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In Words and Pictures: Eastern Washington TBI Retreat May 2019

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Liberty Lake (photo by Nick Mehrnoosh)

The spring trademark weather of bright blue skies and warm sunshine of Eastern Washington, beckoned a special group last weekend to relax, reflect, and recharge. 

Our first TBI camping retreat was held from May 9 through May 12, 2019 at Liberty Lake Regional Park in Spokane County in Eastern Washington. The camping trip was designed to be a quiet, comfortable and safe space for brain injury survivors and their families to take in the beauty of nature, relax, socialize, and learn something new. 

Campers enjoyed nature walks, arts and crafts, fireside support groups, a special guest speaker, and great eats and treats at a camp side barbecue. 

For retreat organizer, Nick Mehrnoosh, it was amazing experience.  

“The core of the retreat was friends, with and without a brain injury, who wanted to go camping together,” shared Mehrnoosh. “As we planned the retreat over several months, we designed it to be brain injury friendly. The schedule was flexible, the noise was minimal, food was kept healthy, and the area around Liberty Lake Regional Park was ideal for a relaxing experience.” 

Mehrnoosh continues, “We had different activities each day, with campfire support circles at night. It was absolutely beautiful to watch those that have lived with a brain injury for quite some time, impart their experience and knowledge with those still navigating their brain injury.

On the last day of the retreat, we had a speech pathologist visit to talk about navigating social situations, and everyone was beyond engaged with the presentation. Afterward, there was a barbecue and we all made homemade ice cream.” 

However, it was a single moment that really captured the essence of the retreat for Mehrnoosh.

“There was a moment when I looked around in amazement, and saw children playing, people laughing with one another, and others connecting for the first time. You would never have guessed that nearly everyone in attendance had some form of brain injury.” 

Mehrnoosh is already thinking into the future for the next retreat.

“I and many others can’t wait for our next Eastern Washington TBI Retreat in May 2020,” he smiles. 

If the pictures in the slideshow below are any indication, a good time was had by all. 

Due to the success of this first retreat, the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is looking to make this an annual event. Stay tuned for information about 2020 opportunities. 

In the meantime, enjoy our photos by the lake. 

 

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BEST Superhero of the Month for April 2019

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It’s been two years since the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) began the BEST Superhero of the Month recognition award, and this month, April 2019, we have a first! 

BEST will be honoring an entire TEAM of superheroes for our first team award. 

We are thrilled to present the BEST Superhero of the Month Award for April 2019 to the team at the Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation (CCER), at the Northwest ADA Center, University of Washington. 

The CCER helps organizations understand and develop strategies on how to employ and serve people with disabilities. Their mission is to promote access and inclusion for people with disabilities through education, collaboration, and connection to resources.

Please click here to learn more about the important work that the CCER does. 

And speaking of important work, this team helps organize the annual Washington State TBI Conference. 

Who are these amazing superheroes?

They are John McClure, Tammi Olson, Susan Dziedzic, Eva Larrauri, Sara Parrett and Christine Fowler. 

Here’s what the team’s nominator had to say: 

I know this is supposed to be a nomination of one special superhero, but the folks at CCER move and act as one when it comes to helping Washington State DSHS and the conference planning committee put together the annual Washington State TBI Conference. While it often feels like herding cats with all the different ideas, schedules, and challenges of working with a planning committee their patience, determination, humor, and continued support ensure that Washington is able to provide one of the best attended, diverse, and successful conference. Kudos and deepest appreciation to everyone, especially John McClure, Tammi Olson, Susan Dziedzic, Eva Larrauri, Sara Parrett and Christine Fowler!

Thank you to this superhero team for all that they do for the Washington State brain injury community, their caregivers and their families. 

We so appreciate all that you do and all that you are! 

YOU are the BEST. 

Do you know a survivor, caregiver or community supporter who is putting the power in personal empowerment? Soaring to new heights? Doing cool things?  Bringing superhero-size support to the brain injury community?

Nominate your superhero for the BEST Superhero of the Month for some superhero team recognition.

Click here to learn more.

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Recap: Saying It Out Loud April 29, 2019 Tacoma

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The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) was honored to participate in the 2019 Saying It Out Loud all-day conference at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on April 29, 2019 in Tacoma, Washington. The conference,  now in it’s 18th year, was hosted by the Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Behavioral Health Administration’s (BHA) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) educates participants on how to better serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and questioning plus communities.

Source: Flyer from event Facebook page.

The theme of conference was Beyond the Binary and focused on behavioral health. 

BEST had the opportunity to share information, resources and great conversation about brain health and wellness, brain injury awareness, support, resources and more with many community members throughout the day. 

BEST Executive Director, Gloria Kraegel, at the BEST Conference Exhibit Table (photo: K. Thompson)
Photo: K Thompson BEST Facebook page story 4/29/19.

Along with the beautiful spring sunshine streaming through the convention center windows, there was a spirit of care, support, and learning that was just as warm and lovely as the sun. 

Thank you, Saying It Out Loud for the BEST day! 

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Superhero: Coming October 2019

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What are superheroes made of?

Here are some words that come to mind: 

Now, what if we had the opportunity to answer that question and explore the answers through art?

