ABI Student Blog

Coastline students with acquired brain injuries are encouraged to write about their experiences.

Why Blog?

Imagine your skill set is some sort of elaborate Lego structure you use daily. Suddenly, something completely unforeseen happens and your structure crumbles. Some pieces have even gone missing. But you need the structure in order to function in your everyday life. So, you start to rebuild. You find you need to make adjustments since there are missing pieces, and aim for a structure that isn't like the first one since it can't be, but still durable. This is what your skills might look like after a brain injury. Now, picture sitting in a circle with a group of other people and trying to put some project together, but your Lego skill structure isn't complete. You are still rebuilding while working in this group, and sometimes you can clearly see the gaps in your new structure.

Coastline's Acquired Brain Injury Program allows us to do just this. In groups, we learn what it is like post-brain injury to work with others and then compensate for our deficits. Some of us will be returning to school or work, but even the people who don't will probably have to work with others in some capacity, like working on a family activity. This blog is one of those projects. We're working as a group to create something to give ourselves a voice and spread the word about a program that we really believe in, while also working on our own recoveries. It allows us to grow as individuals, know how to work with different kinds of people, and gain confidence in our abilities. Most of all, we love this program and what it has given us back, like our hope, confidence, and independence. We can't wait to be able to share our experiences, stories and knowledge with people who it might help and with anyone interested.

By Celeste Johnson

What Our Students Say

• Alex Briceno

  We all run into curves on the road of life. Some curves are sharper than others. Either way we will slow down, but not stop. I was an apprentice and going to two different schools. I was living in the fast lane, but then I got into a car accident.

  My name is Alex Briceno and I'm told I am not supposed to be alive. Two weeks on life support, a month of being in coma, two different hospitals, and a month in rehab hospital. Many said not possible, but faith got me through.

  I'm on a new curve, but getting guided in the right direction. Yes, I got slowed down, but not stopped. One of those construction workers like Michelle, are pointing where to go, and how to rebuild. Michelle tells me if I follow the strategies along the way I'll make in out OOOooooOOOk.

  Even when I rush through to get passed my deficits, I'm reminded by one of the construction workers, "instructors", to keep on trying the best I can do. So now I have a second chance and am going to the acquired brain injury program.

  These instructors are teaching us new tricks to function better in everyday life. Tricks called strategies that are helping us around that curve. We have a difficult time trying to learn new ways of doing things, but have the support to keep moving.

  If they could, the instructors would give us a free pass to get back in the fast lane, but it is not that easy. We are taught new ways to remember important information, how to use the computer, and deal with the curve balls of life. The one thing we have been getting shown would be, how to take affective notes. Even the aides in the classrooms are helping us every day. We are never spoon fed the information, but are reminded that there is a reason for their madness. Other students are also willing to help, like giving rides to school.

  As for myself, I see the staff as friends that care where I'm headed and want to see the best come from me. It's not easy for us, but it is nice to know you aren't the only one. When I first came out of the hospital, it was me against the world. Now I'm not alone.

  As for the curve I'm on, no it is not easy, and takes a lot of help to correct it. I'm also reminded everything takes time. I'm glad there are people like Kim, which has fun with us while getting our work done. She tries keeping us somewhat up to date as we share our current events with the class. Seeing how there are many people that are dealing with their deficits and not stopping.

  It takes a lot of effort like the people who are graduating, have. I am happy to see that it is possible to have such strength. This strength is not only from ourselves', but also support from our families and friends.

  So, I would like to say thank you for all your support in getting us through. From personal experience the support has been coming through even when there are hard times. Now, since I've been coming to this school by my family's efforts, counselor conversations, instructors, and help from the aides. Thank you, and congrats to the graduating class of 2011.

• Danny Fairley

  Journey

  "A bend in the road is not the end of the road...unless you fail to make the turn."

  One of the first major 'bends' in the road of my life abruptly came when was in my fifth semester in college when my vascular tumor hemorrhaged. On that day, for no known reason: I started to lose physical and emotional control over the next few days. At that point, my parents took me to the emergency room at a local hospital. After twelve surgeries and 2 years in various hospitals and rehabilitation centers. My new journey would take me to Coastline College ABI Program where I would hit a major 'bend' in my life.

  I was so excited when I found out that I was going to Coastline College. This would be, the most difficult bend... hairpin turn on the road to independence. Attending Coastline gave me a new purpose and goal for my life. Interacting with my classmates such as O.G., Marvin and David formed friendships that helped me get through the recovery process. We would help each out when we had trouble with a packet or homework assignment.

