Veteran's Day 
In honor of Veteran's Day, Denbigh House staff arranged for a visit to Yorktown, VA to hear strengths and fears from veterans during war time.  All members appreciated the humor displayed by William E. Townsley Col, USAF retired, AKA "Cowboy" then until 1984. He changed to "Blister" Grant who was his favorite Special Operations Group. Col. Townsley stated, Sergent Grant became a mercenary and was killed in the 80s duty in Africa.  We enjoyed the short version of his presentation. He directed us to the web at covery 264 for the fall story. Denbigh House members thanked all the veterans for showing their strengths and fears for our freedom.

A woman develops a computer/mobile phone app to help her battle depression after her brain injury

A former social worker at a high school, Ruby Taylor, who was an author of uplifting books with positive messages for teenagers, was confused and depressed after she received a traumatic brain injury from a car accident in 2012.  The brain injury also left her unable to feel or show emotion and confused on how to perform simple tasks.  It took some time, but the 38 year old counselor found that combining positive/motivational phrases with a relevant picture allowed her to smile and restored any hope she had for a better future.  Hence, the app that she helped develop was called SMOPE, a mash up of SMILES and HOPE.  As a survivor of brain injury, I too have tried to find ways to overcome doubts or anxiety during my recovery.  It’s good to look for sources of inspiration and her app is a useful tool for those of us who are recovering from such a traumatic experience.  The app was launched in September of this year(2015).  It makes it easier to combine photos and sayings, which has been helpful to her recovery.   Not even doctors are sure what will work for a patient’s recovery, but Ms Taylor found a way to address her mood swings with use of a simple, new computer application that allows her to express herself as she sees fit.  Uplifting images can be helpful to those who have depression. 

New Staff: Beth

 By: Geoffrey B.

Hello DH members and staff!  I would like to introduce to you our new  MSW Intern, Beth!  Her favorite hobbies are being with family, riding her bicycle when she goes to the park and exploring her genealogy.  She attended school in New York and studied Human & Community Services and received a Bachelor degree.  She is now at VCU working on her masters in social work.  In a few years, Beth will be living back in Iowa and working with the Military Veterans and Active Duty.  On her free time she likes to read mysteries and romance novels. The thing that Beth known’s about brain injuries is that it affects a person totally.  The outcomes are different for each person.  They can happen in so many different ways, both very traumatic and not so traumatic.  Now, what Beth is trying to accomplish here at The Denbigh House is to learn more about brain injury.  Some of her favorite TV shows are the Discovery channel because they have all of the mystery shows.  Lastly, there was one thing that everybody wishes to know about Beth, is that Family is the MOST IMPORTANT thing my life!

Will’s (Almost Healed) Leg

Two months ago, on September 11^th, Will got up at 2 am for a drink of water.  However, he did not see the work out machine in the dark and accidentally broke his leg left.  Will said he is glad that he broke his leg and not his head!

Will was in a regular cast for two months, then a soft cast, then a special soft boot cast.  The doctors told him to sit still for two weeks; he watched TV, and played with his cat at home.

Will said his missed riding his bike, but “it’s easy to follow orders when it keeps you from hurting.”  He “definitely” recommended the soft boot cast; it’s removable for showering and so much easier. Also the bottom is thick and easy to walk on, even through water.

By Kelvin and JEB

Wounded Warrior with TBI trains & does well in a Triathlon

In Arizona, there is an Army vet, Eric Desocio, who was injured during service in Afghanistan in 2011.  His wife, am elite athlete, encouraged him to start training and he spent more of his time focused on recovery & improved performance.  He competes in tough triathlons now.  He gives credit to his wife & the Wounded Warrior Project for helping his ongoing recovery.  Just remember to spend your time on recovering & getting better instead of dwelling on the past, problems & difficulties.

The App that Helps Fight Depression

by Shasmin A.

          After getting in a car accident on a Sunday in December of 2012, Ruby Taylor found wanting to help people more difficult.  She said, “It changed everything.” Before the accident, she was a social worker at the School District of Lancaster who wrote a book titled “Confidence to Greatness for Teenage Girls.”

