to Work It was all I wanted. pg12

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1 MARCH 2012 Volume 19 Issue 1 SURVIVOR STORIES: An Alternative Residential Option pg7 Returning to Work It was all I wanted. pg12 Dianne Radunsky A Job Well Done pg 26

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3 MARCH 2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Donna Thomson Vice-President Barbara Claiman Vice-President Tom Dow Treasurer Taryn Abate Corporate Secretary Nancy Baron-Blake Directors Dr. Sheila Bennett Brian Bird Gayle Dawson Jamie Fairles Melanie Gardin Maria Hundeck Loreigh Mitges Nancy Nicholson Greg Noack Norm Sinclair Lucie Sirois Debby Vigoda OBIA STAFF Executive Director Ruth Wilcock...#238 Associate Director Tammy Dumas...#240 Support Services Specialists Carla Thoms...#227 Admin. Services Coordinator Terry Wilcox...#234 Training & Admin. Assistant Diane Dakiv...#231 Training & Resource Navigator Debbie Spaulding...#224 Financial Controller Gail Coupland...#230 OBIA Review Editor Jennifer Norquay 7 Inside this issue: 26 Also Inside: Survivor Stories: An Alternative Residential Option Dianne Radunsky A Job Well Done 12 Returning to Work: One of the main hopes and expectations people have when leaving the hospital is that they will return to the work or study they were involved in prior to the injury. Ruth s Desk... 4 Volunteer Profile: Peer Mentor Norma Trimble Steve s Story Across the Province In Memory Friends of OBIA Letter from a Review Reader Conference Calendar Community Associations Provincial Associations Brain Basics VISIT obia@obia.on.ca Copyright 2012, PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Ontario Brain Injury Association, PO Box 2338 St. Catharines, ON L2R 7R9 Ph: or Fax: , obia@obia.on.ca Registered as a Canadian Charitable Organization Reg. # RR0001 3

4 OBIA REVIEW AWAReness Change can be devastating and challenging, but when the right tools are in place change can be a catalyst for empowerment, enabling one to move forward and reclaim their lives. By Ruth Wilcock, Executive Director, OBIA RUTH S DESK The Devastation, Challenges and Empowerment of Change When a person sustains a brain injury, the changes that this brings to one s life can be extremely devastating. For some, during the first few hours, days and even weeks following the injury they are battling for their very life. When this battle has been won, the long road of recovery and rehabilitation begins. For each survivor the journey is unique and has its own set of challenges. However, in speaking with many different survivors, along with their diversities, a common thread of loss emerges. Often survivors of brain injury lose a large part of what made them who they were, leaving them feeling alone and isolated. For others it is loss of their job, their friends and sometimes even family. The devastation of the injury leaves them struggling to regain who they once were, or grappling with finding out whom they might become. Each day brings with it new and different challenges. As I have listened to survivors share their stories with me I feel great empathy when I hear of their losses, impediments and hardships that they have encountered. However, I also feel a great sense of admiration as I listen to how they have met each and every one of these challenges. I never take for granted the amount of dedication, commitment and fortitude that is needed in order for survivors to meet the challenges that the devastation of the injury has brought about. I continue to be amazed at the amount of resiliency that a person is capable of, and one of the core elements to resiliency is the ability to adapt to change. Whether one is a survivor, family member or professional, each person has parts to them that, at times, can be resistant to change. Change involves exploring and navigating the terrain of the unknown. It takes one out of their comfort zone and exposes vulnerabilities that one may be resistant to confront. However, if one can navigate through the fears and uncertainties of change, this enables one to be empowered. Change can be devastating and challenging, but when the right tools are in place, change can be a catalyst for empowerment enabling one to move forward and reclaim their lives. The power of the resiliency of the human spirit and its ability to adapt to change is often echoed through the many survivor stories that have been published in the OBIA Review. 4

5 I want to give a special thank you to the survivors who are willing to share their very personal journeys with us and for the privilege that we have in celebrating their heartaches but also their many milestones and successes. I also want to mention that change not only happens to individuals but organizations as well. At OBIA, we are in the midst of experiencing a change. After 24 years of dedicated service Dianne Radunsky, who worked in support services, has retired from her position. In many ways Dianne was a pioneer in developing our support services department. Dianne has been able to advocate on the behalf of hundreds of survivors and family members whose lives have been touched by brain injury. Dianne always came from a place of compassion, justice and fierce dedication to getting the best services that were available for the clients she served. MARCH 2012 On behalf of the board of directors, staff and volunteers. I want to give our heartfelt thanks to Dianne for her commitment to OBIA and all that she has accomplished in her role. We wish her all the best in her retirement. Share your story OBIA would like to hear from you! Send your story to: stories@obia.on.ca 5

