Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary

We're off to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz tomorrow evening and the release of the remastered edition of the film. Shana and I are honored that we have been invited to attend the Warner Brothers 70th anniversary celebration tomorrow evening in New York City. Tavern on the Green will be redecorated to resemble the emerald city and the empire state building will be lit up in green to add to the celebration.

The Wizard of Oz has been utilized in many of my presentations to illustrate the journey that one goes though following a traumatic brain injury. On many occasions I have discussed the meaningful ways that the film has inspired many family members and persons who have sustained a traumatic brain injury.

After all, The Wizard of Oz is a film about traumatic brain injury and the long journey back home that follows.

Here are just some themes and thoughts from the film and its relationship to brain trauma.

The film begins with Dorothy being caught in a tornado and suffering brain injury. When Dorothy finally arrives in Oz she meets up with her social worker and traumatic brain injury case coordinator, Glinda the Good Witch, who advises her that to get back home to Kansas, she needs to meet with the great and powerful neuropsychololgist, the Wizard of Oz at the Emerald City Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program. On her way to Oz, Dorothy meets other individuals suffering from disabilities, (no brain, no heart, no courage). Each one of these individuals is an inspiration to others suffering from a disability. When Dorothy finally reaches Oz, she is initially turned away from receiving the rehabilitation services she so badly needs until she proves that she has sufficient insurance coverage (the ruby slippers) and the correct referral (Glinda the Good Witch).

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