"Pain is temporary, pride is forever"

 Multiple Perspectives Conference  Military Credentials on Campus  Helping Students in Need

 Approximately 1.8 million troops  36,000 U.S. troops “wounded-in-action”  Another 43,000 U.S. troops have “non-hostile injuries” (accidents, illnesses, mental breakdowns)

 UNOH is a nationally recognized Yellow Ribbon School  UNOH is also recognized as a Military Friendly School for 2011 by G.I. Jobs  Expecting a 30% jump in Wounded Warriors on campuses across the country  Since August 2009 over 500,000 service members have enrolled in school under the GI Bill across the country

 186 Veterans on campus  22 students taking VC courses  6 students currently deployed

 12-16% are females  84-88% are males  24 – average age of a wounded warrior  Often a more mature group of students who need refresher courses and help advocating for themselves

 Visible injuries – spinal cord injuries, amputees, disfigurements, etc.  Invisible injuries – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The focus of today’s presentation

“An anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an experience involving direct or indirect threat of serious harm or death; may be experienced alone (rape/assault) or in the company of others (military combat)”

 Damage to the brain triggered by externally acting forces such as a blast  “Barotrauma” – pressure wave, blast wave (69%) – also important to auditory injuries  Penetrating objects put in motion (5%)  Individuals put in motion (remainder not as likely blast related – e.g. vehicular collision)

 Be patient– this is really important when working with individuals with TBI & PTSD. Thought processes, cognition, & physical capabilities may be altered  Be willing to make adaptations in the classroom – A student may need to sit in a particular spot in the classroom, may need a timeline for class events, or just a simple warning to the class that there may be graphic points to a video clip or loud noises in shop

 Put own feelings and opinions aside – avoid making comments that reflect personal stance on OEF and/or OIF or previous wars  Recommend they speak with someone for help – often the individuals do not realize they need extra help or do not know where they can turn for the help (list on last page)

 We may come in contact with many of the following family members of our Veterans:  Spouse  Children  Siblings  Parents  Be supportive – listen, introduce to others in the same predicament, etc.  Guide them to one of the task force members for assistance

 Campus wide In-Service  Local Agency Information  Campus Task Force  Open Mind about Accommodations

 Veteran Task Force  Randy Gonzalez (100 building)  Robyn King (100 building)  Cindy Preston (100 building)  Jason Wagner (100 building)  Bob Elsass (200 building)  Terry Miller (200 building)  Dorothy Schroeder (200 building)  Tom Grothous (300 building)  Gary Tinnel (300 building)  Danielle McClure (500 building)  Randy Lucius (600 building)