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7 MARCH 2012 support SURVIVOR STORIES Family Homes - An Alternative Residential Option By Karen Metcalf, Pathways to Independence Family Homes were developed over 40 years ago as an alternative to traditional group home models and institutional care that typically supported adults with developmental challenges. They were viewed as a positive option to congregate care providing a more intimate and family type environment. Family Homes are based on the Foster Care model of support. Individuals in the community who wish to open their home to someone with special needs apply to the program. A thorough screening and approval process is completed through personal interviews, home study, reference and police checks. Once the home is approved the matching process begins. Factors such as the location of the home, family lifestyle, likes, skills and personality are considered in matching an individual with the right family. When a match is determined a series of pre-placement visits are scheduled to help the family and the individual get to know one another. These visits are reviewed to determine compatibility and ultimately the individual and the family decide if this is a good option for everyone involved. Pathways to Independence has a long and successful history of providing Family Home support to individuals with developmental disabilities. It seemed only natural to consider this as an option for persons with an Acquired Brain Injury. In 2003 Pathways began supporting Richard, a gentleman who had sustained two work related brain injuries. When I first met Richard he was fifty three years old. At the time he was living in a privately owned retirement home that was somewhat isolated and provided limited socialization and activities. Staff had no experience in brain injury support and everyone agreed that this was not a good option for Richard. Often Richard would isolate himself in his room and emotionally disconnect for extended periods of time. He rarely communicated and appeared depressed and withdrawn. Richard was very anxious to leave the retirement home and regain his independence. Little was known about Richard s previous life. He had moved around a great deal, had never married and had lost contact with his family. He was, however, an accomplished outdoorsman, handyman and woodcrafter. He embraced his native culture and loved horses. He was very artistic and was proud to show me a life sized canoe that he had carved himself. He had so many unique interests including photography, canoeing, cycling and collecting clocks. He showed me some of his photography and I was amazed at how he could capture nature in its most natural form. Despite being very withdrawn and described as non-communicative Richard told me that he would like to live on a farm in the country and have his own horse. Unfortunately this was not the option Pathways had available at the time. Richard agreed, however, to move to Belleville, an unknown community to him and reside in one of our ABI supported homes. It quickly became apparent that this 7

8 OBIA REVIEW was not a good match for Richard. He did not like the city and found sharing a home with others in opposition to his quiet and introspective nature. Richard was having a very difficult time adjusting and his mental health began to deteriorate in an alarming manner. Although we had never supported someone with an ABI in a Family Home we had a home that seemed to perfectly match Richard s vision for his ideal living situation. It was a hobby farm, located in Prince Edward County and the providers had horses. Although the providers had no experience in Acquired Brain Injuries they were very excited to meet Richard. The providers Lucille and Sidney (affectionately known as Ziggy) shared a love of country living, horses, motorcycles and a laid back relaxed lifestyle. There was almost an immediate connection at the first meeting. There was a natural affinity in Ziggy s and Richard s personalities. Richard seemed so much at home and I saw an almost Richard seemed so much at home and I saw an almost instantaneous improvement in his disposition and demeanor. He was thrilled with the location, the barn, the dogs and of course the horses. instantaneous improvement in his disposition and demeanor. He was thrilled with the location, the barn, the dogs and of course the horses. Richard moved to his new home in November 2002 and quickly became a beloved member of the family. His life is a testament to the value of Family Home support and the importance of making a good match. He and Ziggy have developed a bond that is beyond description. Since moving Richard has pursued his love of photography and was able to take a photography class. He has a new computer so he can print his pictures and has become quite proficient. He also purchased a mountain bike and enjoys biking to the Sand Dunes, taking pictures along the way. He tells us he is in the best physical shape he has ever been in. In 2011 Richard and his family went to Europe for a holiday. They stayed in Munich and visited the Black Forest, a place that always held a fascination for Richard. He purchased Restore yourself. If you ve been seriously injured, Judith Hull & Associates can help. Our focus is on your needs there s no reason to go through a major trauma alone. Motor Vehicle Collisions Traumatic Brain Injuries Orthopaedic Injuries Spinal Cord Injuries Wrongful Death Claims CPP & Disability Claims Dangerous Premises Historic Sexual Abuse Product Liability Workplace Safety Insurance Benefits We do not represent insurance companies. Service, Integrity, Results. 2nd Floor, 620 Richmond Street London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5J9 When your future is at stake, call us at , or online at judithhull.com Judith Hull & Associates Professional Corporation 8