  A great example of this would be how David and I helped each other to understand Michelle as she lectured at a million miles a minute on web page design. By ourselves, we would get lost in the information overload and understand nothing. We constantly compared notes and worked diligently to slow Michelle down. My friends would not let me get out of not doing an assignment that was difficult or uncomfortable when I said that I had a brain injury. They would always let me know that Tracy, Sue, Brenda and Michelle gave me tools that I needed to use to overcome my deficits. My interaction with students from other teams gave me an appreciation for all that I have. My interactions gave me the knowledge and skills to smash my A.N.T.s (Automatic Negative Thinking) that are generally about my future happiness. My interaction with other teams also changed the way that I work with other people. I learned how to better understand the viewpoints of other people which enabled me to think about people other than myself.

  Then there was Tracy. Tracy helped to improve Team 1.2's cognitive abilities; which gave me the skills that would allow me to return to college and then the workforce. She showed me how to use compensation strategies to work around my deficits.

  One of the things about Coastline College that I am most impressed with is the Future and Career Planning workshops that everybody takes. The two workshops helped me to redefine what I reasonably could and couldn't do in my future. My goal for future is to return to college and to get a bachelors degree and then pursue a job. My transition team helped motivate me to take a class at Harbor Community College as a way to transition back to a college setting. I am taking a class called Personal Development and I am learning the skills similar to the ones I am learning at Coastline. One of the biggest things I have learned from attending Coastline College is that even thought people have different skills and abilities, they can still do a great job using compensation strategies taught be our teachers. Sometimes the teachers don't know that they are teaching us something. For example, in computer class we are building a personal website. Michelle lectures so quickly that many of the students, including me get lost and frustrated so that we are unable to think clearly. Her super fast lecture rate forced us to come up with compensation strategies on our own to get us used to working in the world. She let us know that outside of coastline people, including I am confident that Coastline College has given me the skills to take on any 'bend' in the road that comes my way. I am confident that I will be able to take the turn.

• Julie Farris

  It is difficult to talk about my brain injury but I will say it has changed my life and that of my family forever. I was a sophomore in college studying graphic design and living on campus. I loved studying art, doing creative projects, being independent and working at a part time job. I was 19 years old. I often hopped on my bicycle along with my roommate to get to the next class. One day as I traveled between classes, I was in an accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury. I don't remember much else after that. I spent the next 7 months in the hospital, 5 of those in a coma. The next year after returning home I spent in various outpatient rehabilitations for both my physical and mental recovery. I have had to relearn just about everything!

  Attending Coastline has been an important next step in my recovery journey. Before I started I was pretty lost. I especially struggled with time management. The ABI Program has helped me tremendously with daily life. In the program I have met wonderful people and I look forward to going to school each day. I feel welcome and surrounded by people who understand what it is like to live with a brain injury. It is true I am a little groggy in the morning and I don't really want to get out of bed but I tell myself that I must face the day with a smile and get on with it. The teachers are great and push me to improve each day. I am more interactive and am regaining lost skills.

  The ABI program has helped me to face my challenges and learn strategies to compensate for my injury. Coastline has helped me to take what life has thrown at me and work my way around it. I can see the hope in my future if I follow carefully thought out plans. Each day I use my blackberry to plan and keep focused on my schedule for the day. I constantly make notes to myself using its built in tools. Alarms are always going off to keep me on task. I am working on my follow through so I don't just ignore them! With this retraining I am gradually moving forward.

  I thought after my brain injury my life was over. Attending Coastline has definitely helped me make the "turn". Now I believe I can create a beautiful future and I am grateful to be alive. I work really hard each day and I struggle to remember most things. I look at recovery as my job and it's tough but then a lot of jobs are hard. I constantly remind myself that the rougher the going gets, the harder I have to try and most of all to never give up.

  Life is not always an easy road and after a brain injury it becomes even harder. Surviving a traumatic brain injury has taken me on an unplanned journey. My world was rocked but gradually I have found my way down a new road. Laughter, joy, and happiness have returned as my healing has progressed and I am so thankful for the role that Coastline's ABI program has played. My future plans include continuing to use what I learned in all the classes to propel me back into college one day. I believe the compensation strategies, note taking, word finding, computer and organizational skills I have been learning here will help me to make that a reality. I am becoming more independent. I look forward to driving again one day and I definitely want to pursue art in some capacity. I have many dreams and believe in life's possibilities. I would be remiss if I did not tell you, I believe in miracles and I am one.

