The Jodi House Journal

January 2024

Photograph by Erinn Springer, The New York Times

Message from the Executive Director

The new year is often a time of focus. We focus on our goals and the practices and behaviors that support us in achieving them.

At Jodi House, we often talk about goals in the context of recovery. The notion of recovery implies a return to a former state of being, but what if one is unable to access their memories of themselves before they experienced a brain injury?

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, author Kelly Barnhill shares about the process of rebuilding herself after experiencing a traumatic brain injury:

"Healing from any injury is a process of rebuilding cells and tissues and structures — taking that which is broken and making it new again. Healing a brain injury is the process of rebuilding not only tissues and cells and the connections between those cells, but also memory, thoughts, imagination, the fundamentals of language and our very concept of ourselves."

At Jodi House we are supporting our members in rebuilding, but also in redefining their concept of themselves. This is made possible by providing a stimulating environment that fosters new connections, thoughts, and feelings. And while the future is uncertain, as Barnhill writes, "There is grace, I think, in healing. And there is grace in uncertainty. I am healing uncertainly. I am uncertainly healing."

Thank you for your support of Jodi House.

Lindsey Black

Executive Director

Therapeutic Yoga returns to Jodi House

Therapeutic Yoga at Jodi House

In-person yoga classes resumed at Jodi House this month. The practice of yoga can have many benefits, including improved balance, coordination, and overall physical and emotional well-being.

The class is led by longtime Jodi House yoga instructor, Petra Deker, and is designed to be a gentle, restorative yoga class that features elements of meditation and breathwork.

Therapeutic Yoga is offered Thursdays at 1 PM and is open to all members. Petra will continue to lead Jodi House's weekly online Restorative Yoga class.

Brain Workout at Jodi House

Weekly in-person Brain Workouts at Jodi House began this month. Brain Workouts are creative and stimulating classes that target major cognitive functions often affected by brain injury, including memory, attention, and problem-solving. Recent Brain Workouts have included stimulating exercises like anagram solving and group crossword puzzles.

Members can attend this weekly class at Jodi House on Wednesdays. Online Brain Workouts are offered on Mondays.

Case management spotlight

This past December, longtime Jodi House member Leo Rojas passed his Certified Personal Training Exam through the National Academy of Sports Medicine!

In April of last year, Leo took the initial step of setting up an appointment with a Jodi House case manager to discuss his goal of becoming a personal trainer.

Leo began his personal training course in June and met with his Jodi House case manager regularly to organize a study schedule that would be feasible for him. He woke up at 5 AM every day to study diligently for his exam, learning everything from nutrition principles and human cranial nerve anatomy to standards of professionalism in the gym.

After taking 23 practice exams and studying for over 200 hours, Leo is now a certified personal trainer. He is ready to step into his first gym internship and begin supporting others in their wellness goals. Congratulations, Leo!

Leo Rojas, Jodi House Member and Certified Personal Trainer

How interns support Jodi House

Jenny Ov

Research & Case Management Intern

Veronica Scriven

Case Management Intern & Program Volunteer

Jodi House relies on the help of our amazing volunteers and interns to support many aspects of our program and operations, including our data collection and program evaluation efforts.

To evaluate the effectiveness and quality of our program, Jodi House members complete quality of life surveys every 6 months. Research interns meet individually with members to administer these surveys, guiding them through questions about independence, social relationships, and brain injury symptoms. They also score the surveys, enter data, and compare datasets to track member progress throughout their time in our programs. As Jodi House is one of only six brain injury program sites funded by the State Department of Rehabilitation, this data also contributes to the statewide collective effort to better understand the needs of survivors.

Case management interns support our members in achieving their individualized goals. Case management interns research resources related to housing, legal aid, benefits, and more in the Tri-Counties and beyond. Their efforts not only yield resources that might otherwise go undiscovered, but they also enable case managers to work with more members than would be possible without their support.

Interns are most typically psychology or pre-medical students from UCSB or Westmont College. Many past interns have gone on to become occupational therapists, mental health counselors, medical doctors, and speech language pathologists. We are so grateful to our interns for all they do to support the work of Jodi House!

SBCC Disability Services Presentation

Deciding to pursue further education after a brain injury can be daunting. Christina Hobson, a counselor from the Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS) Department at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), spoke to members this month about what DSPS is, how services are accessed, and what accommodations might be available to them.

From extended time on tests and note-taking to transportation and advocacy, there are several ways to seek support. For more information about DSPS, you can visit their website using the link below.

Christina Hobson, SBCC DSPS Counselor, presenting to Jodi House members

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

The Brain Injury Association of America recognizes Brain Injury Awareness Month every March. The goal of this national campaign is not only to increase awareness about the prevalence and impact of brain injury but also to share the stories of brain injury survivors, demonstrate the need for brain injury-specific legislation such as the Traumatic Brain Injury Act, and spread the word about resources for survivors and their families. Stay tuned to Jodi House's social media channels in March to learn more about Brain Injury Awareness Month!