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In The News
Sponsored by the
Brain Injury Center
(805) 650 5993 Ext. 204
1802 Eastman Ave. #112 www.braininjurycenter.org Ventura. Ca.93003
Summer Issue Newsletter edited by BI Survivor Lee Staniland June 2009
And to end the Newsletter, a word from the President: Dave Wilk
I am extremely proud of our accomplishments over the past three months. In March we staged Ventura County’s first-ever Brain Injury Conference with terrific attendance and nothing but positive feedback from attendees and participants. BIC’s Professional Advisory Board and everyone involved are eager to put together an even more comprehensive conference next year.
We have now successfully launched new support groups in Camarillo for people who live with brain injury and their families and these groups grow stronger every session. Special thanks to the Camarillo Health Care District and to a whole contingent of Ventura support group veterans who trek over to Camarillo to lend their friendship, support and help our newest participants to make these lasting, meaningful groups. Thanks, as always, to Celeste Racicot for leading both of our Survivor groups in such an inspiring way.
In May we staged a unique “friend raiser” to introduce BIC and the brain injury cause to a whole new group of people in the central region of Ventura County. The event took place at the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard and we had a wonderful crowd in attendance. The evening was great fun and it raised vital money for BIC’s continuing operations. The friend raiser was organized by a new group of BIC board members and supporters in central Ventura County and they did a superb job. Special thanks to the East Ventura Rotary for their barbecuing skills and the delicious food.
Joan Moore gives more detail about these and other newsworthy developments in her column in this issue. The Brain Injury Center has also received excellent news media coverage in these past few months via television and radio interviews and newspaper articles dealing with the problems of brain injury and BIC’s efforts to assist people who live with brain injury and their families.
I am proudest of all that the energetic,generous efforts of so many people continues to help BIC survive, grow stronger and reach new people who can really use our help.
Where is a message from our Director, Joan Moore
Everyone had a great time looking at the vintage cars, we made so many new friends and we were delighted with the final results – not to mince words – our May 2nd Friendraiser/Fundraiser was a huge success! Thank you all for your support and hard work – a special thanks to the amazing women who spearheaded this event – Hazel Facciano, Cynthia Flacks, Ronda Gottlieb, Marilyn Hacker, Paige Hibbits, Glee Lewis, Kayo Nakatani, Carolyn Nielsen, Cherie Roberts, Sue Tatangelo, Katie Waunch and Linda Wells.
We are excited to announce that we have begun our Camarillo Support Groups at the Camarillo Health Care District, 3639 Las Posas, Bldg. E, Camarillo. The Camarillo groups meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 4pm – 5:30pm. The Survivor Support Group is facilitated by a certified rehabilitation counselor and the Family/Friend Support Group offers peer-to-peer support.
We continue our survivor support group and family/friend support group in Ventura at 6950 Ralston Road, Bldg. 300, Ventura - but with a slight change. The Survivor and the Family/Friend Support groups will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 4pm – 5:30pm. Just as in Camarillo, the Survivor Support Group is facilitated by a certified rehabilitation counselor and the Family/Friend Support Group offers peer-to-peer support.
The 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays of each month we are starting a new program – “Social Wednesdays”. We invite all brain injury survivors, family members and friends to join us for a social activity – whether it is a karaoke party, board games, bingo games, crafts, or storytelling. This will take place at our Ventura meeting room at the Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Road from 4pm – 5:30pm. It is a time for social interaction and just plain fun, both of which are so important in all of our lives and are often missing elements in the lives of persons with brain injury. The best resources for teaching a person with brain injury how to learn social skills, how to cope and how to compensate is by networking with persons with brain injury and their families. The research has shown that an appropriate community environment can be used to re-learn, teach and practice individual interpersonal skills necessary to participate successfully in community activities.
With “Social Wednesdays” in mind - do you have one or two hours a month to have some fun! Maybe you have a club or a church group that is looking for a meaningful – but fun! activity. We are inviting you to help us with this new program – helping plan and participating in the activities – and just plain “having fun!” We are open to suggestions and ideas and we know that if you become involved you will get much more than you give! Please call 805/650-5993 x 204. If I’m not there to answer the phone (remember I’m the only employee – and I’m supposed to be part-time!) please leave your name and phone number and someone will contact you.
MY NAME IS LINDA WELLS, I AM A BRAIN INJURY SURVIOR & THIS IS MY STORY:
16 YERES AGO MY HUBAND & I WERE INCATALINA ISLAND TO CELEBRAT NEW YERES EVE. OF WICH I DID NOT MAKE IT ON DEC 30, 1993 REX (MY HUBAND) & MYSELF WERE RIDING IN A GOFL CART WITH 2 OTERS, WE WERE SITING IN THE BACK, GOING UP A STREET THE DRIVER DROVE GROVEY & THREW ME OFF THE GOFL CART, I ROLLED DOWN THE STRET HIT MY HEAD.
