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13 Keys to Re-empowerment During the Pandemic

Gayann 2020-08-04T04:32:15+00:00 June 25th, 2020|Blog|

13 Keys to Re-empowerment During the Pandemic

Getting Hit, Getting Up, Moving Beyond and Making a Difference

To describe the year 2020 as vexing, exasperating and terrifying is an understatement as the coronavirus pandemic remains a deadly cloud over our everyday lives. Add in a traumatic brain injury and the anxiety can be unbearable at times.

However, Joanne Cohen, vice president of the Brain Injury Hope Foundation, gave mTBI survivors 13 rays of hope during the first virtual Zoom Survivor Series – Getting Hit, Getting Up, Moving Beyond: 13 Keys to Re-empowerment During the Covid-19 Challenge, on June 26, 2020.

“How can we re-empower ourselves during this time?” Cohen asked. “Acceptance, adjustment and compassion. It’s about how we respond. We have the power to advocate for ourselves. I’m sharing with you today what trauma and adversity has taught me about resilience.”

Cohen, who just published the book “Getting Hit, Getting Up, Moving Beyond: My Journey Through Brain Injury,” stressed that all these keys may not work for everyone, but to take away what will work in your life and during your recovery. To purchase Cohen’s book

One of the key steps (No. 10) is finding the “golden nugget” in times of turmoil, Cohen explained, and asked the Zoom participants to add their silver lining to facing a pandemic while recovering from a mTBI.

Jennifer responded that she was prepared for the isolation that came with coronavirus pandemic because while recovering from an accident she was already living in isolation. Julie learned to connect with people from home via technology, and Russell said his mTBI recovery made him better able to handle the Covid-19 pandemic. While Susan said an attitude of gratitude has helped her be resilient. Francesca added that she is learning to take better care of herself.

Acknowledging what is happening (Key No. 1) and taking small steps to address the stress are essential ways to thrive in times of uncertainty, Cohen said. “Covid-19 has rocked our world. It’s how we choose to respond to it. (Key No. 12) We need to reframe how we react and think.”

Cohen then quoted Jacob Meyer, a therapist with Integrated Health Systems of Denver.

“Dealing with uncertainty is opposite of routine. Human beings tend to thrive in routine with smaller breaks in uncertainty. Routine allows us stability… Coronavirus has brought uncertainty on multiple levels … Understand that this stress is a normal occurrence, everyone is experiencing it to some degree.”

The isolation and lack of control everyone is experiencing during the pandemic are familiar to the mTBI community. Meyer was quoted, “shame, fear, self-criticism all thrive in states of isolation. It is natural to feel that way.”

Dealing with grief is a big key to thriving during the pandemic, as we have lost control of our lives.

“What is not healthy is stuffing these feelings down,” Cohen said. “Grief manifests itself and affects the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects of one’s life. Give yourself permission to grieve. By addressing grief it will be easier to recover.”

For more on grief and counseling after a brain injury, here is a link to the blog on our Survivor Series Counseling after a brain injury.

Key No. 2 Focusing on our ability and not our DISability is vital Cohen stresses. “We are all too aware of our isolation and limitations. This is new learning for all of us. … As a group we are used to challenges and stepping up to the plate to protect ourselves and others.” It’s about finding that golden nugget Cohen suggested at the start of the seminar.

Living your life to the fullest (Key No. 3) can help us during these intense times. “This is what it is, and it’s how we choose to react,” Cohen said.

Self-care techniques are helpful and may include playing with your pet, taking a walk to a new park or exploring your neighborhood, playing online games, learning a new hobby. It’s about finding positive ways to fill the gaps while nurturing your soul.

Key 4 is being your own advocate and No. 5 is trusting the process and being creative.

“If it’s meant to be it’s up to me,” Cohen said. “Be resourceful and advocate for yourself or find someone who will be your advocate. Accept one day at a time. There is transformation in the midst of Covid-19 – look at how Mother Earth is beginning to heal. Find a support group of like-minded individuals.

“This too shall pass,” Cohen continued. “Be creative. Reframe the process. I had a birthday during Covid, and we changed how we celebrated. We read cards over Zoom. I met people in parking lots for coffee and dinner. It was great. And I turned my garage into a meeting place where we can socialize while maintaining 6 feet.”

