Survivors
A brain injury can be an overwhelming experience for survivors and family members. Even though every brain injury is uniquely different, the information and resources available on these pages should provide the foundation for better understanding and coping with the condition.
Family Helpline: 800-444-6443
Support
After a brain injury, new and often confusing issues may arise. Can I return to school or work and if so, when? How will the brain injury affect my family relationships, including the physical, behavioral, emotional, and financial concerns? What kind of future can I expect?
Our Information & Referral Specialists are available to help guide individuals and their families through difficult situations. And they’ll provide, or guide you, to the information, resources, advocacy, and other types of support most helpful. This service of the BIAMI is free and referrals are welcome.
Support Groups & Chapters
The Brain Injury Association of Michigan may suggest you talk with one of our support groups throughout Michigan. Support groups enable individuals to share concerns and exchange ideas in a confidential and supportive atmosphere, where both positive and negative views can be expressed without being judged.
Remember, you are not alone, which is why support groups provide:
- Hope
- Information
- Friendship
- Sharing
- Problem-solving
- Personal growth
- Self-advocacy
The BIAMI organizes 20 chapters and support groups that meet monthly, with membership ranging from 50 to 125 each. Contact information on support group activities is available below. You may want to contact several groups to find the one that best meets your needs and is most convenient. In general, support groups allow people with brain injuries and their families to connect with others in similar situations, gain valuable emotional support and friendship, and hear speakers discuss a variety of brain injury-related topics.
Other Resources
Life after brain injury can be challenging for the individual as well as his or her family and friends. Our role is to help you find the answers you need to learn more, make informed decisions, and achieve the highest quality of life possible.
Our What is Brain Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury pages provides helpful information about brain injury, especially for Michigan residents. Content includes detailed information about the types of brain injury; the mechanism of brain injury; and symptoms in adults and children. Our Resources page contains general informational resources for survivors, caregivers, and their families.
Living with Brain Injury Booklet
A brief and basic guide to dealing with brain injury – for survivors, families, caregivers, and friends – is available at no cost by either downloading the PDF or requesting a mailed copy from the BIAMI.
Michigan has more service providers for brain injury than any other state – a direct result of its pioneering adoption of auto no-fault insurance. From medical and legal practitioners to rehabilitation, therapeutic, communication-based services, adaptive construction, transportation service, and others, the providers listed in our directory can have a hugely helpful impact on the lives of survivors and family members. Check out the directory today!
Need more?
Explore our Resources tab for additional information and helpful links.
The TBI Survivor Experience
Whether you have a TBI, know someone who does, or just want to learn more, first-person stories are especially helpful. A selection follows, but feel free to write your own and send it to us at info@biami.org
- TBI Survivor stories (CDC)
- Personal stories and blogs by people with TBI (BrainLine)
- First-Person Brain Injury Stories (BrainInjuryStories.org)
- Personal stories from (Headyway – the brain injury association, based in England and Wales)
- Stories and videos by brain injury survivors (Hope After Head Injury)
- First-person stories and additional resources (Trymunity)
- Q-and-A with a neuropsychologist who suffered a brain injury (VOA)
- Hall of Fame NY Giants Linebacker – and brain injury survivor — Harry Carson’s website; includes copies of his book for sale
Legal Resources
The BIAMI does not recommend or endorse attorneys or law firms, although we do provide links to BIAMI member firms and lawyers in our Provider Directory. That said, survivors have found the information and resources on the following law firms’ websites and blogs especially helpful.
- Oakland County Legal Aid Clinics
- Southeastern Michigan Administrative Services Group
- State Bar of Michigan: Legal & Law Related Programs by County (for those who can not afford lawyers)
- UM Law School: Community Resources
- UM Law School: Veterans Legal Clinic
- Wayne State University Law School Free Legal Clinic
- ABA Commission on Disability Rights
- Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disability Act
- Disability Rights Legal Center
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan
- Michigan Legal Help (for those who want to learn how to represent themselves)
- MSU Law School Free Clinic
- National Council on Disability
- National Disability Rights Network
Advocacy
Make your voice heard!
Brain injury survivors are a vocal contingent! And when the voices of survivors and family members join with the BIAMI, the result is a powerful and compelling force in state government and even at the federal level. How can you make your voice heard and stay on top of issues and legislation affecting the brain injury community? Join the BIAMI (free for survivors), sign up for our legislative updates, and learn how to lobby your state and federal senators and representatives.
Survivor News & Stories
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