Chuck Kelley interviewed Sara Saylor, the Wildlife Education Program Director and Tiffany Jones, the Associate Director of Day Services with Bridges for Brain Injury Inc.
-They explained the mission of this nonprofit which is to help guide individuals with a traumatic brain injury and their families
-They support people of all ages and backgrounds
-They help with service coordination from healthcare appointments to transportation and more as it can be difficult to navigate through the healthcare system
-The goal is to help them live independently and provide them with hope and dignity during a very difficult time
-They discussed the current concern of more brain injuries happening to folks playing football, in particular the NFL
-Sara and Tiffany said it is important to raise awareness about brain injuries and that everyone must advocate for their health
-They said sometimes people can suffer small concussions that eventually lead to a more traumatic brain injury
-Sara and Tiffany talked about how after someone suffers a brain injury many times they feel frustrated and depressed
-This is one of the main reasons they have their Wildlife Rockstars program
-The goal is to keep people mentally and physically active after a brain injury
-This program provides a hands-on opportunity for brain injury patients to assist them in caring for 30 exotic animals.
-They also do community outreach events with the animals.
-Sara and Tiffany said donations and business support is critical for them to be able to keep this program alive as it is expensive to care for the animals.