Fall 2014 - Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers

RainbowVisions
A Magazine for Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, Survivors and Families
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers Inc.
FALL 2014
www.rainbowrehab.com
Post-traumatic
Amnesia
What kind of recovery can be expected after a
person experiences a traumatic brain injury?
Experts look to the length of time an individual
remains in post-traumatic amnesia for clues.
Sensory Integration
in the Classroom
Adapting to a child’s difficulty in
processing input from their
environment
Encouraging
School Success
How Rainbow school liaisons
support students and their teachers
Volume XI No. 3
President's
Corner
KEY TO IMPROVEMENT
2014 Employee Survey Results
By: Bill Buccalo, President
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
Some of the employment categories where
we saw the most significant improvements
are outlined here.
Administrative
‚‚ Spirit of teamwork
‚‚ Overall employee morale
‚‚ Communication between
employees and management
Rehabilitation Assistants
‚‚ Spirit of teamwork
‚‚ Seeking out and implementing
employee ideas
‚‚ Rainbow’s focus on employee safety
‚‚ Communicating Rainbow’s
corporate direction
Residential Program Managers
‚‚ Recognition of employee
contributions
‚‚ Overall employee morale
‚‚ Communication between employees
and management
‚‚ Rainbow’s focus on continuing
education
‚‚ Communicating Rainbow’s corporate
direction
Rainbow U Staff
‚‚ Use of employees’ skills and
experience
‚‚ Rainbow’s ability to solve customer
service issues
‚‚ Rainbow’s tangible benefits
Therapists
‚‚ Recognition of employee
contributions
‚‚ Overall employee morale
‚‚ Rainbow’s tangible benefits
‚‚ Communicating Rainbow’s
corporate direction
2 | RainbowVisions
ainbow is a people business. People taking care of people; people
inspired by each other; people making or breaking the company
reputation, and the list goes on. I love working at Rainbow because of the
people I work with and work for. Many of my fellow employees feel the
same. I wrote this article on the heels of our quarterly Employee of the
Season luncheon (See page 25.) This long standing event is one of my
favorite Rainbow traditions. Employees, clients, families, and the community can nominate employees for special recognition. The stories shared
are truly inspiring. We understand that a key to this business revolves
around how people treat, value, communicate, and listen to each other.
In the spirit of listening, Rainbow recently completed the 2014 Employee
Opinion Survey to gain information on how employees feel the company is performing in a variety of areas. We were pleased to learn that
employees feel the company is moving in the right direction. Overall, the
563 employees who participated scored Rainbow higher in nearly every
category as compared to 2013. Rainbow’s overall score improved to an
“Above Average” rating.
Rainbow strives to be the market’s provider of choice. To achieve this status, stakeholders must be highly satisfied with our services. Listening to
employees, just like the need to listen to customers, is incredibly important. Meetings held with all employees this summer resulted in some
wonderful dialog regarding areas where the company can continue to
improve. While the overall improvement noted in the survey is directionally outstanding, Rainbow is committed to working with all employees on
further improvement in results. 
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
Features
2
President's Corner – Employee Survey Results
4
Medical News – Sensory Integration in the Classroom
6
Clinical News –Post-traumatic Amnesia
12
Survivor Perspective – David Abrams
16
Therapy Corner –Encouraging School Success
20
Conferences and Events
On the
Cover
Bill Buccalo, President, Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
The length of time that a person
experiences post-traumatic
amnesia may be a predictor of
the severity of their injury.
Katherine Dumsa, MS, OTR/L, CBIS
Carolyn A. Scott, Ph.D.
Barry Marshall, Editor
Barry Marshall, Editor
News at Rainbow
19
Rainbow U—Fish On!
22
Artists display work at brain injury conference
24
New Professionals at Rainbow
25
Employees of the Season
Page 6
4
12
19
800.968.6644
www.rainbowrehab.com
Our mission is to inspire the people we serve to realize their greatest potential SM
Editor—Barry Marshall
Associate Editor & Designer—Celine DeMeyer
Contributor—Nick Galluch
E-mail questions or comments to:
rainbowvisions@rainbowrehab.com
Copyright September 2014 – Rainbow Rehabilitation
Centers, Inc. All rights reserved. Published in the United
States of America. No part of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written
permission from Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers, Inc.
Contact the editor: rainbowvisions@rainbowrehab.com.
RainbowVisions | 3
Medical
news
Objects such as fidget toys and therapy balls offer
sensory feedback that may help calm hypersensitive
children thoughtout their school day.
4 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
Sensory integration
in the classroom
HOW DOES IT HELP THE CHILD WITH A BRAIN INJURY?
By: Katherine Dumsa, MS, OTR/L, CBIS
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
S
Sensory processing is the brain’s ability to interpret
information from the environment and determine
how to respond with emotion, attention and motor
responses. Sensory processing dysfunction may affect young
children, individuals diagnosed on the autistic spectrum and
someone who has sustained a traumatic brain injury.
While symptoms and presentation can vary highly between
individuals, symptoms seen in children with sensory processing
disorder include: clumsiness, unwanted behaviors, agitation,
difficulty in a structured environment and trouble relating to
peers or siblings.
The National Institute for Neurological Disorders completed
research showing a breakdown of synaptic activity following
injury to the brain. The breakdown often depletes communication and normal responses between neurons. Following
a traumatic brain injury, a child may have difficulty processing input from their environment. This is described as hyper
or hypo responsive to stimuli. Hyper-responsive individuals
may have anxiety, respond intensely or be resistant to change.
Hypo-responsive children can present as lethargic and slow to
respond with reduced motivation to participate.
How does this affect the child’s daily functioning?
A child that is hypersensitive to sensory information can also
be referred to as a “sensory seeker.” A child will seek sensory
input to help regulate and calm them throughout the school
day. This may present as:
• Insatiable desire for sensory input, highly active
• Poor safety awareness, poor perception of pain
• Fidgety, difficulty sitting in chair at school
• Easily bored
Symptoms stated above will affect the level of arousal
and ability to sustain attention in a learning environment.
Development of language, motor and cognitive skills along
with social interaction can all be delayed.
What modifications can we make to the classroom?
