Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (formerly Massachusetts Brain Injury Association

CONTACT:

484 Main St., Suite 325
Worcester, MA 01608
508-795-0244
www.biama.org

Arlene Korab, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Each year an estimated one in every 216 Massachusetts residents suffers a brain injury serious enough to result in death or hospital treatment. Surviving severe injuries involves a long journey of acute and rehabilitative treatment, difficult emotional challenges, and often family stress.

The Massachusetts Brain Injury Association has created the Family/ Friends Program to link a newly-injured survivor with a volunteer who has experienced similar brain injury. The purpose of the relationship is to support affected families with compassion and understanding, and to provide answers to the many questions that arise with theconfusion and trauma of a brain injury.

Every attempt is made to match families with local volunteers who have experienced similar circumstances--e.g., a family with an injured young child, or a husband or wife with an injured spouse. In 1998-99, MBIA served 100 Massachusetts families, all on a shoestring budget of just $9,396--which includes the costs of handouts, brochures, tote bags given to the families, and a part-time program coordinator!

(1998: HUMAN SERVICES: Health and Aging: General)