December's Last Day Lagniappe & 2021 Year End Review  BROUGHT TO YOU BY ...

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, we wish you a New Year filled with good health, happiness, and hope! Despite many challenges throughout the year, we remained focused on our mission, which resulted in an impactful and successful year. Through our generous supporters, and desire to make a difference in the lives of individuals impacted by brain and/or spinal cord injury, 2021 shined bright. As we turn our attention to 2022, we want to take a moment to reflect back on all the wonderful moments of 2021.

Connected individuals together from around the state for monthly virtual exercise groups and peer groups.

Individuals with brain and/or spinal cord injuries are two times more likely to die by suicide. Therefore, a virtual screening of My Ascension, a documentary film to spread hope and raise awareness about suicide, was offered.

24 dedicated individuals engaged in a Peer Mentor Training. Peer mentoring provides individuals and caregivers the opportunity to learn from those who have successfully adapted to and/or navigated similar experiences.

Recognized March as Brain Injury Awareness Month by engaging our members in the Brain Injury Association of America's #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign.

Tamara Green, Ms. Wheelchair Louisiana 2020 and 2021 released her first book called "You see my glory here is my story".

Thanks to TASS Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, Louisiana's Unmasking Brain Injury art exhibit entered its fifth year of traveling the state spreading awareness about brain injuries. Behind every mask is person living with a brain injury. Through their mask, they are able to share their emotions and feelings living with a brain injury.

New mask added to art display.

Site visits were made to be hands on and assist individuals in painting their masks.

New mask added to art display.

Members of our organization participated in a virtual Roll on Capitol Hill, an annual legislative advocacy event that addresses issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with not only spinal cord injuries and disorders but many disabilities.

Sponsored Cajun Crushers to participate in the Endeavor Games in Oklahoma where they won 37 medals.

Throughout the year, we joined in the celebration of our national organization's 75th anniversary. We assisted in advocacy efforts, increased our membership, won the chapter fundraising challenge, participated in virtual events, and spread awareness about spinal cord injuries.

Sponsored Ski Dawgs Adaptive Water Skiing program which held ski clinics throughout the summer.

Welcomed a new Outreach and Resource Coordinator, Shannon Carlson and celebrated the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs' Gold Award presented to Karen Roy one of our dedicated board members. Congratulations to both!

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a proclamation recognizing the 75th Anniversary of United Spinal Association.

The Board of Directors and staff welcomed Yvette David Pacaccio as a new BIALA Board Member. Besides her financial background, Yvette also brings first hand knowledge to our organization as a caretaker to a family member with a traumatic brain injury.

‌ 225 Resource Backpacks were provided to rehabilitation hospitals around the state for newly injured individuals thanks to a generous donation by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust.

Backpacks connect individuals with brain/spinal cord injuries and caregivers to pertinent programs and services. Our hope is to ease the burden of beginning to navigate life with a disability and let them know they are not alone.

Thanks to the generosity of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, disaster assistance grants were offered to individuals around the state who were impacted by Hurricane Ida.

‌ Provided free copies of "Moderate to Severe Brain Injury: A Practical Guide for Families" published by The Brain Injury Association of America.

Each quarter in 2021, we were recognized nationally in THE Challenge!, a magazine published by the Brain Injury Association of America.

Attended Trunk or Treat sponsored by AMG Physical Rehabilitation Hospital to raise awareness about brain and spinal cord injuries.

‌ Published the last day of the month, 12 editions of our newsletter provided education, pertinent resources, and connected individuals around the state.

Recognized caregivers by sharing tips and resources to help navigate caregiving during National Family Caregiver Awareness Month.

Sponsored and participated in Walk A Mile Mandeville to recognize the prevalence of traumatic brain injury in domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

‌ 2021 Annual Conference was postponed to March 2022. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome, New Orleans, LA.

Raised awareness during Domestic Violence Month to recognize that nearly 75% of domestic violence survivors have a traumatic brain injury as a result of abuse.

2022 will bring the FIRST sponsor of our monthly newsletter... Last Day Lagniappe. We are thrilled to partner with Coloplast to share fantastic resources to those we mutually serve and will be sharing informational and educational information throughout 2022. Thank you to our partners at Coloplast for supporting our mission and working with us to make a difference in the lives of others.

Coloplast develops products and services designed to make life easier for people with intimate health conditions. Coloplast listens to end-users to better understand their needs and responds by bringing the best ideas to market in the form of medical devices and service solutions.   Coloplast’s range of innovative continence care products are created to allow users to better control their bladder management. By working closely with clinical experts and patients who use catheters daily, we have developed award-winning products. This includes SpeediCath®, the world’s first ready-to-use hydrophilic-coated intermittent catheter, and Conveen® Optima, the next generation of male external catheters. These products are designed to improve the quality of life for those in need and are preferred by users.   In addition to product solutions, Coloplast has developed Coloplast® Care, a patient support program which provides catheter users access to product education and tools for self-assessment and individualized live support from Care Advisors. Coloplast Care provides reliable information so catheter users can better manage their care and experience a full life.   To learn more, visit our website, www.coloplast.us

We are thankful for our contract with the Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Aging and Adult Services. This contract affords us the opportunity to offer a statewide resource center for people impacted by brain and/or spinal cord injury.

As we close 2021 together with you, we look back with pride and joy, knowing we have impacted so many, and yet also knowing how many more individuals sustained new brain and/or spinal cord injuries this year. These individuals are never just statistics to us; each has a story to tell, a voice to be heard, and a face to be seen. Thus, our mission will continue throughout 2022 as we hope to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Thank you to all of our members, supporters, sponsors, Friends of BIALA, and community for believing in our mission and helping us strengthen our voice of help, hope, and healing. BIALA looks toward 2022 with an abundance of hope, knowing that so much good exists and believing in all the ways that people like you make this world a better place for others.

BIALA is grateful for the generous support we received this year from our sponsors and supporters including: United Spinal Association, Gulf States Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, TASS Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, NeuroRehab Care, Culicchia Neurological Clinic, Superior Van & Mobility, Touro Rehabilitation Center, ReMed, Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, Coloplast, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, NeuroRestorative, Disability Rights Louisiana, Numotion Foundation, Neurocare of Louisiana, Action Rehab and Supply, Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital, West Jefferson Rehabilitation Hospital, Sage Rehabilitation Hospital, LATAN, Shepherd Center, Cobalt, Southside Gardens, Innovative Suit Therapy, Hanger, AMG Physical Rehab Hospital, Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital, Acadiana Brain Injury Center, Jefferson Neurological Group, Patio Drugs, Bioness, Children's Hospital, Nexus, Numotion, Permobil Foundation, Quantum Rehab, LUCI Mobility, Brookhaven Neurorehabilitation Network, Pate Rehab, Louisiana Relay, PAM Speciality Hospital of Hammond, Split Second Foundation and Think First of the Ark-LA-Tex.

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