June 27, 2007
We had another full house. A lot of new faces. After a brief business meeting we went into introductions and sharing our stories. There was a lot of interaction and good fellowship. Got good feedback at the end of the meeting. Next meeting will be our annual reunion/bonfire at the Feld Farm July 25 @ 7 PM.
July 25, 2007
We celebrated the support groups third year anniversary at the Feld Farm. We gathered around the bonfire, ate S'mores and enjoyed the beautiful country setting. After a time of informal conversation we began letting go of some painful memories and took turns tossing items into the fire. Things like neck braces that represented a long and difficult rehabilitation. A hard hat meant this persons injuries would not allow him to return to familiar employment and begin the task of a new job search. Many wrote down on paper their thoughts of guilt, anger, hurt and names of people who inflicted on them this painful new life. We watch the items go up in smoke and turn into ashes. We ended the evening with a ceremonial patriotic flag burning.
August 22, 2007
After a short business meeting we introduced ourselves and shared stories. Members filled out a Support Group Survey Tool. The results of the survey showed that the main reasons for those participating in a support group is to gain knowledge of brain injury, learn from others who have similar issues, being able to relate and interact with other brain injury families.
Sept 26, 2007
Twenty people attended. Introductions and sharing survivor stories prompted much
discussion, interaction, and venting. A few people plan on attending the "Walk for Thought" benefit in Milwaukee. The chocolate chip cookies were a big hit.
Oct 24, 2007
25 people gathered to listen to guest speakers from St. Vincent Hospital inform
us about Bioness Technology.
Occupational and Physical therapist use the Bioness device to stimulate nerves
of TBI and stroke patients to make new connections to the brain. Afterwords,
we heard from a TBI family who is presently being treated at A B See Vision
Therapy Center in Menasha. The Vision Center uses therapy to target the
brain's visual repair mechanisms to restore function to those who have lost
vision from brain injury. Although people look with their eyes, they see with
their brains. We hope to have Dr. Dejmek of A B See Vision Center as a guest
speaker in the near future.
Nov 28, 2007
Guest speaker, Carol Higgins, a PTA from St. Vincent Hospital and her husband,
Doug, demonstrated the Nitendo Wii for us. The Wii is used as a tool in the hospital
therapy unit. This was an evening of fun and laughter as many participated in playing the Nitendo Wii. Because of the upcoming holidays, we will not have a December meeting. Our next meeting will be January 23, 2008.
Jan-May
Sept-Dec
May-Aug
Meetings
Jan-April
Meetings