Young Adults with TBI Support Group

Health & Safety Plan

Emergencies and accidents happen. We need to be extra prepared as life has enough challenges! Here are some things to think through:

Plan for medical emergencies, fire, earthquake, medical emergencies

Where will you go/meet? Does everyone in the family know? Go over the plan once a year!

Who is the out-of-state contact?  In-State contacts/phone numbers saved/ written?

Updated list of medications:

Phone numbers of Dr’s, medical equipment (ventilator, etc) and service providers.

Photo copies of photo ID, insurance card, credit cards.

Extra cash

Back up battery pack. First-Aid kit, blanket and water in house and car.

UPCOMING  EVENTS:

Washington State 2014 Traumatic Brain Injury Conference

 April 28-29, 2014 Marriott Hotel, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, WA
 WATBI Conference

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Traumatic Brain Injury Training for Caregivers

The Surviving and Thriving: TBI Training for Caregivers curriculum includes a student workbook and companion DVD. The DVD materials are now found on YouTube. 

September 12, 2012

Bring an example or sample to share!

A hobby is an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and normally done during one’s free time.
 
Examples of hobbies include collecting, creative and artistic pursuits, making, tinkering, quilting, knitting, crocheting, poetry and education. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge and experience. People also enjoy participating in competitive hobbies such as athletics, soccer, curling, golf, bowling and tennis.

Seasons change. Hot weather! Keep hydrated!!

After our accident/TBI our CNS doesn’t work the same as before. Transitions take longer and are more difficult for our brains than before.

• For me it’s been gradual, for others it’s been an overnight change. Each of us, like our stories, is unique. We are also all effected in many ways.
• Light/Dark
• Hot/Cold (temperature regulation)
• To many new facts, details, names etc.
• Noise, movement, crowds
• Multitasking

Practical implications: Give yourself more time, plan ahead for trips to concert, zoo, traveling. Ask Drink water!  Keep hydrated!!!

We are so excited for Silas as he goes back to the classroom!  He will continue to be a part of our group as he is able and has much to contribute. What are some things that he has done, shared or topics over the past years that have been helpful?

As we plan for this year, what are some topics you or someone you know would be interested in discussing related to life with a TBI?

What part of group do you like? Sharing & hearing from others in the group?  Having speakers come in? small groups, large group discussions on a topic?

Here are some summer actitvity suggestions:

• Outdoors for All (they rent bikes and plan      outdoor activities) www.outdoorsforall.org     
• Go to a farmers market! Here’s a link to a list      of Seattle farmers markets: www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org     
• Art walks! Check out some art at a Seattle area      art walk:  www.seattleartwalks.org
• Outdoors movies!  Seattle Center      Movies at the Mural  Bring some      chairs and food for a picnic outside with friends or family!
• Miniature Golfing,

Free: Parks, Walks or Hikes on trails, Visiting a zoo, Boat rides www.centerforwoodenboats.org , Shakspeare in the park www.greenstage.org or enjoy other free outdoor concerts.

Keep active, hydrated and have fun!

Advocacy

6:00 arrive/ nametags… grab a treat

6:05 Announcements:

– April 17th, 2012, the BIAWA is hosting a Stroll through the  Tulips, an accessible bus will pick up and drive people to Laconner. Cost is $3 each individual with a brain injury is allowed to bring 1 guest. For more info call or email Britney at 206.897.6186 or BrittneyN@Braininjurywa.org

– next month there will be a TBIMS forum right after our meeting, it will be about vision after a brain injury, the form will start at 7 pm and go until 8:30. Ill need to attend this forum so our meeting will end at 7:00pm, I’d like to go to the forum as a group, so if you’re interested, plan of staying until 8:30 next month

6:20 – This month our topic is Advocacy, which means to speak up. I thought that it would be nice to have a discussion about what this means to us and different situations where we’ve used it or wish we had.

–       Ask for help, this is especially useful if your in a retail or service establishment

– you can call ahead and ask about accessibility or special accommodations, for example if you can avoid waiting in a line to get into a concert or a movie premier

– many institutions like schools have offices of disability support, contact this office well before your first day of class (it’s also helpful to do a test run, if possible to figure out the best route to get between your classes)

– if you don’t feel like your needs are being met and it would be reasonable to do so you can contact the ADA info line would ba a good place to start (800) 514-0301 (voice) (here is a link to a page on their website that gives some basic information: http://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm#anchor63109)

–       everyone here has had the experience of being asked what’s wrong with them, or some equivalent question. If you’re like me your first inclination is to respond negatively, maybe by saying something rude. But it recently dawned on me that most of the time people are just trying to identify with me when they ask. I haven’t figured out the perfect response but recently I’ve been trying to just tell people that it’s not ok to go around asking people what’s wrong with them.

6.30 lets break into small groups and discuss

7.15 come back together as a big group and discuss

OK, so here is the final registration form for the skiing trips that we’ve put together. There are two different days that we can go: February 10th evening/night and March 4th day time. the deadline for getting the registration for in for the February trip is the 25th of January, If you’re interested download the form and fill it out. Please let me know that you’re interested by Friday the 20th  send me a message and I’ll give you the address to send it to.

download and print the PDF here: BIAWA Fri Night Ski Registration

I just received a message about a caregiver training conference happening the June in Tukwilla. download the PDF with all the info here: 2012 CaregiversConferencec12PRannouncementfinal

January 11th Young adults with TBI Support Group meeting

november 9th Young adults with TBI Support Group meeting