Proclaiming March of 2026, to Be "Brain Injury Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island has identified that more than 12,000 residents of Rhode Island will sustain a traumatic brain injury this year; and

WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of America has identified brain injury as the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in this country; and

WHEREAS, Brain injury is an extremely costly public health issue in the State of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Advances in medical technology have enabled many persons with severe brain injury to survive these injuries; and

WHEREAS, Persons with brain injury may need specialized rehabilitation programs and other services to meet specific needs to live life to maximum potential; and

WHEREAS, Most forms of insurance, public and private, that are available to persons with brain injuries may not cover the rehabilitative and long-term care needs of these individuals; and

WHEREAS, People with brain injury and their families too often must choose financial hardship and discontinuing critical treatment and services due to the substantial long-term costs; and

WHEREAS, Without specialized community services, people with brain injury may become inappropriately institutionalized; and

WHEREAS, Providing treatment methods and services to people with brain injury must be a priority for the State of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Rhode Islanders are affected by diseases of the brain, and brain injuries both acquired and traumatic including concussion, brain cancer, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims March of 2026 to be "Brain Injury Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. We furthermore encourage all Rhode Islanders to participate in the month-long planned activities highlighting the wonders of the brain, and the observation of Brain Injury Awareness Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this Resolution to Neil Sharpe, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island.