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10 OBIA REVIEW support lawns on his riding lawn mower. Richard tells me he is his own boss. Richard once told his Family Home worker that before living with Ziggy and Lucille that he was just alive, he had a heart beat but that was about it. Now he says he is actually living a life. He tells us that he values his life and time; he realizes you can choose to make the best of what you have while you can. The man I met nine years ago has little or no resemblance to the Richard I see today. From a life of isolation and exclusion to living with a family who truly cares for him and who has helped him create an enviable life uniquely tailored to his passions and spirit. Richard doesn t need a bucket list - he is already fulfilling his life s goals. A Family Home doesn t work for everyone but when the right match is made wonderful things can happen. Pathways has families who have been in the program for over thirty years. We now support eighty-four individuals in Family Home settings including two others with Acquired Brain Injuries. The dedication, care and support of our providers continues to amaze and humble me. Their stories are as inspirational as Richard s. a coo-coo clock for his collection. He also enjoys being a regular passenger on the back of Ziggy s motorcycle. He has taken sailing lessons and attended a Boundless Adventure Camp with Ziggy where they canoed, rock climbed and enjoyed wilderness hiking. Richard is an avid fisherman and his new home has provided an outlet for his love of the outdoors, nature and wildlife. In addition to the horses he is surrounded by four cats and three dogs. Upon moving in Richard s first order of business was to fix up the barn. He was diligent in making major improvements to the barn and yard area. He began volunteering his time at a local horse farm where he was quickly dubbed the horse whisperer given his ability to calm even the most difficult animals. While there he met Mandy, a thoroughbred quarter horse. With much dedication he began saving his money and with the support of his family purchased her and brought her home to the barn he had refurbished. Since that time he has bought a second horse and is now looking at a third animal, an Egyptian Arabian male. He also tends to his own garden and takes care of the 10

11 MARCH 2012 A single source for your clients home care and rehab needs People with serious injuries often need a variety of health care services attendant care and nursing for their daily needs and physiotherapy and other rehabilitative services to make the best possible recovery. Bayshore Home Health and Bayshore Therapy & Rehab, the newest addition to the trusted Bayshore brand of health care offerings, can provide professional services in both areas. Our caregivers and rehab professionals are supported by internal clinical experts and our National Care Team a convenient central contact point for workers compensation boards, insurers and government care programs, providing standardized reporting and timely service with a personal touch. To learn more, please call or visit Therapy & Rehab Better care for a better life 11

12 OBIA REVIEW AWAReness Returning to Work: One of the main hopes and expectations people have when leaving the hospital is that they will return to the work or study they were involved in prior to the injury. 12 However, it is very common for a person to feel that they are ready to return to their previous position well before everyone else thinks they are. The individual s unrealistic expectations are often due to poor self-awareness or denial. If a neuropsychological assessment took place during rehabilitation, this should provide some indications about the areas of difficulty that will need to be addressed in returning to work. The ability to hold a job is one of the most potent measures of community integration. The single most important factor in predicting return to work is active participation in rehabilitation and in the therapeutic community. The second best predictor is the injured individual s self-awareness. The ability to manage emotions is also a significant factor in employability. POTENTIAL BARRIERS Some of the barriers in returning to work are: An individual s desire to work being greater than their actual readiness Accessing support e.g. being linked with the right employment support agency Cognitive impairment A lack of opportunities for people to demonstrate what they are capable of Poor control over emotions Fatigue and other physical problems e.g. dizziness and headaches Experiencing a loss of self-confidence after unsuccessful attempts Loss of motivation. SUPPORT Employment support agencies and rehabilitation services often provide programs that may focus upon the person returning to their previous position. However, this is usually not possible straight away. The results of different assessments can gather information about the person s strengths and deficits to provide guidelines regarding employment potential. Sometimes a meeting can be organized between the person who was injured, family members, the employer and rehabilitation professionals to discuss a gradual return to work plan. A work trial may be organized to assess how well the person can cope with the demands of different tasks. On-the-job training provides the opportunity for people to relearn previously acquired skills or learn new skills. STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING IMPAIRMENTS Understanding the different forms of recovery and adjustment becomes particularly important when people return to work after their injury. It is often helpful to consider which area of impairment might benefit from which form of recovery and adjustment. Remediation This involves relearning skills with practice until a certain level has been achieved e.g. practicing typing speed.