THE AMBULANCE CAME TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL IN CATALINA I HAD A BUMP ONMY HEAD, WAS UNCONSICUOS FOR JUST A LITLLE BIT. THE DOCTOS SAID I HAD A CONCUSION. TO TAKE ME TOOUR FRENDS HOME WATCH ME. WELL WITHIN 1 HUOR I CULD NOT TAKL, WAKL, MY RITE SIDE OF MY BODY, WAS LIKE PARALIZED MY FACE DROOP DOWN.
MY HUBAND TOOK ME BACK TO THE E.R. THEY AIR VACTED ME OFF THE ISLAND TO LONG BEECH MEMORAL HOSPITAL. THEY DID A CAT SCAN ONMY BRAIN. I HAD A BLEED IN MY BRAIN THE SIZE OF A LEMON.
THE DOCTOR TOLD MY FAMLY THAT I WOOD PROBALY NEVER BE ABEL TO PROCES INFORMATOIN TOLD TO ME THINK & SPEEK TO RESPONE BACK. MORE OR LESS LIKE A VEGABLE. OH MY, HOW DID MY FAMLY DEEL WITHTHIS ONE. ME I WAS NOT KNOWING ANTHIG. THEY GAVE ME PAPER TO RITE TO COMUNIATE. I WAS A RITE HAND PERSON, SO I TRYED MY LEFT. THEY ASKE ME MY NAME. I KNEW IN MY HEED I WAS LINDA BUT WIN I ROTE IT WOOD BE 1100222, NO I KNOW THAT DOES NOT SAY "LINDA. I HAD A LONG LONG JURNEY AHEAD OF ME!!!!
I HARD MY FIRST SEIZURE ONLY 1, OF 100'S TO COME. GRAND MAL, PETITE & FOCAL. THEY STARTED TERAPY RITE AWAY .THEN I WAS MOVED ST. JOHNS REHAB IN OXARD, THEN SOLULUTIONS IN SANT A BARBAR THEN BACK TO ST. JOHNS. THEN HOME!!!!! I HAD 5 YERES OF THERAPE, SPEECH , PHYSICAL . IT WAS SO SO SO HARD....... I NEVER WANTED TOLOOSE MY HUSBAND , I WANTED TO BE THE BEST I CULD BE. IWORKED VERY HARD ALWAYS, LOTS OF CONFUSMENT, YUOR FRENDS LEVE YUO BECUZ YUO AR NOW NOT THE PERSON YUO ONCE WERE.
THE NEW WORLD IS HARD HARD HARD......
I HAVE TRUBEL. WITH NOESE, VISION. GRUOPS, NO MUSCI, CANT REED BOOKS, CANT DRIVE, MY
THINKS & WORDS MAY NOT ALWAYS WORK OR MAKE CENTS. SPELING OH THAT YUO CAN SEE IN THIS LETER---I DO MY BEST..... ILOST ABILATY OF MONEY, BUT I KNOW HOW TO GIVE A CREDIT CARD. CONCENTRATON, COMPREHENDING, WELL. WE GO THRU 5 STEPS. DENIAL, SADNES, ANGER, BARGANING, & FINALY ACCEPTANCE!! !
WELL I DO LIKE MY SELF MOST OF THE TIME. !!!! YUO MUST WORK,HARD, TRY TO STAY POSTIVE, & YUO CAN DO MORE THAN THE DR'S. TELL YUO CAN DO, I HAVE LEARNED MY NEW WORLD.
I DO LIKE BEING WITH MY BRAIN INJURY FRENDS ..... THEY SO GET IT.
NOTE: this is the way Linda writes and I just want you to see another way her Bi was affected her. If anyone would like speak to organizations like Linda does, to get the word out, please contact Joan at (805) 650-5993 ext 204. Thanks Linda for all that you do for us!
2
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, July 5th - Swim party and BBQ
1pm to 3pm at Bob and Carol Cole - 75 Teloma Drive, Ventura, CA
Bring your swimsuit and towel and, if your last name begins starts with A-M bring a salad – bring a dessert if your last name starts with N-Z. Tri-tip, chili beans and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to the Coles at 805/642-8739
Sunday, July 13th Ed Hunt Rehab Point Annual Picnic
1pm to 3pm at Oxnard Beach Park, 1601 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
This is an annual picnic for people with disabilities and their families and friends held at a completely accessible beach. The Brain Injury Center will have an information booth as will other organizations offering assistance to persons with disabilities. Come for a day of live entertainment, displays, door prizes, kite flying, refreshments, food, fun and festivities – food is served from 11:30am – 1:30pm. For additional picnic information call 805/947-8373 or 985-3993.
