Community Education at the Krempels Brain Injury Foundation

As part of our mission to improve the lives of individuals living with brain injury, the Krempels Brain Injury Foundation is committed to educating the public about brain injury. Interested SteppingStones members participate in a weekly Community Education Group which prepares members, caregivers, staff and interns to speak to a variety of audiences including elementary and secondary schools, university groups, medical and allied health professionals, community groups and other individuals living with brain injury. Our presentations are tailored to each unique audience and combine educational material and the personal stories of members who are living with brain injury. Through our efforts, we strive to:

• Improve the public’s knowledge about types of brain injury, mechanisms of injury and the impact of brain injury on human functioning.
• Increase understanding of and compassion for the challenges and successes experienced by people living with brain injuries and their families.
• Increase awareness of the Krempels Brain Injury Foundation, allowing more individuals to benefit from its services.
• Reduce the incidence of brain injuries through prevention education.

Our community education group and outreach events are popular with members. Those who participate in outreach events report a great sense of accomplishment and empowerment through sharing their stories with the public. They are eager for others to understand the “mysteries” of brain injury and for the public to see each individual behind an injury.

Member quotes

"I enjoy letting people know about head injury and that strokes can happen at any age." Victor D.

"I think it’s important for kids to know that this could happen to them and that change can occur on a dime" Brie B.

"Through sharing our stories, we can ensure that no matter how the injury occurred, no matter what the intensity, the words "brain injury" will no longer bring instant assumptions of "stupidity". Shelley G.

"Participating in community education has been part of the healing process for me. I have reaped the benefit of self-acceptance through standing before other people and talking about who I am. The opposite of self-acceptance is denial, from which you reap no benefit or recovery. I also feel that when we speak to [allied health] students they gain an important perspective from our personal experience which augments their book learning." Joe B.

Testimonials

From Professor of Occupational Therapy, UNH:

"The speakers will forever be a part of the memories of these students, and their words will not be forgotten."

From UNH Occupational Therapy students:

"I just want to thank you so much for reminding me why I decided to become an occupational therapist in the first place."

"I found the SteppingStones panel to be extremely informational as well as inspirational. Both the victim and the caregivers are faced with the challenges of combating and creating a new life with new issues...I also appreciated being able to listen to and understand the stories of three people with very diverse experiences, ages, and resulting disabilities, as well as the experiences of a caregiver, as their role is often overlooked."

From 6th grade Health Teacher:

"It is so important for my students to be able to hear information on brain injury prevention. Your program will certainly impact their future choices. All the students made pledges and took them seriously and came up with a variety of ways to protect their "noggins". To the members, a big thank you for sharing your stories…They came away with lots of feelings and emotions. The students really felt a personal connection with many of you…I hope you realize the large impact you had with these young people."

From 6th grade students:

"After you came [and talked to us] I decided never to judge a person from how they act or look."

"I would really like to thank you for your wonderful presentation. It made me think a lot about how it would be living with a brain injury. Also I thought it was really great to see how happy all of you are. It shows the world that no matter what your disability is, you can still be happy. I admired that a lot. Another thing it made me think about is I should ALWAYS WEAR MY HELMET!"

For more information or to schedule a community education event, please contact Barb Kresge, Program Coordinator via email or at 603-430-7668.