Mississippi joins the rest of the nation in recognizing March as "Brain Injury Awareness Month"

Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann read the proclamation on the steps of the capitol. March has been nationally recognized as "Brain Injury Awareness Month" since 1993. Many survivors of brain injuries were present, like Will Parker from Brandon. Parker developed encephalitis, or a viral inflammation in the brain, in 2005 and has relied on occupational therapy and other aids to retain some memory since.

"It sends me chills of honor and delight to to know that we have lawmakers interested in making this brain injury awareness month," he said. "Brain injuries are real. They don't exclude anyone. They can happen to anyone in any time."

Mississippi was once the worst in the nation for brain injuries but has climbed a few spots in the last few decades. That's according to Dr. Howard Katz, a Neurological Surgery specialist who practices in Jackson. Katz helped rehabilitate his own father's traumatic head injury, and said he lived for many years afterwards.

"We're always concerned about the cost of care and problems later in life." he said. "Well, treating brain injuries when they occur prevents a lot of problems later in life."

The proclamation was co-sponsored by senators Walter Michel and John Horhn.