13 MARCH 2012 MANAGING FATIGUE Fatigue is a very common outcome after a brain injury, and it has a serious impact on someone s ability to resume work, especially in jobs needing intense concentration or fast paced decision making. Often survivors can manage a workload if they can approach one task at a time, work in a quiet environment without distractions, and have a flexible schedule for rest breaks if needed. The problem, of course, is that many work environments won t allow some, or possibly any, of these to happen. LEGAL ISSUES Substitution Substitution requires maximizing previous skills or learning a new skill to overcome a difficulty e.g. using self-instruction to improve concentration skills. Accommodation This is when a person adjusts their goals and expectations to match their level of capability e.g. aiming for a position with less responsibility and a reduced work load. After rehabilitation some people manage to return to their jobs only to be fired shortly after there may be grounds for objecting on the grounds of discrimination. In many provinces there are legal requirements that specify people with a disability have equal opportunity to gain employment and that their disability should only be taken into consideration when it is fair to do so. The legal requirements often state that employers should make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of someone with a disability. This means the employer must examine the physical and organizational barriers which may prevent the employment, limit the performance or curtail the advancement of people with disability. This is one of over 100 fact sheets on brain injury available at reprinted with the permission of BIAQ. Assimilation Assimilation is modifying the environment and expectations of other people e.g. introducing specialized equipment, supportive work environments and educating employers and colleagues about the nature of support required. Some common recommendations for returning to work include having plenty of rest periods, a routine and structure to tasks, flexibility, reduced hours, supervision and support. Some individual characteristics that may influence level of achievement include self-awareness, motivation, determination and adaptability. VOLUNTEER WORK Individuals who are assessed as not being ready for work may wish to pursue volunteer work (e.g. at a charity organization) to improve their skills, awareness of personal capabilities and level of experience. However, employment may not be a realistic option for many people after brain injury. Accepting this situation can be very distressing for people who have often spent most of their lives building a career. It is hoped that people can pursue other avenues for achievement, satisfaction and productive use of their leisure time. June is Brain Injury Awareness Month WHAt is your organization doing to CeleBRAte? Send us your stories and pictures and we will publish them in the June issue of the OBIA REVIEW. 13

14 OBIA REVIEW podemos ayudarle. pwede kaming tumulong. chúng tôi se giúp. ~ As Toronto s largest ethnic personal injury law firm, speaking 24 languages, we are dedicated to ensuring our clients receive the rehabilitation and fair compensation they deserve, in a language they understand. At Carranza, many of us are first or second generation Canadians who are able to provide expert legal representation in multiple languages. Not only can we help overcome the language barrier, but we can also assist with many of the cultural issues that may arise throughout treatment and recovery. No matter how you say it, we can help