Developing a support team and thriving is Key No. 6. Kevin said he is leading a TBI support group where he shares what he has learned. You can contact Kevin at [email protected]

Cohen noted this is a great example of not waiting for others to reach out to you.

BIHF Vice President Joanne Cohen urges brain injury survivors to look for the “golden nugget” when dealing with adversity.

Using masks, staying at home and practicing social distancing are examples of Key No. 7 Move into the world safely. “Be mindful, and do what’s best for you and others,” Cohen said.

Ask for help is key No. 8. “It takes a strong person to ask for help,” Cohen explained. “You could use the NextDoor app to ask people to go to the grocery store for you. … surrender and lean into this. You can’t assume people know what you need.”

Compensation is the crux to No. 9 Compensate! Compensate! Compensate! “You can’t do everything the way you used to do it so find ways to compensate,” Cohen said, then gave her birthday celebration as an example of compensating during Covid-19.

Julie stated she reads bedtime stories to her grandchildren over Zoom. Vicki turns off the news and social media when she feels overwhelmed.

No. 10 goes back to being positive – Look for silver linings. Those golden nuggets. Darren said he is enjoying more family time during the pandemic. Susan is focusing on her art projects and is writing more, while Vicki says working from home is a blessing because there’s less noise and light. And Jeffrey said the human race needs to prioritize its thinking and we will come out wiser.

Helping others IS helping yourself is Key 11. Cohen noted that while homeschooling your children you can discover how your child learns, along with finding a new appreciation for teachers. “Give to give instead of giving to get,” she said.

No. 12 Your Journey, Your Life: You Choose How Your React or Respond to It is about adapting, adjusting to change, surrendering, leaning in and knowing it’s OK to have a “bad hair” day, Cohen explained.

Susan said she is sewing masks as her way of responding to the pandemic.

No. 13 is Resiliency is a Key to Survive AND Thrive. “It’s an inconvenience for all of us,” Cohen said.

Staying positive, having structure to your day, getting and staying connected to others are just a few of the ways to implement the baker’s dozen of keys to moving beyond the pandemic while recovering from a brain injury.

By Eliza Marie Somers

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Neuroplasticity Key to Many New Therapies

Gayann 2020-03-19T05:33:38+00:00 March 18th, 2020|Blog|

Healthcare Panel Reveals Unique Ways to Recover from TBI

BIHF Vice President Joanne Cohen, standing left, greets the February 2020 Treatment Panel participants: Nancy Bonifer, standing left to right, Candi Boyd, Dr. Eric Spier, Dr. Jeff McWhorter, seated left, and Dr. Shane Steadman.

Working with “non-traditional” doctors while recovering from a brain injury has helped many survivors, who are part of the Brain Injury Hope Foundation community. To help others overcome hurdles, the BIHF held a panel discussion February 13, 2020, with several healthcare providers, who doled out information about their services.

Joining our panel at the West Metro Fire and Training Center in Lakewood, Colorado, were:

Nancy Bonifer, PT, DPT, MS
Dynamic Recovery Physical Therapy
6638 W. Ottawa Ave., Suite 115
Littleton, Colorado 80128
303-872-7240

Candi Boyd, MDIV-Chaplain
Craig Hospital
3425 S. Clarkson St.
Englewood, Colorado
303-789-8000

Dr. Eric Spier, Neurologist
Craig Hospital
3425 S. Clarkson St.
Englewood, Colorado
303-789-8000

Dr. Shane Steadman, DC, DACNB
Integrated Health Centers
601 South Clarkson Street, Suite #420
Englewood, Colorado 80113
303-781-5617

Dr. Jeff McWhorter, DC
McWhorter Chiropractic and Neurological Rehabilitation
7000 S. Yosemite St., Suite 260
Centennial, Colorado 80112
720-893-8950
720-717-4748

“Every TBI is unique,” Spier said. “I relish the environment that I’m in because of the access to a lot of resources. I work with a large team that supports one another. … We work with smaller amount of patients to accomplish that.”

Working with a smaller amount of patients has its drawbacks in that it limits the number of survivors Craig Hospital can service.

