Links to Resources
Upcoming Events
The TBI Champion Chronicles

 

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Links to Resources

Alabama Head Injury Foundation (AHIF)

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS)

Children's Rehabilitation Service (CRS)

ADRS Adult TBI Program

State of Alabama Independent Living/Homebound (SAIL)

National Association of Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)

​Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP)​

CDC Traumatic Brain Injury

Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA)

Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)

Alabama University Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR)

Faulkner University Clinical Center

University of Alabama (UAB) Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB-TBIMS)

Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Get Schooled on Concussions and COVID

Brookhaven NeuroRehabilitation

NeuroRestorative

• Brain Injury Association of America
• United States Brain Injury Alliance
• BrainLine
• TBI National Data and Statistical Center
• Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC)
• The Center for Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury (COMBI)
• Mayo Clinic TBI Model System (TBIMS)
• Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai (BIRC-MS)​
  

• LEARNet-BIA New York State
• ​Learning Services Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Resources, Brain Injury Resources
• Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc. ​
• UAB TBI Model Systems Cognitive Stimulation Guidebook
• Tennessee BRAIN Project
• Pennsylvania BrainSTEPS Program
• Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology (APTAT)​​

 

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Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming events.

 

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The TBI Champion Chronicles

TBI Program’s Brinda Dungan Honored with Jeff Ridgeway Award

The Arc of Alabama’s Advocacy Day provided an opportunity for people from across the state to gather in Montgomery and support people with disabilities. It was also a day to honor those who make a difference, including Pell City resident and Homewood Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Traumatic Brain Injury Navigator Brinda Dungan. Brinda received the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) Jeff Ridgeway Award along with Colby Spangler for demonstrating leadership in self-advocacy and contributing to the self-advocacy movement. She was nominated by ADRS State Director of TBI Programs April Turner, who said Brinda uses her experiences as a TBI survivor to promote access to services and self-advocacy efforts.

Click here to learn more about Brinda

Former U.S. Marshal Helps Others Through Nonprofit and Books

​The long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury can reveal themselves gradually. This was the case for Jerry Peters, a retired United States Marshal, author, and Troy resident. Thanks to extensive research and his competitive nature, Jerry now uses his experiences and journey through the ADRS TBI program to help others. Jerry now offers support through his nonprofit, Operation Life Support, and he recently published a book titled, “Tactical Christianity.” With April Turner’s encouragement, Jerry now gives back to the entire state as an active member of the Alabama Head Injury Task Force Advisory Council where his voice and experience assists others. 

Click here to learn more about Jerry.

TBI Program Aids Auburn Man in Maintaining Employment
 
Overcoming the challenges of a traumatic brain injury allowed Will Heywood to not only find employment but to serve as an example for others. Heywood, who sustained a TBI in a motor vehicle accident in 2010, made many adjustments over the past 13 years, but his journey and willingness to mentor others is an example of what can be accomplished with a positive attitude and the right fit. He soon found his current spot through information gathered with a VRS evaluation at ADRS Lakeshore and connection to a job placement specialist at the Achievement Center Easter Seals in Opelika. Utilizing these resources made his adjustment to the new job much easier because Heywood said flexibility in scheduling was important. Open lines of communication between the conference center, ADRS, and everyone involved in the job search made this possible.

​Click here to read Will's story.

Talladega Resident Focused on Returning to the Workforce

When Jeremy Champion suffered a subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage after a gunshot to the head in June of 2020, he was not expected to leave the hospital. Less than two years after meeting TBI Care Coordinator Tammy Lovell, he is considering options to return to the workforce. 
Lovell discovered the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Center as a volunteer opportunity to help Champion regain skills that would help him prepare for a job. Visiting the center helped him establish a routine and follow directions along with the physical benefits of using his hands and other muscles for cleaning stalls, spraying things down, carrying feed, and other activities. Soon, Champion will begin working with a VRS Counselor to assess his strengths and weaknesses as he prepares to find a job.

Click here to read Jeremy's story.​

Auburn Student Overcomes Obstacles to Pursue Doctorate

When Matt Beth sustained a brain injury in July of 2016 by falling off the roof of a three-story building it was a miracle that he even survived. Beth suffered a traumatic brain injury in his brain stem from the fall but was somehow completely unaffected cognitively. He did acquire several physical disabilities, including the physical inability to speak, walk and use the left side of his body (hemiparesis). After two years of focusing on his rehabilitation, Beth was ready to complete his college education and did just that by enrolling in Auburn University and earning bachelor’s and master's degrees in exercise science. Beth is now pursuing his doctorate and looks forward to many great opportunities in the future.
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Click here to read Matt's story.