15 MARCH 2012 support Volunteer Profile: Peer Mentor, Norma Trimble Norma Trimble started volunteering for the Ontario Brain Injury Association as a Peer Mentor in October The Agency provides such an invaluable service across the province and it s a pleasure to be involved with the program, she said. I have been mentoring people for over 40 years through my work prior to retirement, and I really enjoy helping others. Norma first heard about the program during the course of her employment and had worked with ABI clients in the past. She was a caregiver to relatives and friends alike. The peer mentoring program provides an alternative and much needed form of support during both the early and later phases of adjustment in the community. Survivors, family members and non-paid caregivers are partnered with a fellow survivor, family member or caregiver who is empathetic towards their frustrations because they have experienced similar situations. Mentoring takes place over a series of telephone contacts and/or s between a caring volunteer who has first-hand experience living with a particular issue. The partnership focuses on the discussion and, where possible, resolution of specific problems or issues. Mentors offer a listening ear, share experiences in coping with real issues and situations, and offering resources and strategies. The Peer Support Mentoring is open to teens (16 years or older) and adults who have sustained a brain injury, a family member, friend, or a non-paid caregiver. Norma s listening skills and practical advice make her an ideal Peer Mentor says Laura Kay, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Windsor/Essex. She has mentored several individuals as far away as Sudbury and Kingston. Most mentors manage one case at a time, but not Norma; she is currently helping two people from Northern Ontario. After I retired I had the time to do more volunteer work and decided to become a volunteer mentor for the Agency. It s worked out well, and I am still doing it, she said. I enjoy the close contact with people and I enjoy helping caregivers with the transitions that seem nearly impossible once a loved one has an acquired brain injury. It s not easy for them, says Norma. Norma said being a volunteer enables her to provide some stability in the lives of these people, which is something they are often lacking. My partners in the program look forward to my weekly phone calls as much as I look forward to talking to them. They know they can count on me to be there for them and share a few laughs and some good times along the way, she said. We look forward to our chats; it s really a nice experience to be a part of. We really need more volunteers in the program, she said. And if people are looking for a quality way to spend some time they should definitely consider becoming a volunteer. It has certainly brought me a great deal of joy. Norma said volunteering has given her life greater purpose, especially since retirement. But volunteering can be rewarding at any age. For more information on becoming a Volunteer Peer Mentor, contact Carla Thoms at the OBIA office,

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17 MARCH 2012 support Steve s story at my desk enjoying a coffee each morning by 7 a.m. Coming home, I would arrive by 7 p.m., which made for a long day. The morning of June 6, 2007, I woke up and went through my morning ritual of getting ready. I woke my wife, Susan, for my ride to the bus terminal. I took our family pet, Buddy, a beautiful yellow lab, out for a quick morning walk. Buddy was one of my best friends, when I was home we were inseparable. He could run free in the front yard and I didn t need to worry about him running off. We headed off to the bus terminal making our routine stop at Tim Horton s for a coffee and Buddy s timbit; he had the staff wrapped around his paw! I arrived at the bus terminal, went to board the bus and realized I had forgotten my wallet at home. The bus driver knew me and that I had a monthly pass so let me on the bus anyway. The year 2007 was like a rollercoaster for my family. We celebrated New Years with friends and family in Punta Cana, DR. There was fantastic entertainment, fireworks, and the mood was joyful, happy, and full of celebration. Being with my family and closest friends made this the trip of a lifetime. I knew 2007 was going to be a year I would never forget. The next few months for us passed quickly. My son David was fifteen and was progressing through his first year in high school. He also started his first paying job working at McDonalds. My daughter Patricia was eighteen. She was just wrapping up her last year in high school. She was keeping herself busy with studying and being actively involved with the school rowing team, all the while selecting a university at which to continue her studies. She was still deciding what she wanted to take, but she had it narrowed down to English and Communications. Our home was located in a quiet residential area in West St. Catharines. I worked as the Director of Information and Communication Technologies at Mount Sinai Hospital in downtown Toronto. I had a staff of approximately 75 members. I commuted by bus to Toronto on a daily basis, which had me This day was not unlike any other day at work. I was in meetings from the time I arrived at work until the time I left that day. I walked out the front door with a good friend and colleague, Mike. We had some outstanding business left from those meetings and were chatting about our plans for the next day. We walked up University Avenue and split up at Edward Street where I turned, said see you later, and continued walking down Edward Street. At Chestnut Street a bus made a left hand turn hitting me while I was crossing the street at the crosswalk. The bus continued moving, running over the lower part of my body and didn t stop until a witness caught his attention. When he finally stopped, the driver stepped off the bus, chatted with the witness and according to the police report, looked back at me and said, Oh I better move the bus. His rear tire was parked on top of me. I have no recollection of these events, or those of the next several weeks which I spent drifting in and out of consciousness. Not having a wallet caused a couple of problems for me when I arrived at St. Michaels Hospital. I still had my Mount Sinai name badge on, so they knew my name and looked up Steve Noyes in their computer. They found a Steve Noyes, so they registered me under that name; however, they found the wrong Steve Noyes, I was registered as a sixty-eight year old man; I was only forty three. Not knowing how to reach my next of kin, the hospital called Mount Sinai and reached a close colleague who was able to get the information needed to contact my wife. Back at home, my wife received a call from the Toronto Police advising her that I had received a bump on the head and she should come to the hospital. My son was working and my daughter was still at school so my wife quickly headed off to Toronto to pick me up. When she arrived at the hospital, she was greeted by Officer Orchard who immediately apologized for being so unclear on the phone. He told her he didn t want her to drive while upset, and possibly get into an accident on the way there. The doctors met with my wife to fill her in 17

