Neuro News A newsletter from NeuroRestorative
Rebuilding Lives After Brain Injury
NeuroRestorative Identifies Formula for Targeted Treatment Resulting in Optimal Outcomes
WINTER 2016 Meet NeuroRestorative’s Longest Serving Employees......................2 Participant Regains Independence through Will and Determination....3 NeuroRestorative Employee Recognized with Ripple of Hope........4 Advocates Testify before State Legislators in Support of Cognitive Rehabilitation...............................5 New & Expanded Programs..5 & 8 NeuroRestorative New Jersey Participant Featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show........................6 Neuro Institute Educational Offerings......................................7 NeuroRestorative Marks Veteran’s Day..............................................9 A Family’s Thank You Letter..................................10
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Led by Gordon Horn, Ph.D., National Deputy Director of Clinical Outcome Services, and Frank Lewis, Ph.D., CBIST, National Director of Clinical Outcome Services, NeuroRestorative’s expert team of clinicians recently announced the findings of a research study titled “Predictive Analytics in Post-Hospital Brain Injury Rehabilitation” that analyzed the importance of specific, targeted treatment resulting in optimal outcomes for individuals with brain injury. The treatment formula includes emphasis on the development of the following four skill sets: self-care skills development; initiation and inhibition of activities; pragmatics in communication; and home skills development. “Of the 29 items on the Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4) — the industry standard of measurement for assessing post-acute brain injury rehabilitation outcomes — these skills were found to be the most critical to achieving a successful outcome,” said Horn. The research included a Regression and Quartile Analysis. This statistical technique revealed the importance of mastering these skills. Otherwise known by NeuroRestorative’s team of clinicians as the “Recipe for Success,” the treatment formula was developed from a data set of 1,864 participants assessed before and after their comprehensive rehabilitation program beginning in January 2015. Taken together, the four skill sets account for 48 percent of a participant’s ability to meet the demands of everyday living post-injury. • • • •
“Self-care skills development” includes eating, dressing, bathing and hygiene; “Initiation and inhibition of activities” translates to an individual’s ability to start/stop activities appropriately without prompting; “Pragmatics in communication” includes skills pertaining to speaking and communicating clearly; “Home skills development” includes the responsibilities of independent living and homemaking.
These findings were consistent with previous data assessments conducted by NeuroRestorative in 2014 and 2015 and indicate that rehabilitation should incorporate and emphasize these four skill sets throughout treatment.
Meet NeuroRestorative’s Longest Serving Employees NeuroRestorative is made up of a team of talented professionals who share a commitment to the organization’s mission and to the success of our participants. In this issue of Neuro News, we’re delighted to introduce you to NeuroRestorative’s two longest serving employees, who together, have a combined length of service of nearly 50 years.
Bill Rodgers, Case Manager
NeuroRestorative Carbondale 29 years with NeuroRestorative Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work? A: I’ve been here a while, primarily focused in Carbondale’s Supported Living program and in the field of Case Management. I think that having a long-term relationship with the participants we serve is pretty special. In my role, I’ve taken our participants around the country, including trips to the beach and deep sea fishing outings. I think these types of experiences provide our participants with memories and a sense of family. Q: What makes NeuroRestorative Carbondale special for you? A: A couple of things: my colleagues here in this program, the relationships I’ve gained with participants and their families, and the programming and opportunity to provide feedback to the directors. That’s why I’ve been here so long and why it’s been so worthwhile.
Bill Baumann, Contract Enrollment Specialist NeuroRestorative Carbondale 20 years with NeuroRestorative
Q: Can you explain your current role and how it helps NeuroRestorative serve more individuals with brain and spinal cord injury? A: I work on the re-credentialing of agreements and contracts for insurance companies. I work with members of the NeuroRestorative team all over the country opening and maximizing opportunities for participants to receive and benefit from the services we offer. But it’s not just about the contracts; it’s about what the contracts allow us to do which is serve more people and help them on the road to recovery from brain injury. Q: Do you have a story about a specific participant that is representative of your overall experience with NeuroRestorative? A: I’m thinking about a whole group of individuals and instead of mentioning one, there is a theme: it’s that NeuroRestorative has been able to touch so many people’s lives having them experience life not as people with disabilities, but as valued and contributing members of their communities.
