Hosting the surviveHEADSTRONG Walk for Recovery: A Professional’s Perspective

By Cindy Pahr, M.Ed. CBIST-AP, President of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation

As we know, families need support as brain injury affects an entire family, and relationships can be very challenging to navigate. Having others to help support you can make a big difference, which is why the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF) is excited to hold their 16th surviveHEADSTRONG during Brain Injury Awareness month.

The excitement from our survivors and their families is contagious. We weathered COVID quite well by having our participants drive by to pick up their t-shirts and gear prior to the walk day and then walk in their own neighborhoods. They were so happy to still be connected to us. This year we are going full force in person with the largest turnout ever! This is not only a fundraiser for us, but is more importantly an outreach of support for individuals and their families who are impacted by brain injury. The participants, board members, and volunteers look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones each year.

The event includes many vendors who provide services for brain injury survivors, physical therapists who do a pre-walk stretch, raffle prizes, snacks, and an information table. A first aid and respite tent is dedicated for those who need aid or a break from the noise and activity. We have a large group of volunteers who help with setup, cleanup, direct traffic, monitor the participants along the walk route, and many cheerleaders along the way.

The SDBIF is a passionate organization whose outreach to the community is very hands-on. The services are free and include individualized care coordination, helpline support, vocational support services, a peer mentoring program, monthly speaker group meetings, peer-to-peer support groups, peer mentoring, educational scholarships, art programs for survivors, and much more. In our second quarter, we will be introducing another peer-to-peer support group for families and caregivers. We also have a residential care facility for adult brain injury survivors. Many of these services are offered in English and Spanish in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.

Being a member of ACBIS keeps me current with the information I gain from ACBIS newsletters, volunteering on the ACBIS Board and the continuing education requirement to remain certified. As a CBIST-AP, it is a pleasure to support this organization and bring relevant knowledge about brain injury to our community.