March 11, 2020 by Angela

A Message from Schurig’s Board Chair

Dear Friends,

On behalf of Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery, I want to remind you that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. For 35 years, Schurig Center continues to be here ready to help people living with the effects of a brain injury meet their challenges and set new goals and dreams for their future.

This wonderful organization is a model for other communities, but it currently only exists here in the Bay Area. This month is a good occasion to let them know you are glad they are here for you.

Why your support matters…

If you or a family member have suffered a traumatic brain injury, stroke, aneurysm, or other brain injury, you may not have time to think about what month it is. A brain injury usually happens quickly, due to an accident or medical emergency. There is no time to prepare mentally or physically for the resulting impairment or loss of function.

Every brain is different and likewise every brain injury. Your injury might be deemed a “mild brain injury” or a concussion, but it still may have devastating consequences. You may not be able to walk, talk or manage your emotions. Your memory may be impaired or you may have trouble managing your emotions. You may not be able to work. It is often an invisible injury, so you may look fine, but inside, you do not feel fine.

Losing the ability to work or the ability to speak clearly may mean your friends and colleagues drift away. You could be left without a sense of purpose, a sense of self, and you may be lonely. Insurance often only covers the immediate incident and some therapy, not the potential years of rehab and recovery ahead of you. You are likely dealing with medical bills, questions about your recovery and figuring out who you now are. Your loved ones—spouse, children, parents—may be facing their own crisis, unable to cope with the fear, anxiety and cost of this suddenly-altered person you have become.

Our medical system is great at treating the injury or illness that caused your brain trauma, but not so great at handling the long-term recovery process.

We are fortunate to have a local resource where people can turn following a brain injury, and it’s funded by your generosity.

Schurig Center is a place where survivors and their families and caregivers can learn how to understand their new challenges, connect with people who know what they are experiencing and access ongoing services and education to help make life better. It fills a big gap in our healthcare system that otherwise would leave people on their own to research and find therapies for their recovery.

Now celebrating its 35th year, Schurig Center offers 15 different services to people from all over the Bay Area. Schurig Center serves those in the Bay Area whose lives have been affected by brain injury, whether from an accident, stroke, concussion, or illness. The center offers services, including therapeutic and rehabilitative classes, support groups, individual consultations, and resource referral assistance. Scholarships are available for those who live on a low income.

Our active lifestyle comes with risk. Cyclists, skiers, skate-boarders and other athletes now understand the importance of wearing helmets. But while helmets may protect against some injuries, they do not prevent concussions. In recent years, Schurig Center has added innovative concussion recovery classes for adults to its array of services.

As a member of ConcussionSmart Marin, Schurig Center has helped to promote county-wide protocols for tracking, reporting and treating concussions among Marin County’s student athletes. The program (ConcussionSmartMarin.org) helps physicians and schools comply with legislation that specifies “return to play” requirements.

Please join me in helping to ensure this valuable community resource continues to be available. I can assure you that your giving will go far to improve lives and abilities.

Here are some ways you can help:

Donate. You’ll help people in your community who appreciate it greatly. Donate online here.
Fundraise. Start a fundraiser and make a donation that way.
Volunteer. If you have time to give, contact us.
Support BAM Gala. Schurig Center’s annual BAM Gala helps raise scholarship funds that provide access to care for 70% of our clients who live on a low income. Sponsor, attend, buy raffle tickets, or donate an item for the event’s silent auction. Get more info here.
Invite a speaker. We provide speakers for your community group, workplace, or organization to learn more about brain injury.
Tell your story. If you are a survivor, let people know that everybody has a brain and a brain injury can happen to anyone.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Schurig Center and for caring about its mission.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Strub
President, Board of Directors
Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery
Larkspur, CA | (415) 461-6771

November 6, 2019 by Angela

You Help Change the Future of Concussion Treatment

Thanks to your support, adults living with the effects of a Concussion are helped by innovative services not available anywhere else in our area; services that are gaining recognition as a model program.

According to the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability around the world. Concussion, also known as Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), is considered an epidemic in the United States.

It was once believed that people who sustained a Concussion would typically recover fully in a few months. Research now shows over 50% of people who sustain even just one Concussion may experience significant long-term effects for a year or longer.

Globally, health practitioners, who themselves may have limited familiarity with these conditions, are often faced with a lack of resources to aid clients in their recovery.

A Concussion is a significant medical problem that can result in lasting effects that are not at all ‘mild.’ It’s important to have a place like Schurig Center that offers continued education and support at affordable rates to help those who are experiencing longer-term side effects of a Concussion. – Dr. James Wilson, PhD

Dr. Jim Wilson, PhD

33% of Schurig Center’s clients are adults with post-concussive syndrome.

With the expert guidance of neuropsychologist and concussion specialist Dr. James Wilson, Schurig Center has designed and implemented specialized services to meet the unique needs of these people.

Schurig’s Post-Concussion Education and Support Group, facilitated by Dr. Wilson, fills gaps in care by providing accurate information about Concussion and directing clients to suitable sources of care. The group also addresses the altered sense of self, a psychological reaction that is common among Concussion survivors.

We are pleased to share that the group’s outcomes show significant improvement in clients’ ability to cope with the long-term cognitive, behavioral, and psychological effects that often impact their work, family, and personal lives.

In recognition of the group’s innovation and positive outcomes, Dr. Wilson was invited to share the findings as a keynote speaker at the 4th International Conference on Clinical and Counseling Psychology this past August in Tokyo. Locally, he also spoke at MarinHealth Medical Center’s Trauma Symposium in October.

September 11, 2019 by Angela

Schurig Center is a 100MARIN 2019 Nominee

Schurig Center is honored to be a 100MARIN charity nominee for its Fall 2019 Event, which will be held on the evening of Thursday, September 26 at the Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael.

100MARIN is a members-only giving circle of philanthropic individuals dedicated to enhancing the support and awareness of Marin nonprofits. Founded in 2015, the group now has over 200 members.

Each 100MARIN member gives a donation that is pooled together with other members’ gifts. Schurig Center and four other Marin charities will give 4-minute presentations to the 100MARIN members at their members-only event on September 26. At the end, each member will vote to determine which of the charities will receive the group’s pooled donation.

Become a 100MARIN Member to Attend & Vote for Schurig Center

The 100MARIN event on September 26 is a members-only event. Individuals must join 100MARIN as a member to attend. If you’d like to become a member to attend and cast a vote for Schurig Center, please visit 100MARIN’s website here.

www.100marin.org

On behalf of our friends and neighbors in Marin whose lives have been impacted by brain injury, concussion, and stroke…

Thank you 100MARIN for recognizing Schurig Center’s mission with this great honor!