Occupational therapists provide sensory integration therapy
to create a “sensory diet” to regulate or provide stimulation to
improve and maintain optimal functioning. The sensory diet
can be carried over from school into the home to provide strategies for the child to utilize independently. Adaptations within
the school may include:
• A sensory space—An area to be active and physical or to
be calm with quiet time
• Activities to provide touch and texture—Play-Doh®,
beads, stress ball
• Alter lighting—natural or soft lighting that may be difficult
for visually impaired individuals
• Improve classroom seating—adjust chairs for optimum fit,
provide textures (therapy ball) or a vibrating cushion for
sensory feedback
• Physical activities/sports in between classes
• Fidget toys—large bands for student to stretch legs while
seated, theraputty for hands
• Programs to provide sensory stimulation such as
“Handwriting Without Tears”
Occupational therapists play an important role in the evaluation and treatment of children with sensory processing disorders. While the treatment plan is individualized, it takes a
full treatment team including the family, therapists and school
teachers to facilitate a successful
environment for the student at home
and in school. v
References
NINDS, (2002) Traumatic Brain Injury:
Hope Through Research, NIH Publication
No. 02-2478
Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.
gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm
RainbowVisions | 5
Clinical News
Post-traumatic
Amnesia
By: Carolyn A. Scott, Ph.D.
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
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When a friend or family
member experiences a
traumatic brain injury,
your natural reaction may
be to ask how severe the
injury was and what kind of
recovery can be expected.
Medical providers and
those involved in acute,
sub-acute, and long-term
rehabilitation are also
interested in understanding
the severity of the injury, as
this is important information
to have in order to address
the second question: how
will the injured individual
recover?
Continued on page 8
RainbowVisions | 7
Clinical News
Post-traumatic Amnesia
Continued from page 7
There are multiple methods to assess
the severity of a traumatic brain injury
(TBI). Providers look at loss of consciousness score on the Glasgow Coma Scale,
and how long it takes someone to follow
directions after their injury. Providers
also consider the length of time an individual who experienced a TBI remains in
post-traumatic amnesia (PTA).
PTA was described in the 1930s by
Russell (1932) and Symonds (1937) as
a loss in full consciousness and therefore an inability to make new memories
(Trzepacz, Kean, & Kennedy, 2011). This
definition was tweaked some so that
for the past several decades PTA was
defined as a period of disorientation
and difficulty consistently making new
memories following TBI. The resolution
of PTA was complete when an individual
was consistently oriented and able to
make new memories. However, many
researchers and clinicians recognized
that this definition of PTA did not fully
capture the spectrum of impairments
commonly found early in the recovery
from a TBI.
Post-traumatic confusion (PTC) is a
term that better captures the deficits individuals may experience as they recover
after their injury. Specifically, Stuss et
al. (1999) described a post-traumatic
confusional state as a “transient organic
mental syndrome with acute onset
characterized by a global impairment
of cognitive functions with a concurrent
disturbance of consciousness, increased
psychomotor activity, and a disrupted
sleep-wake cycle.” Individuals who have
regained consciousness after a TBI but
who remain in PTC may demonstrate
decreased daytime arousal, fluctuations
in cognitive and behavioral symptom
severity, psychomotor agitation, affective lability, perceptual disturbances,
and impaired cognition (in particular,
8 | RainbowVisions
Understanding how long someone is in post-traumatic
confusion is important in labeling the severity of the injury, and
it can be helpful for predicting outcomes from the injury as well.
difficulty with attention and memory)
(Nakase-Richardson, Sherer, Yablon,
Nick, & Trzepacz, 2004; Sherer, NakaseRichardson, Yablon, & Gontkovsky,
2005).
Regarding cognitive impairments,
deficits in attention and memory are
particularly pronounced during PTC.
These difficulties with sustaining attention and forming new memories add
to the individual’s overall confusion
and misinterpretation of their surroundings. Additional behaviors that may be
observed in someone in PTC include
difficulty sitting still and a desire to pace,
or someone who is often fidgeting with
their feeding tubes or wheelchair lap
belt. Agitation may also be noted when
someone curses, yells at family, and
refuses therapies. As noted above, some
fluctuation in abilities is not uncommon during PTC. An individual in PTC
may appear able to focus during therapy
one day and unable to focus and follow
instructions the next day. This does not
mean that the individual is motivated
one day and not the next, although
variations in motivation are normal and
to be expected during the long course of
recovery.
Clinicians can track PTC proactively
and serially until an individual “clears”
from the confusional state. This measurement can be carried out by neuropsychologists or therapists with standardized
tools. Understanding how long someone
is in PTC is important in labeling the
severity of the injury and it can be helpful predicting outcomes from the injury
as well. The duration of post-traumatic
confusion or post-traumatic amnesia has
been shown to predict return to work
(van der Naalt, van Zomeran, Sluiter, &
Minderhoud, 1999) and level of cooperation (Silva et al., 2012) in rehabilitation.
Severity of confusion has been shown
to predict productivity and employment one year after injury (NakaseRichardson, Yablon, & Sherer, 2007;
Sherer, Yablon, Nakase-Richardson, &
Nick, 2008). It is also important for us to
understand whether someone is in PTC,
because it influences how clinicians target treatments and expectations.
There are resources available for family members and friends who have loved
ones in PTC. The Rancho Los Amigos
Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale
(see sidebar at right) describes the cognitive and behavioral functioning of a TBI
survivor as it is likely experienced by
family and therapists. Levels IV, V, and VI
all describe the period of post-traumatic
confusion. The scale also provides
expectations for behavior and recommendations for interacting with an individual in PTC.
Clinicians at Rainbow can also serve
as a resource to understand your family
member who remains in PTC. Given the
cognitive deficits present in an individual
in PTC, much of the treatment is repetitive and environmental in nature. For
example, an environment with reduced
stimulation (low lights, no television/
limited background noise and distractions, and limited simultaneous visitors)
can be helpful. Individuals should be
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Rancho Los Amigos Levels of
Cognitive Functioning Scale
exposed to natural daylight to assist in
reducing daytime fatigue and resetting
circadian rhythms. When communicating with an individual who is in PTC,
statements should be clear, brief and
at a slower pace in order to maximize
comprehension.
When post-traumatic confusion
resolves, an individual may continue
to demonstrate deficits related to their
injury. Regardless of where they are in
their cognitive recovery, the clinicians
and rehabilitation assistants at Rainbow
are equipped to help manage the symptoms they demonstrate and help propel
them towards recovery.
What follows is an example of a client
who arrived for treatment in a post-traumatic confusional state.
Case Study:
Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones is a 45-year-old man who was
injured when the car he was driving was
struck by another vehicle that lost control
and crossed the highway median. EMS
was called by a witness to the accident
and when they arrived, Mr. Jones was
found to be unconscious in his car. Mr.
Jones was transported to the hospital
where he was found to have a fracture to
his left leg and several ribs, and he had
cuts and bruising on his arms and face.
Imaging of his brain demonstrated a TBI
with subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, and hemorrhagic contusions in both frontal lobes and the left
temporal lobe.
