About the Authors

  John W. Richards, MSW, MBA, of Deerfield, NH, knows brain injury from both sides as a professional and with personal experience.  He was recently named Brain Injury Community Services Coordinator for Crotched Mountain Foundation.  In his new role, he will research, develop and coordinate community-based brain injury services off the rehabilitation center's campus.

  Throughout his twenty-five year career as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, Mr. Richards has served a number of organizations throughout New England including the Center for Life Management in Salem, NH; Lakeview Community Services in Effingham Falls, NH; and Atlantic Behavioral Medicine in Dover, NH; Mentor Clinical Care, Inc. in Boston; and the Family Continuity Program in Plymouth, MA.

  Prior to his injury, he was with Residential Resources, Inc in Keene, NH as president, vice-president of operations, director of marketing and development, and director of special projects.

  John Richards is well known in the brain injury community as former president of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire and as a previous board member of the Brain Injury Association of America.

Marilyn Lash, M.S.W.

  Marilyn uses her social work experience and research in pediatric rehabilitation to develop sensitive and practical guides for families, educators, and professionals. Marilyn's specialty is helping families cope with the emotional impact of brain injury and developing strategies for negotiating the complex service system. Now Director and Senior Editor of Lash and Associates Publishing/Training, she focuses on developing user friendly publications for families, educators, and clinicians.

Carolyn Rocchio

  As a spokesperson for families of survivors of brain injury and founder and past President of the Brain Injury Association of Florida, Carolyn Rocchio is internationally recognized for her compassion and expertise.

  As a columnist for TBI Challenge! and for Brain Injury Source, popular publications of the Brain Injury Association of America, Ms. Rocchio has written many articles for families and professionals on the consequences of brain injury and finding meaning in life after brain injury.

  Carolyn’s list of achievements, honors and publications is lengthy.  She is the voice of a mother who knows first hand about the compassion, endurance, hope and determination needed to move forward after brain injury.