• Tanya Randall

  "Can you Imagine a life that includes... A Brain Injury, or not being able to recall your life before today?"

  I'm a mother of 3 Boys 25, 23,16 I never imagined nor did anyone in my life imagine that my life could or would change forever.. That every memory from a photo would be lost, the feeling of when you look into a photo you cant recall the emotions behind it! Can you imagine not knowing who your friends are or Not being able to recall your son's last Hockey game...Well I don't have to imagine it, I am living it!!...

  Welcome to "My Journey" to my Bend in the Road... On January 9, 2010 I began this Journey I was involved in a head on collision, A young man was to busy Talking on his cell phone & Text messaging to notice his Vehicle was quickly approaching and intersection! The vehicle I was a passenger in began to turn left but only to be hit head on, I suffered a Stage 3 Concussion within a 24 hour period my life changed I began to struggle with speaking, walking I began to have trouble finding the words I needed to communicate My friends where no longer friends they became strangers I had a circle of friends that I could remember others well, I see them as strangers my long term memory has been impacted along with short term memory I have no real memory of this day I relay on family and friends to help with that, some say that in itself is a blessing that I cant recall the accident.

  During my Journey I came to a turn in this road of recovery the turn brought me to Coastline ABI program meeting what I call my "Forever Friends" this has became my "Safe Place" I share a special closeness with many I have came in contact with my Instructors, Classmates and Counselors the entire staff have touched my life forever the guidance and support I receive from each of them I will carry on with me through my Journey of recovery.. Being here I am able to feel confident again in expressing my thoughts, my fears and not feel as though its wrong to feel this way, You see not everyone can understand our struggles, Every morning my Journey begins Monday through Thursday I arrive here at Coastline between 7:00am - 7:30am , we have a room that is open for us, a few friends and I use this time to have what I call our Coffee Talk!

  We discuss our struggles, happy times, sad times we are there for each other to offer any guidance or support we can offer one another- You see not everyone can understand our injuries being here at the ABI program has been the Best part of this Journey , I truly believe now that "A Real Friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out", You see I believe I have made Real friends here friendships that will grow we may not all have the exact same Brain injuries but than, no 2 are the same we all have struggles some of us cant recall what we did the day before and that's ok we are there for each other we laugh, we have cried we can be "Us" yes sometimes we have trouble pronouncing those words or finding the correct word to use but , We have each other and we always leave the day with a smile.. All I am learning here will help me in my life, forever I am able to build my Social Skills, Communication skills I can over come my fears, I refuse to give up not today not ever This bend in the road is not the end of the road for me.

  My experience here has helped me function , manage my life again I look forward to receiving all the Tools ABI has to offer such as utilizing Smart technologies I am able to schedule my own appointments I feel I am gaining some independence in my life again my organizational skills are improving along with building my confidence I know I have a Journey still ahead of me and that's ok, I know I will get through this because of the Support I have here from my fellow Classmates along with the Staff , we are fighters here we keep walking forward never looking back Yes today may be a struggle but we are there for each other to pick each other up and walk side by side ..... During this turn in my Journey I have became passionate about "Who I am Now", my Life as I Know it Today, "My Life" Live your life to the fullest. Be passionate about what you believe in, If you do not have a goal- get one!! If you do not have a dream- find one! Never begin your day by saying - What if?? If you truly want something - go for it!! Be Real and True to yourself , Life is a Gift , cherish those closest to you.. Family is priority number one, Confidence is a gift,.. But Live Life to the Fullest. This Journey may have a few turns, don't be afraid , take those turns it may be that path to happiness.....

  You See I have done it all or Maybe not... or maybe just think I have.. But with all my experiences I did come to realize one thing for sure.. The road to inner peace and happiness is to be who you really are the New You!! Always!!! Eliminate those who do not appreciate who you are.... Love those who Love you...Love them with your whole heart and soul... Never let go... When you find peace that is True and real Cherish every minute every moment..

