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THINK FIRST
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons together
sponsor the THINK FIRST program. It is designed to bring to the public, especially to teenagers most
vulnerable to injury, an understanding of the causes and results of injuries to the head and spinal cord.
Each year 12,000 people in the United States sustain spinal cord injuries and another 500,000 suffer brain
injuries severe enough to require hospital admission. The impact of these sudden injuries can be devastating.
THINK FIRST teaches students now to protect themselves from experiencing these types of injuries, the message
being that you can have a fun-filled, exciting life without hurting yourself if you "think first" and use your
mind to protect your body.
The THINK FIRST program addresses personal vulnerability and the consequences of risk taking and includes the following components:
- A 15-minute film, "On the Edge", which features young people who have had brain or spinal cord injuries discussing the consequences of high risk activities.
- A brief presentation by a health care provider about the anatomy and functions of the brain and spinal cord along with a discussion of how these functions are disrupted with injury. Many causes of injuries are discussed, including the automobile, drinking, recreational drug use, violence, diving, and sports related activities.
- A charismatic person who has sustained a brain or spinal cord injury discusses his or her injury, including how it was caused and the physical, emotional, social, and financial consequences of the injury.
- Emergency medical personnel discuss the prevention of secondary injuries and demonstrate their response at the scene of an injury.
- An optional wheelchair obstacle course designed to provide some awareness of the problems people who use wheelchairs confront in everyday life.
The THINK FIRST message has also been adapted for younger children and a second program, THINK FIRST for KIDS, is available for elementary school-age students. THINK FIRST for KIDS includes a grade-specific curriculum manual that addresses the following lessons:
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
- Vehicular Safety
- Bicycle Safety
- Safety around Weapons and Creative Problem Solving
- Playground, Recreation, and Sports Safety
- Water Safety
Additionally, THINK FIRST for KIDS utilizes a cartoon video, "Street Smart: A THINK FIRST adventure, designed to make students excited about safety, as well as student exercise sheets, classroom posters, and comic strips that reinforce key messages in the safety lesson.
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