Monday, January 30, 2012

SG's Conference


I've been gone the last few days to the DC area with Bob for the Navy Surgeon General's (SG) Conference. The SG's wife, Tammy, sponsored a conference for the spouses of Navy Medical leadership. Although spouses are not in uniform they do fill a role when the active duty member is in leadership. It's not required but most spouses happily step up to do the job. What is required varies from place to place depending on what the immediate needs happen to be. It can be lots of work but also loads of fun and very fulfilling.

An outstanding part of the spouse's conference was a visit to the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). This center is a gift from the American people by way of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and is a place to heal the invisible wounds of war. They are doing tons of work on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A great deal of thought and planning was put into the design and function of the building beginning with consideration for ambient lighting. There are tons of windows even in interior rooms, so they remain bright but do not glare. The resulting structure is beautiful in form and in function.

Rooms are not square and walls are not flat. Each space flows smoothly into the next. It is all very inviting and uplifting. I didn't want to leave!

NICoE Entry



Workout machines faced a nice view instead of a TV screen or a wall. Color comes largely from outside with nothing inside clashing or jarring.

Exercise area


Overhead windows had screening across them to cut glare but still allow a great deal of filtered light to enter the area even on a gray winter day.

Filtered light overhead

Tomorrow there'll be more about NICoE! For now I'm going to relax and enjoy being home! 8^)

Blessings,
gk

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like a neat conference. Mmh

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  2. I have been there a few times, and last time I got a chance to go into the the art therapy room and see the projects the patients were working on...very cool.

    They also have virtual reality simulation to help the patients learn adaptive "tricks" to help them work through real world situations. Like walking in the city if you are fearful of loud noises and bright lights, or walking on various types of surfaces if you are impaired.

    Also they are in the planning stage of developing more for families--kids therapy etc.

    It was awesome getting to see this! Nice pictures.

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    1. You're getting ahead of me! There are more photos!! 8^)

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  3. what is the location? did you see Robin L? we are having lunch friday. She told me she saw Bob, MD.
    TRC

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    1. It's at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center aka Bethesda. Robin arrived after I left. We just missed each other. Bob stayed for another conference.

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  4. Sorry I didn't know you were in town. I was down at the Gaylord for a couple days. So close...

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