  Admire those who admire you... disregard those who don't care about you...forgive at the end of every day.... but do not forget to learn from every experience every day is a new day... and there is nothing like a day after another... Time will pass.... Things will come to and end but, spiritual love will stay.. Be that of friends or family... above all don't forget this is a Voyage a Journey.. And you have the "Right" to be happy So pursue your happiness..... Look for it... Look for your inner peace love yourself above everybody and everything and love others like you love yourself... respect your Body..seek the best for it.. Find pleasure in the little things in life Smile first thing in the morning... learn to accept that person in the mirror.. Because that person is You... You are "Alive" and this is your "Life" and life is Up!! You see I have found happiness at least I hope... I will love my New life with all I have ... I will adore me...I will support me with all my heart... You see I pursue happiness.... and that Happiness I feel in my heart will help guide me through anything big or small .. Family and my Forever Friends I will love you as I love Myself I will be here for you when you feel like everyone has walked away.. Because you have touched my heart when I needed you the most,... So Always Remember .. Look for your inner Peace... Love yourself above everybody love others like you love yourself Smile first thing in the morning adore You! Support You!! Everyone has touched my Heart in some way during my Journey here and I know there may be a bend in the road from time to time but I have the guidance and support of my Family & Friends here to help me make the Correct Turns I will stay Positive and walk with my head high because I have you,

  Tanya Randall

  May 9,2011

• Veronica Servin

  My name is Veronica Servin. I go by Roni. I was in Las Vegas on December 8, 2007 to watch a boxing match with my championship trainer. The fight was between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Saturday night I started having a major headache. I went to my room and relaxed. The next day I flew to my home. I took some medicine that my doctor had given me for stress headache. I took some of that and lay down. Monday I went to work, still taking the stress pills every 6 hours. My headache was worse. I did not sleep the whole night. Tuesday morning I saw my doctor. She gave me one pill and a shot but the pain just got worse. I could not stand my headache, it was pounding. I could not drive. She said, "let us get a CT SCAN". I had to drive to another place, where they said they would see me in two weeks. I talked to my insurance carrier and they told me to drive to another place where they would do it as soon as possible.

  It was a half hour after the study that my doctor called and told me to get to the hospital because I had an aneurysm. I got a hold of my sister to take me to hospital. I called my boss. I needed to leave everything in place. I was not scared but as soon I got to hospital, I asked for a priest because I felt I was going to die. All my family was there. The doctor told me you can get a stroke, become a vegetable or die. He told me I was going to have surgery the next day and I was not doing very well.

  They coiled my aneurysm. "Wake up" the nurse told me! I tried to say something and I passed out. My family did not hear anything for 9 hours. I had three strokes from the aneurysm surgery. My memory was so bad I forgot my cell number, driver's license, social security numbers and prayers. I could not make a sound. I cannot remember anything from December 12th to December 24th. But I do remember I was happy I did not die.

  I went to HealthSouth to recover from the stroke. My right side was paralyzed. I was in a wheel chair for two days. I had Aphasia. "What is that" I asked myself? Aphasia is a language impairment that reduces a person's ability to speak and reduces reading and writing abilities. In general, intelligence remains intact, but the ability to communicate is impaired. After that I went to California State University at Fullerton for speech. I went to Hoag Hospital for speech, physical, and occupational therapy. After six months the doctors told me that my Aneurysm could bleed. I had two choices, to live with this risk or get stents. I chose to have stents. I still have major headaches every day.

  I had an independent life. I lived by myself. I had my own office. I was employed by JP Morgan Chase. I was an Account Executive for Mortgage Banking. I did six ministries at my church. I boxed, dance and went to the gym. Not anymore!

  I started the Acquired Brain Injury program (ABI) in February 2010. I like school very much. During my orientation I asked myself, what could I learn to improve my speech. I wondered if I would ever be able to speak about what the school did for me and thought I probably wouldn't because I didn't speak a lot. A year later, Celeste called me to speak at orientation for the new students. I yelled with joy and thought "Yes, I did it". Kim said I did well and she wanted me to another!

  My best class is Computer Lab. Michelle is pretty awesome, the best teacher I've had since my brain injury. I did a web site on the places where I had been which included France, Greece and Turkey. I actually went to Europe after I had my brain injury. I had to present in class and with my speech, it was hard. Michelle and the other students help me. The other thing we are working on is Time Management. We are building a web site on it. I asked Michelle from 1-10 how was my basic cognitive functions (attention, language, comprehension). She said, "In the beginning I was a 4-5 and now she said I was 7-8". Yeah!

