The guys interview Julie Hart, Speech/Language Pathologist and (at the time) Director of the Neurogenic Communication Program at The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. In this episode, Julie describes foundational elements of the program that prioritized individualized, project-oriented interventions and made it an award-winning program. The group discusses how cognitive/communication tasks are integrated into goals for meaningful engagement, community interactions and friendships. Julie Hart is now the Director of The Aphasia Center at Russell Sage College in Albany, NY. TAC Program and Contact Information

In Part 3 with Andy, he reflects on a 2023 Book Club author visit when we were lucky enough to have Albany, NY’s own William Kennedy talk about writing “Legs” - a book the group had just read.  Co-hosts discuss the positive downstream effects of Book Club and ongoing community interaction as a result.

In Part 2 of this 3 part conversation, Andy talks with co-hosts about Book Club roles and the value of creating support materials for the group by the group. They discuss the development of materials as mini-projects that give purpose in between weekly meetings. Andy discusses how Book Club has helped his ability to communicate in other aspects of his life. 

In Part 1 of 3, Andy discusses how his participation in Book Club has helped him with reading after his TBI. Together with the hosts and SLP, specific reading strategies are offered along with some on-brand humor of three friends in the chronic phase of their recovery.

In this second part, Wendy talks about employment issues with support services (and the irony of the laws), Medicaid, SSDI and SSI paperwork requirements, Waiver transportation woes and ways to resolve conflict with the co-hosts. Her thorough description highlights "the job of a good service coordinator." 

In this first of two episodes, Wendy Decker, describes her role as a long time Service Coordinator for the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program. She describes how NYS administers the Home and Community Based Support 1915 (c) Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver program. The co-hosts invite Wendy to discuss the challenges and positive aspects of the waiver including the guiding principle of "freedom of choice." She also highlights the process of enrolling in the waiver program in New  York state, as well as recent changes resulting from newly enforced conflict of interest laws.  

In this episode, Melissa and the hosts talk with Shelly about how she sustained her initial injury and (then subsequent injuries) and challenges and strategies associated with losing your ability to drive and having to rely on transportation services. Listen for some strategies and a potential business idea for entrepreneurs out there!

More on the highs and lows of having Home Health Aides. In this episode Shelly describes characteristics and behaviors of excellent aides and some red flags to watch out for. She discusses her use of a Self-advocacy training video to orient and train new Home Health Aides and also tells her two worst aide stories. Heads up- one is X-rated.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Kim Verner discusses different types of guardianships, including representative payees and how caregivers can help adults with Acquired Brain Injury maintain independence in a supportive environment. 

*Note: This interview was recorded in Albany, NY, USA in April 2024.

In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, the guys interview Elder Law and Disability Attorney, Kim Verner. She describes how to set up a Special Needs Trust and the important aspects of estate planning following Acquired Brain Injury.

*Note: This interview was recorded in Albany, NY in April 2024.