Workshop - “Planning for the Future of your loved ones with Special Needs”
Topics will include government benefit eligibility, Special Needs Trusts, guardianship and conservatorship financial security
This workshop will be presented at two different dates and times for your convenience: Tuesday, July 21 4pm – 6pm at the Camarillo Health Care District, 3639 E. Las Posas, Building E, Camarillo and Saturday, August 1 – 10am – 12 noon at Western Commercial Bank, 1000 Town Center Drive, #125, Oxnard, CA.
Save the date
Sunday, November 8th – Fall Cornucopia Brunch Fundraiser to be held at Pierpont Inn, Ventura, CA. More details to follow.
All of this information, including the dates, times and locations of our support groups can be found on our web page at www.braininjurycenter.org
Please remember – donations are always accepted
and we also accept in-kind donations – right now we could use regular copy paper!
Aloha Steakhouse Mary and Steve Arnold Ann and Ron Arragg Fred and Hiroko Benko Carol Bossuyt Joel Boyce Deidre Braun Brett and Jarice Buttterfield Café Fiore Kathy Callanan Camarillo Health Care District Care Meridian Ronald and Gloria Chess Church of the Foothills Citi Chateau Bob and Carol Cole Keith and Susan Craig Curves for Women Donna and Fred Davies DCH Lexus of Oxnard Marge and Bill Deniston Marna DeVane Jared Dietch Patricia Doggett Debora Duffy Laurie Edgmont John and Shermma Ellis Alan and Suzanne Exler Donald and Hazel Facciano Familia Diaz Famous Dave’s of America Tucky Farrell Ardelle and Warren Faue George and Rene Fedyna Kaye and Stephen Feller Josephine Few Linda Fisher Cynthia and Marty Flacks Flowers by Barbara Kathy and John Forner Edris and Tony Fowkes Roy and Christina Garcia Judy and Tom Gladstone-Shaw Diane Gordon Leon and Ronda Gottlieb Judy and Art Goulet Mary Gregoryk |
Roy and Marilyn Hacker Jeff Hacker Glenda and John Hammer Ron Harrington Peggy Harris Nancy and Ray Hartmann Alan Hazard Herzog Wine Cellars Paige and David Hibbits Jo Holler Julian and MollyRose Hoyle Jim and Pinky Huntley Angele and Scott Jacobsen Joanne and Monroe Kaplan David Keith Kiwanis Club of Ventura Jim Koven Bruce and Echo Kukuchek Myrtle Lammi Erik Lande Laubacher Insurance Agency Michael Lavenant Paula Lenett-Gill Claire Lewis Glee Lewis Brian Mackie and Lindsey Mackie Brittney Lovado Sherry Lyons Malinowski & Todd Susannah Mallett Mike Matlock Nancy McAvoy Mia Mead Meadowlark Service League Lisa Mink Joan and Chris Moore Moorpark Flowers Dan Murphy Kayo and Lloyd Nakatani Carolyn and Dave Nielsen Oxnard City Corps Oxnard Police Department Cindy Parta Bill and Colleen Patterson Dan and Linda Patterson Nancy Porcella Marilyn Potter Ginny Powell |
Bev, Cliff and Paul Aggen Susan Prichard Quady Foundation Rabo Bank Celeste Racicot Ralphs of Camarillo Tammy and Phillip Ranger Michael and Terry Ravin Linda and Phil Reese Todd Rehanek Bennie and Cherie Roberts Tesi Sanchez-Halpert Susan Sher Nancy and Jon Simmons Elaine and Craig Skeels Ellen and Chris Smith Somis Nut House Juan Soto Spanish Hills Country Club John and Sally Spence St. John’s Health Care Buster and Lee Staniland Pam and Steve Staniland Dave and Midge Stork Sue Stork Successful Promotions Lana and Don Sudd Shirley Sundel Tyler Sutton Alice and Nick Sweetland Sue and Thomas Tatangelo Robert Tomaszewski Trader Joe’s of Camarillo Dave and Marta Turpin UCLA Lisa Vincelette Viva La Pasta Von’s of Camarillo Carl and Maria Wascher Katie and Don Waunch Linda and Rex Wells Tom and Yvonne Westervelt Carol Wilcox Meredith Wilder Bob and Nessa Wilk Dave and Terryle Wilk Helen Yunker Andrea Zeller |
Sponsored by the
Brain Injury Center
(805) 650 5993 Ext. 204 1802 Eastman Ave. #112 www.braininjurycenter.org Ventura. Ca. 93003
We would like to go GREEN this year so please help us by giving us your E-MAIL address to help us along!
