Brain Injury Association of West Virginia

Newsletter Fall 2003

INDEX

Presidents Corner - Michael Davis
My First Six Months - Peggy Brown
My Experience Working with the Brain Injury Association - K.C. Hill
Volunteer Corner - Peggy Brown
Traveling with a Disability
West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council
First Annual Walk Between the Bridges - Pam Clark
TRIPS Inc.
Monthly Sponsors of BIA-WV
Membership of BIA-WV

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PRESIDENTS CORNER

Welcome to the renewed edition of MOVING AHEAD and our ongoing efforts to revive the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia (BIAWV). We have not been dormant these past few years, only in a rebuilding stage.

"Thank You" for your continued support of our organization.. We endeavor to provide informational services to survivors, their families and the professionals who serve them by offering education, support groups, advocacy and prevention services in order to deter the numbers of victims of this awful tragedy and provide a life bridge to our community.

So many things have happened in the past few months that give us all a sense of hope and renewal. We have received financial support from several sources including the private sector, public grants, private donations and many individuals who have stepped up to the plate to volunteer. I want to thank all those who have helped us with these endeavors. I especially would like to thank the law firm of Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee and Deitzler, The Center for Community Independence and Neurological Case Management Associates for their ongoing support for BIAWV. Without their help, we would not be able to provide even minimal support to survivors and families.

Your memberships have provided us an incentive to continue our efforts on behalf of everyone who has sustained a brain injury. Please continue to urge membership and donations to the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia so that we can further our work. WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP!!!!

OCTOBER IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH! We enjoyed the most successful awareness month ever in the history of this organization. So many events were planned were beneficial to everyone. The networking and resource opportunities abounded. Our "Walk Between the Bridges"™, Candlelight Vigil, conference, "Cruise-In Against Brain Injury" and our ongoing "Skate Across America"™ were very successful and allowed us many building blocks to continue with these awareness opportunities and fund raisers for many years to come. I cannot thank our organizers and volunteers enough for their hard work, especially Pam Clark, K.C. Hill, Elton Hipple, the Josephi family, the Euler family, Nicole Ward, Debbie Frost, Sandra Harrah and the many others who continue to provide volunteer leadership to the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia. If I have left anyone out, it was unintentional.

It is my privilege to serve as President of the BIA-WV. It is a greater privilege for me to introduce you to our new Executive Director, Peggy Brown. Peggy will guide us forward and we expect great things from her in the following years. Next year she will continue to press forward with our efforts and duties to all West Virginians.

The spring newsletter will be sent in both email and printed formats. If you are online, we will send you a copy via the internet. If you desire both, please call our office and we will be glad to mail you a hard copy. Again, keep up the hard work and diligence to the BIAWV. Your efforts will be rewarded.

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My First Six Months

Peggy Brown

My first six months as the new Executive Director for the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia have literally flown by and I have learned so much. With our participation in the community we are making a name for ourselves and people are realizing the importance of brain injury prevention.

In May, I was a bit overwhelmed with the closeness of all of the members of BIA-WV during the "Walk Between the Bridges Against Brain Injury"™. Everyone seemed to pull together in order to make it the success that it was despite the rain. I am looking forward to working with them again next spring.

The first week in October, Kanawha County Schools aired a documentary on BIA-WV highlighting our events, why helmets should always be worn and Shaken Baby Syndrome. Several of the local schools and businesses contacted us regarding the I.M. Brainy Bear that was shown and are going to incorporate him into educating children on the importance of helmet safety.

I.M. Brainy Bear is a large stuffed bear puppet that wears a bicycle helmet. The Charleston Daily Mail printed a full page article showing local school children learning and playing with I.M. Brainy Bear in October. If you would like to have him participate at your child's school be sure to call us at the office.

We have a new secretary in the office that I would like to take a moment to introduce. Her name is Belinda Silas and she comes highly recommended with a long list of impressive credentials. She has been with us for a month and I can see how with her help we will have a banner year. She has really been on the ball getting things organized and has jumped in with both feet during our Candlelight Vigil and Brain Injury Resources in West Virginia Conference in October. She is only with us two days a week but has really made a big difference in my life already.

We are planning to create new support groups in the state and if you would be interested in hosting one please email me at PeggyBIAWV@AOL.COM or call me at 1-800-356-6443. A list of our current support groups and current events can be found on our website at www.biausa.org/WVirginia/. If you would like to volunteer, have a suggestion or need please feel free to contact me at the numbers above. I am looking forward to our upcoming year and the many things that we can accomplish together.

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My Experience Working With the Brain Injury Association

By K.C. Hill

On Saturday May 17, 2003 Chris Toler and I hosted the "Cruise-In Against Brain Injury" held at the State Capitol parking lot. Working with the whole organization was great. I've personally known the president of the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia for about three years. Working with Mike Davis during the planning for this event made me learn a great amount about Traumatic Brain Injury. And I met several people with Brain Injury's. I got a chance to interact with those people and with their families at the cruise in. They told me how their lives had been changed since there accident. I myself being only 24 years old realized how important being careful really is. My experience was wonderful working with Mike Davis and his organization. We are planning another "Cruise-In" on Oct. 18, 2003 at the State Capitol parking garage. This time we are going to have it indoors since the last time the weather did not turn out as good as we were hoping for.

