David Eagleman Neuroplasticity

The documentary’s description of neuroplasticity of seizure patients represents the unknowing and negligent work ethic of modern day scientists and researchers alike. This is confirmed by the lack of treatment of these afflicted individuals who suffer a never ending siege daily with themselves, almost always certain that their pain will end but it is always to no avail.

Whereas a person that has had a stroke or some traumatic injury such as spinal cord trauma and paralysis they may spend the rest of their lives in a facility due to not being able to do simple activities of daily living(ADL’s) like feeding themselves. These individuals can be cared for at home but it does take a toll on a family if they aren’t committed to that patients care. Children can even be in a facility because the parents can’t give the proper care for them at home. The residents in these facilities do get to experience some independence but there are always some professionals nearby for

In “The Brain on Trial” David Eagleman (2011) informs us about an incident where a man shot himself as well as other people around him. He writes the suicide note that the man left and he talks about the man requesting an autopsy on himself. When doing the autopsy they discover a tumor on his brain. He talks about the symptoms that come with the tumor and how the man was right about there being something wrong with brain. Eagleman says that these situations aren’t uncommon. He then starts to talk about another man named Alex who had a thing for child pornography. They then discovered a tumor in his brain and when removed he was back to normals and didn’t have any urges for child pornography until the tumor grew back. He talks about other problems

Even though some people view it's unfair to bring a scientific approach into a courtroom sentencing, David Eagleman states “It is time to understand the advances in brain science”. Society needs to be cognizant of every experience throughout a person's life can modify their genetic code. David Eagleman associate professor at Stanford University, a leading neuroscientist, and the writer of “The Brain on Trial”, states “With a forward thinking legal system in place informed by scientific insights into the brain, we can allow courtrooms to stop using prisons as a one size fits all solution. Presently, our prisons are overcrowded with drug addicts and the mentally ill. With a better rehabilitation in place for these mentally ill patients,

Bob and Nancy Cook moved to Bellevue in 1980 from Sidney, Iowa. Bob was a school principal and his wife Nancy was an English teacher. But all that changed in 1988 when Bob took a leap of faith and left the public education sector to start a new program in Omaha called Quality Living, Inc. Several families in the Omaha area were dealing with the issues of how to care for a child with a traumatic brain injury and were looking for an alternative to the traditional nursing home. They heard about a facility in northwest Iowa called Village West and decided to visit. Upon their return they set out to create a similar environment here in Omaha. Today, Quality Living is a one of the nation’s premier post-hospital centers for brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation by embracing the concept that great rehabilitation is more than just the science of physical recovery – it is the art of rebuilding a life

In regards to health care legislation, Ms. Rademeyer feels that the large restrictions and limitations on reimbursement has adversely affected the accessibility of comprehensive rehabilitation programs, thus putting more responsibility on the patients as well as the physical therapists (Rademeyer, 2015). She also feels that, even though the requirement for fees to be guided by outcome is a good opportunity for accountability in physical therapy services, there is a big need for balance between the limitations and the outcomes to avoid a negative impact on chances for full recovery of some patients (Rademeyer,

This case study is about a patient, T.C., who I treated while a physical therapy assistant at an acute rehabilitation hospital. T.C. had terminal spinal cancer and at the time of admission had a fair prognosis to maintain function and strength enough to be discharged to his daughter’s home with home health care and family support, and he wanted to eventually go back to his own apartment. He was using a wheelchair as he was partially paralyzed from the waist down, and was able to use a transfer board to transfer from his wheelchair to bed and back.

Spinal cord injury is a sudden and devastating event for patients. The injury can be extremely debilitating and it may require a significant alteration in lifestyle post injury. P.R. has sustained a relatively high level (C6) spinal cord injury, which makes him very limited functional capacity. He will go through grieving process followed by anger for the loss of function and independence. This may be especially difficult for P.R. because he is a young man in his thirties who sustained a debilitating injury in a foreign country without any support from family and friends. Spinal cord injury has left P.R. unable to move his entire lower extremities and trunk muscles. He is unable to do the most basic activities, such as feeding and bowel movement without the help of a caregiver. For a young man who was active and completely independent, it is very difficult to accept this reality. It should also be noted that most of the nursing staff are females, which further damages his male ego for having total dependence.

