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Denver Options Voter Registration Event

June 24, 2008

YOUR VOTE COUNTS: VOTER REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION FOR ELECTION 2008

Come to learn why it is important to vote, an overview of the registration process & paperwork, and how to register and have your vote count!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008
4 to 6PM

Special Guest: Faith Gross, The Legal Center for People with Disabilities, will be available to answer any questions. Volunteers will be available to assist with registration. Light snacks will be provided

Please RSVP to 303-636-3800.

The evening is designed as an “Open House” event. Please feel free to come when you can. If you need more information or if you have any questions, please call Lori at 303-636-5867.

9900 East Iliff Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80231
(303) 636-5600

View flyer (pdf)

News

One Mom with a Mission Supports Autism Services and Denver Options

April 22, 2008

April 22, 2008 Denver, CO– How does one mom change the world? When Bridget Lane learned her oldest son had autism, she focused on learning all she could about the disorder and what help he needed. Soon after, her younger boys, twins, were also diagnosed with autism. She gained a very personal understanding of the magnitude of day-to-day supports her children required. Then she began thinking about ways she could help other families coping with similar challenges. She founded her own non profit, One Mom with a Mission, and got to work. “As a mom to three wonderful little boys, all of whom have been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, I recognized that more needs to be done to help children and their families who are experiencing this disability. I want to do whatever I can to raise awareness and to raise financial resources for special needs agencies and programs that promote full inclusion of all people in my community,” said Lane, President and Founder of One Mom on a Mission.

Lane understands that community partnerships are the key to her success. She connected with Presbyterian St. Luke’s (PSL) Earth Day celebration, selling her healthy and delicious treats to hospital employees and all others enjoying the event. Denver Options will benefit from the proceeds of sales on PSL’s Earth Day celebration on April 22nd.

Lane started the Helping Hands Bakery to create her organization’s fundraising arm. The bakery makes and sells gluten-free cookies, cookie dough and cookie bouquets. All proceeds from the sale of the products go toward funding a variety One Mom on a Mission programs for people with autism. Lane selected Denver Options because she thought it was important that the proceeds resulting from an event in Denver go toward children with autism residing in Denver. Denver Options provides services and resources for people with autism and other developmental needs throughout Denver County. Their flexible, personalized support encourages people with disabilities to explore lifelong learning opportunities and live active and purposeful lives. Denver Options also provides parent support and education and helps families manage the demands of caregiving.

“I’m always intrigued by people who take a good idea and turn it into something that positively affects so many lives. We know when family members have autism, the cost of needed therapies, respite care and special equipment can drain family resources. Bridget will help many people she never meets, and she will make a real difference to families,” said Denver Options Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Block.

For more information about One Mom on a Mission contact: Bridget Lane at 720-300-8563 or to order baked goods visit www.helpinghandsbakery.org For more information about Denver Options’ services call 303-636-5600 or visit www.denveroptions.org.

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National Brain Injury Employment Conference Focuses on Career Opportunities

April 18, 2008

April 18, 2008 Denver, CO– More than 1.4 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury each year. This does not include the hundreds of thousands who experience other health related brain injuries such as strokes.

Many people experiencing brain injuries discover they are no longer capable of performing their previous jobs and must try to cope with finding a new career. The reality of finding a new career based on a different set of skills combined with a new set of health problems can be daunting.

Finding the right resources is the key to developing a new career for those with brain injuries, their family members, rehabilitation professionals and caregiver.

To meet these needs, CTAT at Denver Options will host the 2nd Annual National Brain Injury Employment Conference 2008 on June 10th in Denver. This conference brings together experts, both national and local, for a dynamic day of learning, sharing, collaborations, and innovation to assist all people with brain injuries to find meaningful careers.

Conference participants can explore self employment options, discover ways to deal with fatigue, learn strategies to manage memory issues, practice mock interviews and much more. An expert panel of Veterans and Defense Department personnel will present information on the special needs of veteran returning to work after combat injuries.