          Even after she went through a medical treatment with medication, Taylor said she was deeply confused, unable to feel or show emotion, uncharacteristically unable to control her cursing and stymied by problems like fitting a pizza box into her garbage can. Taylor decided that she had to find a way to brighten her mood and regain control of her emotions after coming close to committing suicide.

          She enjoyed looking at pictures and quotes, and decided to use both in daily Facebook posts designed to help herself and others. “’It took a while,’ said the 38-year-old Lancaster city resident, who still frequently loses her train of thought and struggles to find the words to answer detailed questions. ‘But then it worked. I began to smile. I began to laugh again.’” She eventually found programmers to create an iPhone and iPad app that makes it easier to combine photos and sayings, which she titled “Smope”, a mashup of smiles and hope, and launched it in mid-September. The price of this app is $1.99 and it is available through Apple’s iTunes online store.

          “This is my Smope,” she said, after demonstrating how the app initially shows the photos in black and white and then fills them gradually with color, and how it can send users different notifications at set times of different things that are interesting. Taylor, who is currently receives Social Security disability befits, says she would love to have Smope become her regular source of income but knows how unlikely that would be. She hopes the app will help uplift others brought down by brain injuries, depression or other circumstances.

Our Member, Triena, moving out on her own.

She had been living with her parents & her daughter. She is renting her new place which is a garden apartment that has two bedrooms and one bath.  She originally started the search back in November 2014 and finally received the apartment in May 2015 after the “long wait.”  She likes having her own place because she feels more independent and “can make her own decisions.”  The only negative is having to pay all the bills now.  She likes the whole new arrangement because it shows her independence and that her disability is not holding her back.  She has relearned some of her independent living skills from work done at The Denbigh House, from friends at her church and from her DARS counselor, Mrs. Natalie Opie-Dawson.  She thanks all of them for their help and support.

Study Links Energy Drinks and Traumatic Brain Injury in Teens

It has been found that teens who have a traumatic brain injury(TBI) report also drinking more energy drinks than teens who did not have a TBI.  I think the researchers can only conclude that teens are more likely to have acquired their brain injury from the activities they perform such sports.  And energy drinks are largely consumed around sports.   Energy drinks are typically marketed towards athletes.  Therefore, the connection between active teens, who were more likely to acquire brain damage while playing their sport, and the energy drinks can be made.  But the drinks did not cause any harmful effects. 

New Member: Shawn Grayson

By: Shasmin Asbury

We would like to welcome a new member to The Denbigh House. Our newest member is Shawn Grayson and he is a twenty-three year old male who was born in Jefferson Parrish, Louisiana. Shawn’s hobbies include embroidery, fishing, and gardening. He is not really sure of his favorite color, but he said, “I do like red a lot.” His favorite food is rabbit. Shawn told us that he likes to play sports, but doesn’t care for watching them too much, but his favorite sports team is the Saints. He was then asked about the type of music he likes and he replied, ”A little bit of everything, but if I had to pick, I’d say country”. Shawn likes to watch educational television, so, that says he likes to learn about different topics. Shawn was asked who inspires or motivates him the most and he replied his dad does.

Before Shawn’s injury, he repaired woodwork for people and did small construction jobs. Shawn received his brain injury from being hit in the head by another human being. In ten years, Shawn said that he sees himself working a normal job and life, one that works a regular nine to five job, not living on social security. He decided to become a member of The Denbigh House because of his loss of memory and to relearn simple tasks. In his free time, Shawn studies for his GED, so he can pass it. The way his brain injury has changed his life by getting away from his “ex” and he is now living with his family again.

Again Shawn Grayson, welcome to The Denbigh House!

WELCOME BACK!

We would like to welcome back Joe K!  Joe was out from the clubhouse due to medical reasons.  At the end of July, Joe had open heart surgery, where doctors went in to replace a torn valve.  He says,” they basically gave me an oil change”.

