Who we are

ARK-LA-TEX Chapter

Kim Harper, Program Assistant

David A. Cavanaugh, MD Sponsoring Neurosurgeon

Donna B. Cavanaugh, State Director

Paula Bloom, Assistant Director

INJURY PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION

In the fall of 1996 Think First of the Ark-La-Tex had its kick off at the Red River Rally Balloon Festival. Think First is an injury prevention program directed toward adolescents and young adults. The program, suitable for large or small audiences, has been presented to over 27,000 students in our community. The assembly format features young speakers who have disabilities as a result of brain or spinal cord injuries. They describe their injuries, how they could have been prevented, and why young people are so vulnerable. The following components are included in the assembly:

Think First for Teens and Adults

	Film: An award-winning, high impact film that features candid discussions with young men and women who have sustained disabling brain or spinal cord injuries.
	Presentation: A fast-paced, informative talk describing the brain and spinal cord, and the impact an injury has on them.
	Think First Speaker: A young survivor of a brain or spinal cord injury gives a touching and powerful testimony about his/her injury. The speaker explains to the students what it is like to be young and live with a disability, and shares details about what caused the injury. This portion of the program includes a brief but important question and answer session between the students and the speaker.
	Emergency Medical Services Demonstration: Paramedics from Balentine Ambulance Service demonstrate how to immobilize a person who may have suffered an injury, and discuss proper bystander behavior at the scene of a crash.

Helmet Your Head

A program for elementary school children to promote helmet usage and raise awareness for the Helmet Law which will be enacted in March 2002.

Think First for Kids

This early intervention program is presented to student's grades 1-3, and is a curriculum that their own teacher teaches in the classroom. We have initiated this program in 5 Shreveport-Bossier Elementary Schools.

Physicians, area hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, medical personnel, organizations, businesses, private citizens, and grants from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, the Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier, and International Paper support Think First of the Ark-La-Tex with their time, money and resources. Think First of the Ark-La-Tex is a 501©3 corporation.

Contact US: 940 Margaret Place, Suite 120 ● Shreveport ● LA ● 71101

Phone: (318) 226-0066 ● Fax (318) 221-6113 ● think1st@softdisk.com