Matt Pinnell

Do you know anyone who has sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury?

What programs would you look into implementing once elected to help those with Traumatic Brain Injury?

In the Report to Congress: The Management of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children: Opportunities for Action it states that “in 2003, there were approximately 640,000 TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, 18,000 TBI-related hospitalizations, and 1,500 TBI-related deaths among children 14 years of age and younger.  In this letter I stated Oklahoma is one of the top 10 leading states in the nation with the most cases. What do you propose can be done to start changing this stat?

If you were to look at the website for the Center for Disease Control under Traumatic Brain Injury > Severe TBI it states “The estimated economic cost of TBI in 2010, including direct and indirect medical costs, is estimated to be approximately $76.5 billion.  Additionally the cost of fatal TBIs and TBIs requiring hospitalization, many of which are severe, account for approximately 90% of the total TBI medical costs.” Is there anyway you think it can be balanced here in the state?

When it comes to traumatic brain injury related death, self-harm was the leading cause.  Besides promoting getting professional help, I would really want to see something done on encouraging kids to building up their circle of friends & teaching them about who you surround yourself with defines you and can really build you up.  My doctors greatly attribute a) the support I received & still do from my friends I knew growing up in Chandler when I had/still have flashbacks and being my rock b) Stillwater - community, athletes at OSU for helping to encourage me and to re-learn what it was like to be part of a unit.  What type of awareness raising would you do?

On the GOP’s website, on the platform page under the restoring the American Dream, it says “We are the party of a growing economy that gives everyone a chance in life, an opportunity to learn, work, and realize the prosperity freedom makes possible.”  Do you believe this is in any way, shape, or form is really true? When there are those with Traumatic Brain Injury and Disabilities who are fighting to have an equal chance and I know there those in our party who believe Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Brain Injury, and Disability are not important issues. What say you?

Those with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Disabilities depend on both Social Security Insurance and Medicaid/Medicare.  I was kicked off a few months after I was married. Even before I was married I was only allowed to make $80/mth before money started getting cut back.  Since being kicked off I am working on doing something that will not only benefit those on SSI & Medicaid/Medicare but get the agencies talking to one another.  What are you planning to do to help those with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Disabilities who depend on SSI and are either completely unable to work or can work some but not work the total time someone a without disability does?