Traumatic brain injury (TBI) impacts 2 million people per year. Professional athletes, military veterans and first-responders share their recovery stories after suffering severe PTSD and depression. Joe Rogan and Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, NFL running back Anthony Davis and Ben Driebergen, Marine veteran and winner of CBS’s 35th “Survivor” season, are featured in this enlightening documentary.

22nd annual Spokane International Film Festival

FEATURED OPENING NIGHT: 22nd annual Spokane International Film Festival

“I have lived in Spokane for half of my life, so hearing my hometown’s hero, Mark Rypien, tell his story of going from a Super Bowl MVP winner to losing his son to childhood cancer and falling into depression and grief, all while battling a probable case of CTE…it could not have had a more profound effect.

In QUIET EXPLOSIONS: HEALING THE BRAIN, Jerri Sher captures the experiences of many people suffering from CTE and the process of healing and recovering with the help of Dr. Mark Gordon. As Mark Rypien recounts his story, the backdrop of the shot is the football field at Joe Albi Stadium, where my high school’s football team played their home games. When I went to Mount Spokane High School, we would shout from the stands, usually shivering in the cold, while our classmates hustled and flew and crashed into each other. But, after learning about CTE in the last few years, I have wondered sadly if some of my classmates would begin to suffer from this debilitating disease. Mark and QUIET EXPLOSIONS brims with hope that where there is an illness, there is a cure. This documentary is absolutely buoyant with the possibilities life can hold and that there is always a chance to turn the corner into a hopeful future.”

– Alena Schoonmaker, Director of the Spokane International Film Festival

Who do TBI’s Effect?

According to the CDC, over 2 million people will suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) each year.

Civilians

People from all walks of life experience TBIs on a daily basis. From blunt-force trauma to psychological abuse, prolonged surgery or sexual assault, traumatic events can cause injuries in the brain that often go untreated or misdiagnosed.

Military Members

Due to the nature of the service, many military members are exposed to traumatic situations both mentally and physically. The PTSD veteran epidemic has been a huge problem for society because of the lack of proper treatment.

Athletes

In recent years awareness around TBIs has increased in the Athletic community a great deal. Football is not the only sport where athletes get hurt. From surfers, to gymnasts, there are athletes across the board unknowingly suffering from a TBI.

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Contact

Jerri Sher

jerri13@aol.com | jerrisher.com | @JerriDGA on Instagram and Twitter