My name is Michael, Michael Coss. I had the idea of starting The Michael Coss Brain Injury and HBOT FOUNDATION about one year ago as HBOT gave me a 2nd chance at life, doctors thought that my parents should look for a long term care facility for me to take care of me for the rest of my life. Also, my experience with The Rick Hansen Foundation one year ago gave me the idea to do something for brain injury survivors and promote and help fund HBOT, which is what my friends, family members and co-workers did for me. I realize that this type of treatment needs to be promoted and also needs to be financially assisted since it is not covered by Medicare and any private insurance. My priorities remain #1 my rehab, #2 my family, and #3 now my FOUNDATION.
My very rewarding experience with the Rick
Hansen Foundation gave me the drive and insight to start The
Michael Coss Brain Injury Foundation to make a difference in the
quality of lives of those affected by a TBI or ABI. My team back
then was composed of friends, family members, co-workers, former
bosses and customers. We were able to raise over $22,000 for RHF
and we were the top fundraising team in Canada in their entire history.
I did that from my wheelchair, then nothing can stop me, it is my
turn to give back to others, as my friends, family members, and
co-workers gave me a second chance at life.
I feel that this type of treatment must be further explored and talked about and should be tried by those families who have had a love one affected by a traumatic or acquired brain injury.
The problem today is that Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy, thought it is working, is not approved for brain injury, and as a result is not reimbursed by MSP and any private insurance. Because of the cost of such treatments, most of survivors that could benefit from them and regain a better quality of life, cannot afford to pay for them.
Many of us still don't understand why doctors, hospitals and as a whole the medical system doesn't aknowledge the proven benefits of HBOT, refuse to give HBOT treatments to patients in the early stages following the brain injury. In most cases, they will start physiotherapy and other therapies on the patients, which is a good thing without a doubt, but without taking into consideration that the brain , which is the central system that sends signals to the rest of the body need this priceless and powerful natural drug - oxygen - to be able to function. Damages to the brain have occured because, at some point, it lacked oxygen for too long. It DOES NOT NEED MORE LACK OF OXYGEN NOW!
Oxygen is primordial to tissue repair. The brain is no exception to the rule. Pure oxygen given to a patient in a hyperbaric chamber where the surrounding atmosphere's pressure has been increased, dissolves deeper within tissues and fluids and contributes to awaken dormant neurons in the penumbra, area surrounding the direct damaged part of the brain and to rebuild new connections, which over time, will allow to take over for those that have been irreversibly damaged.
Although Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy (HBOT) won't increase the chances
of recovery in some cases, in most cases, HBOT should be attempted. Because
it has been proven that without the shadow of a doubt it works, it helps,
HBOT SHOULD BE USED as soon as possible after a brain injury in CONJUNCTION
WITH other rehabilitation treatments and therapies (Neuro-psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physiatry, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Recreational Therapy, Social Work, Speech and Language Pathology, Vocational Counselling...etc). HBOT medical staff and brain injury Rehabilitation teams should work together, hand in hand for the benefit of the survivors and their families
For the vast majority, the first year is the crutial time for recovery. After one year, the window for improvement begins to close. However, in many cases, radical improvements have been noticed after HBOT treatments years after the brain injury occured.
Mike (Michael Coss): Traumatic Brain Injury - May18, 2006
Approx. 6 months later, starts HBOT. He awakes from coma. Read
more about Michael
Tram: Non-Traumatic Brain Injury - Feb.22, 2008
7 months later in Sept 2008, she starts HBOT. Her overall balance considerably
improves and her left visual field also improves. Read
more about Tram's story
Causes for TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury:
Motor vehicle traffic accidents Struck by or struck against a moving or stationary object Sport related accidents (skiing, ice-skating, skate-boarding, biking..etc) Falls and slips Assaults with fire arms or knife or other physical violence Causes for ABI - also called Non-Traumatic Brain Injury:
Ischemic stroke Arterovenous Malformation > hemorrhagic stroke Aneurism > hemorrhagic stroke Heart attack Vascular disruption Intracranial Tumor Seizure disorders Airway obstruction Chocking Near-drowning Electrical shock Lightening strike Blood loss Artery impingement Toxic exposures to chemical and gases ...and more
Read
more about HBOT - Information provided by The Advanced Hyperbaric
and Recovery Centre in Coquitlam on "AliveNaturally.com". You can also download the HBOT booklet that you can pass along to friends and families