The conference will feature keynote addresses by Dr. Al Condeluci and Susan Connors. Dr. Condeluci is a leader in the rehabilitation field with an emphasis on the benefits of work to expand social capital. His expertise and research show how work is critical to forming friendships, sharing ideas, using co-workers as resources, building self esteem and facilitating social interactions. Susan Connors is the current President and CEO of the National Brain Injury Association of America. Her remarks will look at the national perspective of brain injury, and ways people with brain injury can advocate for themselves.

Don’t miss this opportunity to start a new career, improve a current career, and/or find out more about brain injury. For more information go to www.ctat-training.com or call Miriam Coble at 303-636-5726.

View press release (pdf)

Denver Options Colorado Connections Program Launches Services for Veterans

April 18, 2008

April 18, 2008 Denver, CO– Denver Options’ Colorado Connections TBI Program has been working with individuals with brain injuries since 2006 through the State of Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Program. Effective April 2008, we will be launching a TBI program specifically for military personnel that served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

“We were fortunate that an anonymous donor provided money earmarked specifically for veterans,” said Dr. Stephen Block, Denver Options Executive Director. Veterans and their families can call Denver Options to receive services. “We offer one-stop help so families can focus on reconnecting and stabilizing their lives. We know that readjustment periods are a challenge for every military family,” Block said.

People who experience brain injury often feel anxious or irritable. They may experience memory loss, depression, blurred vision, dizziness and have trouble sleeping. Those symptoms can make the return to civilian life challenging. “We are here to help each Veteran find the community resources and supports he or she needs. We can find therapies, low cost housing, job help and anything else that’s needed at no cost to the Veteran.”

Denver Options’ Colorado Connections Veterans Program provides statewide support for veterans who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). “We already provide case management to people with traumatic brain injury throughout Colorado, now we can concentrate on the unique needs of veterans,” said Christen Mason, a manager with the program. Many veterans are returning home with brain injuries related to blast exposure from rocket-propelled grenades and land mine explosions. In 2003-2005, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center at Walter Reed screened 862 injured soldiers who were at risk for brain injury and 51% of those soldiers were diagnosed with a TBI.

Lawrence, who has received help from the program said, “I don’t know how I could have made it to where I am at without your help. I had lost hope and was so focused on how bad things were I could not see the future. I now have food stamps, AND, a section 8 voucher and am working on getting my disability rating and Social Security. Thank you – you gave me hope when I thought no one cared.”

For more information about Colorado Connections Veterans Program and please contact 866-245-6600 or go to www.denveroptions.org/services_tbi.php

View press release (pdf)

Traumatic Brain Injury: Care Coordination made a Big Difference

March 4, 2008

The night that Kay DeSouchet and her daughter Kelli Arbogast stopped at a red light, just a block from home, they were both experiencing exciting transitions in their lives. Kelli had just started her freshman year in high school and Kay had expanded her school social work job from part time to full time. Suddenly, they were rear ended. After talking to the other driver, Kay parked the car in a parking lot near the accident site; then she and Kelli walked home. Kelli seemed fine; Kay had whiplash and other physical trauma. At the time neither of them realized that they both had received traumatic brain injuries as a result of the accident.

“Both Kelli and I were tired that weekend and did not leave the house. We slept and read bits of Harry Potter. When we saw the chiropractor that following week, she did not think that Kelli had any major injuries, so she went back to school. I had whiplash and physical injuries, but went back to work.” Kay said.

“I worked in seven schools in the district. The accident happened in October, and I realized that I had to really push myself to do my job once I got back to work. I kept thinking that I would feel better soon and that I would catch up on work after winter break. I was not only having trouble keeping up with work, I found it hard to plan meals, and to pick up the house.” Instead of focusing on work, both Kay and Kelli slept a lot during the holiday break, trying to overcome the relentless fatigue.

