Additional Resources

Ready to return to work?

Physical healing is one component of recovery. Recovery is also psychological, and spiritual. Returning to work can have a positive impact on all 3 components. A job can challenge us physically in ways that being in our home envirnment can’t. Beyond the physical, jobs can positively impact self-esteem, self-worth, self-acceptance….etc. The following are services that can assist in returning to work:

Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal-state program that helps people with physical and/or mental disabilities find and keep a job.

ACCESS LYNX
ACCESS LYNX is a shared ride door to door transportation service under the supervision of the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority. This is the most economical public transportation service for those that are unable to use the regular fixed bus route.

Vocational Readiness Manual
The Brain injury Association of Florida has developed this manual to help families design a home program to increase vocational readiness.

Job Accomodation Network (JAN)
JAN has created a practical guide to negotiating and requesting reasonable accomodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

United States Department of Labor
Provides a resource page with a “return to work toolkit”. The toolkit offers resources to assist in returning to work.

Support Groups

Stroke Support Group

Amputee Support Group
Limb-it-less

Central Florida Brain Injury Support Group

Alternative Treatments

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO): HBO is an oxygen therapy that provides oxygen to deprived tissues. In some cases patients have reported this has been an effective therapy following brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury.
HBO Center in Orlando
Central Florida Hyperbaric

Speech Therapy: UCF offeres speech therapy and cognitive therapy. Fee are discounted for patients who are uninsured or under-insured
UCF Speech Therapy Clinic

Respite Care

Taking care of an individual who has suffered a catastrophic injury can have an impact physically, emotionally, and spiritually on a caregiver. One minute you went from being a spouse, sibling, or best friend, to a nurse, therapist, doctor, and social worker. In the business of preparing for discharge home and then settling into this new life, it is easy for you to neglect your own physical, mental and emotional needs. It is important to remember that your health and well-being is just as important . Instead of feeling guilty for taking care of your own health, you must keep in mind that a person that is healthy is of greater value for offering the love and support your loved one needs as they continue to recover. Below is a list of resources that provide respite care.

Adult Day Care Centers
The Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA) provides a resource page with more information on adult day care services. They define adult day care services as services that provide therapeutic programs of social and health services as well as activities for adults in a non-institutional setting. Participants may utilize a variety of services offered during any part of the day, but less than a 24 hour period.

Adult Day Care.org offers a directory of adult day care centers along with reviews, and a list of activities offered at that facility. Adult day care centers are not required to provide nurses or certified nurses aides.