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:

1. Donate. You’ll help people in your community who appreciate it greatly. Donate online here.
2. Fundraise. Start a fundraiser and make a donation that way.
3. Volunteer. If you have time to give, contact us.
4. 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.
5. Invite a speaker. We provide speakers for your community group, workplace, or organization to learn more about brain injury.
6. 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