“We provide a beacon for other hospitals and providers,” Spier explained. “I value the time with my patients and the results that we are achieving, but it can be frustrating that we cannot see more people. It’s an enormous disadvantage that we can’t take care of more patients.”

Boyd, who is a chaplain at Craig Hospital, touts working with the whole person during their recovery as Spier noted that “it’s important to provide a multi-faceted approach to recovery.”

“Rehabilitation includes the entire self, including the spiritual self,” Boyd explained. “The spiritual self gets altered, too, when you have a TBI. I help to provide a spiritual context to help the patient.”

Boyd cited an example of using hymns or Scripture passages to help the patient with speech therapy and recall.

“We can go through the lyrics or Scripture together and maybe they (the patients) can remember the next verse or word,” she said. “And then the words come easier and easier. It (spiritual practice) provides a centering for the patient that they can come back to. It’s something meaningful to help them in recovery.”

Steadman used an analogy of a car mechanic to describe his approach to TBI recovery.

“If your car is not working, you take it to a mechanic, who does a whole work up or diagnostic on the car. That’s what we do,” Steadman explained. “We look at the whole person, not just one part. We do a full workup. Blood work. Eye – visual performance. Hearing – vestibular problems. We look at whiplash and the neck.

“We see what is working and what is not working, and we can pull all of those things together and start working on them individually.”

McWhorter, who sustained six TBIs, speaks from experience. After his last TBI, he used the Gyrostim in his recovery.

“It helped me get my quality of life back fast,” he said. “It is a phenomenal module. It stimulates the brain through motion. Patients are instructed to hit targets in a certain order while in the Gyrostim. I’ve found validity with the Gyrostim.”

The Gyrostim is also being used by professional athletes to increase speed of processing, something that tends to slow after someone suffers a TBI, and is just one of many modules in McWhorter’s practice. His clinic also utilizes acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Neurofeedback, and Class IV laser therapy.

“We touch on every aspect of a brain injury,” McWhorter said.

He then related one of his success stories concerning a patient, who suffered a massive stroke, and came to his office needing her husband to carry her. After oxygen therapy and Gyrostim therapy, the woman was able to walk with assistance in just three months.

“There is always hope,” Steadman said. “The neuroplasticity concept (the brain will make new pathways to accomplish tasks) is giving people hope. It can take a bit of time, but don’t get discouraged. As you activate the neurons in the brain they become more active.”

Bonifer, who works one-on-one with clients and tailors the therapy room to each person’s needs, such as dimming the lights or taking a clock out of a room if it’s too loud, cited setting small goals and looking at your accomplishments during your therapy.

“It (recovery) does not happen overnight,” she said. “Neuroplasticity can take some time to master a set of skills.”

“We all build on neuroplasticity in different ways,” Steadman said, noting that diet and sleep are also huge during recovery. “You want to decrease inflammation.”

Insomnia can be a big hurdle for many TBI survivors, and McWhorter stated he has had success with neurofeedback therapy along with oxygen therapy in helping patients gain meaningful sleep.

One audience member asked for guidance in choosing therapies: I’m running out of energy to try new things. I’m excited and exhausted, she related.

“What gives you joy?” responded Boyd. “When searching for the next option ask yourself what is OK for me right now. And remember you don’t have to be more than who you already are at this moment. It’s who you are now. It’s OK to be where you are now.”

Steadman noted that he is working with a patient, whose identity was wrapped in who he was before the TBI. “It’s OK to press the pause button,” he said. “You don’t have to stop enjoying life. Self-care is the most important thing you can do now.”

“Take a vacation from treatment,” McWhorter suggested. “You still have a life to live. Going to doctor to doctor and therapy A to therapy B becomes your life. All caregivers have ways to modify so you don’t feel imprison or consumed by your diagnosis.”

Bonifer advised getting back to basics. “Maintaining a positive attitude, drinking water, eating healthy food, exercising – these are all things that will help you.”

Spier explained that even though Craig Hospital is limited in its reach to patients, what the staff learns is, in turn, related to communities. “We are building community. We provide resources to empower communities to get out there and change their structure, such as developing partnerships with organizations that help the TBI community. How can we develop resources that can make a difference in creative ways? It’s an uphill battle. And Craig is not the Holy Grail. Focus on people who can help you.”