After being stabilized medically, Mr.
Jones transferred to an acute rehabilitation unit at the local hospital. He then
transferred to a residential rehabilitation facility for continued rehabilitation
services and a supported environment.
When Mr. Jones arrived, he remained
confused (Rancho level V) and therapists
Continued on page 10
Coma levels are commonly assessed by two different scales; the Glasgow Coma
Scale and the Rancho Los Amigos Scale. The Rancho Los Amigos Scale is most
helpful in assessing the patient in the first weeks or months following an injury,
because it does not require cooperation from the patient. These Rancho Levels are
based on observations of the patient’s response to external stimuli. They provide a
descriptive guideline of the various stages a brain injury patient will experience as
he/she progresses through recovery.
Rancho Los Amigos Scale 8 Levels: An understanding of the eight levels provides insight into the progression through recovery and rehabilitation.
I. No Response - Patient appears to be in a deep sleep and is unresponsive to
stimuli.
II. Generalized Response - Patient reacts inconsistently and non-purposefully to
stimuli in a nonspecific manner. Reflexes are limited and often the same, regardless of stimuli presented.
III. Localized Response - Patient responses are specific but inconsistent and are
directly related to the type of stimulus presented, such as turning head toward a
sound or focusing on a presented object. He may follow simple commands in an
inconsistent and delayed manner.
IV. Confused-Agitated - Patient is in a heightened state of activity and severely
confused, disoriented, and unaware of present events. His behavior is frequently
bizarre and inappropriate to his immediate environment. He is unable to perform
self-care. If not physically disabled, he may perform automatic motor activities
such as sitting, reaching and walking as part of his agitated state, but not necessarily as a purposeful act.
V. Confused-Inappropriate, Non-Agitated - Patient appears alert and responds
to simple commands. More complex commands, however, produce responses
that are non-purposeful and random. The patient may show some agitated behavior in response to external stimuli rather than internal confusion. The patient is
highly distractible and generally has difficulty in learning new information. He can
manage self-care activities with assistance. His memory is impaired and verbalization is often inappropriate.
VI. Confused-Appropriate – Patient shows goal-directed behavior, but relies on
cueing for direction. He can relearn old skills such as activities of daily living, but
memory problems interfere with new learning. He has a beginning awareness of
self and others.
VII. Automatic-Appropriate – Patient goes through daily routine automatically,
but is robot-like with appropriate behavior and minimal confusion. He has shallow
recall of activities and superficial awareness of, but lack of insight to, his condition.
He requires at least minimal supervision because judgment, problem solving, and
planning skills are impaired.
VIII. Purposeful-Appropriate – Patient is alert and oriented and is able to recall
and integrate past and recent events. He can learn new activities and continue in
home and living skills, though deficits in stress tolerance, judgment, abstract reasoning, social, emotional, and intellectual capacities may persist.
RainbowVisions | 9
Clinical News
Post-traumatic Amnesia
Continued from page 9
began to assess his cognition so that therapies and the environment around him could be targeted to maximize his recovery.
On a standardized measure of orientation, Mr. Jones was
noted to know his name and birthday but he could not
remember his age. He was able to identify the month but not
the date or year and when asked what time it was, he glanced
at a nearby clock to provide the right answer. Mr. Jones knew
he was in rehabilitation and working on his legs in therapy, but
he could not recall how he had been injured or provide further
details about the consequences of his accident. When given
prompts, Mr. Jones became more accurate, but he remained
confused. He could not remember the name of the team member who worked with him daily, but he was able to remember
the names of his children and wife. Furthermore, Mr. Jones
was noted to be unable to focus on a conversation or therapy
exercise for longer than a few minutes.
At times, Mr. Jones became irritable. He would pace around
the home, swear at therapists or direct care staff, and refuse
therapies. His family noted that this behavior was not typical
for Mr. Jones. They were embarrassed despite reminders from
his therapy team that this agitation was not uncommon for
someone who had an injury like his and who was at that point
of recovery. In addition, Mr. Jones had disturbed sleep.
The treatment team worked together to determine if there
were specific triggers for Mr. Jones’ agitation and discovered
that he felt he had been treated like a child in the hospital and
that he wanted more independence. To address his concern,
therapists and team members provided options whenever
possible to improve Mr. Jones’ sense of control over his environment. Environmental cues to help orient Mr. Jones were
added to his room, and he was encouraged to wear his watch.
This sense of control and assistance with reorientation resulted
in more appropriate language and fewer refusals of therapy.
To address sleep issues and pacing, Mr. Jones was encouraged to be up and active during the day, and the drapes in his
room were opened to increase his exposure to sunlight. Mr.
Jones was also directed toward pleasant activities when he
paced or became irritable. Therapists worked to improve Mr.
Jones’ span of attention in sessions and team members provided frequent breaks, repeated instructions, and checked for
comprehension in consideration of Mr. Jones’ level of confusion and difficulties with attention. Working with his physician, medications were reviewed to minimize any negative
side effects that they may have on cognition. Family members
and Mr. Jones were provided with education about brain injury
and recovery from injury.
Over time, Mr. Jones became more oriented to his surroundings and less irritable. Serial evaluations indicated that Mr.
Jones cleared post-traumatic confusion after 67 days. While
he continued to demonstrate areas of cognitive weakness, his
progress in therapy accelerated, and discharge plans were
developed so that Mr. Jones could return to his home safely
while continuing therapy as an outpatient. His successful transition was another indication of progress in his recovery from
brain injury. v
About the author
Carolyn A. Scott, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Scott earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Wayne State University. After an internship
at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, she completed specialized post-doctoral training in
Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.
While there, Dr. Scott worked with individuals who had experienced traumatic brain injuries,
stroke, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological and orthopedic conditions on both an
inpatient and outpatient basis. In addition to other responsibilities, Dr. Scott provides client
and team consultation services and brief and expanded neuropsychological evaluations at
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers, Inc.
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References:
Nakase-Richardson, R., Sherer, M., Yablon, S.A., Nick, T.G., & Trzepacz,
P.T. (2004). Acute confusion following traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury.
18(2):131-142.
Nakase-Richardson, R., Yablon, S.A., & Sherer, M. 2007). Prospective
comparison of acute confusion severity with duration of post-traumatic
amnesia in predicting employment outcomes after traumatic brain injury.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 78:872-876.
Russell, W.R. (1932). Cerebral involvement in head injury: a study based
on the examination of two hundred cases. Brain. 55:549-603.
Scherer, M., Nakase-Thompson, R., Yablon, S.A., & Gontkovsky, S.T.
