State Affiliate News

Delaware

officially joining forces with the Brain Injury Association of America. Starting December 2024, we’ll be known as the Brain Injury Association of America – Delaware Chapter. Local Councils will be created to make a difference in Delaware. The Chapter will look for an Executive Director and continue to provide community outreach, answer calls, offer education, and connect survivors and caregivers with the help they need, including support groups. Stay tuned as we grow, evolve, and continue to make a lasting impact in Delaware. Here’s to a bright future and even more opportunities to provide help, hope, and healing!

Florida

Brain Injury Florida (BIAF) recently hosted its inaugural Bowling for Brain Injury fundraiser in Tampa. One participant, 21-year severe TBI survivor Rodrick Frazier, shared his thoughts on participating in the fun-filled event: “This was an easy fundraiser to stand behind due to my love of bowling. I think when you love what you’re doing and who it is for, it never feels like hard work! … It was a great event and I promise to do more to bring survivors out in the future! Thanks to our brain injury survivors, allies, bowling teammates, and my loving spouse for their support! We are just getting started and I want to build this to exceed expectations! To my fellow survivors in Florida, be on the lookout for us coming to a city near you! If we come to your town, please do your best to come out and say hello! If you need a ride or something else, let me know! I’ve learned that my existence today is no longer about me, but is about everyone else, but me!”

Indiana

The Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI) has had a busy summer and beginning to fall.

BIAI held our very first “Stroll for your Lobes” event in July! “Stroll for your Lobes” is a new series from BIAI intending to promote brain health and wellness for those impacted by brain injury. Our first event of this series was held in a beautiful park with an accessible walking trail in Indianapolis. Dr. Sachin Mehta, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, spoke about the benefits of exercise on the brain. We were then led by physical therapist Elliott Cohee through some simple stretching and warm up exercises before we ventured out on the trail and discussed what we learned and socialized with each other. We are in the planning stages for our next “Stroll for your Lobes” event so be on the lookout for upcoming information.

We also launched our “Brain Blitz” informational series on our BIAI website. Our website series is made up of short videos with various people speaking about important topics and providing information about resources both locally and nationally. Visit biaindiana.org/brain-blitz to see what we have so far.

We are super excited about our Third Annual Wiffleball Tournament coming up on October 26! We have fantastic wiffleball games, fall-themed costume contests, raffles, a virtual silent auction, incredible door prize, vendors, family-friendly activities, and more planned for this year. To learn more about how you can participate in our fun-filled event, visit givebutter.com/c/2024BIAIWiffleball.

Wishing you a beautiful autumn filled with so much beauty and joy!

Kansas

Throughout the spring and summer, the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City’s (BIAKS) Executive Director Heather Pilkinton and Program Director Julie Luttman embarked on a road trip across Kansas to expand awareness and make connections through each region of our state. Their efforts were aimed at connecting Kansas healthcare facilities, providers, and community partners with BIAKS. Kansas is comprised of 105 counties, some of which have population numbers smaller than 1,500. Our vision at BIAKS is to support people living with brain injury to live their lives to the fullest.

As part of the road trip outreach program, Heather and Julie visited 22 hospitals, rehab facilities, councils on independent living centers, mental health organizations, and area agencies on aging, many in far-flung areas of the state, meeting staff, most of whom did not know there was a state-wide organization that could help brain injury survivors.

“We’ve learned about services available to survivors, the communities they serve, and the challenges they face. Our work on this project is far from over.

This is just the beginning, we are thrilled to make these connections and to expand our reach. This has been a wonderful opportunity to link BIAKS with the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide quality care for individuals and their families affected by a brain injury,” Heather noted. “We consider our tour of Kansas a great success and will continue these efforts as we move into the fall months.”

Louisiana

The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana (BIALA) filled the summer by building a sense of community by hosting and sponsoring recreational opportunities statewide for individuals living with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and caregivers. The good times rolled at our adaptive bowling event, and many enjoyed learning line dances at our silent dance party. Creativity was blooming at our art event at a local pottery studio as well as learning mindfulness and chair yoga at a three-day workshop. Our Unmasking Brain Injury art exhibit now highlights 40 new masks that were painted as we visited numerous post-acute residential brain injury centers around the state. Adaptive sports activities were in full swing during Ski Dawgs Adaptive Water-Skiing clinics throughout the summer. And we cheered the Cajun Crushers to victory during their competitions at the Endeavor Games. While summer activities are winding down, we look forward to offering more community events in the coming months.