Boyd, the chaplain at Craig, stated, “The reality starts after our patients leave our setting. How do you make all these tools that we developed in therapy work in real life? You need to find a community. It’s hard to live life in a silo, but stepping out into the community is hard.

“You have to be an advocate,” she continued. “If your church is too loud, talk to the pastor and spiritual community. They don’t know what they don’t know. Maybe they can dim the lights or lower the sound.

“And remember, YOU are the author of your greatest story,” Boyd said. “You get to write the next chapter. How are you allowing your true self to form the story you want to write?”

-By Eliza Marie Somers

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TBI Survivors Reveal Their Successes

Gayann 2020-01-24T17:48:32+00:00 January 21st, 2020|Blog|

BIHF vice president Joanne Cohen, back, welcomes Jeffrey Therrian and Dr. JoAnne Silver Jones to the January 2020 Survivor Series Luncheon.

Six brain injury survivors revealed their tips to thriving after a TBI to kick off the 2020 series of the Brain Injury Hope Foundation’s Survivor Series Luncheons on January 10 at the West Metro Fire and Rescue Event Center in Lakewood, Colorado.

“Overcoming Obstacles to Create a Better Life and a New Normal” gave survivors in the audience an opportunity to garner various methods, including unusual therapies to just smiling to use in their recovery from a brain injury.

The panel included:

JoAnne Silver Jones
Lauren Fortmiller
Richard Garde
Deb Finegold
Sheila Traister
Jeffrey Therrian

“I recognize now that every day I’m better than what I was,” said Traister, who suffered multiple concussions. “It’s good to see how far that I have come. I had forgotten my baseline.”

Traister is currently working with Dr. Manny Nunez of the NeuraPerformance Brain Center and is incorporating vision therapy, Dynavision, and Gyrostim therapy into her routine as she recovers.

Deb Finegold, left, Richard Garde and Shelia Traister are more than happy to share their tips at the BIHF January 2020 Survivor Series Luncheon.

Therrian said he “now knows himself” after suffering a fall at work in 2008 that sent him to the hospital where he was in an induced coma for six days.

“I was in denial for four to five years,” he explained. “I’ve seen what I lost, and it was hard. … I’ve had to redefine success and change the level of success. I now set smaller goals.”

And setting those smaller goals has allowed the former carpenter to cope as he still recovers from a TBI.

“I had to start looking at my problems. What are they?” Therrian explained. “Once I had the problems on paper, I could do the research. And because of that, I could work on one piece of the puzzle at a time.”

Garde, a former chiropractor, said he lost a lot of his memory after a car accident 2.5 years ago, along with math skills and vocabulary. He had to relearn how to play the guitar, and noted that music/sound is a healing energy.

“Playing music and neurology work together,” Garde said.

And it’s not just playing music, which helps stimulate the brain function controlling movement, cognition and speech, but listening to music also helps TBI survivors. For more information on music therapy, here is a link to one study.

Garde along with others on the panel experienced ringing in the ears aka tinnitus after their injuries, and suggested ear filters to help with the “noise.” Here’s an article about hypersensitivity after a TBI. And here is where you can buy ear filters at Westone in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (SKU# 77701 was recommended by Dr. Mary Ann Keatley to Eliza Marie Somers. Also try SKU# 77703 or 77704, which were on sale at the time of publication.)

Finegold uses ear filters her audiologist, Dr. Kristin L. Rankin, suggested and said the ear filters help her tremendously as she negotiates life in restaurants, movie theaters, etc. Here is an article by Rankin.

Garde cited several therapies and other helpful hints that he has used in his recovery. Here are a few of his suggestions along with links to handouts or websites:

Become the Baby or the Brain Dance

Cross Crawl Exercises

Smile

Sleeping in a Hammock. Study 1.

Study 2

Meditation and a Good Night’s Sleep

One free app to try for meditations is Insight Timer, which offers more than 24,000 free meditations from guided meditations to just music, from Christian to Buddhist, along with Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) meditations. MBSR meditations were cited by Silver-Jones as helping in her recovery.

