Employment

Some people consider employment a thing that they have to do
to survive.  A job is something that you
have to do to pay your bills and stay ahead, but for people with a brain injury
or some other kind of disability, getting a job is a blessing!

Companies can hire who they want for any reason that they
want.  When you have a brain injury, you
have to let the employer know up front the things you can and can’t do.  It is up to the company if they want to hire
you and deal with your disabilities.

I said all of that to inform you that I have lived this
experience firsthand.  It is not
something I read in a book, or hard from a friend.  I have a TBI-traumatic brain injury and I
also have a job at Wal-Mart.  Since I
haven’t started work yet, I don’t know what to expect, but I will keep you
posted.   But, just getting the job is a joy for me.

                                              Budget Update

 The House and Senate budgets were just released and Jason sent us an e-mail with the results. They kept the Governor’s full restoration of brain injury funding as well as increasing funding to brain injury on top of the full restoration. In addition, both the House and Senate passed our requested inclusion of brain injury fully and regardless of age in the DBHDS waiver redesign process and the Senate included language that would specifically state persons with brain injury with mental health or substance abuse services.

  As person recovering from a traumatic brain injury I can relate to the need for the services provided for recovery and would like to state that my recovery would not have been, as good as I believe it has been, if I had not had The Denbigh House to provide the finishing touches to my rehabilitation.

Legislative Day in Richmond

          There are lots of places people can go for a group field trip, but we, the members of the Denbigh House, took a field trip to Richmond to meet our designated Senators.  We were able to voice our opinions on why we feel like there should not be a budget cut in the brain injury funding.  We got a chance to stand before the people of power and express our views on funding.  The Senators were very receptive and positive.  They now know that if we feel a certain way about an issue of importance, we will return, if need be, to let them know how we feel about changes.

Never quit

Traumatic brain injuries can occur is many different ways and the results from a T.B.I. can be just as varied.  The main thing all of us T.B.I. survivors should always remember is that our injuries are just set up’s for a comeback if we don’t give up.  Michael Jordan once said “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up.  Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” There are plenty of people and resources that can help us with achieving our goals, all we have to do is be willing to pursue or goals and stick to our plans, no matter what roadblocks are between us and achieving success. I believe that for myself and all of the other members of the T.B.I. community, including you who is reading this.  Let us all be shining examples of overcoming roadblocks and what can be done despite any setbacks.  It will be a perfect example for our families, children, friends, and current/future T.B.I. survivors.  I believe in you just as much as I believe in myself. 

                                                        Don’t quit,

                                                        Korey Sylver

WHY SPEAK?!?!

WHY SPEAK?!?!

Do you think it is important for brain injured survivors to advocate for themselves?

I believe it is very important because the particular needs of any organization are truly known by the participants.   The needs come straight from the “the horse’s mouth”.  We walk the walk, so we must talk the talk and hopefully our concerns will be met.  Consider, how will they  know  if we don’t voice our needs, hopes, and concerns. Did you know that more than four hundred Virginians, Partners in Policymaking alumni and past graduates across the United States have addressed the needs of the disabled population in order to make a difference for their community and themselves?   You may have never heard of Partners in Policymaking (PIP), because it was new to me.  Partners in Policymaking graduates speak in support of community inclusion, accessibility issues, inclusive education, equal employment opportunities, civil rights, and needed social changes in attitude and values concerning the disabled community. One of their goals is to improve systems for persons with disabilities, so a participant must have a developmental disability, as defined by the Developmental Disabilities or Bill of Right Assistance Act. 

If you would like more information please contact: 

Kara A. White, Program Assistant

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities

Washington Building

1100 Bank Street, 7^th floor

Richmond, VA  23219

804-786-1118(fax)

804-786-3441(voice)

1-800-846-4464 (TTY/Voice)

Let’s stand up and speak up for survivors of the silent epidemic.  


Submitted by Debra J. Jones

20 Interesting Facts about Shasmin A.

1. 
   1. I enjoy writing poetry.
   2. I am the middle child of 3 girls.
   3. I used to run track and field: 800 meters and 1500 meters.
   4. When I was in middle school, I wanted to set my goal on joining the army.
   5. I listen to rock, metal, and other GOOD music.
   6. I love writing in colorful pens.
   7. My favorite color is neon fluorescent orange.
   8. My mom and I work on word searches for fun.
   9. Romance movies put me to sleep.
   10. I love to read fiction novels.
   11. I can sleep any time of the day, just give me a pillow and a blanket.
   12. I cannot swim and I have no interest in learning how to swim.
   13. My favorite car model is a 1967 Ford Mustang.
   14. When I was younger, I hated eating chocolate. Now, after my brain injury, I love it.
   15. I can talk to anyone no matter age, race, etc.
   16. I have been engaged previously, but it did not work out.
   17. I attended college for two and a half years then dropped out.
   18. I want to travel the world.
   19. In middle school, a friend and I started a small singing group.
   20. I'm not adventurous in trying new things like games, food, or some new ideas.

Growing up with a brain injury

Growing Up With A Brain Injury

By: Sandra B.

 

 

When I was two days old, doctors discovered that I had right cerebral hematoma (bleeding in the brain). This caused me to have a lot of physical challenges as well as learning disabilities. I started physical therapy when I was two and a half years of age. I finally learned how to walk before my fourth birthday. I started speech and occupational therapy when I was five. It was hard watching other children doing things that I could not do like roller skating and riding a bike without training wheels. Kids and some adults would make fun of me because I was slower at doing things and I wore special shoes. I was called names. My mother gave me one piece of advice that still helps me today. She said,” people that make fun of you are the ones with the problems not you.” My parents kept encouraging me to do my best. I graduated from high school with a high school diploma and went on to complete an associate degree in early childhood education and started working in fast food industry.  I was hit by a car in spring of 1994, but that was a minor setback compared to what I already been though. Since then I have gotten married and had two children. Today I am a single parent dealing with two teenagers and living on my own. I work as a bus aide on special needs school buses. I hope I can empower other children with special needs to succeed even though they may wish that they were born without a brain injury.