In September, BIALA was honored to be the beneficiary of proceeds raised at the Mande Milkshakers 6th Annual Polka Dots and Pearls Ball and Charity Auction. BIALA was chosen as the Mande Milkshakers charitable partner for this year and next, and at the ball, a check was presented to BIALA for $25,400. Not only was the ball successful in raising money but also helped raise awareness about BIALA’s programs and services as well as educate and inform the community about brain injuries. To learn more about the Mande Milkshakers, visit: facebook.com/MandeMilkshakers. And to learn more about BIALA, visit www.biala.org and follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/braininjuryla and www.instagram.com/biala.lachapterusa.

Maine

The Brain Injury Association of Maine (BIAA-ME) hosted the 15th Annual Defining Moments in Brain Injury Conference on September 30, in Portland. Maine brain injury survivor, author, and advocate Carole Starr gave her keynote, “Silver Learnings: Lessons from 25 Years of Living with Brain Injury,” Maine brain injury survivor Jenn Williams gave the Beverley Bryant Memorial Lecture, and the day was packed with 16 breakout sessions.

In collaboration with the Maine Office of Aging & Disability Services and under the Administration for Community Living grant awarded to Maine, BIAA-ME has been working with three behavioral health programs across the state to implement screening for a history of brain injury using the OBISSS tool from the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators. Staff from the pilot programs are participating in training and building capacity to support individuals with co-occurring brain injury, mental health, and substance use disorder challenges. The pilot project also links those who may benefit from additional resources and services with NeuroResource Facilitation services for additional support.

Massachusetts

The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) was awarded a Home and Community-Based (HCBS) Workforce Development grant from the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services to address the need for specialized training with respect to acquired brain injury (ABI) and professional development as a critical workforce need.

In collaboration with experts in the field of brain injury, both an introductory and continuing education credit series was developed and designed to provide professionals, as well as those who may be new to the field of brain injury, with an understanding of acquired brain injury and their consequences.

The free virtual courses were designed to enhance the knowledge, expertise, and skills of nurses, case managers, behavioral health, and rehabilitation clinicians, as well as other professionals.

BIA-MA began offering the courses in the Fall of 2023 and they will continue each month through March 2025. For more information visit biama.org/forprofessionals/.

Missouri

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) held four One-Day Regional Outdoor Camps in St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City, and Columbia in Fall 2024. Activities included tie-dyeing shirts, rock painting, bingo, cornhole, and other games. Survivors of brain injury and families enjoyed nature, lunch, and connecting with others at this free event.

For professionals, the BIA-MO 20th Annual Statewide Conference was held on November 7 and 8. Sessions included Better Living Through Brain Stimulation, Vocational Rehabilitation Research within the NIDILRR TBI Model Systems, Missouri Brain Injury Resource Facilitation, Guide to Becoming an Effective Advocate for Policy Change, Pushing Through Recovery Survivor Panel, and more. It was a great opportunity for professionals to network with colleagues and gain information to improve outcomes for their patients, clients, and consumers.

On November 9, the BIA-MO Survivor and Family Seminar was held in St. Louis. Topics included Brain Injury 101, Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Relationships, Work and Purpose, and Getting Social Security Following Brain Injury. Let’s Talk breakout sessions encouraged survivors of brain injury to share experiences of life with brain injury in a facilitated discussion.

The BIA-MO Annual Awards Luncheon was also held on November 9. Volunteers, supporters, and survivors were honored for their efforts to create better futures for individuals with brain injury and their families.

New York

The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) was thrilled to host its Annual Conference in beautiful Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Professionals, caregivers, service providers, and brain injury survivors came from all over the state for the educational and inspirational event.

Award-winning author, artist, and brain injury survivor, Ashok Rajamani, took the stage as the conference keynote speaker, moving everyone with his personal experiences. He discussed his near-fatal brain hemorrhage at the age of 25 that left him with permanent bisected blindness, epilepsy, distorted hearing, erratic transient amnesia, metal staples in his brain, and ultimately, a carved skull courtesy of open brain surgery. His resilience in recovery led him to author his first book, “The Day My Brain Exploded: A True Story,” and become an advocate for others with brain injuries.

Additionally, three individuals were recognized for their efforts and impacts on New York’s brain injury community in support of the organization’s mission. Dina Pagnotta, PT, MPT, MPH, strategic initiatives, Rusk Rehabilitation, and co-chair of The Concussion Initiative, received the Marie Ivancich Memorial Award, Kara Moran, a three-time brain injury survivor and activist from Buffalo, received the Frank Pierce Champion Award, and Quantum Rehabilitation and Nursing received the Ted Weiss Consumer Advocacy Award.

