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You help a lot, even when you help a little. |
San Diego Brain Injury Foundation
P. O. Box 84601, San Diego, California 92138
Telephone: 619-294-6541 Fax: 619-294-2911 ... Website: www.sdbif.org
Then and now always looking ahead.
The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation has been providing information and support to brain-injury survivors and their families since 1983. Some of its services are:
 | Howard House - a 24-hour, long-term residential-care facility for brain-injured survivors; |
| A telephone helpline with information and referral to other agencies, programs, services and support groups; |
| A Brain Injury Guide For Families in English and Spanish; |
| Monthly meetings in central and north county with speakers of special interest to the brain-injury community; |
| A quarterly newsletter with circulation to more than 3000 survivors, professionals, family members and caregivers; |
| Information sharing and cooperation with agencies and professionals who serve the brain-injury community; |
| Prevention efforts and advocacy on behalf of brain-injured survivors and their families; |
| Speaker series with cutting-edge information shown on cable television in cooperation with the University of California; and |
| Speakers bureau providing community education and involvement in programs to prevent brain injury. |
We promote public awareness and social advocacy regarding brain injury. We believe that it is important for survivors of brain injury to be provided with opportunities to recover to their greatest potential and be welcomed back into the community.
Impact Of Brain Injury In San Diego County
Brain injury affects over two million each year in the United States. Such injuries occur every 15 seconds. Over 11,000 people - survivors and family members - are affected by brain injury each year in San Diego County. There are many causes of brain injury including vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, industrial accidents, strokes, aneurysms, tumors and illness.
Brain-injury survivors come from all groups within the population;
| 77% of traumatic brain-injured survivors are under 40 years of age and are mostly male. Traumatic brain injury occurs as a result of an accident: motor vehicle or bicycle accident, fall, sports-related injury, etc.; |
| 68% of acquired brain-injured survivors are 60+ years old and do not vary by gender. Acquired brain injury is more biological in origin such as stroke, aneurysm, tumors, degenerative neurological disorders, and others; |
| The symptoms of brain injury are physical, cognitive and emotional/psychological; |
| Physical symptoms may include seizures, loss of motor control and coordination, blurred vision, visual misperceptions, noise sensitivity, difficulty with speech, headaches, dizziness, bladder and bowel incontinence, nausea and vomiting, difficulty sleeping, and loss of smell and taste; |
| Cognitive symptoms may include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, confusion, slowed thinking, reduced organizational skills, difficulty completing tasks, impaired judgment, short attention span and lack of initiation; |
| Emotional/psychological symptoms may include aggression, mood swings, depression or withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, impulsive behavior, sexual inappropriateness, restlessness, and increased frustration. |
05/01/08
Board Of Directors:
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Leah Aretz - Brain injury survivor, former corporate attorney |
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Francesca Castagnola, Vice President, Torrey Pines Bank |
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Ruben Ceballos, Business Person, Access 2 Independence |
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Chuck Degeneffe President, Business Person, Professor, San Diego State University |
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Lisa Gunner Business Person, Wow Wee Marketing, Inc. |
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Maureen Hanifin, RN Rehab specialist, Alvarado Hospital |
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Michael Harris Family member of a brain injury survivor |
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Julie Stevens Hom Physical Therapist, Ability Rehabilitation Specialists, La Jolla |
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Donna Lewis - Business person and family member |
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Mary Lewis Administrator, Disabled Student Services, SDCC |
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Michael Lobatz Neurologist, Scripps Rehabilitation Center |
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Mark McDonough, Ph.D. Neuropsychologist, Private Practice, San Diego |
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Arnie Miller Retired Neurosciences Professor UCSD |
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Kris Nelson, Manager, Sharp HealthCare Rehabilitation Services |
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Oliver Rhodes, Business Person, Therapeutic Services Director, Learning Services |
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Patsy Sholders Medical Professional, instructor, Maric College, brain injury survivor |
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Jerome Stenehjem Physiatrist, Medical Director, Sharp Rehabilitation Services |
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Dan Stoll, Retired Engineer, brain injury survivor |
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Don Strom Retired HR Professional, Hewlett-Packard, brain injury survivor |
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Michael Turbitt Retired Engineer, brain injury survivor |
Key Staff:
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Susan Hansen, Chief Operating Officer |
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Stephanie Bidegain, Special Projects Coordinator |
Oliver Rhodes, Business Person,
Therapeutic Services Director, Learning Services and Ruben Ceballos, Business
Person, Access 2 Independence.
