FROM THE HEART
BRAIN INJURY
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The path you walk after a brain injury, for both survivors and loved ones, is a new one. it is full of ups and downs that you could never have imagined before the journey began.
“without family to step in as full-time caretakers, many brain injury victims become homeless,” wilk said.
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ONNECTION.COM JULY 2013
“the path you walk after a brain injury, for both survivors and loved ones, is a new one,” she said. “it is full of ups and downs that you could never have imagined before the journey began.” “having resources and professionals in the community and other people who have walked the walk make it ever so much more bearable,” davies further emphasized. “and, when the time comes, it is good to be able to give back by sharing with others.”
that’s why a key goal of the brain injury center is to help families. “their family lives change forever as well; often they are the ones to seek resources, since their loved one is incapable,” wilk said. “they are overwhelmed and sometimes terrified by the new reality they face. families need immense help and we try to be there for them.”
ramifications
“the brain injury center is uniquely positioned,” said denise buttrey, executive director. it’s the only organization in ventura county with the ability and credibility to provide sound, evidencedbased professional programs and address the continuum of care required for survivors, their families and their caregivers,” she said.
when linda Prewitt was first connected with the brain injury center, her 16year-old daughter was still in a coma two months after the car crash that would change their lives forever. “i was still pretty much in denial, in spite of the dire prognoses given by her physicians,” recalled Prewitt, of camarillo.
A New Path
at the time, Prewitt thought they wouldn’t need a support group because when her daughter woke up, she would undergo therapy, go back to high school to finish her senior year, continue playing soccer, and earn a college scholarship.
when donna davies moved to ventura from connecticut with her braininjured son, she began attending a weekly support group for family caregivers while her son attended a support group for survivors. “i found the understanding and warmth i really needed during my settling in period in our new community,” davies recalled. before she discovered the brain injury center, “i was alone as a caregiver and needed the connection to other people as it is a very isolating role at times,” davies said. “it gave me a place i could go and know that my son was safe while i got a chance to talk with other parents.”
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FIBROMYALG FIBROMYALGIA GIA CANDIDA WEIGHT LOSS ACNE EXCEMA/PSORIASIS ME IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROM SYNDROME LA L ARITY IRREGU IRREGULARITY CELLULITE ELIMINATION
“i thought we would all live happily ever after,” Prewitt said. her daughter finally came home after spending one year in hospitals and residential rehabilitation centers. “the insurance companies started using the words, plateau and declined, on a regular basis, and my daughter thought the only thing different about her was