Brain Injury Awareness Month
March was all about Brain Injury, and more importantly, how we are more than just our brain injury. Using person-first language is a key approach at BIFSTL and how we treat our clients. “People First Language” (PFL) puts the person before the disability, and describes what a person has, not who a person is. PFL uses phrases such as “person with a brain injury,” “individuals with disabilities,” and “children with disabilities,” as opposed to phrases that identify people based solely on their disability, such as “the disabled.”
Don’t just hear it from me, hear from a few of our clients on how we provided them support through the vocational rehabilitation process:
- “BIFSTL has helped me with everything; anything at home, safety related, and budgeting. It made me realize strategies that can help me achieve my goals. Now, I am an independent young man.” -K.N.
- “She (Sarah Davis) assisted me by explaining to me how my brain had to learn new paths to use the information I possessed, so I could make good assessments… I really appreciate her help.” -M.V.
- “This service was so much more than helping me successfully get back to work… Sarah mentally supported and guided me through work, personal life, and handling changes.” -J.O.
- “Sarah went above and beyond from the first day I met with her. She truly helped when I had no idea how I could attain my goals post stroke.” -R.E.
- “BIFSTL provided quality supports… through conversations with the client and/or employer, planning, maintaining contact with vocational rehabilitation counselor and ensuring the client was back to work.” –L.R.
These our just a few ways that our work has empowered our clients. Our clients have described themselves as determined, independent, helpful, thankful, a father, an AV technician, hopeful and intelligent, and above all, they are More than their Brain Injuries!