GO GREEN!!!! Send it to …
leechar101@yahoo.com
A Word from our President
We’re very excited about all the progress BIC has made in the last year. One year ago we were struggling to survive, looking for new funds, a new home and a new executive director. Today we have the last two of those missions accomplished and we’re on significantly better financial footing.
Joan Moore has been extremely productive over the past year as our executive director and no individual deserves more credit than Joan for our progress. She has made numerous speaking engagements throughout Ventura County, meets every week with potential new supporters and as a result we have many new allies becoming dedicated to the cause of helping victims of brain injury. Joan has been instrumental in forming our BIC Advisory Board with some of the region’s top professionals helping steer our organization in the best direction possible.
Next month we will stage the most important brain injury educational event in the history of Ventura County, thanks to Joan and our Advisory Board. It is the Ventura County Brain Injury Conference. I’ll let Joan convey the details in her own column in this newsletter.
I’d like to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors: Glee Lewis and Cherie Roberts. Both are very experienced in public service in Ventura County, have many friends in the community and they have already contributed productive ideas for helping BIC move forward. A few months ago we also added Donna Davies to the Board and she has done extraordinary work in helping us plan a clear future direction for BIC in the future. Donna will tell you more in this issue.
Fund raising remains vital to our existence. We are organizing a very exciting event this May at the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard. (More details in Joan’s column.) Last fall we staged a most enjoyable fund raiser at Saticoy Country Club that sold every seat and raised vital funds to keep us going -- even though the U.S. economy is in such turmoil.
Dave Wilk
I'm not sure where to begin - so much is in the works for 2009. This is certainly a testament to our Board of Directors and to all of our amazing workers and volunteers - and you, our stakeholders. You are our public ambassadors. We hope that during your daily encounters, both professional and personal, you share information about the Brain Injury Center and the work we do. I know that is what I do. There is not a single person that I meet that I don't tell them about the Brain Injury Center. You would be amazed at the response - usually someone knows someone with a brain injury - and I hand them our brochure and tell them to pass it on. We can make our brochures available to anyone - just call our office and we'll make sure you get some to share.
In November 2008 the newly formed Professional Advisory Board met for the first time. Members of the Professional Advisory Board include, Bob Tomaszewski, Ph.D, ABPP-CN (neuropsychologist), Erik Lande, Ph.D. (neuropsychologist), Nancy Procella, MACCC (principal of Brain Injury Specialists), Celeste Racicot, M.Ed., CRC, CVE. (certified re-hab counselor), Sue Tatangelo, CFO (Camarillo Health Care District), Donna Davies, BIC Board member and myself. The PAB is a vital and important component of the Brain Injury Center. It brings together professionals who have an impact on people with a brain injury. It will serve as our guide to best practices when we plan any program or activity for and with the people we serve - survivors and their families. We hope to grow this Board to include not just people in the medical fields, but also people in law enforcement, the legal system, educators and the arts. If you or anyone you know would be interested in learning more about our PAB - please give me a call. We meet quarterly - to share ideas and think creatively about our Mission - "encouraging meaningful, productive and self-actualized lives for survivors of brain injury and their families".
A brain child of the Professional Advisory Board is the upcoming Brain Injury Conference which will be held on Saturday, March 21 at St. John's Regional Hospital in Oxnard. That it is being held in March - brain injury awareness month - is significant, as this conference is the first of its kind in Ventura County. We are partnering with St. John's and the Camarillo Health Care District. Please see the enclosed flyer which fully highlights the day's activities - and please plan on attending. We are counting on you - our stakeholders - to share this information with any professional (your doctor, dentist, attorney) or brain injury survivor or family/friend of someone with a brain injury. We know it will be a day full of information, practical applications, encouragement and hope and we are very excited.
Another date I'd like you all to put on your calendar is Saturday, May 2nd. We are inviting you all to a fun-filled barbeque put on by the Ventura Rotarians and held at the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard. This is going to be an event to remember - the food is going to be fantastic - the venue unique (especially if you are a vintage car person) and we don't want you to miss out on any of the fun. If you'd like to help out with this event, or get in on the ground floor of sponsoring part of the festivities - call me or email me at joan@baininjurycenter.org.