Some of my friends helped out the day of the "Cruise-In" by doing jobs such as collecting money, handing out shirts and dash plaques and so on. The people who helped out are Chris Toler, Brandon Pinney, Sarah Waldron, Craig Kinder, and Chuck Carney. During the planning of the "Cruise-In" I went around and got sponsors to help out with the funding for the cruise in. Here are the names of all the companies who sponsored this event. The Law Firm of Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, DITRAPANO, BARRETT & DIPIERO, McCormick Jewelers , Marty's Tire, Elite sound & image, Action Legal Copy Service, Looks That Sell, SIGHT& SOUNDS, and SFA- Structured Financial Associates. We also had a DJ there named DJ GREG. DJ GREG did a wonderful job he didn't miss a beat the whole day.

I am looking forward to the next one in Oct. and I hope everyone who reads this or hears about the cruise in will come to the Capitol on the 18th and show their support for this organization.

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VOLUNTEER CORNER

The Brain Injury Association of West Virginia would like to extend our thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers we have had this year. Each newsletter we will give recognition to one volunteer who really made a difference on the behalf of the survivors of brain injury. Pam Clark is the subject of this editions Volunteer Corner spotlight. Without Pam the "Walk Between the Bridges Against Brain Injury" would not have been the success it was. With her dedication and hard work to our cause we were able to raise $5684.61. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her once again. Thanks Pam.

Legal Assistant Pamela Clark works primarily for Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler partner Harry Deitzler. Ms. Clark's additional duties with the law firm include ordering all supplies purchased for the firm, maintaining the computer backup system and monitoring service on the firm's fax machines, printers and copiers. She has been with the law firm since October 1998. Prior to working at the law firm, Ms. Clark was an executive assistant for the director of the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Clark is a graduate of Hurricane High School (Class of 77). Beginning in 1978 she worked with Citicorp in Charleston. After Citicorp moved its offices to Roanoke, VA in 1983, she worked for Putnam Chiropractic, Hamilton Insurance Agency, Appalachian Power Company, and Commercial Credit Corporation. The advantage and difference in working for the Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler law firm is that she looks forward to getting to know each client and obtains satisfaction when assisting them in their needs during what is usually a very difficult time in their lives.

Pam has been married to her husband Gary since 1985. They have one dog, Lexus (Rottweiler). Pam and Gary love to travel, camp, ride motorcycles and watch/attend NASCAR races.

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TRAVELING WITH A DISABILITY

The Toll Free Hotline for disabled air travelers has been in operation since August 2002 and is available for callers from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week. It is currently not being fully utilized. The Hotline serves two main purposes: (1) education and (2) assistance in resolving disability-related air travel problems.

Air travelers who want information about the rights of persons with disabilities in air travel or who experience disability-related air travel service problems may call the Hotline to obtain assistance at:
1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY).

Air travelers who want DOT to investigate a complaint about a disability-related issue still must submit their complaint in writing via e-mail at airconsumer@ost.dot.gov or postal mail to:
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

To request flyers promoting the Hotline to distribute to your membership, contact (202) 366-1617 (voice) or (202) 366-0511 (TTY).

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WV Developmental Disabilities Council

The WV Developmental Disabilities Council is a 32 member organization established by Executive Order of the Governor on March 6, 1972. The Council is authorized and funded by the Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 106-402). Over 60% of the Council's membership is comprised of citizens with developmental disabilities and family members of people with developmental disabilities. At least one of the current members identifies himself as having an acquired brain injury. These members are gubernatorial appointees and serve four-year terms. The remaining members represent State and private organizations concerned with the provision of services to people with developmental disabilities.

The mission of the Council is to assure that West Virginia's citizens with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports and other forms of assistance they need to exercise self-determination and achieve independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in their communities. The Council works to remove the physical and attitudinal barriers that prohibit equal access to community resources. It also works to promote positive relationships and valued roles for people with developmental and other disabilities.

While the Council is charged to focus on the needs, supports, etc. for people with developmental disabilities, it partners with others to advocate for improvements in the lives of people with all types of disabilities. Linking with groups such as the Fair Shake Network, Mental Health Planning Council, State Independent Living Council, Brain Injury Association of WV and the Self Determination Initiative is a critical means of advocating for our common vision.