Joe had to be hospitalized for about 3 weeks.  He stated that he  remembers feeling his heart flutter, but he thought it was from eating, but what was happening at that time was an aneurysm.  An aneurysm occurs when part of a blood vessel, or artery, or cardiac chamber swells and the blood vessel is either damaged or weakened in the wall of the blood vessel.

Joe remembers the pain that followed the surgery, but feels like the surgery was, “life-saving” and he feels “lucky”!   He was recommended by his doctor to attend cardiac rehab three times per week.

We are glad to have Joe back and we wish him well in his recovery.

                                                               By:  Kelvin 

Diazepam Intensol

Diazepam Intensol

                                                                                              By Geoffrey B.

Hello everyone!  I want to talk to you about my Diazepam Intensol.  This medication is used for many types of conditions.  To some, it is used for muscle spasms, tremors and hallucinations.  I use the Diazepam for the four seizures that I have.  So after I have a seizure and I take the Diazepam, the chemicals in the brain help reduce the seizure activity in the brain.  You can take the Diazepam in two different ways.  One way is in a pill form by mouth with semi solid food and the other way by liquid form.  I have the Diazepam is in liquid form.  Just to let you know, if you have it in liquid form, do not drink the Diazepam raw, with water, milk or any type of sodas.  The reason is because after you have drunk some of the Diazepam, everything you drink will taste like you are drinking dirt! The two drinks that can ease off the taste of the diazepam are grape juice or cranberry juice.   

There are some common side effects of the Diazepam Intensol.  There is incoordination of the body, muscle weakness, tiredness and drowsiness.  After I take the diazepam, in about 30 minutes, I have to lie myself down for about 2 to 3 hours because I am very drowsy.  So that is the story of my Diazepam Intensol.   If you want more information about Diazepam Intensol click on www.webmd.com. Thank You!    http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14541/diazepam-intensol-oral/details

We welcome to The Denbigh House, one of our new Interns, Courtney Hanna.

Blog entry: Courtney Hanna, Intern

We welcome to The Denbigh House, one of our new Interns, Courtney Hanna. 

Courtney is from Culpepper, Va. And a senior at Christopher Newport University (CNU) studying for a degree in social work. She started her internship August 25^th, and will finish on April 2016.  She will assist in the Communications Unit on Tuesdays and in the Kitchen Maintenance Unit on Thursdays.  She has a wide base knowledge of Brain Injury and TBI’s and would like to learn the different effects it has on these individuals lives.

She learned of this program through her professors at CNU.

Her hobbies are: Hiking, Snowboarding in the winter, and socializing with friends and family.

The thing that she would like us to know about her is that she is very shy, which is something we can help her with.

When she graduates her plans are in the works to find a job that will make her happy. 

We, at The Denbigh House, extend a warm welcome to “COURTNEY”

New member: Jerry Wayne

By Geoffrey B.

Hello my name is Jerry Wayne.  I am 48 yrs. old and I am from Tennessee.  Before my brain injury, I was a brick layer and was working with wood. Now I received my brain injury as a result of a car crash.  Some of my hobbies are painting houses/businesses and cleaning other places.  My favorite color is white and my favorite food is fish.  I love county music and my college team is Tennessee.  The kind of TV shows I like is cartoons and my favorite movies are Westerns (Cowboys). 

If there was one thing everyone would wish to know about me is that I was normal and that I was a better person.  My Dad inspires me the most and in about ten years I find myself to be married.  The main reason why I decided to become a member of The Denbigh House is I like working and painting.  When I have some free time I like to walk, watching TV and playing with my 2 dogs.  Lastly, when I received my brain injury everything changed my life.  This is me, Jerry Wayne!  

Loud Music and Hearing Loss

By Geoffrey B.

     Hello everyone!  I am writing this blog that is very important.  It is about loud music and hearing loss.  When I am in the car coming home or going out somewhere, I see people in other cars having their windows down listening to a song with the volume up way to loud.  But what they don’t realize is that they are permanently damaging their hearing and once you lose your hearing, you can’t get it back.

