2010 National Brain Injury Employment Conference

National Brain Injury Employment Conference 2010

CTAT and Denver Options will host the 4th annual National Brain Injury Employment Conference on June 16-17, 2010, at the Red Lion Hotel Denver Southeast in Aurora, Colorado. Join brain injury survivors, professionals and family members from around the country for a dynamic two days of learning, sharing and networking.

"The Brain Injury Employment Conference changed my son's life", said Gayle. Though she and her son, Jarod, did not know what to expect when they attended the event, they came away with critical information, support and most importantly, renewed hope in the future. "Jarod is 25 and he was in a pre-med program in college when he had his TBI. When he arrived at the conference his spirits were low and he'd lost his social security. There were so many experts from every part of the country giving presentations and talking with us. We were able to make some valuable connections. We were also reminded that some of Jarod's difficult behavior comes from his brain injury. It was a good reminder because we'd forgotten that as he got better."

The family found a Social Security expert at the conference who worked with them in the following weeks. She helped identify the wrong information that led to Jarod's losing his benefits and guided Jarod through reinstatement. As Jarod met successful survivors at the conference, he started to see possibilities again. He decided to return to school, choosing a nursing degree he knows he can complete. Gayle recommends the conference to everyone whose life has been touched by brain injury. The uplifting experience has opened the door to positive new options. Jarod found the Denver Options' Connections Program, where he receives free case management through funding form the Colorado TBI Trust Fund. He believes in himself and his future. That change in perspective has made all the difference in Jarod's well being.

“The Brain Injury Employment Conference gave me back my sense of humor,” said Doris Sanders. The former Life Coach was asked by another survivor how she received her brain injury. She explained that a board fell on her head. “What kind of board?” he asked. “A six pound carving board,” she responded and when he started to laugh, Doris found she joined in. It was funny!

Despite the fact that her life turned upside down since then, Doris said the injury examination disclosed a serious brain aneurysm that had been in Doris’ brain for quite some time. It required surgery. Doris thought she’d have to give up coaching until she attended the employment conference. The two day experience helped her see she could merge her two areas of expertise into a new coaching practice that focused on brain injury survivors. She is able to meet her own working demands of a low noise environment and adequate time to rest. She also meets the specialized needs of her clients. She has added Brain Injury Specialist training to her credentials and finds her expertise and personal experiences helps brain injury survivors feel at ease as they explore life choices.

Scholarship Funds: Scholarship funds are no long available!

Kate Dendrinos-Rickel and Shawn Rickel