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.