BEST Executive Director, Gloria Kraegel sees future sunsets, garden-fresh foods, barbeques & friends this summer. What are you looking forward to this summer, BEST friends?
Category Archives: Travel Adventures
Hot Off the Press: Love and News
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Be a superhero: Visit the Superhero Shoppe!
Want to be a superhero? Then visit us at the Superhero Shoppe for all your superhero and gift needs! Here are all the details:
What: A shoppe that offers fun and unique superhero gifts, accessories and more. Proceeds from the Superhero Shoppe support the superheroes of the brain injury community and the superhero programs, services and resources offered at Our BEST Space. The Superhero Shoppe also proudly features the work of paper artist, Diane Rasch of Heartfelt Tidbits of Creativity.
When: Superhero Shoppe hours are Wednesdays from 12pm to 6 pm and Thursdays 10 am to 4 pm.
Where: 2607 Bridgeport Way W. Suite #1H, University Place, Washington. Click here for driving directions.
Why: To share superhero support and fun to the entire community (and to the world!).
More Superhero Shoppe info: Watch this space for our new online Superhero Shoppe coming soon on the BEST website! With our new and upcoming online shoppe, you can shop 24 X 7 from the convenience of home!
BEST will be adding new items regularly to the shoppe. Please visit the BEST blog for the latest inventory announcements and updates.
To note: As a volunteer organization, hours may vary. For more information, please contact us at 877-719-2378 or admin@brainenergysupportteam.org. The Superhero Shoppe accepts cash, credit card or personal check (with valid ID and from a local bank only). We do not accept bills $50 and higher.
Outdoor Sports, Camp and Picnic: 2018 Summer Fun
It’s going to be the BEST summer in the Pacific Northwest. Check out these THREE great upcoming events that boast outdoor family fun and great company! All the details, websites and RSVP information are all noted in the flyers attached below.
We can’t wait to see you!
BEST Workshop: Employment After Brain Injury
BEST Executive Director Gloria Kraegel recently delivered an educational workshop at the Inland Northwest Brain Injury Symposium in Spokane, Washington, on employment after traumatic brain injury.
Click on the video below to view her informative presentation and get resources and information on this important topic that impacts the brain injury community and their families.
Day 2: 2018 WA State TBI Conference
Forging new pathways, navigating new dreams.
The theme of the 2018 Washington State TBI Conference was absolutely perfect for superheroes: new paths, new dreams and how to make them happen.
The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) team members were honored to hear conference participant’s stories, dreams and the paths they wanted to take going forward into the future.
We had the opportunity to learn new things from each other, have important conversations, give hugs and high fives to old friends, and meet some extraordinary new friends, all in the course of two terrific days of sharing, caring and supporting fellow superheroes and their families.
Enclosed are a few of our favorite pictures of day two. For day one thoughts, click here.
Many thanks for stopping by the BEST exhibit booth and taking this wonderful journey of togetherness and learning with us. You are all the BEST.
We cordially invite you to peruse our website anytime! Here, you’ll find news you can use, powerful and important stories, resources, educational tools and more.
We also cordially invite you to stop by Our BEST Space to say hi, take a tour, enjoy some special events and Space programming and shop at our brand new Superhero Shoppe in University Place, Washington! There’s something for everyone at Our BEST Space.
We’ve also included website links to the conference keynote speakers for more information. Just simply click on the name in bold and you are on your way!
May 29, 2018 Speakers:
May 30, 2018 Speakers:
Day 1: 2018 WA State TBI Conference
The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is feeling extra energized this afternoon!
We’ve just kicked off day one of the 2018 Washington State TBI Conference in Tacoma, Washington, and superheroes from the Washington State brain injury community are reuniting for two special days of sharing, caring, conversations, information and resources.
The BEST Superhero booth is located in the exhibit and vendor area at the stunning Hotel Murano located in the heart of downtown Tacoma. For those attending the conference, either today or tomorrow, we cordially welcome you to stop by, say hello and get some great information and news you can use. We can’t wait to meet you!
In 10 days: WA State TBI Conference
Washington State TBI Conference in May 2018
BEST on the Road: Building Community in WA State
Here’s what happened.
Eastern Washington
BEST recently began the journey in Eastern Washington as an organizer and participant in the Inland Northwest Brain Injury Symposium held at Eastern Washington University in Spokane, Washington on April 19-20, 2018. This unique learning environment brought together medical and health professionals, brain injury survivors, caregivers and other community supporters for important conversations, awareness and education.
BEST Executive Director. Gloria Kraegel, appreciated the experience.
“Having a symposium like this in Eastern Washington is a great opportunity to share information and experiences with professionals, legislators, educators, and the community at large. The theme, Education, Awareness, and Connection, was right on target.”
Kraegel continues, “I liked the fact that the mix of presenters and panels were diverse and covered a lot of the things we are concerned about; caregiving, employment, identity, services, and legislation.”
Western Washington
BEST’s Executive Director, Gloria Kraegel, had the opportunity to attend and participate in the 17th Annual Saying It Out Loud Conference that was held on April 23, 2018 in Tacoma, Washington. Hosted by the Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Behavioral Health Administration’s (BHA) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), the conference educates how to better serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and questioning plus communities. This year’s theme, Beyond the Binary, focused on behavioral health and included workshop sessions that ranged from identity to identifying challenges in accessing care.
For Kraegel, she was nothing short of impressed by this special day of learning, caring and sharing.
“I was impressed with the available resources and especially the fact that this is the 17th annual Say It Out Loud Conference sponsored by DSHS. This says a lot about how Washington State strives to support its diverse populations and meet the needs of our varied communities.”
BEST thanks the organizers of both of these events for the special and memorable experiences.