     There is a music artist named Chris Martin and he had Tinnitus for about 10 years.  If you don’t know what Tinnitus is, it is a buzzing, hissing, chirping, whistling and other sounds within in your ear.  I researched on WebMD and I found a few steps to treat Tinnitus. One, cut back on drinking alcohol and sodas that have caffeine. Another thing you can do is stop smoking because nicotine makes Tinnitus worse by reducing blood flow to the ear.  So if you don’t want to lose your hearing, turn the music down. If you have a smart phone,  download an app so you can monitor safety levels for listening.  Limit or avoid exposure to the noises and lastly, try to ignore the sound by directing your attention to other things. Thank You!

Depression

By Shasmin A.

 

Depression is defined as a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Some life causes of this mood can be sexual abuse, bereavement, neglect, unequal parental treatment of siblings, or physical abuse. Experts say though, that depression is caused by a combination of factors, such as the person's genes, their biochemical environment, personal experience and psychological factors. I experience depression in middle school, high school, and from time to time because of neglect and being treated like I’m stupid because of a wide arrangement of subjects.

In middle school, where this started, I was neglected by friends and family. Friends and other acquaintances took advantage of my friendliness and how much I would help others. This was a little more of an annoyance than anything. Of course, in middle school, everyone got into the dating thing and I of course should have waited awhile for this to happen. In the eighth grade, an acquaintance took advantage of me and spiraled me into a bushel of bad thoughts and personal problems. I couldn’t handle the pain, emotional and physical, so I dealt with my pains in other ways. I was neglected by family members because I lacked smarts and talent, so, I didn’t add up to what my other family members were. This made me depressed because I was always looked down on. When the depression began to get worse, my mom made me seek professional help, to see a psychologist. The psychologist helped me a little and then put me on some gross depression medication: sertraline (Zoloft), which actually made my depression worse. After I was put on the medication, I can’t recall what happened next.

The high school depressions didn’t occur until after my accident, which was in the first sophomore year in 2006. This was caused because of my mobility and my emotional status, for I could not remember how to perform the daily activities from day to day. My memory was affected in the accident, so, when it came to taking tests and working on projects, it was very difficult. My “friends” from before saw me as a charity case, so they avoided me like the plague.  My teachers treated me worse than the students from time to time because of how I would give up easily and my one on one got frustrated too easily. It was really bad when the teachers gave up on me because they wouldn’t explain certain things, like math, to me and I had to drop the course.

After I graduated high school, I imagined things would get better and I was wrong. I was expected to go to college, graduate, get a job, and move out. Well, I tried the college road, and with all of the classes I had to take and retake, I gave up on that. I tried to get a part-time job, but, most places require either two years of experience or a college degree, which I have none of them, so, that wasn’t the right road to go down either. Because of my disability, I do receive SSI, but that still isn’t enough to move out of my parent’s house, so, the moving out decision still didn’t happen. I still have bills and other things to pay for and the job search doesn’t make me any less depressed since no one will hire me because of lack of experience, meaning I don’t have retail or food service experience.

From time to time now, I do experience some kind of depressive mood from my inner thoughts telling me that I will never amount to anything in my life. But, to get out of the depressive state, the main things I do are I either write down my thoughts and feelings, or I will just take a nap. It helps me relax and think of other things.

Narcolepsy

By Geoffrey B.
     Narcolepsy is a brain disorder that causes poor control of sleep-wake cycles.  In other words, people who have this disorder, they can fall asleep at any moment.  The person with the disorder said he or she will fall asleep, but it didn't say for how long.  Also, if a person who has Narcolepsy, they are not be able to drive.  I want to continue to research this disorder, because I wonder if an individual living with Narcolepsy is able to live alone?    
     Now, I did some research on the internet and I found out that Harriet Tubman, The Underground Railroad Pioneer, suffered from Narcolepsy and Epilepsy because of a head injury.  It also said that Harriet Tubman could of been caught because of that disorder.  So, if you want the full story about this disorder, click on Narcolepsy.  Thank you!

Why the red nose?