“Find out what works for you,” Garde said. “And you have to move. Life is motion, and motion is medicine.”

Motion also increases oxygen to the brain. Speaking of oxygen to the brain, Garde mentioned a University of Colorado study he was involved in which it was revealed that sitting in a hot tub increased oxygen to the brain. Here is a link to volunteer for a study. And here is a link for studies with the Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory.

Silver-Jones, who just published “Headstrong: Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury” after surviving being attacked with a hammer in a random violence incident, said that writing was a way to remove herself from the injury.

“Writing found me,” she said. “It was not my intention to write a book, but I just kept writing. It was personal and intimate. After years of recovery, I was tired and this was a way to focus on something else. You have to engage your brain in something else other than your injury.

“You need to find your bandwidth, and honor that,” she continued. “Find where you can function. … What can I deal with, without getting angry. I would yell at people: It wasn’t an accident! I was attacked with a hammer!

“I live a bounded life, now,” she added. “I need rest. I have to take medications to control seizures. I do what I can to keep things in control.”

One of those things she cited is MBSR meditation, and here’s a link to free meditations and course study.

Fortmiller, a former teacher and activist, uses her dog Bogo to help her throughout her day.

Lauren Fortmiller and Bogo.

“Most of my life people told me to snap out of it,” said Fortmiller, who suffered numerous TBIs since childhood. “It wasn’t until I had a CereScan that gave a complete picture of the brain that I finally had proof that I had a brain injury.”

Fortmiller now credits her injury with bringing her to music, along with giving her freedom from expectations.

Finegold used trauma therapy after a fall down some stairs.

“I was terrified of stairs and riding in a car,” she said. “I didn’t know who I was. I had all these antennas up in my head. Trauma therapy helped me to get unstuck.”

Traister said TBIs now allow her to distance herself from toxic people and situations.

“I don’t have the energy or time to put up with other people’s (crap),” she said. “Before the injuries I was probably to most wonderful enabler, now I have very little time for toxic situations.”

All the panelist indicated that caregivers need to use patience when helping a TBI survivor.

“Patience is the most important quality a caregiver can have,” Fortmiller said. “We are doing the best we can. Also don’t over help. I know it’s hard not to help someone you love, but always ask if they need help.”

Traister added it’s important to respect the wishes of the TBI patient.

“People are trying to be helpful and want to do things their way. Respect the way we do things,” she said. “And it’s OK to say, ‘I don’t understand.”

The BIHF Luncheon Series on March 13, will feature six caregivers, who will explain their methods and will reveal tips they use in caregiving for a TBI loved one.

Therrian gave an analogy on dealing with TBI survivors.

“Imagine you are driving to New York City and about three-quarters of the way there you pull over because your windshield and rearview mirror are filled with muck. I am unable to see the world in front of me or behind me,” he explained.

Finegold added, “Life doesn’t end after a TBI. Life can be just a rewarding. Find people you enjoy being with and love the life that you have. I’m thrilled about learning how to crochet again!”

It’s little successes such as crocheting that can make a difference as a TBI survivor recovers. So celebrate your accomplishments, and smile.

By Eliza Marie Somers

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The Benefits of Counseling After a Brain Injury

Gayann 2019-10-17T06:57:15+00:00 September 20th, 2019|Blog|

While most survivors of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) keep a laser-like focus on the physical healing of the brain, one aspect of the therapeutic process is often an afterthought and usually forgotten and overlooked. That important aspect is a person’s psychological and emotional well-being.

To help survivors and their families understand the importance of the mental side of recovery the Brain Injury Hope Foundation’s Survivor Series on September 13, 2019, featured a panel of experts at its “The Benefits of Counseling Following Traumatic Brain Injury” luncheon at the West Metro Fire and Rescue Training and Event Center in Lakewood, Colorado, facilitated by Board President and Executive Director, Gayann Brandenburg.

