SEATTLE BRAINWORKS CLUBHOUSE NEWSLETTER Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, Washington May 2013 Page 1

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1 May 2013 Page 1 Interview of Todd M. Kelleher by William P. Jacobus (Bill) Q - How long have you been a member ot Seattle BrainWorks? A - 2 years. Q - Where are you from? A - I grew up in Monroe, WA. Born in Duvall, WA in Moved to Monroe, WA in the early 1990s. I had my TBI experience on September 11, Q - What occurred (accident and results)? A - I had a car accident on the Snohomish-Monroe road in the early night. It happened when the evening was just turning dark. Three people were in the car, which hit a power pole, flipped, and hit a retaining wall. Two people in the front were uninjured. I was in the back seat and received a serious TBI and other injuries, including severe abdominal ailments and trachial injuries. The throat injury led to me being fed through a tube in my throat. I was taken off liquid food after 2 or 2 ½ months after the initial accident. I had to learn how to walk again. and am fighting short term memory loss problems. I also have had a lot of foot pain. Q - What kind of recovery assistance did you have? A - Dad and Mom were my greatest assistance. I went to a rehabilitation clinic and learned how to walk again. Q What do you think you are here for (both specifics and general)? A - I began with Rehab without Walls. Upon a tip from a friend, I came into a BrainWorks meeting and loved it! I believe I am here at Seattle BrainWorks for getting over memory loss problems and also (in a more general sense) to deal with money and get back to work. I graduated from Monroe High School in 2010 and am working on increasing my education since the accident. Q - What do you enjoy here? A - Most of all I enjoy members and staff. I also enjoy feeling that I am making progress!! And being normal again. I think that the finding of that feeling is perhaps the greatest achievement someone overcoming a TBI can claim. Building a Strong Foundation with Seattle BrainWorks: An Overwhelming Thank You to Our Sponsors! Keynote Sponsor Pacific Continental Bank Video Sponsor and Keynote Speaker - Richard Rapport, MD, Harborview Medical Center Neurosurgeon and UW School of Medicine Professor Program Sponsor - Foss Home and Village Program Sponsor Program Sponsor - Drs. Kathleen and Larry Bell Program Sponsor Adler Giersch PS Program Sponsor Davis Law Group With your support, we reached our goal of $20,000! Thank you!

2 May 2013 Page 2 Seattle BrainWorks Building A Strong Foundation Fundraiser By Michele Kauffman It was a beautiful day outside and inside as we began preparing the Horizon House for our 2 nd Annual Fundraiser. It was a fantastic evening, with an inspirational video clip of Steve Knapp recovering from a traumatic brain injury. The Clubhouse has been a factor in Steve s recovery. It is where he meets his friends and works on getting his life back. Chanel attended for the first time this year. Her highlights were seeing her friends and eating the food. Maggie enjoyed selling tickets for the drawing and loved the video of Steve. She thought, if things were different, the volunteers would have written instructions so they could refer to them if they forgot what they re supposed to do. (After all, you know, that brain injury thing pops up at odd moments.) Zsche was happy with the amount of appetizers. They lasted all night long unlike the year before. He mentioned starting earlier with the video would have saved us plenty of money. After all, it s a fundraiser. Joe s highlights included seeing Dr. Kathy Bell, eating the delicious piroshky donated by Piroshky Piroshky, which his family delivered to the Horizon House for our event. Joe also appreciated the video of Steve and how far he has come in his recovery. Joe enjoyed the fundraiser so much he would not change a thing for next year. Larry greeted people at the door. He loves people. He said he learned good things about the Clubhouse. The work is useful and comfort is king. Larry thought that there are people out there we are not reaching. Next year he hopes that there will be more survivors and donors. We would like to thank our supporters, volunteers, and our Advisory Board members who worked for months to get this unforgettable evening together. We would especially like to send our heartfelt appreciation to Elizabeth Crouch who was our M.C. for the evening and Andrea Okomski who did the ask. Both are great leaders helping our Clubhouse and wonderful women in our community. Both are ideal role models we are lucky to have in our lives. Debra Holland, Pacific Continental Bank Steve Knapp and Family Richard Adler, Adler Giersch PS, and Dr. Kathleen Bell, Head, Rehabilitation Medicine, UW Dr. Richard Rapport, MD, Professor of Neurological Surgery, UW Harborview David Crouch, President and CEO, Foss Home and Village, and Daughter