Today, I’m  asking ,”why  the red nose?”  Well today is Red Nose Day.  America is joining the United Kingdom ,  which  has  raised  over  one billion over the last thirty years, to help children be educated, healthy, and safe.  Donated funds will help children around the world improve their reading skills, have access to clean water, provide Healthy Baby Packages,  provide books and immunizations.
WalGreens and M&M’s are working together for this cause.  Watch Red Nose Day Live on NBC, tonight at 8pm.  Learn more about how you can make a difference by logging in at rednosedayusa.com  

By D. Jones

Glaucoma

    By Geoffrey B.
     Hello my friends around the world!  I want to talk to you about what some might or not know about what is in my eyes.  I have a eye disease called Glaucoma. Glaucoma destroys the optic nerve in the back of the eyes. So one way to stop the Glaucoma from getting worse, is by using eye drops everyday. The eye drops that I use are Alphagan P, Trusopt and Lumigan. I use them in both eyes around 8 am and around 8 pm.  The last eye drops Lumigan, I put in both eyes only at night.  I have to do Vision Field tests and have my eyes checked about every six months. People who have to wear glasses, you need to know if you are nearsighted or farsighted.  If you don't can't tell the difference, nearsighted means you can't see far away. Farsighted means you can't see up close. I am nearsighted.  Some people have to wear glasses only for driving and reading, I have to wear my glasses for everything.  So when I am in The Denbigh House, I have to wear my glasses or I am blind as a bat, because I can not see the task on the board or on the computer screen.  If  I try to turn off the computers in the Denbigh House without my glasses, the turn off button is really blurry. That is what I have to do so my glaucoma will not make my eyes get any worse. If you want the whole story click on Glaucoma. Thank You!

From Handi-ride to my ride

BY: Ginger Beck

When I first started the Denbigh House I was a shell of person!  I had no self esteem and felt like I was useless! 

I could not drive.  I had to depend on Handi-ride to take me everywhere I needed to go. This meant I had to stand in the rain, snow, cold and wait up to an hour for the ride to come and get me!  It also meant I had to stand out in the dark waiting on a ride that would never come! I would make many phone calls trying to find out what was happening with my ride!  Of course, the answer was always excuses.

When I came here I was having five types of seizures.  After a few years of working with medications and finally finding the correct ones I was able to be seizure free for over a year.  I now have a legal license and I am driving a car my father gave to me. The freedom is exhilarating!

With help from the Denbigh House helping to work with my TBI problems, my self esteem and many other issues I had due to my TBI and way of living,  I am now no longer homeless and have my own place and am more independent than I have been in more years than I can count. I still have the help of an aide due to my difficulties with my TBI, however life is good!

Are these good for your brain?

We always want to know how we can best recover from our brain injury, however I have found that there are a few brain supplements that could even make your brain better!  First, you must be careful,  there are so many scams that claim that their product will improve your brain.  Some supplements are supposed to increase your well-being, focus and memory.  They will jump start your energy and boost your mental focus.  A few of the favorite supplements that some researchers recommend are Neuro HD, Alpha Focus and CerebralCharge.  Neuro HD has all-natural ingredients and gives razor-sharp focus without adverse reactions. This also may be the best option because Neuro HD’s already-low price is backed by a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, so you can try it without worry.  To get more information on these and others, look at http://www.brainsupplementreviews.org  -  I am interested in finding out whether these supplements are good for me, however, as we all know, we must get approval or recommendations from our personal doctor before giving any of these supplements a try. 

Courtney's Departure Interview

by: Susan Wilson. 4/22/15

Courtney Pitts , who is a student at CNU, came to the Denbigh House as an intern for two semesters. In the two semesters that she worked with us, Courtney said that her time here made her have a passion for brain injury survivors.  While volunteering here, Courtney learned to interact with a population that she had never worked with before and also learned that life is hard and not fair for brain injury survivors but with hard work, you can achieve anything. Courtney could not single out a particular memory of the Denbigh House that she will take with her in her future endeavors, because funny and memorable things happened every day during her time here.  Even the small things, like being told "Heck yeah girl" by our member Cary, was memorable to Courtney and she will miss all of the day to day functions and members of the Denbigh House. This summer, after her internship at the Denbigh House, Courtney will be a nanny while applying for full time jobs with social work or a job with Occupational Therapy. Courtney's future goal is to obtain her doctorate in Occupational Therapy and we look forward to congratulating and celebrating with the future Dr. Courtney Pitts. Thank you for your time and efforts at the Denbigh House Courtney, and our door is open to you anytime that you would like to visit us.  Good luck!