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Participant Regains Independence through Will and Determination As a college student at Morehead State University, Drew McKinney never would have imagined an injury obtained during a casual hike with friends would affect his memory and communication skills, and forever change his life. In 2010, Drew and seven friends from school decided to go to Lackagee Rock in Rowan County, KY for a hike. During their outing, Drew fell 87 feet, breaking every bone in his face and three ribs, and sustaining a traumatic brain injury. Five and a half months later, Drew woke up from a coma. Once awake, Drew moved into two rehabilitation programs, and then transitioned into NeuroRestorative Kentucky’s day treatment program in Ashland in 2012. After working hard and challenging himself in the day treatment program, with the help of staff professionals, Drew decided to enter the Ashland residential program - an environment that closely resembled the college dormitory he was living in at the time of the accident - to help him continue on the road to increased independence. “Since moving into the residential program, I’ve seen improvement in Drew. He’s become more independent and he’s at the point now where he’s leading some of our cognitive groups. He’s also very skilled at using his iPad to compensate for his memory deficits,” said Nikki Fraley, a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Ashland program. Fraley started working with Drew a year and a half ago.
Drew McKinney shown here, two days before the
accident. Below are photos of Drew post-injury. Fraley says that Drew, now 26 years old, consistently updates his weekly rehabilitation goals (each NeuroRestorative program provides a goal sheet for participants to follow and track progress) and continues to “push himself,” something his father, Richard, believes his son must do to continue healing.
“Drew knows that he must push himself so that he can regain his life back,” said Richard, who thinks the Ashland program has provided his son with the appropriate environment as he works on regaining his independence. “The program has been outstanding and it’s five minutes away from my home,” he added. Drew contributes to the Ashland program’s monthly newsletter, a publication Fraley encourages participants to get involved with. Drew writes for the newsletter as part of his rehabilitation program. “When we first started the newsletter, I began pushing Drew to write something for it. Drew, like many of the other participants, enjoys writing. Drew has used the newsletter to write about his experiences dating after brain injury, as well as reviews of restaurants in the Ashland area,” said Fraley. “I think he likes writing because it keeps his memory working. I think writing is a way for him to push himself so he can get everything back,” said Richard.
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NeuroRestorative Employee Recognized with Ripple of Hope Award As a partner of The MENTOR Network, NeuroRestorative was honored to participate in the 2015 Ripple of Hope Awards on October 28 in Boston at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. The Ripple of Hope Award recognizes The MENTOR Network’s most outstanding employees whose passion, energy and skill have created a positive impact in the lives of others.
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NeuroRestorative Maryland’s Angela Sommer was among the ten honorees, who were selected from nearly 300 nominations. Bill Duffy, President, NeuroRestorative, presented Angela with her award. “Angela, for embracing our wounded warriors with understanding and optimism...for creating a therapeutic environment rooted in patience, clinical excellence and creativity...I am proud to present you with the Ripple of Hope Award,” he said. The award is representative of the work Angela does. As a SpeechLanguage Pathologist based in NeuroRestorative Maryland’s program in Beltsville, Angela spends most of her time working with Veterans. “Our participants are young and very motivated. It takes a very special Bill Duffy, President, NeuroRestorative, shown here with individual to join the military and there’s something about the Veteran Angela Sommer, Ripple of Hope Award winner. mentality that kind of lends itself to rehabilitation,” said Angela, who has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 20 years and with NeuroRestorative Maryland for two. Angela discovered in college that she wanted to be a Speech-Language Pathologist and remains dedicated to her work and the individuals she serves, despite any challenges that may arise. “One of the biggest challenges I have is earning the trust of the participants. But once you establish trust, then rehabilitation becomes really fun,” she said. Angela is able to establish trust by listening to the individuals she serves and understanding who they are and where they come from. Despite the fact that some of the individuals she works with can exhibit difficult behaviors, Angela knows the end result of rehabilitation is always worth her investment and care. “Once I sit down and focus on rehabilitation with our Veterans, I realize the dramatic impact we (my fellow staff and myself) can have on their lives — and that’s motivating in itself,” said Angela.
NeuroRestorative Presents at ACRM Annual Conference This past November NeuroRestorative’s team of clinical experts presented on brain injury rehabilitation outcomes measurements and analyses during a four-hour symposium titled “Diversity of Outcomes: From Person-Centered to International Neurorehabilitation Perspectives” at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) 92nd Annual Conference in Dallas, TX.