Ohio

In August, thanks to a grant from the Synthomer Foundation and a collaboration with Cleveland State University, the Brain Injury Association of Ohio (BIAOH) offered a three-day “NeuroSparks: Brain Injury Camp” for brain injury survivors who are two to three years post injury and have reached a general plateau of physical, mental, and emotional recovery. After meeting with survivors to identify needs, CSU professors and graduate students in areas including Speech and Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy worked directly with each brain injury survivor and created individualized therapy plans to “spark” new skill development in an interactive, engaging, and positive way. Daily sessions were also offered for caregivers to help them learn more about local resources and connect with others.

Just a few weeks later in September, “Cere-bration: Walk, Roll & Run” events were held in Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland. Brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members, and friends gathered together to celebrate the courage of brain injury survivors and raise over $20,000 for statewide programs. As an extra bonus, Brutus the Buckeye, mascot for Ohio State University, surprised participants in Columbus to show his support!

Pennsylvania

The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) is thrilled to announce the return of its popular program, ReDiscover U! This innovative program offers individuals with brain injury the opportunity to develop new skills or rediscover past interests through engaging and supportive interactive information sessions, all while fostering social connection. ReDiscover U provides a wide range of inclusive and diverse educational opportunities. These classes are led by a team of staff and community members, ensuring participants receive valuable, enriching experiences. The program’s virtual format means it’s accessible to participants statewide, with classes held year-round on Monday nights. All Pennsylvania-based persons with brain injury are welcome to join. More information can be found at biapa.org/programs/rediscoveru.

On August 29, BIAPA, the Fighting Back Scholarship Program, and PGA Reach held their annual All Abilities Golf Clinic at Penn Oaks Golf Club. This year, 50 participants and volunteers came out to learn about the game and just have a good time. This year we also were thrilled to have the G.A.P Adaptive join us to feature the SoloRider and other equipment which helps make the game accessible to all. Thanks to our sponsors – ReMed: a Collage Rehabilitation Partner, Oliver Heating and Cooling, NJM Insurance, Penn Oaks Golf Club, and Geis Realty Group who have supported this event for years; to our Golf Professionals, Jesse Hallett, Doug Hendricks, and Joel who provided excellent instruction to all of our participants; and to Joanne Finegan for her leadership and coordination! The clinic was a resounding success, with attendees enjoying the opportunity to connect, learn, and have fun. Everyone left with improved skills and a stronger sense of community— an unforgettable experience for all!

South Carolina

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIASC) in collaboration with the South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council (SCBILC) hosted the annual Life with Brain Injury Conference in Columbia, S.C., on July 26 with 193 people in attendance. Our keynote speaker was Eric Washington who is a former football player for the University of Minnesota and for the University of Kansas. He shared his personal journey as a person with a spinal cord and brain injury who experienced homelessness and how he found his voice with his contribution of valuable expertise for The National Center on Advancing Person- Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS).

We continue to have great success with our Brain Injury Friendly Art Classes and Adapted Yoga Classes that are conducted online. During the September art class, participants painted poppies to honor those who serve or served in the military. We increased the number of yoga classes to twice a month to emphasize the importance of mental and physical health through exercise. We will also offer the second Brain Injury Fundamentals class beginning in November to caregivers and professionals.

Virginia

The Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) is excited to welcome Daniel Reeves as our new Executive Director! With his extensive 15 years of experience in key nonprofit roles, both internationally and within the United States, Dan is set to bring a wealth of knowledge to our team.

Thanks to the advocacy efforts of many, BIAV secured an additional $223,000 in state funding, supplementing the approximately $600,00 previously approved. This will enable us to enhance our services across Virginia. Over the summer, we continued to advocate at the state capitol for traumatic brain injury long-term care to be offered within our state.

Camp Bruce McCoy once again provided a joyful experience for campers and a respite for families and caregivers. Campers participated in various outdoor activities, socialized with peers, and celebrated with a lively end-of-week dance.

BIAV also received a grant from DARS to help us connect with underserved and unserved populations. This initiative strengthens our commitment to reaching more people impacted by brain injury, including domestic violence and encouraging them to seek help. Our messaging is expanding, and we are collaborating with more community members to share our messaging through strategic marketing. Additionally, our website is more accessible, with translation options and features designed to reduce language barriers and accommodate those with disabilities.