Our Blog
No two brain injuries are alike…no two stories are alike. We hear stories of miracles, courage, resilience, humor, kindness, and hope every day; we thought you should too. Life is a series of stories, and we hope you find a meaningful one here.
Our blog offers inspiration from a variety of perspectives - people living with a brain injury, caregivers, professionals, students, and members of the community who want to help.
Have your own story to share? Submit a blog by clicking on the button below.
One Foot in Front of the Other
More than 6 years ago, Anne’s life changed as the result of a brain injury. Through her recovery, she learned how difficult, yet important it is to put one foot in front of the other… In her own words, here is Anne’s story: Before my injury, I owned my own business for 30 years called Read More »
Read MoreTraining Mental Health Workers to Respond More Effectively to Those with Brain Injury
Thanks to Mary Begor, the Crisis Intervention Community Support Specialist for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Donna Cantrell at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, the Program Specialist for Virginia’s Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act Grant, BIAV was given an amazing opportunity. Since January of this year (2019), Read More »
Read MoreCheryl Dean – Resilient Brain
One fateful day in 2017 changed Cheryl’s life forever. In her own words, here is Cheryl’s story: It started as a typical day. On January 31, 2017, I was walking across the street when I was hit by a truck. After being flown to the hospital, I was placed in a coma on life support Read More »
Read MoreMillennials in Today’s Workforce
Millennials in Today’s Workforce Samantha Carmack Samantha is a BIAV young professionals member, former BIAV intern, and counselor for Camp Bruce McCoy. In May, Samantha graduated from Mary Baldwin University with her Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree. Thank you for contributing to our blog! Often times the ambition, drive, and confidence of the millennial generation Read More »
Read MoreAlex Joncas, Summer 2019 Public Relations Intern
About Me My name is Alex and I am the new intern at BIAV! I am so excited to be able to intern with BIAV and learn a variety of new skills. I am from Charlottesville, Virginia and I am currently studying Communication and Sociology at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg – go Hokies! I get Read More »
Read MoreOur Final Shout-Out for Member Appreciation Month
Our final shout-out for Member Appreciation Month goes to Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley (BICSV) for their outstanding work in the community and specifically for their Crisis Intervention Trainings (CIT)! In case you are unfamiliar with BICSV, they are a state-funded program that provides community-based case management services to those affected by brain Read More »
Read MoreMeet Lauren Daugherty!
Lauren and her husband Michael live in Chesapeake, Virginia with their two children, Logan and Emma. When she’s not spending time with her kids at the beach, you can find Lauren doing some interior decorating and crafting! Lauren joined BIAV this past winter because of her personal connection to brain injury. “My sweet, big-hearted, Read More »
Read More“The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be”
When I first heard this quote from Yogi Berra , I thought it was a malapropism, which is an unintentional and often humorous distortion of a word or phrase. But as the Brain Injury Association of Virginia board and staff members have been focusing on succession planning, I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot. Read More »
Read MoreCamp Reflection
My name is Kailee Boedeker, and I’ve been working as a volunteer for the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) for the last several months. My involvement with BIAV began when I accepted a life-guarding opportunity offered to me for Camp Bruce McCoy in 2014. In 2015, I was given the responsibility of being lead female Read More »
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