Needed assistance given to T.B.I. survivors

                

On April 13, 2015, The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the award of 20 contracts for the Assisted Living Pilot Program for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. The program was originally supposed to end in 2014, but with these 20 contracts, the program has been extended through October 2017.  During the announcement of the program’s extension, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, VA’s Interim under Secretary for Health, said that “We are pleased to extend this valuable program and provide specialized assisted living services to eligible Veterans with traumatic brain injury that will enhance their rehabilitation, quality of life, and community integration.” The Assisted Living Pilot Program for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury, AL-TBI for short, that meet the eligibility criteria are placed in private sector TBI residential care facilities and are offered team based care with assistance in areas that include speech, memory, and mobility, among others.  In October 2014, the VA issued a request for proposal for vendors wishing to participate in the pilot program as VA continues to accept new eligible patients.

According to www.cdc.gov, the total number of TBI related deaths have declined between the years of 2005-2010, yet the total number of TBI Emergency Department visits have increased during that same time span.  More TBI survivors need programs that can help them regain a normal life and discover new skills and possibilities that they didn’t know existed.  

Live Here and Give Here

LIVE HERE…..GIVE HERE          

 

Congratulations on the second year for Peninsula’s give Local campaign, which ranked 23^rd out of 120 national communities in donations last year.  You may ask,” what is Peninsula Give”?   It is managed by the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia that takes part in a national day of community giving called Give Local America, composed of more than 100 nonprofits. We need you to give a sound to the silent epidemic (TBI), by supporting your brain injury clubhouse.  After all, brain injured survivors are not defined by their injury, but defined by their strengths.  The Denbigh House needs you to support their vision for every survivor of brain injury to have the opportunity to realize a life of purpose and self-determined value.  Here are details for your support:

     ORGANIZATION:  The Denbigh House

      DATE:  May 5 and May 6 2015

     WEBSITE:  givelocal757.org

      TIME:  noon to noon

                                     Thank you for your support!

Helpful Technology: Readable Telephones

Helpful Technology: Readable Telephones:

 

The company “Virginia Relay” now markets a device that assists those with hearing impairments. If you have difficulty hearing over the phone, you may call CapTel to see how they can help. CapTel is said to, “work like a telephone---with one important difference: CapTel displays every word the caller says.” As you are listening, every word that is spoken is captioned.

There is no additional charge the CapTel service. As stated by the VDDHH Technology Assistance Program the maximum charge for the telephone for a hearing impaired person is $75.00.

To learn more about CapTel or Virginia Relay

Call: 1800-552-7917 (voice/TTY)

Visit: www.CapTel.com/availibility/VA.php

Write: Virginia Relay

            1602 Rolling Hills Drive, Suite 203

            Richmond, VA 23229-5012

The wide variety of TBI causes

Many people know or have heard of Traumatic Brain Injuries but not many know the wide variety of causes and effects of TBI.  Braintrauma.org lists the three types of TBI’s as Mild, Moderate, and Severe.  Mild TBI’s are also called concussions and a person may lose consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes, or perhaps not at all.  The next level is Moderate TBI’s, where a person may lose consciousness between 20 minutes and 6 hours. He/she may experience some brain swelling or bleeding, causing sleepiness. Severe TBI’s is when a person is in a coma like state for more than 6 hours.  The highest percentage of TBI are falls with 35.2%, and second to falls are motor vehicle traffic accidents with a percentage of  17.3% of T.B.I.’s and incidents of assault counts for 10%.  There are several other traumatic brain injury causes and there are many more success stories of TBI survivors.  We, as TBI survivors cannot give up because “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins, not through strength, but through persistence.”