(2005). Multidimensional assessment of acute confusion after traumatic
brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 86: 896904.
Scherer, M., Yablon, S.A., Nakase-Richardson, R., & Nick, T.G. (2008).
Effect of severity of post-traumatic confusion and its constituent symptoms
on outcome after traumatic brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation.89(1): 42-47.
Silva, M.A., Nakase-Thompson, R., Sherer, M., Barnett, S.D., Evans, C.C.,
Yablon, S.A. (2012). Posttraumatic confusion predicts patient cooperation
during traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. American Journal of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation. 91(7): 1-4.
Stuss, D.T., Binns, M.A., Carruth, F.G., Levine, B., Brandys, C.E., Moulton,
R.J., Snow, W.G., & Schwartz, M.L. (1999). The acute period of revoery
from traumatic brain injury: Posttraumatic amnesia or posttraumatic
confusional state? Journal of Neurosurgery. 90(4): 635-643.
Symonds, C.P. (1937). Mental disorder following head injury. Proceedings
of the Royal Society of Medicine. 30:1081-1094
Trzepacz, P. T., Kean, J., & Kennedy, R. E. (2011). Delirium and
posttraumatic confusion. In J.M. Silver, T.W. McAllister, & S.C. Yudofsky
Textbook of traumatic brain injury: Second edition (pp.145-171). Arlington,
VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc..
van der Naalt, J., van Zomeren, A.H., Sluiter, W.J., Minderhoud, J.M.
(1999).One year outcome in mild to moderate head injury: the predictive
value of acute injury characteristics related to complaints and return to
work. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 66:207-213.
Earn 10
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Become a Certified Brain Injury Specialist
The Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) offers a national
certification program for experienced professionals working in the field of brain
injury. ACBIS provides an opportunity to learn about brain injury, to demonstrate
learning with a written examination, and to earn a nationally recognized credential.
As a service to our brain injury community, Rainbow offers a free 9-week training
course to prepare for the CBIS exam.
Nurses, case managers and other professionals who partner with Rainbow
and have at least one year of experience working in the field of traumatic brain
injury rehabilitation are invited to attend.
Sessions will be held every Thursday from 8 – 9:30 a.m.
January 15 – March 19, 2015
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To participate in CBIS training, contact: Lynn Brouwers at Lynn.Brouwers@rainbowrehab.com
RainbowVisions | 11
Survivor
Perspective
Motivation. Persistence. Success.
By:
Barry Marshall
Editor, RainbowVisions Magazine
meet
David Abrams has been making a name for himself in the
jewelry-making business over the last four years because of
his high-quality work. He started working on this skill through
a trade program in jewelry repair and stone setting at Groves
High School in Birmingham, MI.
He continued his work following high school through an
additional specialized program in engraving and precious
stone setting in Virginia. He also worked as an apprentice for
a few years at MHG Jewelry Studio in Berkley, MI. His highquality work is a result of years of experience; his additional
training and developing skills are in great demand. Few people
possess the skills that David has.
Life was good and headed in the direction David wanted.
But on November 16, 2013 he was hit by a car while riding
his motorcycle. Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet at the
time of the accident. At the accident scene, he reportedly
had altered levels of consciousness. As a result, he sustained
a traumatic brain injury as well as fractures in his pelvis, the
occipital area of the skull, a nasal bone and his wrist. His
brain began to swell on the back side of his head, and it was
bleeding in a small area in the front.
David was transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he
was flailing all four extremities and became combative. He
required surgical repairs of his fractures, and spent a month
at Beaumont Hospital before discharging to Rainbow’s
NeuroRehab Campus (NRC) in Farmington Hills, MI.
He recalls questioning himself and wondering if he was
going to get past this. He wondered if this was the new reality
for him.
A full array of therapies
David entered the NRC right before Christmas last year in a
wheelchair and wearing a cervical collar. For the next month,
he participated in a full array of intense therapies. He demonstrated to the therapists at Rainbow that he was very motivated
to get back to his life and his work.
“My daily therapies were pretty intense,” he said. “At that
point, I had the capacity to understand why I was there, and I
was beginning to accept it.”
Speech & Language Pathologist Lisa Niziolek worked with
12 | RainbowVisions
David Abrams
David three times per week. His treatment goals revolved
around his memory, high-level problem solving tasks and
executive functioning skills.
“David actively participated in his rehabilitation, always
completed homework tasks and utilized strategies that were
provided to him in therapy sessions,” said Lisa.
David recalls working on leg strength with Physical Therapist
Tina Kowalski. He said he was 85% weight bearing on his
right leg and 15% on his left. Primarily in a wheelchair, he
used a platform walker for short distances.
Tina said that once his weight bearing precautions and cervical collar were no longer in place, he quickly progressed.
By the time he discharged, she and David were working on
high-level balance and yoga-type activities, dynamic workouts
including plyometrics, and high-intensity exercises targeting
the core and legs.
She recalls that David regularly stayed after their one-hour
sessions to complete another 30-45 minutes of exercise on his
own.
Tina noted that David was very motivated, made significant
progress in a short period of time and was extremely involved
in his discharge planning.
“It was a struggle, but I had to get through it,” David recalls.
“I might feel bad at the end of the day, but tomorrow was
always a brand new one. Every day, I felt better.”
“She kicked my butt,” said David of Occupational Therapist
Kori Morden. “She really put me to work, and I’m thankful for
that.”
Kori noted that because he was a highly skilled jeweler,
working on upper body strength, hand strength and dexterity
was important. David increased his upper body strength with
yoga, kickboxing and weight training. Though he felt unsteady
and admittedly awkward doing these exercises, Kori said he
mastered them.
David improved his hand strength and dexterity through various coordination games and strengthening exercises. In fact
he would often diligently do his hand strengthening exercises
on his own outside of therapy.
Kori also worked with David on his medication
Continued on page 14
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Clockwise from left: David runs his own
business, Jewelry Designs by David Abrams,
from his work space in Berkley, MI. In
appreciation of their hard work and support,
David designed a Rainbow logo pendant for
each of his NRC therapists. He has also created
a piece for Rainbow’s booth at the Brain Injury
Association of MI conference. In addition to
design, David also repairs jewelry, resizes rings
and sets new stones into existing jewelry.
RainbowVisions | 13
Survivor Perspective: David Abrams
Continued from page 12
management and meal preparation skills in anticipation of his
eventual return home. Kori noted that as David’s attention and
memory improved, he made dramatic gains in his ability to
complete these higher-level tasks. He made several impressive
food dishes and always had the sense of humor to laugh it off if
it didn’t turn out quite like he had planned.
