Dear Brain Buddies Members, Advocacy Groups, Donators, Friends, Family, and More,
My name is Tammie Buschling, Director and Founder of Brain Buddies. Many don’t know my story, or why I felt the need to create the advocacy group Brain Buddies in the first place. I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts and feelings, in hopes that it gives others strength to share their stories, and join our family.
An individual and their family has so many challenges to overcome after a brain injury; some not apparent immediately following the injury, or sometimes not even months later. One of these challenges that frequently occurs months later is a feeling of isolation experienced by the injured individual. In the time an injured individual is going through weeks, months, or years of therapy, their friends and peers have continued their lives, quite frequently not knowing how to socialize with their injured friend once they return. This creates an isolated individual that cannot socially do what they once did, and most people, even their once closest friends, do not understand this.
Our family felt the need for a safe space where those who were rebuilding their lives after brain injuries could feel comfortable and accepted with their challenges. It is sometimes easier to re-enter social settings in the company of like-minded individuals who understand the challenges many of us face without judging our abilities. Hence, Brain Buddies was formed. Brain Buddies began as a grassroots organization with 6 people in our living room. What began as a purely social group for outings has grown into a non-profit to spread awareness of the ability to have a satisfying and productive life after a brain injury. Along the way, our members have created a close-knit group of friends who support each other and have a community with so much in common. We have also gone on some epic social outings that many may not have engaged in before joining Brain Buddies.
One of the goals of becoming a non-for-profit was to raise funds so that Brain Buddies could offer our socials to our members free of charge. Since we are small and lack the name recognition of larger charities, our fundraising is slow at best. We really appreciate the donations we do receive, especially our repeat donors and the organizations to whom we speak. The donations we receive are put to a very good use. All funds go towards paying for the members tickets (members only, not companions) for the monthly socials we host. As we have grown, the number of tickets we buy has increased substantially, so must our fundraising.
These socials mean more than just a “good time.” Most of our members would not venture into the social settings we enjoy without a supportive group around them. Some could not afford some of our outings without our financial help. Without funds, our members would be isolated and alone, further hindering their confidence to return to society. Being comfortable in society may lead to the confidence to volunteer, find employment or a return to school. Our socials are a stepping stone to a life with people and the confidence to move forward and challenge ourselves.
Although Brain Buddies is a small organization, our members are part of an ever expanding population of brain injury survivors. Millions of individuals experience brain injuries every year, not including veterans. Each of these individuals needs a village to help rebuild their lives. We feel that Brain Buddies is part of that village.
The medical professions are adept at providing the traditional therapies of PT, OT, Speech, etc, but it is sometimes difficult to find other therapies or treatments that deal with the less obvious challenges, including returning to community. It is the latter function where Brain Buddies provides a service of helping those who are lacking confidence re-entering social situations. We provide a supportive and comfortable group of friends to ease the angst of social situations.
Within this group, our members find the confidence to socialize and continue that confidence to try to volunteer or re-enter the workforce or just continuing to gain valuable skills. No one wants the loneliness that a life of isolation brings. With Brain Buddies, our members always have a lifeline and a supporting group of friends who have shared challenges. I hope our members find their lives less burdened because of this circle of friends. As the brain injured population expands, so shall we.
-Tammie