We have many ways in which you can make a difference - think about joining our Board of Directors, joining our fundraising committee, joining our Professional Advisory Board, helping out with our Ventura Wednesday Support Group, helping with the Newsletter, helping us design and maintain our web page, donating office supplies (reams of paper, file folders, legal pads, pens) and of course continuing your generous monetary donations - you know you can make a monthly donation and have it automatically deducted from your bank account. Call our office or check out our web page at braininjurycenter.org for more details.
The Board has spent time over the past several months wrestling with what Brain Injury Center (BIC) is, who we serve and where we are going in the next few years.
Clearly, there is a need for an information center for adults living with brain injury. It is a lonely road when trying to figure out where to find services when the period of acute rehabilitation is over. As a survivor, how do I get assistance that matches my desire for as much independence as possible? As a family member, where can I find resources to support my roles: caregiver, advocate, loved one? Living in residential assisted setting, at home with family or on one’s own, the need for support and social connections is ongoing. There is also a need for a community that understands and is accommodating to the brain injured.
In order to address these needs, BIC’s work in the next few years will include:
BIC continues the Ventura support group under the able professional leadership of a certified rehabilitation therapist. Using the model of this support group, BIC is expanding into other areas of the county. Input from our professional advisory board, availability of funding sources, and support of local leaders in each area will determine how soon we start up new groups. We are currently working in two communities laying the groundwork for support groups.
Your ongoing support is an important part of BIC reaching our goals for improved lives for the brain injured in Ventura County. Join us on the Board, on active committees or by sharing your time and expertise through our support groups and social activities. Each of us can make a difference in the lives of the brain injured in Ventura.
by Bill Yarnell
Our involvement started with a phone call from Dave Stork in 2001, then President of the Brain Injury Support Group. He asked if my son Mike and I would work with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in helping the Sheriffs’ and Police to better understand Traumatic Brain Injury in our community and how they should respond to a crisis involving our survivors with traumatic brain injury.
Police to better understand Traumatic Brain Injury in our community and how they should respond to a crisis involving our survivors with traumatic brain injury.
At first the CIT Academy was fairly informal. I told officers the story of Mike’s accident; discussed brain injury in Ventura County and about the BISG. I reviewed some of our survivors and problems they faced in the community and known issues with law enforcement over time. The CIT soon adopted the “Memphis Model” for CIT training and the program today is a weeklong Academy that covers many challenges our officers face everyday.
Below is a list of the topics that are covered in the week:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Mental Illness Medications and Mental Health
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Psychotic and Mood Disorders Children and Adolescence
Developmental Disabilities Suicide Intervention Alzheimer’s Disease
Traumatic Brain Injury Substance Use Disorders Suicide by Cop
The Traumatic Brain Injury training segment is introduced by the CIT Program Director, Jennifer Frank, with includes a preprinted classroom section reviewing Traumatic Brain Injury and covers TBI terms, causes, treatment and life-long recovery. The study section was written by Dr. Ferguson; former Ventura County Mental Health Director.
A video, “Faces of Brain Injury” is shown which does a great job of showing brain injury through ten people that suffered from TBI. It shows how TBI affects people across economic, gender, education and racial groups, brain injury does not discriminate. With that background, the survivor panel is introduced and each person presents a brief story on their personal injury, how the injury has affected their lives and how they are coping with their life today. I present a short video on Mike’s time at Northridge Regional Medical Center; from when he was “Patient of the Year” in 1997, the hospital made a 30-minute video of his time at the hospital and rehab from the staff cared and treated his injuries in the 99 days in treatment. I review the things police may look for to help the police determine if a person may be brain injured.
My goal with the police participants is 3-fold,
To date since 1995, five people in crisis have been shot and killed by police officers in Ventura County, none of the individuals were brain injured; each fatality was diagnosed with some form of mental illness. My question is: how do the officers know the difference in a crisis? That is why I feel this training and personal contact is important.
In 8 years and 19 CIT Academy’s, Mike and I have trained over 800 of the 1,400 officers in Ventura County. In the last two Academies’ we have used a four-person panel. I feel the panel gives the officer’s a better cross section of the people with brain injury and the problems with TBI face everyday. In a crisis these officers are better prepared to handle and deescalate a problem and reach a non-violent resolution.
The program leaders have given me the feedback that the TBI segment is one of the highest rated in every Academy. I feel this appreciation of our presentation is due to two factors, (1) our survivor’s stories on their injuries and painful recovery touches their heart and (2) the realization that but through the grace of God, that survivor could be me. We know that brain injury can and does happen to anyone; we live with it everyday.
This program is funded through a grant awarded to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and long as they have the program we will participate. My thanks to those people from our BIC group that have participated so far and extend an invitation to others that may want to participate in future presentations, please let me know.
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