3 May 2013 Page 3 Graduate Intern at Seattle Brainworks Clubhouse: Maggie Camp My name is Maggie Camp and I am the current Graduate Student Intern at the Clubhouse. I am a first year student at the University of Washington. I am completing my Masters in Social Work (MSW). In the future, I hope to work as a program director for a communitybased organization, either with homelessness or Adult Education. Before moving to Seattle, I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I enjoy hiking, walking, dancing and reading. I am at the clubhouse every Tuesday and Friday. I am excited to be working alongside members and staff and getting to know you! (cont.) going on in the Clubhouse and prioritizes, as appropriately needed, to function. Another Clubhouse member likes Maggie because she is, easy to approach, if you forget or just don t understand what/how to do it. We are excited to have Maggie at SBW. We are learning valuable information about each other on various levels of brain injury and how we cope with day to day situations By the way, drop by and greet Maggie with a warm HELLO! and introduce yourself. Or drop by with pistachio ice cream (this is one of Maggie s favorite foods) and see her SMILE. (Cont.) It was a great time for all members from the Clubhouse to see whom we speak of, in conversation, and to place the name with the face. We had a chance to find common ground as support to each other as members of the Clubhouse and the TBI/ABI community. There was a HUGE amount of food and incredible varieties (ethnic) as well. Everyone had an opportunity to take some food home. We used party leftovers for meals the rest of the week. We also stored desserts (A Lot of DESSERTS!) in the freezer for a later date of consumption. Furthermore, entertainment was highly participatory and engaging. We were led in singing sea chanteys by a musician knowledgeable about maritime songs and traditions, Dan Roberts. The music was well-received by party-goers. Sea Chanteys at the Holiday Party! Clubhouse Members Give Props to Maggie: Clubhouse members welcome Maggie with open arms and smiles. We like her because she is learning about all of us and our issues with brain disabilities. Comments from a Clubhouse member to remain anonymous: Maggie is very likeable and is extremely patient with everything (cont. in Column 2) The general feeling of those who attended the gathering was that it was a wonderful time. We are looking forward to next year in the new Clubbhouse across the driveway. Which will be larger than the present space that SBW occupies!

4 May 2013 Page 4 The Three Musketeers of Art By Earl Debnam The Three Musketeers of Art in the above photograph are Adrienne Alford, Earl Debnam and Earnest Thomas. We celebrated the showing of our artwork on March 2nd at the Ida Culver House Ravenna. I gave a meaningful interpretation of my painting Why. Adrienne talked thoughtfully about her painting, The Bus Ride. Earnest also led a thought-provoking discussion about his paintings. Earnest showed his African dancers, which were created from wood, paint and metal. Each one had a different position and expression. He also showed his piece of a person dancing, which was made with wire to look more 3-D. The musical trio, Spectrum, provided the atmosphere with soothing jazz. I was moved by the large turnout of Seattle BrainWorks members and family members. Erin and her brother Pat, Bobbi-jo, Larry and his sister Joan, Josef and his mother Andrea and his stepfather, Seattle Councilmember Nick Licata, Deborah and her husband Ray, Steve and his brother Phil, Maggie and her boyfriend Juan, were all there. June Sekiguchi, in discussion with me, indicated that the art show will be displayed for four months. I will coordinate an additional reception, a goodbye to the exhibit. I look forward to the Musketeers of Art coming together again. Promoting Healthy Eating Habits at SBW Clubhouse and Beyond By Joel As Clubhouse members move further into 2013, we are gradually changing our habits to attain better quality of health in our lives. We discuss what we do, in order to help ourselves to be and stay healthy. We all agree that rest is important in order to have full attention in the course of the day, with full capacity to do everything that comes to mind. We handle stressful situations better when well rested. Next, we all agree that exercise/ physical activity is good for us too. Healthcare professionals recommend that all of us bring our heart rate up by starting exercise/physical activity, then as time goes by to increase the levels of exertion in the exercise/physical activity. You will definitely feel the difference. Your family, friends and others will see a difference. It ll make you feel better and smile about your successful efforts. You will SEE the difference - Just look in the mirror. WOW! Last, but not least, our eating habits play an important part in our daily life. Not to mention that we, as human beings, love to eat. This has to be looked at, to be made aware of: When and how much do we eat? What do we eat? Whom is eating? Where are we eating? These are elements to consider. Take a look at: When you eat. Breakfast is fuel and should never be skipped. Why? Fuel helps keep your engine running. A car needs fuel to run. If your car runs out of (Cont. in Column 3) fuel, you re stuck on the roadside. Same applies to us, as human beings - we need to have food, which is our fuel. Without fuel, we lack energy to do tasks and pay attention to what we are doing. Fuel up as needed. But do not eat late at night because your fuel turns to fat. Whom is eating- Otherwise known as human PORTION control. An adult male of 35 years old will consume a large amount, versus a 2-year-old child, who will generally consume a small amount of food. Where you eat is extremely important, because the environment should be relaxing to take time when you eat Where are you eating? Enjoy the food by eating in a relaxed environment. This helps in aiding the digestion. Eat at a slow pace. You will notice that you are eating lesser amounts of food as well as taking in lesser caloric intake. Also, you will enjoy the taste of the food, eating in a positive, relaxing environment. Possibly shedding a few pounds without any efforts. What are you eating? Most of you may remember a quote, You are what you eat. You eat healthy you ll be healthy. Eat junky you ll be junky. Easy to remember, but difficult to do. Give yourself a chance. I love chips, soda pop, candy, convenience food. Learn to be aware of cause and effect. We ALL must remember Great things take time! Why? It s your life. You make the choice of what you do. It s a commitment to yourself, For the better or worse.

