Living with Brain Injury

After a brain injury, people often don’t know whether they will be able to work or what else they can do. This practical guide can help people sort through the options of going back to the same job, finding a new job, or not going back to work. The book will help you find and successfully keep a job. The book also provides suggestions for volunteer work designed to help you be productive and, if you like, transition to a job that meshes with your interests and abilities.

This illustrated down-to-earth book contains checklists, worksheets, and many ideas offered by people who have learned to live and work productively after brain injury. Sample “ideas” in this book include:

• How to decide whether to keep your old job.
• Deciding whether you can afford to work.
• If you can't work, figuring out what you can do.
• What kinds of services are out there.
• What you should tell people who ask you about going back to work.

A vocational training program for adults with traumatic and other types of acquired brain injuries living in the community includes 20 structured sessions with a workbook and CD with worksheets. Part One of the vocational curriculum helps survivors of brain injuries and blast injuries explore their interests, concerns and readiness for finding a job or returning to work. Part Two covers steps of looking for a job with attention to disclosure of a disability, on the job accommodations, resume preparation and interviewing. Part Three covers strategies for keeping a job and avoiding problems on the job.

This workbook is included in the Tool Kit for Life Care Planners and Case Managers on Adults with Brain Injury.

Life after brain injury can be challenging, not just for the survivor, but also for those who know and love the individual. This illustrated, down-to-earth guide is packed with practical ideas to help those who want to help — family members, friends, and others — but are not sure how. The guide includes practical advice, suggestions and tools to help families and friends:

• Recognize the effects of injury on the survivor and family
• Identify sources of distress and learn how to effectively manage stress
• Reduce frustration and master the art of patience
• Learn when and how to ask for help
• Learn how to listen and communicate effectively

Life after brain injury is, more often than not, a tremendous adjustment. This practical, easy-to-read guide addresses day-to-day issues faced by many people with brain injury.

This down-to-earth, illustrated book is backed by years of clinical experience, research findings and most of all, the personal lessons learned and advice given from many individuals living with traumatic brain injury. It is filled with worksheets, checklists, and many practical ideas offered by and for survivors. Recognizing that emotional and physical recovery are two different things, this guide tackles the difficult question of, “How can I live like this?” Topics are organized by 25 Great Ideas and feature frank discussions of the many ways that brain injury changes one’s life and the personal struggles and challenges that survivors face as they follow their journey of personal growth and recovery.

Book chronicles her son's brain injury over 20 years from coma care to rehabilitation and living in the community.  Excellent resource with articles on special topics for families on traumatic brain injury advocacy, information and support.

This book is also included in both the teen and children's version of Tool Kit for Life Care Planners and Case Managers on Adults with Brain Injury.

This book is included in the Family and Adult Tool Kit on Traumatic Brain Injury.

Families become the real “case managers” for services in the community over time, whether is it a son, daughter, parent, sibling, or spouse who has a brain injury. This workbook teaches families how to communicate effectively, set goals and plan for the future, locate and coordinate services, make referrals that get results, advocate for services and funding, and evaluate what’s important.

Every family can use information in this workbook to cut through barriers, find resources, locate services, pull together care plans and build a future.

This workbook is included in the Tool Kit for Life Care Planners and Case Managers on Adults with Brain Injury.

This workbook is included in the Family and Adult Tool Kit on Traumatic Brain Injury.

This small bound reference guide contains all the concepts in the larger book, After Brain Injury: Tools for Living. It serves as a reminder system for survivors. Clear pictures and descriptions of key concepts in growth and healing are in the Pocket Guide for reminders of information and strategies. Its 3.5 by 5.5 inch size fits easily into a pocket or purse for easy carrying and regular use.

This workbook guides survivors of brain injury and blast injury through the powerful healing experience of telling their own stories with simple journaling techniques. By writing short journal entries, survivors explore the challenges, losses, changes, emotions, adjustments, stresses, and milestones as they rebuild their lives. Journaling after brain injury helps written and verbal communication skills and provides cognitive retraining for following instruction. It helps promote self awareness as well as recognition of strengths and difficulties after brain injury. It is a tool for planning for the future and discussions with family members. Journaling can be done individually, in a group or with assistance from caregivers or family.

This workbook is included in the Survivor Tool Kit for Adults with Brain Injury.

When a parent is injured, sons and daughters often feel confused, scared, anxious and angry. This guide helps parents explain the physical, cognitive, behavioral, social and communicative changes that can follow a brain injury, blast injury or PTSD. Using examples from children of all ages, it helps them understand their emotional reactions to a parent’s injury or PTSD. Each chapter has an exercise for children and practical tips for children, parents and professionals.

This guide is included in the Family and Adult Tool Kit on Traumatic Brain Injury.

This guide is included in the Troops and Veterans Tool Kit on Blast Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Concussion and PTSD.

This guide is included in the PTSD Tool Kit for Veterans and Families.

This guide is included in the Chaplain and Counselor Tool Kit on Helping Families after Brain Injury.