My daughter, Katie, serves on the conference committee and designed this brilliant image for it. I couldn’t be more please with all the service she gives to the BIAU.
This was the theme for the 2015 Brain Injury Alliance Conference and Alison Delgado’s, is a great example of someone going from surviving to thriving. She was the keynote speaker and her story was inspiring and her advice was excellent:
“For medical personnel:
- Know your patient and their loved ones—it will keep you motivated as you work with them, even on the tough days
- Know their ultimate goals so that you can look beyond your own
- Get their loved ones involved—it will empower both them and the patient
For loved ones:
- Remain positive, even on the tough days and don’t be ashamed to lean on other loved ones-Escalator
- Remember to take care of yourself
- Ask questions, stay involved
Patients:
- Suddenly, everything has changed
- Set goals, work toward them each day, ask for help
- No therapy is beneath you
- It may take days, months, years—but if you keep working, you can always achieve more than what was expected
For Everyone:
- Hope
- Pray
- Love
- Believe in miracles”
2015 BIAU Conference
I loved how straight forward Alison spoke. If you haven’t joined a support group or attended a conference relating to whatever condition you or your loved one is dealing with, I highly recommend it. I’m always trying to learn how to be a better advocate and caregiver. The support groups and conferences provide good information which supports and helps families and individuals. This conference is designed for people with brain injuries, their families, doctors, nurses, therapists, educators, case managers, social workers and other service providers. The icing on the cake which comes from attending the conferences is to have the opportunity to meet people dealing with similar issues and to mingle with people who have helped us with recovery from the past. Some of whom we only see now at the conference. It reminds me of how grateful I am for those health care professionals who not only helped Mark survive, but thrive.
Uniting Caregivers 