Rachel Petrie, Brain Injury Services unit coordinator, works with Suray Sharma to develop basic office skills. Photo by Jerry Fill.
After suffering from a stroke, concussion, or other brain injury, victims and their family and friends commonly look for professional care to develop independent living skills and to provide supportive and understanding care on the way to recovery.
Thankfully, specialized rehabilitation care for sufferers of brain injury due to stroke, concussion, or other brain injury is available to residents provided by a local non-profit organization, Brain Injury Services (BIS) Inc., located adjacent to the original Mount Vernon High School on Mohawk Lane. In addition, BIS provides volunteer opportunities for those who wish to help sufferers develop independent living skills.
“We provide compassionate rehabilitation day services for brain injury survivors in order to develop their social, vocational, and independent living skills,” said Kimberlee Baugh, BIS clubhouse manager. “We provide help in developing office skills; kitchen skills, social skills, gardening experiences, etc., and screening and referral to other services offered elsewhere in our system of care …. I believe our local program office is a really hidden gem on the Route 1 corridor. If more of our neighbors knew about the great work we do here, I believe they would want to take advantage of our program.”
BIS has been offering skilled and compassionate brain injury services since 1989. Most recently the BIS program has served over 500 clients in Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, and the surrounding local areas. Program offices are located in Woodbridge, Leesburg, Springfield, and Alexandria.
“Anyone interested in our program can stop by without an appointment; however, to make certain we have the right people available it would be good to call or email us in advance to make certain the right person is there to answer your questions,” Baugh said.
Here are the BIS services offered brain injury clients:
Help clients gain self-worth
Develop work and vocational skills
Develop use of assistive technology and adaptive equipment
Provide clients with therapeutic groups
Improve social skills
Admissions criteria for clients:
Must be 18 years or older
Documented brain injury
Local resident
Must be able to manage self-care and take medication independently
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of the other clients.
Volunteer services:
Maintain the Kitchen Unit and assist in preparing well-balanced meals
Assist clients in how to perform basic office skills, and perform a variety of information services.
Assist clients in planting flowers, herbs, and produce.