BEST Blog - Page 304 - Brain Energy Support Team

Today’s Hero is Katie Griffith

Posted on March 6, 2013 by BEST Admin

Today we celebrate Katie Griffith. Katie is a BEST hero because of her enthusiasm and energy. You’ll find Katie at support groups, helping others, jumping in to help us with Project PEER, event coordination, and raising money. Today you’ll find her speaking before a crowd of passionate advocates for disability rights at the Independent Living Day rally on the capital steps in Olympia WA. Katie was 18 when she was in car accident that changed her life forever. She says that by not having access to appropriate education, resources, and support or transportation she was set up for a life

Brain Injury Affects Everyone

Posted on March 5, 2013 by G Ronnie Kraegel

Brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It is the start of an often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, under-funded neurological disease. Individuals who sustain brain injuries must have timely access to expert trauma care, specialized rehabilitation, lifelong disease management and individualized services, and supports in order to live healthy, independent and satisfying lives. When someone suffers a brain injury, the entire family is affected. Studies show that caregivers of people who have suffered a brain injury may experience feelings of burden, distress, anxiety, anger and depression. If you are caring for a partner, spouse, child, relative or close friend with

Today’s Hero is Tawnya Padilla

Posted on March 5, 2013 by BEST Admin

Today we celebrate Tawnya Padilla. Tawnya is a hero to all of us at BEST because of her determination and leadership. As President of our Board of Directors she demonstrates how our mission makes a difference in the lives of those with brain injury and their families. Tawnya sustained a Traumatic Brain injury while working with high risk youth. Tawnya has been a licensed Cosmetologist for over 20 years. When she could no longer return to the work she loved she chose instead to use her passion for natural products and beauty to launch her own business in February 2012.

Today’s Hero is Logan Olson

Posted on March 3, 2013 by BEST Admin

This is our first “Today’s Hero” item. Throughout the month of March we’re going to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals with brain injury. Today we celebrate Logan Olson. Logan is a hero to all of us at BEST because her spirit and determination are truly inspirational. Logan was 16 when she suffered a heart-attack and fell into a coma leaving her with a traumatic brain injury. After seven months of rehab she was able to feed herself and stand. Her greatest desire was to be able to dress in other than sweats and wear make up again. According to her

A Letter From Your Brain

Posted on February 4, 2013 by G Ronnie Kraegel

This item moved me so much I just had to share it with you. Hello, I’m glad to see that you are awake! This is your brain talking. I had to find some way to communicate with you. I feel like I barely survived WWIII and am still not quite all in one piece. That’s why I need you. I need you to take care of me. As time passes and you and I feel better and better, people, even doctors, will tell you that we are fine, “it’s time to get on with life.” That sounds good to me

Board Approves Management Restructure

Posted on January 21, 2013 by BEST Admin

It’s official. The big announcement for today is that the Board approved a management restructure that supports our growth. Penny Condoll has stepped down from the Executive Director position to focus her attention on our peer mentoring program; Project PEER. She will continue to work with support group facilitators and the BISGN team. Gloria Kraegel, of GReat Kreations, has been retained as Interim Executive Director until such time that the Board has chosen a permanent executive. We’re so excited to have thoughtful, committed people engaged in our mission and goals. Congratulations to all! What a great team to kick off