David said that in recreational therapy, he and Recreational
Therapist Lauren Cetnar “worked to forget.”
“You feel pain almost every single day,” said David, “and
then there’s someone with a smile on their face and you smile
back and forget about what you’re going through.”
He went on to say he couldn’t figure out why they played
Uno nearly every day for two weeks. And then he realized he
didn’t feel pain while they played.
Vocational rehabilitation and returning to work was
extremely important to David. Vocational Therapist Maria King
said that he figured out in advance of starting back to work that
he needed a quieter environment, so he arranged to start work
in the afternoon and work into the evening when fewer people
were around. She said he was keenly aware of his fatigue and
was not afraid to turn down work if he did not think he could
manage the time frame required by the customer.
“David was one of the most motivated individuals I have ever
worked with,” said Maria. “He is one of those patients that a
therapist goes back to in memory and celebrates. He reminds
us that we can make a difference, and that is why I got into this
line of work.”
David recalls being terrified to take his neuropsych exam. “It
was a little frustrating,” he said. “It was a long day of working
your brain out—it’s really put to the test.”
Rainbow’s Neuropsychologist Dr. Carolyn Scott had been
consulted to assist with David’s treatment planning in January.
He completed several hours of testing that looked at his processing speed, memory, problem solving, language, attention,
visuospatial, and academic skills. The testing can be boring or
challenging at times but David worked diligently throughout
the process according to Dr. Scott. David indicated he would
like to take the test again to see how far he has progressed
since taking the first one.
David said he enjoyed his sessions with Mental Health
Therapist Anne Marie Caldwell. “You can just talk and be
yourself with her,” he said. “It was good to get out some of my
frustrations.”
Anne Marie helped David with identifying coping strategies to deal with stressors, negative feeling states and everyday
problems.
David may have entered the NRC in a wheelchair, but he
walked out a month later. He credits his success to the therapists at the NRC. They challenged him. They pushed him.
“I have more confidence in myself now,” said David. “I’ve
always been timid and never put myself out there. I still might
be timid but I’m building up my own self-confidence because I
had a team of people at Rainbow telling me I could do it.”
David discharged from the NRC and returned home. He
began outpatient therapy at Rainbow’s newest treatment center
in Farmington Hills, MI for three months. He continued his
therapy regimen three times per week. He also successfully
completed a final driving assessment and was cleared to drive.
He discharged from Rainbow completely on April 25 of this
year because, according to David, “I surpassed all my goals.”
“The team at the NRC is stupendous,” said David. “What
blows my mind is that the people there make you feel like their
life is second to yours. I’ve never experienced anything like
that. Such a helping hand. Great people to be around. They do
nice gestures and that’s what they do day in and day out, for
not just me, but all patients at the NRC. What they do there is
amazing.”
David is back to work full time. When asked how he feels
now, he responds with “Great! My walking is not as good as it
once was, but I’ll keep working on it.” v
It's about reaching your potential!
Young Adult Program
Vocational programming Designed to assist young adults in gaining meaningful
Therapeutic services employment and developing the skills necessary
to initiate and maintain long-term relationships.
Residential services
Flexible scheduling
800.968.6644 E-mail: admissions@rainbowrehab.com
14 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
no greater hope of recovery…
A full Continuum of Care including
active therapy, community outings
and supported living for individuals
with medical needs.
FEATURING
Two 20-bed facilities
Private rooms and baths
Physician visits on-site
Nursing services available
on-site 24/7
Interdisciplinary
treatment team
ha
or
ation
m
r
o
inf
for
m
o
b.c
to schedule a tour.
Email ad
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io
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Executive chef
800.968.6644
www.rainbowrehab.com
RainbowVisions | 15
Therapy
Corner
School Liaison and Pediatric Divisional Director Sue
Finney (above) communicates regularly with parents,
students and school personnel. She has worked in
the field of traumatic brain injury since 1992.
At right, School Liaison Sheryl Carpenter works with
a student at the Genesee Treatment Center during
the after school program. Sheryl’s background is in
occupational therapy and she also functions as the
clinical manager of the Genesee Treatment Center.
16 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
How Rainbow’s School Liaisons
support students with brain injuries
Encouraging School Success
By:
Barry Marshall
Editor, RainbowVisions Magazine
For over 20 years, Rainbow has been providing therapeutic
support to children in its pediatric program. Through therapy,
counseling and activities, Rainbow works to set children up for
success in their adult lives. One important aspect of this is supporting them while going
to school. As individuals with brain injuries, the kids need extra
support and understanding to be successful in school. Sue Finney, divisional director at Rainbow’s Oakland
Treatment Center, and Sheryl Carpenter at the Genesee
Treatment Center, both work as school liaisons and child advocates for our pediatric clients attending school. Working with Educators
One of the first orders of business when a pediatric client
enters a school is to educate the school staff on traumatic brain
injuries. This includes teachers, para professionals and the
school’s special education division. “It’s important to open the lines of communication with all
teachers,” said Sheryl. “I get their email addresses so I can get
updated information on attendance, test dates, missing assignments and any behavioral issues that may be going on.” Sheryl also tries to get an extra set of textbooks so if the child
forgets their books, they can still work on homework while at
the treatment center.
Sue and Sheryl work with the school’s occupational and
physical therapists as well as the speech pathologists to update
them on the goals for the child and provide them with any
medical information they need to know.
Because students may exhibit maladaptive behaviors,
school liasons will make sure that successful behavior plans
are shared with the school team. A therapist can go into the
school to assist and educate teachers how to safely handle the
behavior.
Establishing a Plan
Typically, an Individual Education Plan or IEP is developed that
outlines the educational goals and accommodations made for
the student. Few families have insight into this process. Sue
and Sheryl are there to support families during the process
and explain the rights of the child under the state of Michigan
Educational Laws. Sue points out that Rainbow pediatric residential clients and
those receiving tutoring support have educational goals listed
in their plans of care.
School liaisons attend all IEP meetings to ensure the appropriate accommodations are listed and enforced. They also
ensure that the correct plan is written, be it an IEP or accommodations based on the 504 plan (see sidebar on next page.)
It’s also important that the student receive appropriate technology, like an iPad or other communication device that can
help set them up for success. Sue and Sheryl assist with acquiring the technology to ensure the client is able to effectively use
it, and that if needed, others around them can support it from a
technological perspective.
Collaboration with Families
An integral part of the school liaison role involves spending
time with families. Their work assisting families with the IEP
process is an important part of what they do, but it is not all
they do. Sue and Sheryl also educate families on an ongoing
basis regarding brain injury education, providing information
about the school, assisting them with access to homework hotlines (so that families are alerted about tests or quiz dates), and
just being an all-around resource.
