Ed Smith spoke with Cathy Iacviello, Director of Program Development and Corporate Compliance at Bridges for Brain Injury Inc. and Sara Sayor, Wildlife Education Program Director at Bridges for Brain Injury Inc, and Justin Parks, he attends their day program and is part of the Wildlife Rockstars program.
-They explained the mission which is to help guide individuals with a traumatic brain injuries and their families
-They support people of all ages and backgrounds
-They support folks with brain injuries after they are released from the hospital and are now trying to adjust to their new lives. The support is focused on home and in the community.
-Cathy explained their life skills training program which helps people regain skills after suffering a brain injury.
-Cathy gave some statistics on how many folks suffer a brain injury annually and how many people are hospitalized.
-Cathy explained the symptoms and the different types of brain injuries.
-March is Brain Injury Awareness month so they are doing a great deal of community outreach to teach people about brain injuries and make folks aware of the services and programs they offer.
-Sara talked about how special and unique their Wildlife Rockstars program is not just in our area but across the entire country.
-They see the Wildlife Rockstars program as a way to provide therapy for people with brain injuries. It helps keep them motivated and active and at the same time supporting the animals in the Wildlife Rockstars program.
-This program provides a hands-on opportunity for brain injury patients to assist them in caring for the animals
-Justin is an active member in the Wildlife Rockstars program. He is part of the day program at Bridges for Brain Injuries.
-Justin told his personal story of how he suffered a brain injury and eventually joined Bridges for Brain Injury.
-He talked about Clifford, a Tegu that he cares for every day.
-Justin is also active with community outreach, participating in tons of presentations.
-Justin talked about the mask awareness campaign that he participated in, he made a mask to help tell the story of his injury. This is part of an international effort to raise awareness on brain injuries.
-Sara talked about the ongoing renovation of a new 25 acre property that Bridges for Brain Injuries purchased, they continue to work on the facility and plan to open it in the next two years.
-They encouraged people to volunteer with their organization as they have many opportunities. Some people help with the Wildlife Rockstars program but they have other folks in the community that have a special skill they want to share and teach participants in the day program.