Suggestions for Holiday Gifts for Catastrophically Injured Individuals

This may seem like an unlikely topic for a blog for catastrophically injured individuals. The injury could have been a:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Mild brain injury (MBI)
• Motor vehicle accident (MVA)
• Multiple trauma
• Neurological injury
• Spinal cord injury (SCI)
• Traumatic limb amputation
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Work-related accident

At NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida, a personalized, innovative, clinically relevant Client Goal Plan is created for every Client consisting of many modalities to foster their independence. When an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab he or she undergoes an independent evaluation administered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that may consist of:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurses
• Certified Rehab Counselor

From the results of the independent evaluation, the professionals of NeuLife Rehab formulate a Client Goal Plan. The Client Goal Plan guides the clinically relevant services delivered by NeuLife Rehab. The Client Goal Plan guides the cognitive, psychiatric, neurologic, psychological and neuropsychological therapy of the Client. The goal of NeuLife Rehab’s innovative post-acute rehabilitation is the attainment for our Clients of independence to the fullest extent that his or her physical and mental abilities permit.

Holidays, birthdays and other celebrations do not make distinctions based upon whether or not an individual has sustained a catastrophic injury, a trauma, or multiple trauma, however, the sorts of gifts that family and friends give to our Clients can have a therapeutic effect that fosters his or her rehabilitation. That rehabilitation can continue once our Client leaves NeuLifeRehab to live fully independently, or in a supported independent or supported living environment.

Let’s look at a few examples of gifts that could be of enormous help to individuals who have sustained catastrophic injuries and who are on their way to independence to the greatest degree that their physical and mental abilities permit:

Individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or mild brain injuries (MBIs)

• Small voice recorders that can be used as the equivalent of Post-It notes to remind the individual of tasks to be done during the day
• Electronic spell-checkers
• Easy to use, very basic computers with big keys
• Electronic planners or organizers, such as a simple version of the Palm Pilot
• A master family calendar to be centrally posted and used by all in the family
• Automatic shut-off appliances
• Prepaid bus passes
• A prepaid cell phone

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) may like:

• An introduction to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation that has tremendous resources for paralyzed individuals: http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4048063/k.67BA/The_Christopher_amp_Dana_Reeve_Foundation__Paralysis_amp_Spinal_Cord_Injury.htm
• A “camelback” that allows access to drinks while in a wheelchair
• A wheelchair fishing pole holder

Individuals who have had limbs amputated may appreciate:

• Warm socks. Many leg amputees experience coldness in the residual limb on Winter nights.
• A massaging pillow may lessen the sensation of a phantom limb
• A shoe horn may help putting on prosthetics
• A power-strip for recharging electronics, including a bionic prosthesis.

NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.

2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757