Communication is important in the whole process and
Rainbow’s school liaisons find themselves central to all interested parties, including insurance companies, physiatrists, and
external case managers. Children living with brain injuries have needs both in and
out of school, and Sue and Sheryl work diligently to help them
succeed! v
RainbowVisions | 17
What’s the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP or Individual Education Plan is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a
federal law that ensures specially designed instruction to meet the unique educational needs of children with
disabilities such as brain injury. Individuals who do not qualify for special education services through IDEA
may be eligible for accommodations under a 504 Plan. Here are a few basic differences.
IEP
504 Plan
An IEP is the indivdualized plan mandated by IDEA. IDEA
is a federal statute whose purpose is to ensure a free and
appropriate education for children with disabilities.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires
schools to eliminate barriers that would prevent a student
from participating in the programs and services offered.
An IEP is a legal document that includes goals and
objectives, and specifies the educational services
to be delivered free of charge to the family.
A 504 Plan outlines educational services and
accommodations to be provided to the student such as
extra time for tests or repeated/simplified instructions.
Services specified may go beyond those offered to
students in the general curriculum such as speech
therapy, counseling or individual instruction.
Services specified are limited to accomodations that give
students an opportunity to fully participate with their peers.
An IEP meeting is required before any change
in placement or services is made.
A meeting is not required for a change of placement.
An IEP is to be reviewed each year or earlier if it is
not fulfilling the educational needs of the child.
A 504 Plan requires yearly reevaluations or periodic review.
References
Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE). (2013). General Provisions.
Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Retrieved from http://michigan.
gov/documents/mde/MARSE_Supplemented_with_IDEA_Regs_379598_7.pdf
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 | ADAAA & Section 504. (2014, May). National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy/learn-ld-laws/adaaa-section-504/section-504-rehabilitation-act-1973
Section 504 and IDEA Comparison Chart. (2014, August). National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy/learn-ld-laws/adaaa-section-504/section-504-idea-comparison-chart
Independence:
Where do you want to go and when do you want to get there?
We have one of the largest service areas in Michigan
so chances are good that we’re going your way.
Experienced drivers are also specially trained in caring for individuals with
special needs. So while you are enjoying your independence you’ll also
have confidence that comes from knowing you are safe.
Rehab Transportation. We are…
GRAND
RAPIDS
LANSING
TRI-CITY
AREA
your license to GO!
METRO
DETROIT
A Specialty Transportation Company
800.306.6406
www.rehabtransportation.com
18 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
What's new at
Rainbow U is a unique outpatient and day treatment
program offering dozens of interesting elective courses
in addition to an individual's core therapies.
Therapeutic fishing? Absolutely! For staters, ask any fisherman and
they’ll tell you about the stress-relieving benefits of a trip to the lake.
At Rainbow U, we also know that casting, tying lures and even removing hooks are excellent activities that encourage the practice of fine
and gross motor skills, concentration and attention to safety.
Rehab Tech Jeff Brozoski who designed the “Fish On!” course last summer, says that more than a dozen Rainbow clients are enjoying this
bonus to traditional therapy with the opportunity to reinforce skills
they’ve learned in treatment. “I’ve seen many gains and improvements
along the way. I’ve had clients show up extra early just because they
are excited to go fishing and enjoy the fresh air. They also enjoy time
interacting with fellow clients.”
Participants in “Fish On!” also learn about Michigan lakes and rivers,
lures and baits, casting techniques, knots and reel stringing, species
identification, safety and etiquette. Regular fishing outings are especially anticipated, as is the opportunity to yell, “Fish On!”
Above, Ed Pttman and Rehab Tech Jeff Brozoski cast
their lines at Walled Lake in Oakland County, MI. Ed
was an avid fisherman before his injury and loves every
opportunity to participate in the sport.
Left, Autumn Lujan displays the impressive small
mouth bass she landed after a 10 minute struggle “The
excitement and look on her face was priceless,” said
Brozoski. “I walked her through how to handle the fish,
remove the hook and properly place the fish back in the
water. She talked about it all day!”
RainbowVisions | 19
2014
Conference & Event Schedule
Fall
September
September 14-17
Contemporary Forums Case Management Conference
Las Vegas, NV
www.contemporaryforums.com
September 16
Michigan ARN Dinner Presentation
Rainbow’s Ypsilanti Treatment Center, MI
www.miarn.org
September 16
CMSA Gr Rapids/Kalamazoo Dinner Conference
Bluffs Conference Center, Grand Rapids, MI
www.cmsa-westmi.com
September 17-20
Contemporary Forums Brain Injuries Conference
Grand Hyatt—San Francisco, CA
www.contemporaryforums.com
September 20-21
International Symposium on Life Care Planning
Marriott City Center—Minneapolis, MN
www.isicp.com
September 29-30
Michigan Assoc. for Justice Auto NoFault Seminar
Westin Hotel—Southfield, MI
www.michiganjustice.org
October
October 3
ACMA Great Lakes Chapter Conference
Suburban Collection Showplace—Novi, MI
www.acmaweb.org
October 14
CMSA Detroit Breakfast Conference
Farmington Hills Manor—Farmington Hills, MI
www.cmsadetroit.org
October 18
CPAN Gala Dinner
Eagle Eye Banquet Center - E. Lansing, MI
www.cpan.us
October 24-27
American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners
Atlanta, GA
www.aanicp.org
October 27-30
NASHIA Annual State of the States Meeting
Courtyard Downtown—Philadelphia, PA
www.nashia.org
October 28
MSU Case Management Conference
Kellogg Center—East Lansing, MI
rosalva.aguilar@hc.msu.edu
October 29-Nov. 1
ARN Education Conference
Disneyland Exhibit Hall—Anaheim, CA
www.rehabnurse.org
November
November 18
CMSA Gr Rapids/Kalamazoo Dinner Conference
Borgess Medical Center - Kalamazoo, MI
www.cmsa-westmi.com
November 19-20
National Worker’s Comp & Disability Conference
Mandalay Bay - Las Vegas, NV
www.wcconference.com
2015 Preview
January 11-14
Craig Hospital Brain Injury Summit
Vail Cascade Resort/Spa—Vail, CO
www.braininjurysummit.org
March 22
Carnival of Care
Suburban Collection Showplace—Novi, MI
www.carnivalofcare.com
April 31-May 2
NABIS 12th Annual Conference on Brain Injury
Westin Riverwalk Hotel—San Antonio, TX
www.nabis.org
20 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
www.rainbowrehab.com
MBIPC
Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council
FALLR 2014
SUMME
2014
RINC
Rehabilitation &
Insurance Nursing
Council meetings
MEMBERS ONLY
Registration at 11:30 a.m. / Lunch at Noon
Presentation begins at 12:45 p.m.
