February 23, 2021 by Angela

Help Raise Awareness About Brain Injury

Join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury Campaign

At least 5.3 million adults and children in the U.S. are living with brain injury-related disabilities.

That’s one in every 60 people.

If you know someone who is living with brain injury – or if you have one yourself – you know that brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It’s the start of a misunderstood, misdiagnosed, underfunded neurological disease. Brain injury is often called the “silent epidemic” because public recognition of the injury is low despite the high number of people who are injured each year. The effects of brain injury are also often invisible to an unknowing observer.

Join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign to help:

Educate others about what it’s like to live with a brain injury
Increase understanding of brain injury as a chronic condition
Reduce the stigma associated with having a brain injury
Showcase the diversity of injury and the demographics of the community
Improve care and support for individuals with brain injury and their families

Why #MoreThanMyBrainInjury?

Many people with disabilities have their lives defined for them. The More Than My Brain Injury campaign gives individuals a chance to overcome those definitions, allowing them to tell their own stories and change the narrative of their lives. Speaking of stories… we invite you to watch “New Normal” an 8-minute film by Andrew Hida about how Pam and Jeff, both brain injury survivors, and their families are navigating life after brain injury.

Ways You Can Help

Donate or fundraise to support healing. There are very few services available to help people adjust to the significant life changes that can happen after a brain injury. Your donation today will help provide access to continued rehabilitation, education, and support to hundreds of survivors and their family members this year as they rebuild their lives. Thanks to you, no one will be alone after brain injury.

Share your story. If you or a loved one is living with the effects of a brain injury, share your story on your social media accounts using the hashtag #MoreThanMyBrainInjury.

Know the facts. At least 3.6 million people in the U.S. sustain brain injury each year. Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about brain injury.

Connect. Talk with someone with a brain injury and listen to their story. Invite someone you know living with a brain injury to social gatherings or for a fun day out. Humans are hard-wired for connection with others. Isolation and loneliness are common for people living with the effects of a brain injury. Even a simple gesture like a phone call or email to say “hello” can send a meaningful message to a friend living a brain injury that they are not alone.

Speak out. Advocates like you are our greatest asset. Why not write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining to your community why they should care about brain injuries. Write a positive review about Schurig Center’s programs on Great Nonprofits, Yelp, Google, or Facebook. Your kind words will help more survivors discover and benefit from our healing services and connect us with more potential donors to help fund our mission.

October 21, 2020 by Angela

Your Generosity Ensures No One is Alone

As I reflect on Schurig Center’s 35 years, I am inspired and energized by the healing power of a caring community. I hope this note will also lift your spirits by reminding you of the good that you personally help make possible even in these toughest of times. Because of you, no one is alone.

“I’d be terrible.” That’s how John, a stroke survivor, described what life would be like for him without you.

John has severe aphasia, a paralyzed arm, and is unable to read and write. He also lives alone and is confined to his apartment during shelter-in-place. But, happily, John is able to stay connected and continue his recovery in Schurig Center’s speech group, computer class, and art therapy, which are now offered remotely and are powered by your generosity. In the words of his sister, Augusta, these services you help provide are “lifesaving” for John and a “huge relief” for his family.

Together, we’re helping more people.

Despite the pandemic, people are still getting brain injuries. We are still receiving new calls for help. And, the costs to provide services has not changed. Remote services have enabled people outside the Bay Area to attend our programs, and we’ve added a second survivor support group. Over 455 people this past year have been helped by our array of services. While we are serving more people than ever before, 70% of our clients live on a low income and rely on scholarships funded by community members, like you, to access care.

There is much need right now, and I know you are likely receiving many asks. But, if you are in a position to help, I hope you will donate to Schurig Center today as you make your holiday charitable gifts and give as generously as you can.

Your gift by December 31 helps ensure that your fellow community members living with a brain injury stay healthy, connected, and knowing they are not alone. Thank you!

With gratitude,
Patricia Gill, MS
Executive Director

October 9, 2020 by Angela

The Importance of Nutrition in Concussion Recovery

Good nutrition is important for maintenance of mental and physical health. But, nutrition is particularly important when recovering from physical trauma, such as concussion. When an injury, like a concussion, occurs the brain requires extra energy in the form of nutrition to heal the injury.

For a helpful introduction about nutrition to support the recovery process after concussion, Schurig Center invites you to view a guide from the ThinkSmart! Concussion Management Program of St. Charles Hospital in New York called “Nutritional Role in Concussion Management & Recovery.”

[View the document here]

For additional concussion education, check out… ConcussionSmart Marin

Helping to Keep Marin’s Students & Youth Athletes Safe

In response to the growing concern over the effects of youth concussions, Schurig Center has partnered with other community organizations to form ConcussionSmart Marin – a coalition to design and implement uniform county-wide protocols for educating, reporting and treating concussions among Marin’s students and youth athletes.

ConcussionSmart Marin’s website, ConcussionSmartMarin.org, is a user-friendly information portal providing education about concussions, treatment options, videos, and online training courses for coaches.

The goal of the site is to improve identification of concussions and assist students, parents, teachers, coaches and medical professionals in the evaluation and management process. Coaches can access online training courses established in new California concussion laws, AB25 and AB1451. In addition, parents can obtain information and a list of valuable questions they can ask their doctor if a child is suspected or has sustained a concussion.

In addition to Schurig Center, ConcussionSmart Marin’s members include:
Kaiser Permanente, The Marin Athletic Foundation, Marin County Office of Education, Marin County School Nurses, Marin County Health and Human Services, Marin General Hospital, Novato Community Hospital, and Certified Athletic Trainers.

[Visit ConcussionSmartMarin.org]