—
Many of the troops fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home with brain injuries that rob them of their freedom.
“Traumatic brain injury is the signature injury of that (Iraq) war,” state Rep. Bryan Barbin said. “Why aren’t we looking at this as our highest priority?”
The Johnstown Democrat on Wednesday morning set off on a seven-day motorcycle ride to call attention to the issue.
He presented information later Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, the first of seven state capitols he will visit before wrapping up the 1,800-mile journey Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Barbin set off from the Johnstown Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center in Upper Yoder Township, calling the facility a model for the nation.
More than 100,000 troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries, but many do not have access to facilities such as Johnstown’s to help them recover, he said.
Working with its community re-entry home in Moxham, the brain injury center’s assisted living facility at the Hiram G. Andrews Center prepares veterans disabled from brain injury to return to civilian lives.
“They can do more things on their own,” Barbin said. “That is what we do here that nobody else does.”
Improved early treatment can help keep wounded warriors out of veterans nursing homes that are funded by the state, Barbin said. He is a member of the state house Veterans Affairs Committee.
“We have 1 million veterans living in Pennsylvania,” Barbin said. “They have the right to go into our facilities. If the care they receive initially is not given highest priority, we can become overwhelmed at our seven nursing-care facilities.
“Moreover, it is the right thing to do.”
Barbin said he is delivering his message to state capitols because the issue hits every state. He will include copies of a Pennsylvania resolution calling attention to the issue that was unanimously approved last month.
Today, Barbin plans to meet with leaders in Indianapolis and Springfield, Ill. Additional stops will be Friday in Jefferson City, Mo.; Saturday in Frankfort, Ky.; Sunday in Charleston, W.Va.; Monday in Richmond, Va.; and Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Local News
Related Photos
-
State Rep. Bryan Barbin sets off from Johnstown on Wednesday for a seven-day motorcycle ride that will call attention to traumatic brain injuries suffered by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Todd Berkey
-
State Rep. Bryan Barbin (left) speaks with Stan Jock, an Air Force veteran and client of the Johnstown Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center in Upper Yoder Township. The two spoke Wednesday before Barbin departed on a motorcycle trek to call attention to traumatic brain injuries suffered by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Todd Berkey
Discussion
Barbin rides for a cause
Lawmaker spotlighting brain injuries among troops
- Local News
-
-
Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.
-
$27.1B budget proposed
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.
-
Blogging with heart
I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.
-
Universities face steep cuts
State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.
-
Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend
While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.
-
Detour hurting some Portage businesses
Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping
-
Local airport funding intact
Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.
-
With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input
The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.
-
In brief: Commissioners plan to meet at schools
Cambria County’s three new commissioners, carrying out plans to take meetings into communities, have scheduled five of their meetings this year in high school auditoriums throughout the county.
-
Slide prompts authority to reroute water
A landslide on Franklin Hill has prompted the Cambria Somerset Authority to shut a water line alongside it, fearing further issues could damage the line.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