Learn Over Lunch
Meeting times are noon – 2:00 p.m.
(Registration at 11:30 a.m.)
Cost: MBIPC Member $25 / Non-member $60
For information call
810-229-5237 or info@mbipc.org
October 14, 2014
Topic: Health Disparity Within the LGBTQ Community
and Creating a Welcoming Environment
Speaker: Dr. Grace Hoyer; Asst. Prof., Grand Valley State University
Location: Prince Conference Center, Grand Rapids, MI
November 11, 2014
Topic: Veterans Administration Topic
September 19, 2014
Topic: Proposed Changes to No-Fault Law
Speaker: James Iafrate, JD, Robert E. Logeman, JD,
Adrienne D. Logeman, JD
Location: The Townsend Hotel
100 Townsend St., Birmingham, MI 48009
RSVP to: Kim Newman at 734-709-1602
October 17, 2014
Topic: Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Speaker: Dr. Harmony Sierens
Location: Detroit Golf Club
17911 Hamilton Rd., Detroit, MI 48203
RSVP to: Shannon Higdon at 877-214-1541
Shigdon@dmc.org
November 21, 2014
Speaker: TBD
Location: Holiday Inn, Livonia, MI
Topic: Evaluation and Management of Sexual Dysfunction after TBI
December 9, 2014
Topic: Promoting Universal Design to Meet Diverse Needs from
the Home Setting to the Community
Location: Fleming’s Prime Steak House
17400 Haggerty Rd., Livonia, 481522
Speaker: Carrie Pilarski, Ph.D., LP, CBIS; Vicki Helson, AIA, ACHA, B Arch;
Michael O’Connor, OTRL, CAPS, CBIST
Location: Prince Conference Center, Grand Rapids, MI
January 13, 2015
Topic: Emotional Intelligence in the Rehabilitation Setting
Speaker: Mary Newton, Ph.D., LMSW, CBIS, CCM
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
Location: Holiday Inn, Livonia, MI
Speaker: Lawrence Horn, MD
RSVP to: Rabecca Plenchette at 734-732-0212
RINC meetings are presented the third Friday of each month.
For more information on meetings and membership contact
Adrienne Shepperd: 248-953-4079
NOTICE: The conferences and events information listed on
these pages is dated information. For the most up-to-date
information on industry-related conferences and events,
please visit: www.rainbowrehab.com
RainbowVisions | 21
News at
Rainbow artists display work at brain injury conference
Rainbow clients come from all walks of life and several have artistic backgrounds. Some take a new path during
their recovery and have discovered a love and talent for art while receiving therapy at Rainbow.
Rainbow U offers many classes in various artistic media. Woodshop, pottery, photography, canvas painting and
fibre arts are just a few offered in 2014.
These talented artists create one-of-a-kind works to be included in a drawing at the Rainbow booth during the
Brain Injury Association of Michigan annual conference in September.
Jamie
Jamie Choate has been taking pictures all his life. “My dad did photography as
a hobby, and I got interested in it in junior high school when I participated in
yearbook,” he said. Jamie has recently taken photography classes in Rainbow U and
finds it to be therapeutic in nature. “To me, it’s about grabbing a scene and passing
it along—sharing it with someone. I like to capture the moment. “
Jamie’s favorite subjects are nature photography and portraits. He also paints in
acrylics and will sometimes paint the photos that he takes.
Ashley
Ashley Dixson’s previous experience with art comes from Rainbow U groups
and Rainbow’s vocational program where she created beaded jewelry. Her
favorite media are textiles and wood, and she loves to play with color and
texture. Ashley is inventive and frequently asks, “What if I combined…?” as she
begins planning her next project. When asked if making art helped with her
therapy, she replied, “Yes, art makes me believe that I can do more and express
myself better. My mood shows in my work. The bright colors indicate that I am
happy.”
Char Sobieski, a Rainbow U fibre arts instructor, indicates that Ashley has
become a more confident person, “She is thoughtful, focused, creative and
seeks challenges that help her grow.”
22 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
Sharon
Sharon Brown takes every Rainbow U art course that she can.
She has participated in pottery, jewelry and woodshop classes,
but her favorite is pottery. She is creating a vessel for Rainbow’s
booth at the Brain Injury Association of Michigan Conference and
really enjoys working with clay because she feels that it helps her
hands. In addition to her Rainbow U art classes, Sharon loves to
crochet, an activity she has enjoyed for many years. When asked
if she has any goals for her work, she says that she’d like to try
drawing. “Art makes me happy,” she said.
Nikki
Nikki Markham creates artwork in many media but particularly enjoys textile art and
beaded jewelry. Whether in a Rainbow U course or working on pieces at home, she
loves to embellish her work with color. She is a joyful class participant and is quick
to offer encouragement to her fellow artists. Nikki’s goal for her work is to become
more creative and do her best to make it even better. She loves to visit museums,
particularly the Chicago Institute of Art, and is intrigued by artwork that is created
by animals. “Art helps create who you want to be, you can express yourself through
art,” she said.
Tom
Tom Sparschu was born with the ability to draw. He is a serious artist who
puts a great deal of thought into his work and is very focused while he is
creating. Tom regularly visits art galleries and museums. In addition to his
Rainbow U art classes, he currently enjoys throwing pottery at a local art
studio. An accomplished artist in 2-D and 3-D media, Tom says he never stops
learning and is always seeking a new challenge for his own personal growth.
Tom’s goal is to eventually sell his artwork to the public.
While art is his first love, Tom also enjoys gardening, maintaining an aquarium
and volunteering at a local animal shelter and conservatory.
RainbowVisions | 23
News at
New Professionals
Coryanna Ku, MA, LPC, NCC
Mental Health Counselor
Coryanna works with Rainbow’s pediatric population at the Oakland Treatment Center in
Farmington, MI. She earned a bachelor’s degree and Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
from Eastern Michigan University. Coryanna has experience working with children at CALM
Child Abuse Listening Mediation in Santa Barbara County, CA as well as Penny Lane Centers
where she was a residential therapist for adolescent clients released from juvenile detention
centers.
Andrea Mason, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Andrea earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Central Michigan University and a
bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University. She is a recent graduate and
performed clinical rotations at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI and at Origami Brain Injury
Rehabilitation Center. Andrea works with clients at several Rainbow treatment centers in
Washtenaw and Oakland counties.
