8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Keynote Speaker: Joey Harrington
UO and pro football player speaking on helmet safety and concussions among athletes

Track 1  Medical/Legal:  TBI, Somatization and Difficult Patients - Dr. Gwendolyn Ford, neurologist and Madigan TBI Program team member  Moderator: Melissa Taber
This talk will focus on the approach to the evaluation and treatment of TBI patients who manifest evidence of somatization and the difficulties their providers encounter.

Track 2 - OIF/OEF: PTSD and the Problems - What are the Solutions - Eddie Black Moderator:  Selaina Miller

Track 3 - Spinal Cord Injury: Spirituality, SCI, TBI & PTSD Experiences -  Col. Dan Thompson

Track 4 - Brain Injury: Increasing Cognitive Processing Skills via in-home Teletherapy - Dr. John N. Hatfield, PhD  Moderator:  Coleen Carney, RN
Participants will have an interactive experience with the actual cognitive tasks, designed to enhance cognitive skills via computerized activities in home, school or other settings. Each person will receive handouts that will help explain how the CSI-Teletherapy works in developing new neuropathways in the brain. And these new neuropathways are permanent and can help improve a person's short-term memory, focus and attention, problems-solving and decision-making.

Track 5 - General: Overcoming Lifes Obstacles - Byron Loosli, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America
Help individuals find a new attitude in leaning form and overcoming lifes obstacles.

Track 6 - Pediatric Medical/Legal: Social Security disability benefits for children with brain injuries Cheryl Coon, Social Security disability benefits attorney with Swanson, Thomas & Coon, Oregon.  
The CDC estimates that half a million children suffer brain injuries each year. Many of these children will have lifelong disabilities as a result. Social Security disability benefits may be available to assist families with a child survivor; later, as adults, survivors may be eligible for benefits as a result of long-term effects of a brain injury. Learn how to evaluate eligibility, apply for benefits and succeed in your claims.

 Elizabeth Hovde, Oregonian Reporter: My Trip Back from the Rebel Ship

Track 2 - OIF/OEF: Suicide Prevention Training - Signs and Symptoms -David Dedrickson  Moderator:  Selaina Miller
This presentation will cover the signs and symptoms of suicide crisis, how to ask the question, and how to access community resources.

Track 3 - Brain Injury: Sexuality and Brain Injury - Dr. Jeff Snell, QLI  Moderator: Melissa Taber
Sexuality is just one of the many aspects of functioning that can be affected by brain injury and/or spinal cord injury.  It is important to include education and information to the patient and to partners regarding sexuality within the rehabilitation process.  In this presentation, we will discuss common concerns regarding sexuality after injury, and resources for education and training for professionals and consumers. 

Track 4 - Brain Injury: Migraine and a history of TBI - Dr. Beverly Scott, from Madigan (Neurology), is a Migraine specialist and researcher. Moderator: Wayne Eklund
This presentation will describe the clinical characteristics of a sample of service members following acute concussion, including the impact of post-traumatic migraine and other acute and chronic co-morbidities.

Track 5 - General: General: Disability Etiquette - Ryan Green, OPVA 
This session will show you how terminology has evolved to "people first" language in reference to the the disability community.  Also, you will learn tips on how to interact more effectively with people who have all different forms of disabilities.

Track 6 - Pediatric Medical/Legal: The Role of Music Therapy in Rehabilitation -  Lillieth Grand, MS, MT-BC
Music is a powerful tool because it follows unique neural pathways and functions globally in the brain. Because of this, the music therapist is able to access neural function using music to assist their patients to achieve rehabilitative, habilitative and palliative goals. This presentation will introduce participants to the field of music therapy and potential outcomes for the brain or spinal cord injured patient. Music therapy techniques and research will be highlighted. The presenter will share several case stories from her work with children and their families from the PICU through the rehabilitation process and after. There will be a few experiential demonstrations as well. Participants learn how to utilize music on their own to enhance their practice/life and when to contact a professional music therapist.

Track 1 - Medical/Legal:  The Neuroanatomy of Attention - Frederick G. Flynn, DO, FAAN, Madigan  Moderator: Melissa Taber
Difficulty with attention and concentration are common sequelae of TBI. This presentation reviews the anatomy of how we pay attention in our everyday lives and why this function is often impaired after a TBI.

Track 2 - OIF/OEF: Anger Management-Learning Self Control - Joseph D. Bradford, M.P.A., QMHA Readjustment Counseling Therapist U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Services Vet Center Moderator: Jeri-anne Cohen
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the methodology on how to work with combat soldiers who are experiencing anger resulting in the lack of self-control as they transition back into society. 

