Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery

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October 21, 2020 by Angela

Your Generosity Ensures No One is Alone

rainbow heart inside heart outlineAs 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

Filed Under: Thank You Community Supporters, Uncategorized, Ways You Can Help Tagged With: art therapy, brain injury, caregiver, charity, concussion, covid response, do good, donate, fundraiser, give, help, holiday giving, Marin, rehabilitation, San Francisco Bay Area, speech therapy, stroke, survivor

October 11, 2019 by Angela

Annual Holiday Celebration & Art Show

Come enjoy original art, live music, refreshments, and holiday cheer with Schurig Center!

Schurig Center 2019 Holiday Art Show Graphic

Saturday, December 7, 2019
Noon to 3:00 pm
Schurig Center
1132 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur

(map)

Original artworks and handmade gifts created by Schurig Center artists and volunteers will be available for purchase.

Social, open house format.
Admission is free. No RSVP is required.

We will be collecting toiletries and cold weather accessories for homeless members in our community.

Below is a list of items that can be dropped off at Schurig Center on the day of the art show or in the month of November:

  • Men’s and women’s socks, scarves, gloves, and warm hats
  • Shampoo, conditioner (travel or regular size)
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes (travel or regular size)
  • Bar soap (travel or regular size)
  • Hair brushes, combs
  • Nail clippers, nail files
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Disposable razors, shaving cream (travel or regular size)
  • Sanitized hand/body wipes
  • Deodorant (travel or regular size)
  • Small to medium-sized backpacks
  • Travel blankets (light, rolled up for easy carry)
  • If you’d like to create a “kit” of items on this list, please bring items in a small/medium size backpack or carry case.

Guests are also invited to bring a dessert or baked sweet treats to share with the guests at the celebration. If you’d like to bring an item, please kindly contact the Schurig Center office to let us know what item you’d like to contribute:

info@schurigcenter.org  |  (415) 461-6771

Filed Under: A Day at the Center, Art Shows, Events Tagged With: art show, brain injury, caregiver, celebration, charity, community, concussion, holiday, holiday party, Larkspur, Marin, San Francisco Bay Area, Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery, stroke, tbi

September 26, 2018 by Angela

Strategies for Continued Improvement

Improve a little each day quoteGoing home after a long stay in the hospital can be exciting. But it is important to note, recovery may not be complete when inpatient rehabilitation concludes.

You will have learned important strategies during inpatient rehabilitation that will help make the transition from institution to the community safe and successful. It is very important that these techniques be used consistently and reinforced regularly.

And although exciting, leaving the hospital can be challenging for a number of reasons. One of the less obvious reasons is the fact that often a survivor of brain injury feels that he will “be fine once I am home and in my own space.” The exact opposite may be the case. In a less familiar, more structured environment (like a hospital), individuals tend to be more attentive and aware of their surroundings. When a therapist or doctor is observing you, you tend to be focused on the approaches and techniques they taught you. The presence of a nurse, physician or therapist provides “cueing” even if nothing is said.

If the situation at home lacks structure and supervision or does not encourage carryover of the strategies taught during inpatient rehabilitation, there may be a slip back in function and possibly even safety issues.

Once an individual gets home after being hospitalized for a long period, the desire to continue therapy may diminish. Encouraging continued rehabilitative efforts may involve some cheerleading, but it is important that the process continue.

Recommended strategies for optimal performance and continued improvement after leaving the hospital:

Staying consistent with compensatory strategies

You or your loved one will have learned a number of compensatory strategies while in rehabilitation that need to be consistently maintained after leaving the hospital. This may include keeping a set schedule from which the survivor does not waiver. He may also need checklists to complete the morning routine or organizers to plan daily activities and schedule appointments. And it’s crucial that he avoids situations (typically identified during rehabilitation) that trigger undesirable reactions or behaviors. These can include places that are noisy, bright, crowded, hot or cold—or avoiding complex, unfamiliar or new tasks at times when the brain injured person is tired, hungry, hot or cold.

Rest

Regular rest breaks or naps should be a scheduled part of her day. She won’t need excessive sleep, but it’s important to make sure she has scheduled downtime every day. Inadequate sleep or rest can lead to undesirable behavior and/or decreased cognitive function.

Nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet, with adequate fluid intake, is crucial to helping the brain-injured person function at maximal level. Ask your doctor about sugar, caffeine and alcohol use.

Exercise

Regular exercise and activity is an important part of every day. Keeping active is not only good for the body, but the mind and brain. The extent and type of the exercise should be cleared by your physician.

Social contacts, especially with brain-injured peers

Being with people is important for everybody. And for the brain injured individual, it’s particularly important to connect with others who have been through a similar experience. There are support groups, day treatment programs and adaptive courses—many available through local community colleges—that can provide a brain-injured person a structured way to be with other people.

Preventing a secondary injury

In order to prevent a secondary injury, it is important to monitor the brain-injured person’s behavior. She may need to be supervised when engaging in new, unpracticed activities. And, as noted above, she will need to avoid situations that may cause undesired behavior or reactions. She will need to avoid recreational drug and alcohol use.

Accessing answers to questions as they come up

The facility that discharged you home would be the first place to contact when questions arise. If they are unable to answer your questions, ask where they can refer you. This may well be a community based brain injury organization or a state level association. A great deal of general information is available on line.


More helpful information…

Handbook photo

Brain Injury Information Handbook

This article is an excerpt from Schurig Center’s Brain Injury Information Handbook – a guide for patients and families from hospital to home. View and download your free copy of the handbook here for more helpful information to help you navigate the journey to recovery after a brain injury, concussion or stroke.

Resource Referral Assistance

You are not alone. We are here to help! Schurig Center is also pleased to offer referral resource assistance to help support you in your recovery process. Get more information about this service and access our online resource directory here.

Filed Under: For Family & Caregivers, For Survivors Tagged With: aneurysm, brain injury, caregiver, concussion, exercise, handbook, information, Marin, nutrition, recovery, resources, rest, San Francisco Bay Area, Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery, Sonoma, stroke, survivor, tumor

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Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery
1132 Magnolia Avenue
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 461-6771
info@schurigcenter.org

A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization
Tax ID #68-0105213
Legal name: Marin Brain Injury Network

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© 2021; Marin Brain Injury Network
dba Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery
1132 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939
415.461.6771 | info@schurigcenter.org

A 501(c)3 organization - Tax ID # 68-0105213