  In my cognitive class, Jim has helped me improve my speech and gives me challenging topics to talk and write about. Jim always talks about getting informed. I watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Cobert Report, 3 other shows, and news of the day. We are working on the word of the day from the dictionary.com. He has us draw a picture to describe it. Jim makes us do the pictures for another word that we personally have a problem with and have trouble finding during conversation. It's our personal word finding list. I was the captain of the walkathon and gave my team Disneyland lollipops. Jim gave us hats that said "Wait... I forgot". Melissa, my classmate, came up with that. My family came to support me as I can walk now.

  Kim class is planned, I like that very much. We do processing on Mondays. I talked about my dancing. I used to dance Hip-Hop and Salsa. One day my headache was 7 out of ten and I turned on the music and tried to dance. It was so sad that I could not dance like I danced before. I realized what is wrong with me, help me and worked to find ways around it; we call them strategies to adapt. Kim told me I should practice always because the part that wasn't moving could move all of the sudden. On Thursdays we do current events. I like that because I get any newspaper article and I get to talk about it.

  I am on the Advisory Council. I can't speak fluently and they chose me anyway. I asked Jim, why did they choose me. Is it because I have a car and can come of Fridays? He said, you are smart, dedicated, a hard worker, and Michelle nominated you. I went to Michelle and thanked her for doing that. After I came home from school I cried, cried and cried I was so happy. Advisory Board Members are doctors, neuropsychologists and other students; we talk about budget cuts, fundraising, program development and many other things. One of the students gave a suggestion that we should get help with the notebook . The next semester we had the notebooks which included the homework log and name and subject stickers for every page of notes.

  I am on the Appeals Council. I am quiet much of the time, because I feel inferior to the four other students that are there; they can talk and it is difficult for me. This can be embarrassing. Celeste is understanding of this. I enjoy socializing with my classmates and other students. Being a member of the Appeals Panel gives me the chance to help other students. I offer to help if I can.

  I am taking an English class this summer. I scored high on the placement test. When I got to my car I started to cry with joy. I am taking it at Orange Coast College. My future planning teacher, Erin told me that the smarter you are when you get a brain injury the faster you recover. What is my purpose for coming to school? Attitude - to recover for as long as it takes... it can take me 5 years or 15 years. I like helping people but I need help also. One step at a time! I wish to thank all the staff at ABI for giving me all the support I need.

• Brent Sirignano

  What I Like About The ABI Program

  After my car accident in February of 2010 I wasn't really sure what the rest of my life was going to look like. I had sustained global brain injuries and lost all of my cognitive skills such as organization and planning; along with a dramatic drop in my processing speed. I heard about Coastline through the many therapists I have had the last three years of my life and they felt it would benefit me tremendously. The program at Coastline is for people who have sustained brain injuries just as I had.

  The thing I like most about Coastline is the friendships that are built. The friends I've made here will be life long friends. It's really nice because we can all relate to what each one of us is going through. Although no two brain injuries are exactly the same, we all share many of the same deficits. This relieves us when we have a question or are having issues with something. We don't feel alone or looked at differently for asking a "stupid" question because there are definitely others who are having that same issue or have dealt with a similar issue.

  Another thing I like about Coastline is the understanding us students have with one another. When you think about it, in our everyday lives, we usually do not come across another individual who has a brain injury, so when we come to Coastline, it almost feels like we are coming home. Everyone gets us and we don't have to worry about others judging us because of our disabilities. I think coming to Coastline was the best decision I've made in my life; because not only did I learn more about myself and the deficits that resulted from this car accident, but I made friendships that will last a life time.

• My Doan

  Doing Things Differently So You Can Do Them The Same

  Why would anyone want to spend the money and effort to be stuck in a classroom for a year? Why not just spend a year doing Luminosity or Brain Age from the safety and comfort of home? Then you wouldn't even need to brush your teeth or hair and could still improve your cognitive functions. Coastline's Program is more than just brain games, and it is not as boring or scary as the descriptions "demanding," "structured," and "educational program" make it sound. Yes, the program challenges students, but it also offers individualized levels of support to promote each student's success and interests. In a nutshell, Coastline's ABI cognitive retraining program is about learning how to do things differently so you can do things the same.

  Cognitive retraining is a therapeutic method to help people with cognitive deficits overcome common problems like memory, concentrating, and reasoning by either restoring previous cognitive abilities or compensating for these deficits. Coastline's ABI program emphasizes the compensation approach to cognitive retraining more than restorative. The program's faculty has kept abreast of the latest research on cognitive retraining. So, they structured the program to reflect current data showing that compensation methods are more effective for successful cognitive retraining than restorative methods. Students are taught to use technology as cognitive prosthetics, for example using a time management phone app and setting multiple alarms to help them stay on task. Also, they are shown internal compensation strategies for tackling organization, memory and initiation problems. Coastline's cognitive retraining is not a cognitive rehabilitation program in the sense that the program's scope is to medically or therapeutically restore students' previous cognitive abilities. Rather it's an educational program aimed to help them learn new methods in order to return them to their previous lives as much as possible or embark on a completely new future.