The following experts shared their insights:

Rita Coalson, MA, LPC, NCC
Psychotherapist (Grief Therapy, Trauma, Boundary Issues, Life Transitions)
Aloha Counseling Services
Email: [email protected]
303-907-8973

Ricardo Esparza, Retired
Ph.D
P.O. Box 17145
Boulder, CO
303-447-1257

Sharon Kocina, MA, LPC
Helping You Go From Surviving to Thriving
303-444-2003
Email: [email protected]
Website: Sharon Kocina

Valerie Stone, Ph.D., Psy-C
Licensed Psychologist Candidate
833-883-7527
Email: [email protected]

“When you go to counseling you should expect to be in a safe space to be whom you are, where you
are,” Coalson said. “If you don’t have a safe space you will not open up. Interview your therapist so that
you can be you and trust that person.”

“Yes, a safe space is extremely important,” Stone said. “You should feel supported in being who you
want to be and be treated with respect.”

After finding the right therapist Kocina emphasized celebrating the little successes in your recovery.
“Look for changes, even if they are baby steps,” she said. “And take time to rest before and after your
appointments. You will need to have energy going into therapy.”

“And when you are in an appointment take notes and ask for handouts.”

“Having a patient write in a journal is extremely helpful,” Esparza noted as it is easier to go back and
chart your progress as you recover from a TBI. “And talk about a strategy.”
Part of that strategy includes having hope that you will get better and surrounding yourself with loving
and kind people, Esparza explained.

Another facet Esparza stressed is sharing your recovery with your spouse and family members as he
related a story of one gentleman who would not open up to his wife as he felt he was protecting his
spouse.

“It’s very, very important not to be stingy by hogging up the injury and not allowing someone to be
compassionate to you,” Esparza said. “This is a life-changing event, and it’s life changing for them, too.”
One of the first steps to mental recovery is a grieving process.

“Don’t be put into the immediate category of depression,” Esparza said. “The grieving process has to be
addressed.”

“We just happen to live in a grief-deprived society,” Coalson explained. “No one listens to you; they just
want you to say you are OK. You look fine, why aren’t you fun anymore. … You need to build and create
a new support system. And allow time to grieve.”

“You have to accept that you are already different,” she continued. “There are stages of grief. Getting
grief education can help you feel calmer. And you should not try to rush it. It’s a discovery process.”
“And you just might discover a new life purpose and/or career path that you would not have taken if you
didn’t address the changes in your life after a TBI. Another positive from grieving is that when you are
triggered, say a year from now, it will not be as intense of an emotion and you will move along,” Coalson
said.

Kocina stressed the necessity of quality sleep in your physical and mental recovery process. She also
explained the energy Reserve Model. (Link to attachment.)

“It’s more difficult to deal with grief and trauma when you are not sleeping well,” Kocina explained. “If
you can take care of your sleep, you can take care of this injury better.”

Along with grief and sleep deprivation there is this “disbelief” about the injury.

“What is the emotional injury of the TBI?” Esparza said. “You have to get to the core of who you are and
eventually you will have to ask this question: What is the meaning of this injury in my life? How are you
going to adapt to this change in life? What we do know is that life continues in this riptide of change. In
the midst of the most terrible circumstances what is the next step? It doesn’t have to be catastrophic.”
Stone stressed that psychologists “don’t have a magic wand, but it’s inspiring” to work with members of
the TBI community. “It’s an incredible privilege to be on this journey with you.”

“We are here to support you,” Kocina said. “Let the therapist know what you need and tell them what is
not working. You are not going crazy. You are the same person, but your future looks different.”
Coalson noted: “It’s an ongoing journey. Do the self-care. Don’t’ fight yourself. You can like yourself,
even if you don’t like what is going on.”

Download Limited Capacity Model

A Path to a Paycheck After a TBI

Gayann 2019-09-13T04:36:01+00:00 August 25th, 2019|Blog|

So much of “who we are” is linked to our employment. I’m an electrician, a fireman, an accountant, an attorney, a teacher. Yes, we all have a deep attachment to our occupation. So after a mild traumatic brain injury, a part of our “identity and purpose in life” gets a jolt of the new reality we now face.

After months, maybe even years, of rehab and therapy we are ready to test new waters, but we are stuck in a stream of … where do I start.

The Brain Injury Hope Foundation’s free Survivor Series luncheon Aug. 9, 2019 at the West Metro Fire and Rescue Center, gave participants a sort of blueprint for starting the journey back to employment.