However, this causes a financial burden. Medicare is a program which provides insurance benefits to all individuals aged sixty-five and older, including younger people with disabilities (Grabowski, 2007). Medicare covers few long-term care services and Medicaid covers the rest of the huge amount. “Policy options include capitation, pay-for-performance, and federalization, in which federal government would assume the Medicaid’s costs for the dually eligible population” (Grabowski, 2007). Medicaid and Medicare programs do not sufficiently cover acute and long-term care services, an example. After the injury the disability process takes long. There is a language barrier, institutional barrier, and ratio cost-sharing. Also, cost shifting within health care settings, and cost shifting across health care settings needs major improvements. Policy holders should expand their critical

It’s unnerving when someone with no criminal record commits a disturbingly violent crime but is it just as alarming if someone that has brain damage commits a crime? For most of us, myself included, we think criminals make a choice to break the law. In a challenging case piece, “The Brain on trial,” written by, Neuroscientist David Eagleman narrates several cases of mental illness criminals and the frightening events which took place August 1, 1966. Eagleman argues that human behavior cannot be separated from human biology and believes that criminals that suffer from a mental illness is the reason they commit an illegal act. Specifically, Eagleman argues that a “forward-thinking legal system” will respond to neuroscience’s increasing capacity to demonstrate the illusory nature of free will by developing “customized rehabilitation” for criminal behavior. Overall, Eagleman’s perspective and research, explains his thoughts and influences that cause individuals to perform certain acts, allow us to understand his proposal of a forward-thinking legal system and have rehabilitation for criminals with mental illnesses.

First off, my immediate goal and underlying themes I wish to emanate every day is to put smiles on peoples’ faces. I firmly believe that every person has the right to be happy and being able to rid those with afflictions will make life worth living. Through evaluating all of the shadowing I’ve been able to partake in and the classes I’ve had the privilege of taking, I’ve developed an idea of what the pinnacle would be for me as an Occupational Therapist. I desire to work with those afflicted by strokes or spinal injury. Paralysis and brain injury are two very intriguing matters that can surprisingly be combated and overcome with diligent and adequate work. This ideal has been in my head since I was first exposed to my grandmother’s recovery process from her stroke. Additionally, my other grandmother has also done some work with Occupational Therapists of late. She suffers from Trigeminal Neuralgia which has impaired her in many ways, in fact she has even had to recover from a stroke. Once again I was able to witness the changes in mood and function in a loved one who used occupational therapy after a stroke. In fact, this time I was able to see the impact of occupational therapy on the effects of Trigeminal Neuralgia as well which heightened my interest in the profession and reconfirmed my desire to become an Occupational Therapist and

Individuals who survive a TBI can face disabilities for the rest of their lives, with symptoms including:

The disabilities that result from moderate to severe TBI differ depending on the area of injury, but they may include difficulties in speech, coordination, bilateral function, memory, complex thinking, and other areas (Murrey, 2006). Emotional and social areas are also affected by TBI due to changes in familial roles, lowered self-esteem, and hopelessness brought on by the injury (Murrey, 2006). Because of this, suicide rates in these patients are remarkably high, with 33% of patients at risk (León-Carriòn et al., 2005). Recovery in TBI patients may occur spontaneously throughout the two years following the trauma (León-Carrión et al., 2005). Beyond this point, remaining disabilities are usually permanent (León-Carrión et al., 2005).

Health Services Prior to their injuries all participants stated that they had no health concerns, and the only health concerns they had now were secondary conditions, related to the spinal cord damage (dysreflexia and osteoporosis). All participants reported SCIs at levels between the C3 and C6 vertebra, 67% with limited sensation and movement in upper extremities. All participants required motorized assistive devices and required attendant care to complete the following ADLs: general hygiene, bathing, laundry, transfers, bowel and ladder, dressing and undressing, skin Care, and meals and drinks. Participants reported the following services as one they access frequently in addition to services at GTIL: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, neurologists, general practitioners, Ann Johnston Health Station, PIC, CILT, CCAC, and ODSP.

People in support of the therapy cap, may not realize the tremendous costs these people are faced with. They pay for the overwhelming costs of medications, treatments, in-home or out of home care, and many more expenses. Also, because of the disease many are unable to work, creating a loss of income and furthering the burden they are facing. It is estimated that over $25 billion every year is spent on the expenses of Parkinson’s Disease in the United States alone. On average medications cost around $2,500 every year and therapeutic surgery can cost up to $100,000 dollars per person. In return, many people cannot pay out of pocket for the much needed rehabilitation services, like speech-language services or physical therapy. With the therapy cap, Medicare recipients are at risk for being denied these services. The medical outpatient therapy cap needs to be removed, so people living with life-changing diseases, like Parkinson’s, can get the treatment they need in order to function and communicate