Transitioning into the Community Following Brain Injury
January 21, 2014On November 1, 2013, The Transitional Rehabilitation Center at Helen Hayes Hospital celebrated twelve years of serving the brain injury community. The Center’s Structured Day Program serves the community of brain injury survivors in the lower Hudson Valley who have already made the transition from hospital to home, and are now moving on with their lives.
We refer to ourselves as the TRC…
Transition brings a vision of change and transformation to mind. Rehabilitation is a time to relearn and restore oneself.
Center is a gathering of people in a safe place of belonging & togetherness.
Traumatic Brain Injury survivors, who in the past may have had no option but to live in a nursing home, are now living in their communities, with support. The Transitional Rehabilitation Center is an integral part of the overall TBI continuum of care at Helen Hayes Hospital. Individuals attending the Structured Day Program at the TRC have identified a new vision for their life. The skilled staff at the program are charged with assisting these individuals to set realistic goals and work toward success, helping to make that vision real.
These past twelve years have been a lesson in life’s challenges met. Many participants have gone on to return to work, become volunteers, complete their GED or college degrees. The gift of friendship and support amongst the brain injury community is the strength of our program.
Along with the TRC, there are many resources that would be helpful to brain injury survivors and family members. I recommend attending a support group hosted by the Brain Injury Association. Meetings are held in all New York counties. Additional information can be found at www.BIANYS.org or www.BIAUSA.org Helen Hayes Hospital hosts the Rockland County Chapter Support Group on the 2nd Monday of each month. The support group is held in the Hospital Auditorium at 6:30PM. Survivors, friends and family are welcome to attend. Also look at the websites that are dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to be as independent as possible. I recommend www.ILUSA.com the Independent Living Center for advocacy, education and resource development in your community. Go to the www.health.ny.gov for a link to the New York State Department of Health’s Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver Program. This is a Medicaid funded program that provides services in the home and community for individuals with TBI.
Renee Reichenbach, Treatment Team Leader
Transitional Rehabilitation Center