Track 3 - Spinal Cord Injury: Traumatic Spinal Cord Research Review - Paul Cordo, PhD  Moderator: Alex Streeter

Track 4 - Brain Injury: Visual Prompting & Task Management - Thomas Keating, PhD
This session demonstrates cognitively accessible self-management systems for everyday life: the Picture Planner visual scheduler with social support engagement system; the Daily Tracker prototype web-based activity prompter; and the new ScanDo! video modeling app and web site.

Learning Objectives
1. Participants will understand key principles of universal design for cognitive accessibility in support of independent living.
2. Participants will understand the key features of at least two commercially available and two prototype software programs for use by individuals with cognitive disabilities in family and community living situations.

Track 5 - General: Stigma and TBI - Bronwyn G. Pughe, MA, MFA, TBI Education Specialist, Traumatic Brain Injury Program   Moderator:  Coleen Carney, RN Assumptions and stigma may surround patients, their care, and their families after a concussion or traumatic brain injury. Experiencing stigma, or engendering continued stigma, is detrimental to all. In this session, we explore the definitions of stigma, famous examples of stigma, how stigma form, and the impact of stigma, and what we can do about stigma, especially in the context of TBI.

Track 6 - Pediatric Medical/Legal: Transforming the lives of Children and Adults with TBI through practical applications of Brain Plasticity Principles - Anat Baniel
This presentation will outline the fundamental principles underlying the Anat Baniel Method and ways to take advantage of brain plasticity principles to achieve remarkable outcomes in enhancing physical and cognitive function. Following in the footsteps of the revolutionary scientist-clinician Moshe Feldenkrais, the greatest thinker about how to improve movement in the 20th Century, Baniel will demonstrate why often our mainstream approach to rehabilitation of children and adults suffering from brain injury and disease can limit the outcomes, and at times even be damaging. She will introduce the 9 Essentials – practical and systematic ways to take advantage of the plasticity of the brain, so even while the TBI patient struggles they can operate with this great resource. Through lecture, experiential exercises, videos, she will demonstrate how to awaken this marvelous, innate human capacity, for positive brain change and how it can be used to great advantage with TBI patients.

Closing Plenary Session:

Case Study in TBI - TBI or Not TBI? That is the Question (Or is it?)
Panel Members: Drs. Flynn, Ford, Mangione-Lambie and Kelly; Mr. Jurgensmeier, Mr. Madison and Ms. Powell from the Madigan Health Care System and the TBI Program
Patient case in Madigan TBI Program: A 25 year old male(E-4) with 11 years education and GED, 3 1/2 years after deployment, deployed once to Afghanistan as a medic, 2 concussions - 2 days apart, one year prior to initial visit.  

Objective:
This case will give the audience an overview of the interdisciplinary approach used within the TBI system.

Track 1 - Medical/Legal: Sleep Issues Following Brain Injury

Track 2 - OIF/OEF:  PTSD and the Returning Military - Eddie Black Moderator: Byron Loosli

Track 3 & Track 4 : Vietnam Veterans Wife, Caregiver, Advocate: 40 years of Tips on how to Navigate the V.A. - Carol Cristophero Snider  Moderator: Melissa Taber
The attendee's will be presented with the basics of the V.A. system. The basics of the health care system, and basics of applying for V.A. Disability Benefits. All this material is gathered from the hands-on experience of the presenter. Written information and web site information will be provided along with contacts within the system to help with your health issue or benefit issues. Finally a road map to starting your process. The Presenter IS NOT an employee of the V.A.

Track 5 - General: Five Stages along the Path of Recovery from TBI - Ben Luskin  Moderator:  Selaina Miller
This presentation explores common characteristics found along five stages of recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury: Denial, Acceptance, Rejection, Balance, and Transformation. By showing how the struggles and triumphs experienced through one stage affect later stages, it informs survivors and professionals alike of what to expect, as well as what to work toward through each stage. Audiences are supported in accepting and appreciating their present conditions, and granted the courage and confidence necessary to pursue their dreams. The information provided comes directly from Ben’s experience in recovering from a severe Traumatic Brain Injury sustained at age 12, and can be found in his published essay, “From the End to the Beginning: Self-transformation following Brain Injury.” Drawing from years of introspection and personal cultivation, Ben hopes to encourage audiences to view recovery from a broader perspective.

Track 6 - Pediatric Medical/Legal: Think First Oregon Survivor Panel - Jennifer Salame, Nicole Skala, Kayt Zundel are ThinkFirst Staff who will be presenting brain function and anatomy, results of brain injury, and injury prevention. Two guest speakers- Elyse Dehner and Tom Lavoie who will be speaking about their brain injuries, recovery, and where they are now.