Facilitated by Gayann Brandenburg, the audience sat in small groups and discussed various ways member found employment, along with some of the resources used on their journey to a pay check.

One of the first topics discussed was disclosure – whether or not to tell your employer about the mTBI. This is a totally personal decision. If you need special accommodations at work, some say it is imperative you tell your potential new employer about the disability and that it’s a must if you are still employed with the same company before the TBI. By doing this, the company cannot fire you for your medical condition, some participants said.

One group suggested you do not reveal the mTBI during the interview process, but discuss it during the “intake” process.

Researching the company to see if it accommodates people with disabilities and finding out the corporate culture are essential, said one group of participants.

If your disability is “invisible” then it’s important to disclose it because it might be hard to convince your employer you have a disability after you are hired, said one group.

The disclosure issue is an in-depth topic the BIHF took up during a luncheon in March 2018. Here is a link to the blog about that series, if you would like to explore it.

Resources are Available

The task of looking for a job can be so daunting that it can delay the process of getting self-sufficient. However, there are resources available, including many state and county entities. Below are some avenues to explore.

The public library system. Do NOT be afraid to ask a librarian for help. They are more than willing to answer your questions and steer you in the right direction, including free online courses. Below are some links to county library systems in Colorado.

The county business and workforce centers are an excellent resource as they hold free classes on computer programs, including Excel, Word, along with classes on interviewing, resume writing, and accessing resources. The workforce centers also hold events linking companies with potential employers. Below are links to some state and county resources.

Links and map of Colorado’s workforce centers

Colorado Division of Labor and Development

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Colorado Small Business Development Center Network

Goodwill Industries was cited numerous times as an option for finding help in looking for work, along with a place of employment. In June 2019 the two Goodwill organizations in Colorado merged. Link to story

The new company is discussing whether to take on a new name, but for now it is operating under two names: Goodwill Industries of Denver link here and Discover Goodwill of Southern & Western Colorado. Link here

Volunteering is a good way to find out what has changed with your work abilities. For example, you can test your stamina, your ability to deal with lots of people or noise, and other variables. Volunteering may be an option if you would like to work for an organization, along with being a great place to network and maybe even securing a job as you get to know the people and the company culture.

Part-time work and temporary work are great ways to finding full-time employment. Remember you, too, are testing out the company, just as it is testing you.

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now

The topic of staying with your old company or moving on to something totally different and maybe even more fulfilling was discussed.

The reasons cited for remaining with your old company are:

You know the company and the culture.
The company may be willing to place you in a new job in which you can succeed, along with meeting your accommodations.
The benefits, and who doesn’t want to keep their benefits.

Moving on to a new career and source of income can be quite empowering once we are dedicated to the change. Here are some reasons for a change:

You might discover a hidden talent.
Doing what you love can bring happiness.
A fresh start may give you renewed energy and motivation.

Applying for jobs in person or online

It seems as if technology is everywhere and the only way to get a job is through the online process, but Brandenburg said “Do not stop with the online process. After submitting an online application, you must go in person or contact the company via phone to make sure they received your application, draw attention to your application, and express your interest in working for the company. There are too many online applications submitted – you need to stand out if you want a viable chance of landing a job.” But she did caution against contacting a company that specifically states: Do Not Contact.

Some online job resources

Indeed

ZipRecruiter

And here’s an article that details its top 10 online employment sites.

Alternatives to Employment

The traditional way of commuting to work and working for an employer is going to the wayside as more and more employers are allowing people to work from home, along with people starting niche businesses. Here are some options to the tradition workplace model.

Turning a hobby into a paying career can become liberating and enjoyable. Don’t sell yourself short and keep your options open.

Take classes and seek out support groups. Health and fitness classes can be a way of testing to see if you could become an instructor.

Finding employment after a mTBI can be difficult, but remember there are people and organizations out there that are willing to help you become independent. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

In September 2018, the BIHF held a series on finding employment in which it dispensed additional information on the process. Here is a link to the blog.

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70th Birthday thoughts – Richard Garde

Gayann 2019-08-16T08:28:05+00:00 August 16th, 2019|Blog|

Well I certainly don’t suddenly feel wiser as I’m older — actually it doesn’t feel any different than yesterday. Remember those adult stupid […]

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