to join the Congressional BrainQ & A with TBI Survivor and United States Brain Injury Alliance.Injury Task Force. Optimist Jolynne GiordanoBIAAZ also moved locations to thePage 7Jeanne Anderson, BIAAZs former accessible Ability 360 facility. resource facilitation manager, retiredASU Professor Joins Forces with Carrie Collins-Fadell took the helm asto enjoy some much-deserved familyBrain Injury Alliance of Arizona BIAAZs Executive Director. time. Brittany Sweeney-Lawson took onto Help Foster Children with TraumaThe Noggin was created to share storiesJeannes former position and also be- Page 10of surviving and thriving after braincame a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.injury from survivors and caregiversWill Grove joined as the newest Re- THE NOGGIN PRESENTSperspectives, and to provide updates onsource Facilitation Specialist andProfiles of Interestthe latest research of neuro specialists.became a co-facilitator for several BI- Page 13BIAAZ community services and out- AAZ-sponsored support groups.reach expanded to include Be SAFEThe Re:Start Store, formerly Lets Be- CopperPoint Insurance trainings with the Phoenix Police De- gin Again, was taken on by BIAAZ toSponsorship Ensures Unmasking Brain Injury Project partment; Brain Gym classes; Thinkprovide survivors of brain injury theReceives Due Recognition Ahead! Transition Nites with Mesasnecessary training to return to work orPage 16Unified School District; the Run, Walk,volunteer in the community.& Roll fundraiser; the Tucson Concus- BIAAZ received a grant through the Ar- THE CEREBRAL CHEFsion Run; Unmasking Brain Injury; theizona Health Cost Care ContainmentServing Up Food for ThoughtBrain Cave Mens Discussion Group;System (AHCCCS) to develop educa- Page 19the Brain Health Gala; and more! tion, training, and programs addressing Several Arizona legislators were en- opioid addiction-related brain injuries. All is Not Well When Concussion is Part of the EquationThe BIAAZ staff is proud of the sweat, tears, and effort that have gone into makingPage 22these last 10 years so successful. Of course, we couldnt have done it without the amazing volunteers, interns, board and committee members, donors, and sponsors who have been instrumental in supporting us along the way; for them, we are truly grateful. We look forward to the challenges and triumphs the next decade will bring.Now, as has become standard at the end of each editors letter, here is your cere-bral-inspired joke Q: Why didnt the brain want to take a bath? A: It didnt want to get brainwashed! I hope you laughed out loud a little, and I also hope you enjoy your Noggin reading experience. Until next time! Cheers,Brittany Sweeney-LawsonBrittany Sweeney-Lawson |The Noggin Editor 3The Noggin | 2020vol 5issue 1'