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19 and told her how serious my injuries were. They told her that they would be surprised if I made it to the weekend. That first evening, my friend Mike, my boss and the President and CEO of Mount Sinai all came to the hospital to see me and support Susan. Once Susan knew the extent of my injuries, she called some close friends who notified our children. It was the end of June before I next remembered anything, I call this my wakeup time. I guess I had been awake before this, but I was not myself. I was doing some really strange things, like calling my mother names and telling her to leave. I am very close with my mother, so this was very out of character for me. The first thing I remember after this wake up is wondering if I had missed my daughter s wedding. One of my most vivid thoughts during the initial few weeks of my injuries was that I had to get better so I would be around to walk my daughter down the aisle. I had not missed her wedding, she wasn t even engaged but I did miss her high school graduation. It was hard for me to learn I had missed such an important event in her life. I spent another few months at St. Michaels recovering and waiting for a bed in rehab. In September, I was transferred to the Chedoke in-patient unit for rehab. The staff were amazing, and never let me make excuses. Instead, I was always doing something to rehabilitate my mind and body. I was at Chedoke for three months before I went home, with the added support of outpatient therapy. When I arrived home that first day, I was greeted at the door by Buddy, who did something he had never done before; he jumped up on me, put his paws on my shoulders and licked me on the face. Almost as if to say, Daddy where have you been, I ve missed you. After a few months at home, my wife, family and friends started to notice behaviour traits that just weren t typical of the old Steve. These included severe depression, excessive spending and mood swings. I was readmitted to inpatient psychiatric care for behavioural and medication assessment. After a few months of evaluation they had a good handle on my medications and sent me back home to the care of my wife and my outpatient team. There was also a new member added to my team, my neuropsychologist, Dr. Sherrie Bieman- Copland, aka Dr. B-C. As I was learning to live and cope with these major life changes, so was my family. My wife was learning to live as care-giver, my daughter had to learn to behave more like a parent than a daughter, always having to correct me or point me in the right direction, and my son was just lost. We knew he was struggling but had no idea how badly. One day my wife and I were at an appointment at McMaster and I received a After a few months at home, my wife, family and friends started to notice behaviour traits that just weren t typical of the old Steve. These included severe depression, excessive spending and mood swings. MARCH 2012 text message from my son that said, I love you. That s all it said. I received no responses to any of my follow up queries. Alarmed, my wife and I headed home to discover that David had been taken to hospital after taking a bottle of my sleeping pills. Fortunately, he had called friends after taking them and I will always be grateful to those friends and paramedics who acted quickly and saved his life. This was the lowest point for me. Until then I was focussed on how brain injury had caused so many changes in my life, but now I was seeing how it had affected everyone around me. The thing about change is that it is up to the person to decide how to respond to it. I was depressed, angry and doing lots of things that I thought would get me back in control of my life, but weren t working. I needed to work with my injury rather than fight against it. Besides the severe head and brain injuries I had sustained, the most compelling long term injury I faced was severe vision loss. About a year after I came home my Buddy died suddenly. I didn t think I d ever get another dog, but Dr. B-C helped me as I applied and received a service dog named Tonka. Tonka is my best friend and gets me safely from point A to point B. With Tonka, my life at home has changed. I ve found independence, I have gained some much needed socialization skills as everyone wants to stop and talk to me and Tonka when we are out. Lots of good things were happening, but I was still bored. My injury hugely affected my initiation, when it was just me and Tonka nothing happened. I shocked Dr. B-C when I was actually asking for rehab support again. It was around this time she helped me bring on a Personal Assistant to work with me. Kimberly is the kick in the butt that I needed. People say old habits are hard to break, not with Kimberly around they are not! Boredom? What boredom! The most important change for me that has allowed me to use and test a great number of my skills which I relied on during my time at Mount Sinai, was and continues to be, my volunteer position at OBIA. I serve as Steve, the computer guy in the office. I am there a few days a week and have recently upgraded all of the computers in the office, 11 to be 19

20 OBIA REVIEW Interested in adversing in the OBIA Review? Ad Space starting from $850 for one full year! Call Terry Wilcox in Admin. Services Coordinator #234 20