5 May 2013 Page 5 New Clubhouse Activities! Members are getting together to plan new activities on which to coordinate in the Clubhouse. They include: Serving a simple breakfast Increasing safety travel to and from the Clubhouse Thank you, Jamie K. and Friends! A PROVAIL Development staff member, Jamie Kenningham, saw a need in the Clubhouse and helped fill it. Jamie, his wife Katie, and family members and friends donated enough money to purchase a new, very much needed computer for Seattle BrainWorks. Please see our Amazon Wishlist on the last page of this newsletter if you are able to help the Clubhouse by donating material goods. Pre-employment activities: Public speaking and mock interviews Getting food handler cards Book group Outreach Newsletter Art Heals Art Wall Exercise Lunch planning Espresso-making Please feel to get involved with us in any of these activities! Join us at the Walk, Run and Roll for Thought! To learn how to get involved, visit seattlebrainworks.org and click on the Walk, Run and Roll banner. New Volunteer Project for Clubhouse Members is Up and Running at the Food Bank! We are delighted to announce that Clubhouse Members are now volunteers! For part of one day, every two weeks, members and staff go to the Lake City Food Bank to volunteer. We distribute food to community members. The volunteer shifts are very popular, so if you are a Clubhouse member and would like to volunteer with us, please contact Erin (erinr@provail.org; ) or Jamie (jamiej@provail.org; ) and get on the list! We ll have in-depth articles about this exciting project in the next newsletter. Join us!

6 May 2013 Page 6 Make a contribution to Seattle BrainWorks, a notfor-profit program serving survivors of traumatic brain injury. Please contact Erin Rants at erinr@provail.org or (206) See our website: or send a check to: Seattle BrainWorks/ PROVAIL Aurora Ave. N. Seattle, WA All gifts will be reflected on your 2012 tax receipt. Hey There! We now have a Wishlist on Amazon! Letter-size clipboards Computer keyboard w/large keys and raised letters Post-it notes Colored posterboard Permanent markers (black and multi colors) Dry erase markers (multi ) Dry erase boards (3 x3 and larger) Scotch tape Desktop computers (not on Amazon wishlist) New food storage containers (not on A. wishlist) A lift van (not on A. wishlist) Seattle BrainWorks is a community-based clubhouse program providing short and long-term support to people who have experienced traumatic brain injury. Our mission is to empower survivors of brain injury to relearn skills and create strategies that will help them reintegrate as happy and successful members of the community. Brain Injury Survivors: Become a member! Contact Erin Rants at (206) or erinr@provail.org to visit the Seattle BrainWorks Clubhouse. SEATTLE BRAINWORKS NEEDS YOU! We re looking for committed volunteers to help. Especially needed are volunteers to: Help us in our new Volunteering Program at the Food Bank; help us maintain our computers; Our Advisory Board Elizabeth Crouch, RPT, PA -C, CPCC Michael Hatzenbeler, CEO/President, PROVAIL Michele Kauffman, Secretary Todd Kelleher Tiffany Kopec Bjorn Krane, MD Janet Mott, PhD Janice Navarre Andrea Okomski, J.D. Valerie Wootton Our Staff Erin Rants, MSW, Program Director Jamie Johnson, BSW, Floor Coordinator assist individual members with cooking and other Kitchen Unit tasks; accompany us on outings (bowling, movies, ferry trips to islands, etc.) Your time and talents are needed! Please contact Erin Rants at (206) or erinr@provail to talk about volunteering!