When Kay returned to work, she had trouble writing reports that summarized her interviews with teachers, parents and students. She began to ask coworkers in the district to cover for the work she could not fit into her schedule. It took her much longer to finish things than it had before the accident. Always a top performer at work, Kay was mortified when her supervisor called her in to discuss the poor quality of her reports. She turned to a mentor, who helped her relearn the report process. Despite managing to increase her skills, she still fought mind numbing fatigue, particularly when she was reading and writing. Kelli, too, found it a challenge to return to school. Always an A student, she found it difficult to keep up. She was perplexed by the realization that she couldn’t continue to take the same number of classes that she had taken when she started school, and she almost failed one class. She felt stressed out and tired all the time. Like her mom, Kelli decided to cut back her work load by taking fewer classes to allow for more rest and healing. She rested, worked when she could on school work and tried to ignore an odd sensation. Her body would overheat even when she wasn’t doing strenuous exercise. Kelli eventually learned that her brain injury adversely affected her immune system resulting in her temperature fluctuations.

Kay’s doctor advised her to cut back to a part time schedule, which she did for the remainder of the school year, citing the trauma related to the accident. Even working part time, Kay found it difficult to cope and at times to breathe, which were symptoms of her trauma-based anxiety. Kay’s doctor recommended that she try EMDR, a rapid eye movement therapy, which helped diminish her overall trauma.

When Kay returned to her part time schedule the following year, she realized that she was once again struggling to keep up. That’s when her doctor referred Kay to Dr. Mary Ann Keatley, PhD, a neurotherapist, who initially diagnosed Kay’s and Kelli’s traumatic brain injuries. They both began cognitive rehabilitation therapy with Dr. Keatley and vision therapy with Dr. Rebecca Hutchins. Dr. Keatley also referred Kay to Dr. Jan Lemmon, a neuropsychologist, who diagnosed specific details related to Kay’s traumatic brain injury. Finally, Kay realized that she had to give up her job in order to heal completely.

Dr. Keatley also suggested that Kay and Kelli apply for help from the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund. The resources available through the Trust Fund were particularly important because Kay had been unsuccessful in getting disability benefits from her job and she had received limited funds from the car insurance company.

The Trust Fund connected both Kay and Kelli to Denver Options' Colorado Connections where they received care coordination helping them find the services that they needed. “The Care Coordinators helped so much, they took away a lot of our stress and helped us use the money available to us wisely,” Kay said. Both Kay and Kelli took yoga and Pilates training at Boulder Body Works. They also received cranial sacral therapy (physical therapy for brain healing) from Maureen Rimar, the Physical Therapist at Colorado Healthquest. Kay used some of her funds to work with Dr. Andrea Cohen, MD, a holistic neurologist.

“This entire experience, though it has been frightening, exhausting and at times overwhelming, has given me a strange gift. I would not have believed it months ago, but I have been able to focus within. In the past I have been too busy to do that. I am broke and will need retraining to work again, but I have reached an acceptance and feel a patience that I have never had before. I have a tremendous sense of gratitude for everything that I do have in my life,” Kay said.

Kay has just started working with vocational rehabilitation. Even though Kay has healed in many ways, she is still sensitive to noise and lights, and struggles with fatigue. She is eager to start working again and will miss her former work in the schools. She hopes to get training in Healing Touch Therapy which she will use to continue her healing process and help others learn self-healing techniques. Kay hopes to create opportunities for nonprofit agencies to integrate Healing Touch Therapies for staff members at low or no cost and eventually unite a group of Healing Touch professionals that will offer mentoring, training, and internships. Kay also maintains a Shaklee home business which she hopes to further develop as she continues to heal.

Kelli will be graduating from high school in May 2008 and she is looking forward to taking a year off from school to work and be on her own. She plans to attend college and wants to go to medical school to be a surgeon, probably a heart surgeon.

Both Kay and Kelli say the journey toward healing has been easier because they have taken the journey together. They celebrate each other’s successes, no matter how small, and they help each other stay focused when their spirits flag. If you would like to learn more about supports for traumatic brain injury, please contact Denver Options' Colorado Connections at 1-866-245-6600 or visit www.denveroptions.org/services_tbi.php.

March is National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month

January 30, 2008

March 2008 is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Falls, car accidents and sports related injuries are among the most common causes for brain injury. Traumatic brain injury has also become the “signature injury” of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. To learn more about help for TBI survivors and useful brain injury prevention strategies, click here Denver Options' TBI Services.