Support for Living with Brain Injury - Lotus Speech & Wellness, LLC

As mentioned in previous posts linked here and here, March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. There are many topics that deserve to be highlighted pertaining to brain injury, and today our focus is support for living with brain injury. The scope of impacts from brain injury can be life-altering and wide-ranging. Domains commonly affected by brain injury can include:

Physical – hemiparesis, visual deficits, fatigue, chronic pain, etc
Cognitive – changes with thinking, memory, attention, processing, problem solving, executive functioning
Communication – speaking, understanding speech, reading, writing
Mental health – depression, anxiety, stress, lability
Vocational – difficulty participating in school or work
Avocational – difficulty participating in hobbies or leisure activities

It can be challenging to locate resources for continued support during the months and years after initial diagnosis. In particular, when someone is discharged from outpatient therapy, which is commonly thought of as the “last step” in the rehab continuum, they may be questioning where to turn. Once discharged, one might think he is finished with recovery and is expected to return to routine daily activities, however for many, ongoing support is still needed. Below are some resources to help guide you or your loved one to the services needed:

Brain Injury Association of America – The national association provides resources and can direct you to individual state chapters.
Vocational Rehab services – These services include counseling and career guidance, job placement assistance, employer consultations, and many more services. Check with your state’s central website to locate VR offices.
National Aphasia Association – Provides resources for those living with aphasia as well as caregivers.
Social media – search terms like ‘brain injury’ or ‘aphasia’ on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to find groups and personal accounts relating to brain injury recovery.
Local graduate school programs – Many graduate schools offer therapy services (speech, physical, occupational) by graduate students supervised by certified therapists. This can be a useful option if continued therapy is needed after discharge from formal therapy services.
Local senior centers – Many senior centers provide groups or opportunities for socialization.
Support groups offered by hospitals or rehab centers

For those living with brain injury, daily life can look very different from life ‘before brain injury’. Ongoing support and participation in your recovery is essential to help you continue to make progress and meet your personal goals. It can be helpful to speak with other survivors who may understand what you are going through on a deeper, more personal level. This does not discount the importance of staying connected with friends and family, however. Support can come in many forms and can provide the guidance needed to navigate the twists and turns of brain injury recovery.