Seizures and Pregnancy

By Geoffrey B.
I have a friend who just became pregnant and she has epilepsy also known as seizures.  So I researched a few websites, like WedMd and MAYOCLINIC.ORG and I found a topic called "Seizures and Pregnancy."  In my research, I found that during pregnancy seizures can cause fatal heart rate deceleration and preterm labor.  In another statement, every woman reacts to pregnancy differently but women who have seizures the seizures remain the same. Lastly, before you consider having a baby, schedule an appointment with your doctor, take your anti-seizure medication the same way you have been taken them. A tip, eat a health diet and avoid smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs.

Memory Compensation Strategies, not just for the recipients of Brain Injuries.

Memory Compensation Strategies, not just for the recipients of Brain Injuries.

Most individuals with brain injuries have various memory difficulties similar to what is expected in the elderly. Such as remembering where you parked your car? Where are my glasses? Where is my cup of coffee, car/house keys?  Some of these problems can be solved by developing methods/strategies to help you remember these tasks. Consider the following:

1. Memory Book - write it down!!  Record your day. Start off with your “To-Do” list to help direct your day’s activities. This book should be an appropriate size that works for you.
2. Electronic aids – many cell phones have the capability to store written data such as lists and calendars to note your schedule, contacts lists and written directions, daily schedules, medications, directions etc.  GPS technology may be used for travel.
3. Organizing space – a disorganized area makes life difficult for the best of us, spend the amount of time needed to organize your home/work areas to make it easy to find things.
4. Organizing time – this is essential for an individual without a brain injury to be successful. It is CRITICAL for a brain injured individual just to get through the day.  Pocket calendars to promote time management will help you become more independent.
5. Labeling - visual cues are always helpful.
6. Written Directions – use a personal “Task Analysis” (step by step detailed instructions to complete a specific task) for any routine or non-routine tasks. Use these as long as needed and challenge yourself , on occasion , to not use them so as to test your progress.
7. Special events – these may require special requirements and a unique “Task Analysis”.
8. Other People – determine who you can use to help you with your unique issues, and use them as a last resort. Promote independence within yourself.

 

Remember:

The goal is to improve you quality of life.

Set realistic expectations, and celebrate your successes!

John B.

 

MISSION…….POSSIBLE

The clubhouse mission is to empower survivor of Brain injury to regain and maintain independence through innovative and outcomes based services.  How do you feel your clubhouse is performing at accomplishing the mission?  I see evidence of the mission being accomplished at our clubhouse as members work at accomplishing their goals and strengthening their independent living skills.  One member has been able to move into their own residence since membership at our clubhouse. 

Another facet of independence is working to support oneself.  One member shared that they have been on job interviews and have interview dates setup.  Clubhouse membership helps first define our goals, and then put a plan of action to work.  Constructive feedback from our counselor is very beneficial, because they ensure we are on track.  You may need to increase your typing speed or improve your customer service skills, or maybe you need a job coach.  Your coordinator will put forth the best effort to help you reach your goal.  Whatever your clubhouse mission is, the help is there, to turn your setbacks into comebacks.

                                                   By,

                                                 Debra J.

First hand experience of living with a traumatic brain injury

                    First hand experience of living with a traumatic brain injury


T.B.I. survivors describe living with a traumatic brain injury on brainline.org. These are just a few of the first hand descriptions of living with or living with someone who has a traumatic brain injury.  The short and long term effects can vary greatly, even more that the few that I will list here.  Yet, the same two things are required of any family members, friends, and loved ones of T.B.I. survivors, patience and understanding.


1. " A puzzle. All the pieces are there but they are in the wrong order."  Barbara


2.  "Scary. I look the same but feel somewhere else."  Ann-Michel


3.  "Devastating, exhausting, widely misunderstood"  Jules


4.   "An invisible memory taker, mood changer, life changer!"   Meg


5.  "A family affair.  When a family member has one, it effects everyone."  Stephanie