Our Rotarian call for service in our community was played out on Saturday, May 25 throughout Orange County on our "Rotarians at Work" day. This is the day designated for all Rotarians to make a difference in volunteering at various events and causes in and around out communities. One of the several projects Irvine Spectrum Rotary participated in was the FRONT LINE conference put on at the Kaiser Hospital by the NAMI organization. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill planned out and facilitated a conference discussing the returning veterans and the problems that arise out of working in a combat area. The main discussion was the injuries we are seeing with the TBI ( Tramatic Brain injuries) and Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome.
8 members of the Irvine Spectrum Rotary arrived at 7:00 A.M. at the Kaiser Hospital on Sand Canyon and began by placing American Flags all around the perimiter of the hospital to announce the conference. Food and supplies were taken to the 5th floor where the conference was to be held. 125 people were expected to attend. We then stood at the various entrances with flags and gave out directions to the parking areas. Some of us manned the information desk in the main entrance and checked in the participants, giving out their booklets and directed them to the event room.
The conference was very important to our veterans and their families and the Front Line conference committee was most appreciative of our service. We were instramental in the success of the conference by doing the much needed support work.
The conference was attended by Social Workers, Veterans, Family members , and Clergy. There were veterans from the Vietman war as well as the current battle areas. Dr. Clayton Chou was the keynote speaker and he gave very valuable information regarding the brain and how we are affected by both physical trauma and emotional trauma. Just being in the area of Blasts from explosions can cause damage to the cells of the brain. Even though the head doesn't have visual injuries, the brain can suffer cell damage from the blasts from explosions and this can be life changing to the afflicted.
Irvine Spectrum Rotary answered the call and we supported a very worthwhile and necessary cause.
