Next meeting: March 14, 2011

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The March meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 14th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

In celebration of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we will discuss ways to be our own patient advocates.

After my ruptured brain aneurysm, stroke and brain surgery almost 11 years ago, I found myself facing the silent epidemic of brain injury. Without reliable information from doctors and other brain injury professionals, I was told to "go home and watch television" as my rehab. I started Lifelines in order to help other survivors avoid falling through the cracks and to illustrate the idea that brain function can be restored.

11 years later, I've had another ruptured brain aneurysm and brain surgery. I again risk falling through the cracks. This, even after 11 years of experience advocating for myself and others.

The bad news is that the brain injury rehabilitation model has not improved in the last decade.

The good news is that you can make sure you get the services you need.

How?

Here are some scenarios we'll discuss at the March meeting:

1. The neurosurgeon tells you for a week that you'll be discharged to in patient rehab. One morning, his assistant tells you that you'll be going to in patient rehab later that day. That afternoon, the nurse comes in your room and says you're being discharged home - immediately.

What do you do?

2. The out patient rehab clinic doesn't call you for a week. After three phone calls, you finally get a call back. The scheduler says you can start on March 16th, one month after you've been discharged from the hospital.

What do you do?

3. The home health service doesn't call back for two and a half weeks after the initial evaluation. When you call them, you are told that your insurance company doesn't reimburse enough to make it profitable to provide services to you.

What do you do?

Join us for the March meeting where we'll explore these scenarios and more, talk about how to advocate for ourselves, and explore patient advocacy resources.

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom A is to the left off the elevators.

Please note that parking is only free for a few more months! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting. Future cost is $2.00 per meeting.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.