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First Annual Walk Between the Bridges

By Pam Clark

It was a privilege to work on the first annual walk-a-thon with Mike Davis and so many other volunteers (and new friends) who gave so unselfishly of their time and efforts to see this event take place. First and foremost, thanks to Mike Davis for his dream of having a walk-a-thon to promote the Brain Injury Assoc. of West Virginia and for helping people who have suffered devastating brain injuries. WELL DONE DAVIS!!!!!!! I would also like to send a special thank you to D J Greg (your music rocks!), K.C. Hill (and his "cruise-in crew"), Teresa Shawver, Gary Clark, Cindy Quillen, Linda Quillen, Bob and Nadine Euler and their son Mike Euler, Elton Hipple, Peggy Brown, Linda Davis, Antoinette Bee, and Sandra Harrah for their continuing efforts in helping victims of traumatic brain injuries and for chairing the committees that were needed to get this event off the ground and running. Although the rain came, our spirits were not dampened. A very special thank you to our major sponsors who included Drug Emporium (thanks Sid), Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, PLLC (thanks boss), Neurological Case Management Associates, Center for Community Independence, Robson-Lapina, Tyler Mountain Water, US FoodService (WV Division), Napa Wine Company, National Travel, Startime Karaoke, Falcor Wine Cellars, Party King and many others who donated their time, money and efforts to this walk. Many thanks to all of the restaurants who gave gift certificates at the last minute (we were begging!!!). Congratulations to Mike Euler and Doug Harrah for collecting the most money on an individual basis! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

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TRIPS Inc.
Special Adventures

Trips Inc. Special Adventures provides travel outings to adults of various abilities in a safe, respectful and fun atmosphere. They welcome adults with developmental disabilities: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, seizure disorder, physical handicaps, and other special needs.

Jim Peterson, the founder and executive director of Trips, Inc. Special Adventures, has enjoyed two decades of working with those with special needs. He has a master's degree in special education and has been the director of residential programs for adults with developmental disabi9lities in California and Oregon.

The inspiration for Trips Inc. Special Adventures came in 1981 when, as a foster care provider, Jim began taking local people on vacations. His background in special education gave him extraordinary sensitivity to the support needs of travelers with developmental disabilities. The first official Trips Inc. Special Adventures outing was in 1991.

Their professional tour leaders all have extensive training and experience in special education, first aid, and travel. The chaperones are school teachers, counselors, residential care providers and other caring individuals. They help travelers with their medications (if required), budgeting their spending money, and personal care. They are especially attentive to the countless logistics and tiny details involved in traveling with those with developmental disabilities. Their average staffing ratio is one chaperone for ever three or four travelers with an average group size of 20.

Their package prices include airfare and all meals. They have their own travel agent on staff, who will work with you to arrange air transportation when you book your trip. Their trips are long enough to give travelers plenty of non-travel days for fun at their destination. They also offer international trips to exciting places like Mexico, Italy, Scotland, London, Paris and more.

Female chaperones are always available to help female travelers with personal needs. They can hire additional chaperones, personal attendants and nursing care to address particular needs. Travelers requiring one-on-one supervision may also bring their own support person. Trips Inc. can be reached at 1-800-686-1013 or by email at trips@tripsinc.com . Their website email address is www.tripsinc.com .

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MONTHLY SPONSORS OF BIA-WV

Gold- Over $1500 Monthly

Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, PLLC

Silver- Over $500 Monthly

Bronze- Over $100 Monthly

Center For Community Independence, Inc
Neurological Case Management Associates LLC

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BIA 2003 Memberships

Arthur, Linda
Ashworth, Dorothy
Barkey, Sandra
Boone, Dr. Martin
Brown, Kathy A
Brown, Peggy
Burchfiel, Sally
Byrne, Jr., Robert
Byrne, Paul
Byrnside, Penny
Capitol Neurology, LLC
Carpenter, John
Carson, D.D.S., John M.
Davis, Michael
Dearien, William C.
Dearth, Ginger
Euler, Robert & Nadine
Ferrell, Charles Edward
Fitzgerald, John
Franklin, Christy
Frost, Deborah S.
Gentry, Delma C.
Gingold, Monique
Greene, Lloyd & Bevelyn
Harrah, Douglas
Harrah, Sandra
Harvey, Amanda
Higginbotham, Ralph
Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, P.L.L.C.
Hillberry, Barbara J.
Holvey, C. Sue
Kincaid, Charles
King, Delores J.
Landis, Joseph
McCracken, Betty
McDonald, G.A.
McGhee, II, Phillip
Marlow, Andrew
Moore, David V.
Moore & Weber, P.L.L.C.
Moreland, Vickie
Mullett, C.June
Mullett, Samuel K.
Neurological Case Management
Noone, Roger & Julie
Odham, Ronald
Orosco, Cifrigedo
Phillips, Betty Sue
Pulliam, Kenneth & Lee
Risk, Lori C.
Rutledge, Dr. Larry
Schall, Larryetta
Skinner, Vicki
Steed, Charlotte
Tiberio, Pam
Via, Hilda B.
Ward, Nicole
Wardwell, Anne Brown
Wilkenson, Rebecca
Williams, Linda
Wilson, Frame, Benninger & Metheney, PLLC
Wright, Kenneth