Concussions are the most common type of brain injury, and about 85 percent of people who suffer one will more or less fully recover within a year. But for those who do not, lingering symptoms, such as headaches or increased irritability, can get in the way of everyday functioning.

Yesterday while I was walking home, I approached an intersection at which 9 out of ten drivers run the stop sign (and crosswalk) without stopping. This is next to an elementary school. As one of those 9-out-of-ten pulled through, I called the driver an asshole. She stopped and put her big, shiny SUV in reverse, and we started yelling at each other until a cop came around the corner with his flashers on. I holstered my (unused) pepper spray and continued my journey, listening to the woman yelling at the cop. A few blocks later, the cop approached me to ask what happened and see if I was OK. He laughed when I told him it’s a good thing I no longer walk with a stick because I would have left marks on that SUV.

I have to strategize dealing with my temper.

About 8.5 percent of U.S. non-incarcerated adults have a history of TBI, and about 2 percent of the greater population is currently suffering from some sort of disability because of their injury.

In prisons, however, approximately 60 percent of adults have had at least one TBI—and even higher prevalence has been reported in some systems.

Makes sense to me.