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The team from NeuroRestorative — Gordon Horn, Ph.D., National Deputy Director of Clinical Outcome Services; Frank Lewis, Ph.D., CBIST, National Director of Clinical Outcome Services; Tori Harding, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Vice President of Development, and Robert Russell, BHA, CBIS, Quality Assurance Analyst — presented on the diversity of outcomes measurements based on various care levels, spanning from acute to post-acute rehabilitation.
NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania Expands Services in the Keystone State NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania opened two new supported living homes in November and a day treatment program last June as part of a program expansion in Western Pennsylvania. The two new supported living homes, known as the Walnut Creek House and the Roxbury House, are the latest additions to NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania’s community-based living services. Located in the town of Fairview, these two homes will serve an additional ten individuals. The day treatment program is a 20,000-square-foot center that offers individual and group therapeutic activities, socialization, daily living and community skills support, vocational rehabilitation and support, recreation and leisure development. Serving as the hub of NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania’s program in Fairview, the program provides an environment where participants can develop independence and improve cognition, communication and life skills. “NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania’s program in Fairview is committed to service excellence in community-based rehabilitation for individuals with brain injury. Our recent expansion in services expands our care continuum within the region,” said Jim Para-Cremer, Executive Director, NeuroRestorative Northern Region.
Walnut Creek House, one of NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania’s new supported living homes
NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania’s day treatment program
Advocates Testify before State Legislators in Support of Cognitive Rehabilitation The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) and other advocates came together at the Massachusetts State House in November in support of S.485/H.843 An Act Relative to Cognitive Rehabilitation. If passed, this bill would require private insurance companies in the Commonwealth to cover post-acute cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury, thereby increasing access to specialized services critical to the rehabilitative process. More than 30 advocates testified in support of the bill during a hearing before the Joint Committee on Financial Services. This was the first big step toward passage of the legislation. “There is no doubt in my mind that with proper comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation, an individual’s need for supervision could have been lower, her participation as a community citizen and a safer family member would have been higher, and she would not have had to go into a nursing home,” said NeuroRestorative’s Maureen Butler as part of her testimony regarding an individual with brain injury in need of cognitive rehabilitation. Butler, along with NeuroRestorative’s Tori Harding, survivors, loved ones, and other providers and experts shared their personal and professional experiences during the testimony and expressed the need for funded cognitive rehabilitation.
Advocates in attendance at the Massachusetts State House in November
Thanks to a strong advocacy effort, not only was there a great turnout at the hearing, but Committee members also received more than 7,000 letters in support of the bill! If you are a Massachusetts resident and would like to show your support, it’s not too late to send a letter to the Committee. Click this link, enter the requested information, and personalize the letter with a few words about why this bill is important to you. If you reside outside Massachusetts and are interested in learning more about current or potential advocacy efforts in your state, please contact GovernmentRelations@ thementornetwork.com.
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NeuroRestorative New Jersey Participant Featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show NeuroRestorative New Jersey participant Emilee Ballinghoff was given the opportunity to tell her story on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this past fall — an opportunity not many 21-year-olds have. Ballinghoff, a participant at NeuroRestorative New Jersey’s day treatment program in Galloway, has experienced emotional and physical hardship as a result of a car crash in 2013. Emilee sustained significant injuries during the crash, including a brain injury as well as the loss of her right leg. During her time in the hospital immediately following the accident, Emilee enjoyed watching The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a program which she said made her laugh, cry and smile. Now two years post-injury and well on her way to increased independence, Emilee reached out to The Ellen DeGeneres show to tell her story of perseverance and explained that the program helped her stay optimistic when she was in the hospital after the car accident. A week after contacting the show, Emilee was asked to fly out to Los Angeles to be a guest on the program. Invited along with Deb Bergmann, State Director, NeuroRestorative New Jersey, and Christine Prior, Program Director of the Galloway program, Emilee packed her bags for her exciting West Coast adventure.
Emilee Ballinghoff posing in Los Angeles
Emilee, sometimes referred to as “Dory” by her friends and family for the good-hearted fish with short-term memory loss from the Disney movie classic “Finding Nemo,” shared on the show that she hopes to go to college to become a physical therapist in order to help other rehabilitative amputees on their paths to independence. DeGeneres awarded Emilee a $20,000 check, provided by Shutterfly, to help her achieve her dream, as well as a year of free rides from Uber to assist her with traveling to and from school as she develops the skills to drive herself. “This is my dream. Meeting you, Ellen, is amazing. I feel blessed,” said Emilee on The Ellen Show.
