July 10, 2019 by Angela

Connecting with Furry Friends that Help People See the World

Schurig Center’s latest Community Integration group outing happened in May with a visit to Guide Dogs for the Blind, a leading guide dog school serving people who are blind or visually impaired.

The Guide Dogs team warmly welcomed a group of Schurig Center participants, volunteers, and staff for a walking tour of the San Rafael campus to learn all about their guide dog programs, from birth and puppy socialization to training and pairing with prospective clients.

After the tour, the Schurig group wrapped up the day with lunch and an extra special art project to reflect on what they had learned during the visit – each person created and shared an original art piece depicting their very own dream guide dog.

Community Integration… Why It Matters

Community integration outings like this one are important to the recovery process of our participants. Isolation is often one of the greatest challenges facing people living with the effects of a brain injury. These group outings help keep people active and connected by providing an opportunity for participants to:

Re-engage with the community
Build confidence through personal interactions with new people
Practice communication and social skills
Support one another through cooperation and peer-to-peer support
Increase their sense of independence
Participate and not just be an observer
Access experiences and activities that may not otherwise be available to them

The outings are also a wonderful way for members of the community-at-large to learn more about brain injury as well as to meet and get to know people living with the effects of a brain injury as unique, valuable individuals, not just as their disability.

Our community is truly stronger when everyone is included!

Thank you!

Big thanks to Keith Rosenthal and the rest of the awesome team at Guide Dogs for their time and enthusiasm to make this memorable “warm and fuzzy” day possible for Schurig’s group.

No one should have to go through brain injury alone.
Your generosity helps ensure no one does.

Schurig Center’s innovative programs are powered by the giving of foundations and individual donors, like you. We hope you’ll join us in making critically-needed services, like the Community Integration Program, possible by donating today. Your gift ensures everyone in our community has the opportunity to live happily, meaningfully, and fully. Thank you!

November 30, 2018 by Angela

Schurig Center Hits the Bay with ETC Trips

Big shout out of gratitude to Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) for an amazing day on the water!

Thanks to the awesome guides and adaptive equipment provided by ETC, a group of Schurig Center’s clients recently enjoyed a fun day of beautiful scenery, lots of blue sky, and a few sea lion friends while kayaking on Richardson Bay.

Environmental Traveling Companions believes that everyone, regardless of physical or financial limitations, should have the opportunity to experience the challenge and beauty of the wilderness. Through ETC adventures, participants overcome perceived limitations, attain greater personal freedom and confidence, and better understand themselves in relation to others and the environment.

Schurig Center is deeply grateful for this meaningful day of community connection and nature! Thank you friends at ETC!

September 26, 2018 by Angela

Volunteer Betty Schrohe Helps Survivors Rediscover Their Voice

Volunteer Betty listens on as John practices his reading and speech skills with a book about Albert Einstein

At Schurig Center, “it takes a village” isn’t just a cliché, it’s the key to our success. We are deeply grateful for Betty Schrohe, one of the caring members of our active community of volunteers and donors whose contributions of time and talent power our programs.

Betty’s training in speech therapy and experience working with stroke survivors and children with disabilities were a natural fit for volunteering at Schurig Center, so she decided to jump in. For almost 10 years, Betty has assisted weekly in classes and worked individually with clients who have aphasia to help them improve their reading and speech skills by reading books aloud together. In a recent interview, Betty expressed that she has found it very gratifying to be able to assist people on their journey to recovery. She also mentioned particularly enjoying her work with stroke survivor John Nelson and shared:

“It’s exciting to watch John’s progress over time. Some days are quite challenging for him, so it’s especially exciting to be with him to celebrate on days when his speech and reading seem to be more effortless. You can really feel how much it means to him.”

Ongoing rehabilitation, like speech therapy, is critical to rebuilding skills after a stroke. Our center relies on the support of people like Betty, and you, to offer an array of services, which are designed specifically to help brain injury survivors improve their abilities. You help provide innovative, high-quality services that are not available anywhere else in our area. YOU truly are the difference that makes a difference. Thank you!

Connecting with Furry Friends that Help People See the World

Community Integration… Why It Matters

Thank you!

No one should have to go through brain injury alone.
Your generosity helps ensure no one does.

Schurig Center Hits the Bay with ETC Trips

Volunteer Betty Schrohe Helps Survivors Rediscover Their Voice

Did you know?

About 25 to 40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, speak, understand others, read, and/or write.

Community Integration… Why It Matters

Thank you!

No one should have to go through brain injury alone. Your generosity helps ensure no one does.

Did you know?

About 25 to 40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, speak, understand others, read, and/or write.

No one should have to go through brain injury alone.
Your generosity helps ensure no one does.