How would that look like? 

Here are some examples: 

 

The photograph above of the lion is the symbol of being brave. Brave is a superhero word, most definitely!

This painting above has vibrant colors. We could consider it bold (bold, just like a superhero).

Why are we talking about superhero characteristics? 

Here’s why! 

The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is thrilled and honored to share that we have that very opportunity coming this fall.

BEST is going to be participating in a community art installation at the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM). Work displayed in Tacoma Art Museum’s TAM Local: Community Art Space for the Superhero show from October 16, 2019 to December 26, 2019.

We will have an opening reception Thursday, October 17, 2019 in the TAM Community Art Space.

To learn more about the community art installation program and the museum, please click here. 

We are calling all BEST artists throughout Washington State to share your art with us!  

Here’s everything you need to know:

WHO: The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) in partnership with the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM). 

WHAT: A community art show at the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM). Work displayed in Tacoma Art Museum’s TAM Local: Community Art Space for the Superhero show from October 16, 2019 to December 26, 2019.

We will have an opening reception Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm in the Community Art Space at TAM.

BEST is seeking art from BEST Artists to share in the following forms: paintings, drawings, mixed-media collage, photography, 3D art, or sculpture.

WHEN: October 16, 2019 through December 26, 2019.

WHERE: Tacoma Art Museum (TAM), 1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington.

WHY: What are the characteristics of a superhero? What it is about these traits that make superheroes special? The local artists of the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) explore these questions through their art, along with their personal stories of the journey forward after traumatic brain injury. We cordially invite you to join us to celebrate finding our own superpowers, individual empowerment and the ability to thrive through art and artistic expression.

Okay, BEST Artists, let’s see your creativity! 

HOW: Here are the steps to get started:

Step 1: Look at the Need to Know section below first to review this project. Requirements met? Great! Move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Think about superheroes. What are the traits of a superhero that stand out to you?

Step 3: Decide how you would answer that question through your art (see words and examples above for a little inspiration).

Step 4: Create your art (or if you have a piece of art that is ready that you’d like to share, feel free to share that with BEST).

Step 5: Tell us about your art. Email Kim Thompson at kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org and let her know what kind of art you’d like to share for the show. Kim will assist you in answering your questions and providing additional information.

We can’t wait to hear about your work!  

Need to Know:

BEST Artists, here’s what you need to know to participate!

1.    Participating BEST Artists must be affiliated with the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) in one (or more) of the following ways:

a.    support group participant

b.    support group facilitator

c.    volunteer

d.    board member

e.    Our BEST Space participant

f.     BEST team member

g.    Second Life (PEER Center/BEST) participant

h.    BEST primary community partner/supporter/contributor

2.    BEST artists must be a brain injury survivor, caregiver of a brain injury survivor or closely work with brain injury survivors in a support capacity.

3.    Participating BEST artists must be a Washington State resident.

4.    BEST artists will submit artwork to BEST via personal delivery to Our BEST Space in University Place, Washington, or by mail to the BEST mailing address on or before the submission deadline of Thursday, August 1, 2019, 5 pm.

5.    BEST artists will provide an artist’s statement and specific details of the artistic medium and materials to BEST along with a photo of their work which may be used for promotional purposes.

6.    BEST Artists must agree to have their work(s) displayed for the duration of the show which is October 16, 2019 to December 26, 2019.

7.    BEST Artists will understand that BEST reserves the right to not accept an art submission for any reason.  

8.    BEST Artists understand that they are responsible for framing and having artwork display ready for any submitted artwork as appropriate and within the guidelines outlined by the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) that will be included in the instructions when you contact BEST.  

9.    For artists outside of the Greater Puget Sound area that wish to submit their work by mail, art must be prepared appropriately for mailing and sent to BEST at the following mailing address: Brain Energy Support Team 3800A Bridgeport Way W. #393 University Place, WA 98466.

10. Need assistance in submitting your work to BEST? Have any questions or concerns about getting your art ready? Please reach out to BEST (Kim Thompson at kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org) no later than July 1, 2019 for assistance. We are happy to help you!

11. If artists have 3D works (mixed media collage, sculpture, large works), artists must contact BEST with art project information (size, materials, weight and other pertinent details) at least FOUR WEEKS prior to the art submission deadline of Thursday, August 1, 2019 5 pm.  To note, due to space limitations and other guidelines established by TAM, these pieces of artwork must be approved by BEST and TAM in partnership first before submission to the show.

12. After the show, artists are welcome to display their works at Our BEST Space in University Place, Washington, for a time duration that they choose. If the artist would like their work returned to them right after the show, they will need to specify this preference to BEST any time after December 27, 2019.  If artists wish to have their work returned, it will be available for pick-up after December 27, 2019 during BEST Space hours of operation or BEST will return works by mail to the artist if requested and the cost is reasonable and sustainable (large and/or heavy works, sculptures or other 3D art will not be eligible for return mail).

 

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Superhero Shopping, Superhero Cause

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Want to be a superhero? Then visit us at the Superhero Shoppe for all your superhero and gift needs!

Here are all the details:

Who: All Superheroes and their friends!

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 with superhero programs, services and resources. 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 12 pm 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.

 

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