• Howard Roll

  "You don't know how it feels to be me."

  Tom Petty - You Don't Know How It Feels

  This Tom Petty song describes the way I have felt since the mid-1990s, after I crashed my bicycle and lost consciousness one Friday evening. Being young and foolish, I didn't see a doctor and went back to my transportation planning job Monday.

  But things have changed. In the years since, I have lost several jobs, read dozens of psychology books, and seen many therapists. In 2011 I saw a neurologist who ordered the MRI that revealed I had a brain injury blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The neurologist said I needed surgery in order to install a shunt that would unplug the backup of fluid or else I would soon have a stroke. I had the surgery that spring. I was 49.

  In early 2012, I was still struggling, and went to a presentation about "Learning and Remembering" given by an instructor of/at Coastline's ABI program. At last, someone who knew "how it feels to be me." Finding out about the Coastline ABI program was one of the best things to happen to me in a long time, especially since the only cost is for community college registration. There are a few similar programs across the country, but they cost thousands of dollars.

  The caring ABI instructors at Coastline are all experts in their field. I'm only in the second quarter of a yearlong program, but already they have taught me ways to keep track of important details and improve interpersonal relationships with the people I care about and need in my life. We are learning about setting goals, including returning to work, while also using technology to help achieve those goals. The students give each other tremendous support and encouragement every day. It may be called "cognitive and psychosocial retraining," but to me, it's "how to get your life back on track."

• Robyn Coyle

  Attorneys - Did You Know?

  Attorneys of Orange County, did you know there is a premier cognitive retraining program right here in Orange County? Coastline Community College is the home of the Acquired Brain Injury Program for your clients suffering from an acquired traumatic brain injury following a car accident, slip and fall, or perhaps, caused by medical negligence.

  Why is this important to you? After your client sustains a mild traumatic brain injury, he or she can lose their employment because they can no longer focus or complete tasks necessary to complete their job. The defense will say that your client is malingering and being lazy.

  I am an attorney who suffered a traumatic brain injury following a car accident. When I returned to work, I could not focus and could not complete the tasks assigned to me. I was frustrated and angry because I did not know what was wrong with me. I did not understand why I could no longer write a simple brief, keep on task with my deadlines, or focus while talking on the telephone.

  Since entering the program, I have learned how to address these deficits and how to use the technology available in the world around me to help me. I have learned how to approach projects and break them down into smaller tasks to make them easier for me to complete.

  The cognitive rehabilitation program lasts from 1-2 years and classes are four hours a day, four days a week - Monday through Thursday. The cost of the program is the cost of taking classes at Coastline Community College. In comparison, private cognitive programs can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The ABI program can help your clients to mitigate their damages and return to the work.

• Tina Bui

  Lessons Learned

  Cognitive deficits caused by acquired brain injuries (ABI) are as diverse as the students who attend Coastline's ABI Program. Every student has his or her own story of how they acquired their brain injury, whether it was from a stroke, a car accident, brain tumor, concussion, or another cause. From attending the ABI Program, we learn that although our struggles are unique to each individual, there are commonalities we face. Each of us has to deal with varying degrees of memory problems, attention issues, slowed processing speed, and fatigue. Coastline's ABI Program covers a variety of topics to help students become more independent and better equipped to engage with the community, while also showing them strategies to compensate for their deficits. A few of these topics are:

  Anatomy and Function of the Brain

  This involves knowing what areas of the brain control which functions within the brain and helps student to better understand his or her injury. This allows them identify their problems so they can find ways to compensate.

  Communication

  When we learn how to communicate with others effectively, we can advocate for ourselves. It is important to be able to voice our concerns, and equally important to be able to listen to others, especially our loved ones and/or medical team.

  Technology

  We learn how to use publicly available smart phones/devices and apps as compensation for our memory and attention deficits. Technology can also help with time management.

  These are only a few things we learn at Coastline's ABI Program. Applying these lessons has given me the confidence to pursue a volunteer job. The most important thing I have taken away from the program so far is that I have friends who understand what I'm going through, my classmates.