Kaitlin O’Hara, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Kaitlin is a recent graduate with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington
University in St. Louis. Her clinical experience includes work at TIRR Memorial
Hermann Healthcare System in Houston, TX, Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and the
Rehab Institute of Michigan. Kaitlin treats clients at Rainbow’s NeuroRehab Campus®
and the Farmington Hills Treatment Center, both in Oakland County.
Julie Ferry
Nursing Secretary
Julie joins the team at our NeuroRehab Campus® in Oakland County. She has extensive experience in the health care field as an office manager for Dwight Orthopedic
Rehabilitation and ATI Physical Therapy. Julie completed a certificate program in
medical billing from Ross Medical Education Center.
Workwith Us
Interested in a career with Rainbow?
We welcome applications from qualified
candidates for a variety of positions.
To learn more, just visit:
www.rainbowrehab.com/workwithus
24
24 ||RainbowVisions
RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
Rainbow Employees of the Season
Spring 2014
Rehabilitation Assistants
Ann Arbor Apts: Christian Smith,
Labor Pool: Diane Lee
Stoney Creek: Justin Wargo, Kayci Drake
Ashanda King
Maple: Riad Alhakim
Talladay: Mykyla Whitehurst
Arbor: Ryan Miller
NRC: Mercedes Mitchell, Salina Brown, Carol
Textile: Andrea Martin, Debora Farrrow,
Belleville: Pamela Joseph
D’Angelo, Amber Watson, Antonia Starks
Tanille Scott, Brianna Minor, Falisha Matthews
Bemis: Janifer Eddins
Page: Kristen Johnson
Westmoreland: Darlene Townsend
Briarhill: Glen Kurz
RIPROC: Anise Chappell
Woodsides: Danielle Scott, Mesha McCloud,
Elwell: Janae Taylor
Shady Lanes: Jacqueline Dunne, Bridgette
Michael Rangel
Garden City Apts: Emonda Burroughs
Fox, Chenoa Mays, Christine Cervantes
Ypsilanti Treatment Center:
Genesee Treatment Center: Brittany Hepburn
Southbrook: Kelly Goodman
Raymond Trabulsy, Christina Dulaney,
Spring Valley: Felicia Woods
Jessica Lupone
Professional/
Administrative
Therapy
Vickie Bey-Walker
Residential
Program Manager
Julie Mooring
Karen Violette
Ron Williams
Celine DeMeyer
Tomeka Beaty
Bonnie Tatterton
Sandra Yarbrough
Christine Boujoulian
Megan Fryer
Lisa Hildebrandt
Kevin Michels
Joe Wurmlinger
Jenny Auty
Susan Arney
Amy Hocken
Danyell Solomon
Nicole Jeanguenat
Jennifer Griewahn
Kate Sobbry
Victoria Buggs
Demetrius Kirk
Rehab Techs
Michelle Trojniak
Sabrina Miles-Bentley
Kelly Jarzynski
Rehab Transportation
Joy Sharp
Cheryl Helber
Vanessa Queen
Heather Garavaglia
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding team members! 
RainbowVisions || 25
RainbowVisions
25
One Thousand Words
Ah, Summer Fun! It’s hard to see it go, but we still have the memories of new experiences and the benefits of therapeutic goals met. Our
pediatric clients enjoyed at least one outing to area attractions each week this year. They went camping, visited the state capitol building,
rooted for the Detroit Tigers and recorded their own music in a real recording studio. On this warm July day, the Oakland County group
cooled off at Red Oaks Water Park in nearby Madison Heights, MI. In spite of a little trepidation, client Kevin made a big splash on the
water slide. Find out more about the vast offerings of Rainbow’s Pediatric Program by calling 800.968.6644.
Locations
Toll free: 800.968.6644
E-mail: info@rainbowrehab.com
Visit: www.rainbowrehab.com
GENESEE COUNTY
Genesee Treatment Center
5402 Gateway Centre Dr., Suite B, Flint, MI 48507
T: 810.603.0040 F: 810.603.0044
OAKLAND COUNTY
Farmington Hills Treatment Center
28511 Orchard Lake Rd., Suite A
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
T: 734.482.1200 F: 248.306.3197
Now Open!
Oakland Treatment Center
32715 Grand River Ave., Farmington, MI 48336
T: 248.427.1310 F: 248.427.1309
NeuroRehab Campus®
25911 Middlebelt Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48336
THROUGHOUT MICHIGAN
Home Care
T: 248.471.9580 F: 248.471.9540
T: 800.968.6644
WASHTENAW COUNTY
Ypsilanti Treatment Center
Functional Recovery / Home and
Community -Based Rehabilitation
5570 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
T: 734.482.1200 F: 734.482.5212
T: 810.603.0040 F: 810.603.0044
WAYNE COUNTY
Rainbow Corporate Headquarters
A wholly-owned subsidiary of
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
T: 800.306.6406
38777 Six Mile Rd., Suite 101, Livonia, MI 48152
T: 734.482.1200 F: 734.482.3202
Rehab Transportation®
Two vocational treatment centers and 37 residential facilities
26 | RainbowVisions
www.rainbowrehab.com
FALL 2014
no finer promise of achievement…
The Farmington Hills Treatment Center
A full Continuum of Care including active therapy,
Rainbow U day treatment, and vocational rehabilitation
FEATURING
OT/PT gym
Fitness facility
Individual treatment space
Computer lab
Therapeutic kitchen and laundry
Group treatment rooms
Spacious activity center
to
tion or
a
m
r
fo
or in
f
om
b.c
a
h
schedule a tour.
Email ad
miss
io
ns @
rai
nb
ow
re
Conveniently accessed by major freeways,
the Farmington Hills Treatment Center
serves residential and outpatient adults
with brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
800.968.6644
www.rainbowrehab.com
RainbowVisions | 27
38777 Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Livonia, Michigan 48152
Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit 991
Ypsilanti, MI
INSIDE:
Post-traumatic Amnesia—Learn about this period of
confusion that often follows a traumatic brain injury.
Tell us what you think about RainbowVisions! Do you have a story idea or comment? Email: RainbowVisions@rainbowrehab.com
Therapeutic
After School
& Saturday
Programs
Take steps
to boost academic
and social success
Rainbow’s After School and Saturday Programs
provide education and structure for children
pre-school age through adolescence who have
experienced a traumatic brain injury.
Discover the program developed by pediatric
rehabilitation specialists to be therapeutic, safe
and fun.
Now offered in
Oakland and Genesee Counties
800.968.6644