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Emilee Ballinghoff and Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Continuing Education for Rehabilitation Professionals
The Neuro Institute offers monthly, one hour online CEU opportunities for brain injury rehabilitation professionals. Once every month from 12-1 p.m. EST, our highly qualified faculty members deliver engaging, innovative presentations spanning a variety of topics related to rehabilitation services. After the initial presentation, video recordings are available on our website to view for CEU credit. Opportunities are updated often, so make sure to check back for future presentation topics.
To learn more visit: www.neurorestorative.com/institute
Meet some of NeuroRestorative’s experts and knowledgeable faculty members who provide monthly online learning opportunities and CEUs for brain injury rehabilitation professionals.
Patti Dorrell, RN, MS, CBIS
Rob McDaniel, MS
Presentation Title: “Essentials of Nursing Care after a Spinal Cord Injury”
Presentation Title: “Behavioral Rehabilitation Following Pediatric Brain Injury”
Executive Director, NeuroRestorative Florida, Georgia & Louisiana
Now Available Online! Bob Hogan, MS
Program Development Specialist, NeuroRestorative Florida
Vice President of Operations, South Central Region, NeuroRestorative
Now Available Online! Mary Lewis, MSE, CCC-SLP Program Director, NeuroRestorative Timber Ridge
Presentation Title: “Sobering Thoughts About TBI and Substance Abuse”
Now Available Online!
Tonya Sacomani, MS, CCSLP, CBIST Speech-Language Pathologist, NeuroRestorative Timber Ridge
Presentation Title: “Pay Attention to Attention”
Now Available Online! 7
New & Expanded Programs At NeuroRestorative, we understand how important it is for participants to have the support of their loved ones during rehabilitation. That’s why we continue to expand our programs to ensure that more people have access to the rehabilitation they need close to home. The programs listed below either recently started offering - or will offer - new services within the next six months.
NeuroRestorative Iowa—Iowa City and DeWitt Now Offering Neurobehavioral and Supported Living
• Rural, residential settings, boasting spacious bedrooms and accessible bathrooms
NeuroRestorative Maine—Old Orchard Beach and Sebago Now Offering Supported Living, Neurorehabilitation and Neurobehavioral
• Single-level living environments in two of Maine’s premier beach communities
NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania—Fairview Now Offering Supported Living
• Newly-constructed homes near NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania’s flagship location in Fairview
NeuroRestorative Tennessee—Castalian Springs Now Offering Supported Living
• Beautiful home settings offer spacious bedrooms and living spaces, along with other amenities
NeuroRestorative Texas—San Antonio Now Offering Day Treatment
• State-of-the-art rehabilitation technology and resources to guide participants during day treatment
NeuroRestorative Michigan—East Bay Now Offering Neurorehabilitation and Supported Living
• Services for people who require 24-hour care and convenient access to area hospitals
NeuroRestorative Nevada—Las Vegas
Will Offer Neurorehabilitation, Neurobehavioral and Supported Living in Spring 2016 • Comfortable and therapeutic living environment, located near city medical resources
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NeuroRestorative Marks Veteran’s Day In November, NeuroRestorative paused to honor both our participants and staff members on Veteran’s Day and recognize the sacrifices they and their families have made to support our nation’s freedom. “At NeuroRestorative, we are committed to supporting Veterans on the road to recovery from brain injury. We are proud to honor our participants and staff members who have served our nation and committed themselves to the preservation of our freedoms,” said Bill Duffy, President, NeuroRestorative. Across the country, NeuroRestorative programs participated in Veteran’s Day festivities by attending parades, hosting meals for participants and staff members, and attending various celebratory events and gatherings. At NeuroRestorative New Jersey’s program in Galloway, participants were invited to write their responses to the question “What does Veteran’s Day mean to me?” and assemble collages to honor their fellow participants. “The day is special because for our program, it means honor, courage, respect and sacrifice — we honor our Veterans’ courage and respect their sacrifice,” said Christine Prior, Program Director of the Galloway program. Other programs, including ones in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Georgia and Maryland, attended local parades and community events.
NeuroRestorative Georgia Speech Therapist, Marti Hanson, poses with program participant and Veteran, Ryan Skockin, on Veteran’s Day.
