***********************************************
 |
| People
Helping People Executive Director Dean Paulius with Luciana Cramer,
Jodi House Executive Didector. |
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
Luciana Cramer
Jodi House Executive Director
1235 C Veronica Springs Road
Santa Barbara CA 93110
Phone: 805-563-2882
info@jodihouse.org
http://www.jodihouse.org
New
Support Center for Adults with Acquired Brain Injuries Opens in Solvang
Solvang,
CA -- April 29, 2005 - Since 1982, Jodi House in Santa Barbara has
been the only program in Santa Barbara County providing free support
services for individuals with brain injuries and their families. Jodi
House is now extending its programs to the Santa Ynez Valley.
In collaboration with People Helping People, Jodi House will operate
Jodi House II, a weekly support center offering brain injury information,
referrals and a weekly peer support group to individuals and their
family members.
To brain injured North County residents this new program is long overdue.
For years they have braved the long and dangerous drive through the
Pass to attend vital programs at Jodi House in Santa Barbara. A Santa
Ynez resident who acquired a brain injury from a car accident reports
that she is "afraid of the drive because it brings up painful
memories of the accident." A Lompoc resident says he can no longer
afford the expensive commute. Another patient, a woman who is battling
a brain cancer, says that she finds the long commute to be exhausting.
While the exact number of brain injured individuals in the County
is unknown, national statistics from the CDC indicate a staggering
incidence of new cases. Annually, 1.5 million people sustain a traumatic
brain injury (TBI) and 80.000 experience the onset of long-term disabilities
following TBI. Traumatic Brain Injuries affect more people than Breast
Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis combined.
Locally, Jodi House services are offered to sufferers of brain injury
not only due to trauma, but also as result of other conditions such
as stroke and brain cancer.
The place designated for Jodi House II in Solvang is the 101 Suite
at the People Helping People building on 545 North Alisal. Staffed
with friendly, welcoming personnel, the building offers convenient
parking and is accessible to wheelchairs. The center is facilitated
by Occupational Therapist and Jodi House member, Mrs. Cheryl Hermann.
Starting on May 2nd, Jodi House II will be opened every Tuesday, from
12 to 4 pm. Snacks, coffee and tea will be available to attendants.
As in all of Jodi House programs, there is no charge for participation.
For information:
http://www.jodihouse.org or
Contact: info@jodihouse.org
Phone: 805-563-2882
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September
28, 2001 - Brain Injury Survivor will Carry Olympic Torch
For the
last four months, community judging panels across America have been
reading tens of thousands of stories, submitted by people from all
walks of life who want to honor someone who has been a source of personal
inspiration in their lives. The panels' task has been to choose a
few special people who are the light of inspiration in our nation
to serve as torchbearers for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay.
Carmen
Finn, of Santa Barbara, is among the ones selected as a torchbearer
to be honored in the Olympic Torch Relay and help carry the Olympic
Flame as it travels across America.
The Salt
Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay will celebrate the inspirational fire
found within every US community. Beginning 4 December in Atlanta,
Georgia, and ending 8 February 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Olympic
Flame will journey throughout the country for 65 exciting days covering
more than 13,500 miles.
Carmen
Finn has been selected by the California Coast Judging Board to represent
Santa Barbara, when she carries the Olympic Flame through one of the
following cities: Buellton, CA, Oxnard, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, Santa
Barbara Co., CA, Santa Ynez, CA, Solvang, CA or Ventura, CA - on one
of the following dates 16-Jan-02.
Mrs.
Finn was nominated by Jodi House, a Santa Barbara organization providing
services for people with acquired brain injury. A brain injury survivor
herself, Carmen embodies the resilience and determination that the
Olympic Games are a symbol of. A burst aneurysm in 1998 - resulting
in blurred speech, inability to eat and wheelchair confinement - did
not stop her from becoming a pillar of strength and hope for other
people affected with a brain injury.
Her active
participation on the operations of Jodi House is an endless source
of inspiration to those who come to us looking for support and learn
how to cope with the enormous difficulties that their new situation
presents.
Here
is how Carmen Finn explains her incredible zest for life:
Santa
Barbara, California is my home. I was born on July 1947 to Margaret
and Jose Ponce Medina. I attended Dolores Grammar School and also
graduated from Bishop Garcia Diego High School in 1965.
Having
grown up in Santa Barbara I learned to appreciate my environment and
how important a good life is.
I attended Santa Barbara City College.
Michael
Finn is my husband of 34 years. He also grew up in Santa Barbara.
We bought a home in Santa Barbara and decided to raise our family
here. We have two wonderful daughters, Shannon who lives in San Diego
and Jennifer who lives in Ventura.
In March
1998 tragedy struck us. I attended a fashion show at Nordstrom on
a Saturday and suddenly developed a headache. I told my friend to
call 911. The paramedics picked me up in fine gems. I thought, "If
I go down, let it be among friends like the diamonds, rubies and Para
dots." I was taken to the hospital and found I had suffered a
ruptured aneurysm in the brain stem. This happened in March of 1998.
I spent six months at the hospital due to complications. My family
kept constant supervision over me. On returning home, a large homecoming
was set and then on to rehabilitation where I spent another 4 weeks.
I found that after all was said and done I had some disabilities I
had to conquer. My second surgery was 26 ½ hours long. My balance
was gone and I was unable to eat or drink, all my motor skills were
lost. I had to relearn everything. The doctors said l would be a vegetable.
My speech, vision and hearing were also impaired.
Today,
3 ½ years later, I look back on many days of rehabilitation.
I am now able to walk on a walker.
I swim in the adapted aquatics program three times a week. I have
been attending Jodi House for over two years, where I take a computer
class, yoga class and voice coaching.
The one
thing that has helped me the most is my Peer Support Group. In the
group I have found other people who have Acquired Brain Injuries like
I do. There I can laugh and cry, I know my peers understand.
My future
will be a good one. My goals are to continue working on my motor skills
at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club. I would love to go back to school
and get a degree as a teacher (I was a teacher aide in Special Education
for 19 ½ years at Santa Barbara High School.) Thank you to
all my friends at Jodi House. I love you all.
Carmen
Finn
