In this section, you can find basic information about:

• the parts of the brain and what they do• the causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI);

• how the brain changes after TBI

• how the brain begins to recover.You can use this information to understand:

• how the brain works• what you might see during recovery;

• why you might see changes in how your service member/veteranthinks and acts due to a TBI.

TBIs are classified by how severe or serious they are at the time of injury.

TBIs range from mild (concussion) to moderate to severe.

This module provides information on moderate to severe TBI.

Doctors,nurses, and other health care providers who work with TBI guidedthe content.

Module 2 - Understanding the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and What You Can Do To Help

This module is about the ways that a moderate to severe traumatic braininjury (TBI) may change a person’s body, thinking, acting, and feelings.Some of the information you will read may be true for your servicemember/veteran. But some of it will not.

Each person is unique andeach person’s effects from TBI will also be unique.

Many people with TBI have similar patterns of recovery. But everyonerecovers at a different pace. There is no way to “hurry up” the recoveryfrom TBI.

There are, however, many things you and the health care providers cando to create the best possible recovery.

Module 3 - Becoming a Family Caregiver for a Service Member/Veteran with TBI

You play an important role in the recovery of your service member/veteran with TBI.

You may be a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. Your job as a caregivermay include being a:

• case manager

• advocate

• benefits coordinator

• health care provider.

All of these roles may be new to you.

This module focuses on helping you, the caregiver. It offers tips on howto get organized and get help. It also suggests

Module 4 - Navigating Services and Benefits

This module is about benefits and services from the Department ofDefense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Being amember of the military brings both honor and support. You want to besure your family member gets the support—services and benefits--that heor she deserves.

It can be hard to find your way through the maze of programs at DoDand the VA. The good news is that you are not alone. There are many caring professionals at both agencies who can guide you. Your family member will also have a Point of Contact (POC).  He or she is the firstperson to turn to for information. (What this person is called depends onyour family member’s military branch.)

You also have an important role to play on your family member’s behalf.Part of being a caregiver is to be an advocate, for both yourfamily member and for you. You need to speak up, clearly and firmly, tocommunicate your and your family member’s need for services and benefits.Understanding what services and benefits are available to you and yourfamily member will help you feel more confident in advocating for them.

That’s what this module is all about.