“NeuroRestorative Illinois primarily serves individuals from Indiana, Iowa and Illinois. These three states have a proud tradition of military service and are currently home to more than 1.4 million Veterans. At NeuroRestorative Illinois, we recognize the safety and liberty we enjoy every day thanks to the sacrifices of our armed services,” said Scott Shaw, State Director, NeuroRestorative Illinois. NeuroRestorative Carbondale, based in Illinois, hosted a Veteran’s Day ceremony where a speaker from the VA shared their story of service. Veteran staff and participants were also recognized for their service during the ceremony. NeuroRestorative Virginia’s program in Blacksburg recognized Veteran’s Day over the course of the week. Program participants and staff wore yellow ribbons to honor Veterans, visited the National D-Day Memorial Museum in Bedford, VA, wrote and presented essays and poems focused on patriotism, and watched a patriotic film at the end of the week.
Aaron Brooks, Army Veteran, (right) is shown here with his friend at the Baltimore Ravens Salute to Heroes football game on Nov. 15. NeuroRestorative Maryland participants, family and friends attended the game as part of Veteran’s Day recognition.
NeuroRestorative Pennsylvania recognized its participants and staff members who are Veterans with a celebratory party, including this festive cake.
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A Family’s Thank You Letter Each year NeuroRestorative is honored to serve hundreds of individuals recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries. From time to time, we’re lucky enough to hear from families regarding the experiences of their loved ones in our programs.
Below is a letter written by Jim Theriault, whose brother, Mark, is a former participant of NeuroRestorative New Hampshire. Mark recently transitioned to another NeuroRestorative program in his home state of Maine to be closer to his family. Dear NeuroRestorative New Hampshire, In the near future, Mark will be moving back to Maine closing a very eventful and meaningful portion of Mark’s earthly existence. It was 20 years ago to the month that Mark found solace and healing in the foothills of New Hampshire. I could not in good conscience allow this event to pass without expressing a few thoughts on behalf of myself and the entire Theriault family. To this day, I do not know what we (and most importantly Mark) would have done if our life’s path had not crossed with yours. To say we were ‘option deficient’ relative to Mark’s future would be an understatement. That you were willing to take on the myriad of issues associated with a ‘manic depressive’ and ‘post-brain injured’ Mark, was and is a blessing without measure. For simply being there, we are and will forever be most grateful.
“The most important part of Mark’s time with you (other than assisting him to heal physically and emotionally) are the wonderful ways which each of you have made Mark a special part of your lives.” - Jim Theriault
The most important part of Mark’s time with you (other than assisting him to heal physically and emotionally) are the wonderful ways which each of you have made Mark a special part of your lives. He speaks so very fondly of all of you and often relates to the many special times you’ve touched his life. We understand that this has not always been easy, particularly during the times Mark exhibited negative behaviors, yet on the whole a wonderful and familial relationship was established. In making him a member of your individual and collective families, by extension you’ve also done so with each and every member of the Theriault clan. And as any good family, we’ll never forget the love shared and given and will be only too pleased to reciprocate in kind. Finally, and aside from Mark’s relationship with everyone, I too will miss my frequent interactions with each and every one of you. Collectively, I know of no more a compassionate and caring a group of people as ‘Team Wentworth House.’ You have always been most patient and gracious in all interactions and for this I’ll always think fondly of each and every one of you. As people, you are incredible examples of love, compassion, humanity and as such have and will continue to make the world a better place. If there is anything I can ever do for any of you (recommendations, advice, friendship) please do not hesitate to ask. At this point I shall end this brief missive before tears begin staining these sheets. Suffice it to say that we (the Theriault Family) give thanks for all the ‘transformational’ individuals who’ve been such an important part of Mark’s life. May you and all those whom you know and love be blessed this day and always. With Loving Regards, Jim Theriault & the Theriault Family
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Do you have a story idea that you want to share? Tell us about it. Email us at neuronews@neurorestorative.com We want to hear from you!
NeuroRestorative is a leading provider of post-acute rehabilitation services for people of all ages with brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological challenges. In a variety of locations and settings, we offer a continuum of care and rehabilitation options, including specialized services for children, adolescents, and Military Service Members and Veterans. NeuroRestorative is a partner of The MENTOR Network, a national network of local providers offering an array of quality, community-based services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain and spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses, and to youth with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges as well as their families.
Rebuilding Lives After Brain Injury
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