The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) was honored to sponsor the recent Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Military Forum and breakfast. It is a tremendous privilege to support our local military community. Thank YOU active duty servicemembers, veterans and your families for your service!
Posted in BEST Updates, Caregiver Matters, Community News, Quote Of The Week
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This week, the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) honors the important work and role of caregivers. Caregivers matter and we want to support them, too. So, watch this space and our social media pages for information and inspiration, all week long. Here’s the quote of the week, to start us off!
Words of truth, yes?
Are you a caregiver or know someone who is a caregiver? As a caregiver, are you seeking a little extra support? Wish to learn about new resources and tools? Looking to bond with other caregivers?
At the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST), we believe that caregivers matter. That’s why we’ve started the “Caregivers Matter” Support Group that meets at the BEST Learning Center located in University Place, Washington. Not only does the group offer caregiver support, “Caregivers Matter” will offer participants new resources and tools that will apply to the important work that they do. Each session will also offer specific discussion topics and questions to explore and other special features.
The next support group will meet Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Learning Center. There is no cost to attend this event and there’s no registration required. Light refreshments will be served.
All are welcome to attend.
Here’s a sneak preview from support group facilitator, BEST team member and caregiver, Maggie DePuye-Phillips:
October 11 special topic: “The Many Hats in My Closet”
“We all wear several hats in the various roles of our lives, be it a mother, a supervisor, a teacher, or a chefs,” says Depuye-Phillips. “But as caregivers for our loved ones, we wear countless of them; enough to fill up a closet, it may seem! We may not wear all of them in one day, but sometimes it can certainly feel that way! Join us at the next meeting for an enlightening discussion about our roles as caregivers, learn a few strategies of how to juggle those hats effectively and share your stories of the hats you have in your closet. “Light harvest” refreshments will be provided!”
Any questions about this support group or any one of the number of activities BEST hosts at our facilities? Drop us a line or give us a call. We are always happy to be of assistance. Also, if you know of anyone who may be interested in this event, feel free to share this post and check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.
Looking for some great fall activities or events? Well, you are in luck, because the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) has got ’em! We have a robust schedule of activities and events this fall with a little something for everyone at Our BEST Space! How about a great flick and friends for Mighty Monday Movie Night? How about taking part in Friday Game Days? Feeling Crafty? Join the fabulous and friendly crafters in BEST’s Stitchin’ It Up! group on Wednesday evenings and join us for our Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair on November 22. Educational opportunities will be available all throughout the fall. Our support groups continue to thrive all over the state of Washington. We’ve just now added a special caregiver’s support group that meets at the Space on the third Saturday of the month (note: this group will be meeting on October 11th at 1:00 p.m. next month–this is the only change in the group schedule).
Ready to join us? We’d love to have you and all are welcome! Check the activities calendar with the link above. Questions? Drop us a line or give us a call–we are happy to help.
Now it’s your turn! What kinds of other activities would you like to see at Our BEST Space? Tell us here in comments, give us a buzz or shoot us an email. We welcome your great ideas!
It’s a perfect way to wrap up our social media book themed week at the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST). Below are the BEST Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Penny Condoll’s book picks! Thank you Penny!
Over My Head: A Doctor’s Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out Paperback – March 1, 2000
by Claudia L. Osborn
This was my first brain injury book. Tyne (Condoll’s daughter) read it to me at 9 years old ( three years after my injury) and it was so powerful. It’s a story about a doctor who has a brain injury and how she rehabs and finds a way to participate in life fully again. Very powerful for this social worker who was grieving not being able to return to the hospital to work.
I’ll Carry the Fork! Recovering a Life After Brain Injury Paperback – October 1, 1999
by Kara L. Swanson
Tyne also read this book to me and it is a great read. This book is inspirational and practical but most of all it is funny. It gave me permission to laugh about the crazy stuff that happens when you are recovering your life after a brain injury.
The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Workbook: Your Program for Regaining Cognitive Function and Overcoming Emotional Pain (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) Paperback – November 1, 2004
by Douglas J. Mason PsyD LCSW (Author), Marc Irwin Sharfman MD (Foreword)
This is the book I refer most for people. It is an excellent way to look at the symptoms your experiencing and through this wonderful workbook understand your brain injury better and creates better ways to discuss this with people around you and your health care team. I love love love this workbook.
Coping with Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide to Living with the Challenges Associated with Post Concussion Syndrome and Brain Trauma Paperback – November 5, 2013
by Diane Roberts Stoler (Author), Barbara Albers Hill (Author)
This is the new version of what I consider the “handbook” for survivors. Dr. Stoler is a survivor and practicing doctor and really gave great explanation and advice that you don’t hear everywhere. I think of this as the TBI 101 book.
After Brain Injury Telling Your Story, A Journaling Workbook Perfect Paperback – January 1, 2009
by Barbara Stahura
Another great how-to book.
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey Paperback – May 26, 2009
by Jill Bolte Taylor Ph.D
Fascinating story.
In Search of Wings: A Journey Back from Traumatic Brain Injury
by Beverley Bryant (Author)
My favorite part of this book are the poems that are included in her story. I have them all bookmarked at the Space and pull them out from time to time for inspiration.
Beautiful, delicious, healthy, organic and locally sourced foods are really the BEST!
So, that’s why the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is pleased to announce that as of Wednesday, September 24, 2014, Our BEST Space will be the new University Place, Washington community pick-up center for Terra Organics, a BESTie and community partner. Terra Organics is a home delivery service that provides fresh organic produce, foods and more from organic farms and organic food producers. Customers can order from established boxes of various sizes or can custom create their own box. Customers may also choose their delivery frequency and select a vast array of different products from the convenient online webstore.
And while Terra Organics offers home delivery service, customers may opt to pick up their food box orders at a conveniently located, designated community center where they reside to pick up their products in person to save on delivery fees.
Our BEST Space will be the drop-off point for Terra Organics deliveries for customers who reside the University Place. The center will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Wednesday for customers to pick up their orders.
Our BEST Space is the first and only community center in the city of University Place.
The team at BEST is just thrilled to be offering this valuable community service and to partner with Terra Organics. Both organizations are passionate about wellness, healthy living and supporting the local farmers and our local communities.
To learn more about Terra Organics and how you can become a customer, visit their website.
