One of our beloved colleagues is sharing the details of her brain injury journey to spread awareness. See Heather Matty’s story below, then click on the link at the bottom of the page to contact your legislators. It will only take a few moments for you to do this, and it will have HUGE impact on the lives of brain injury survivors in our state.
Heather Matty ~ A Survivor’s Story
My name is Heather Matty, a brain injury survivor and a professional that works in the field of Brain Injury. I want to share my story of the services that were a key to my ongoing recovery and were a key component of my return to work.
I am greatly concerned about the recent funding pauses by the Whitehouse as well as the uncertainty of possible future grant freezes and/or fiscal cuts in the grants. This, in addition to the unexpected setback with the reauthorization of the TBI act bring a lot of uncertainty to brain injury survivors in the Unites States that rely on the resources that are provided by these funding sources.
In 2002, I was working at a center for independent living assisting people with disabilities to receive services to live independently in the community. I started having symptoms including severe headaches, balance issues and memory issues. Then on Dec 2, 2002, I had a seizure and was rushed to the ER. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor; the life I knew was turned upside down. The next few months of treatment included craniotomy, radiation, chemotherapy and other prescription treatment.
The brain injury and treatment caused issues with balance, cognition, memory, speech delays and seizures. Due to all these factors and lack of continued rehabilitation, I was unable to work and complete daily tasks independently.
Because my injury was not “traumatic” in nature, I did not qualify for services in my state, as only injuries that were classified as “traumatic brain injury” had provisions for covered treatment at that time. Due to the lack of services, the next few years for me were very difficult, my life felt like it was on “hold.”
In 2007, I sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury due to a fall and was able to receive rehabilitative services under the HCBS TBI wavier, which included cognitive, speech, physical and occupational therapy. These services were essential in my journey of recovery and to secure employment.
The turning point for me was when I received information and resource coordination which is funded through The TBI ACT. This service enabled me to apply for services through Vocational Rehab and an Internship through a grant funded Workforce Partnership, which were a key in my journey for employment.
The services I received through these grant programs and the Medicaid wavier led to my employment as an Information and Resource Specialist as well as advocate in the field of Brain Injury.
I am forever grateful for these services and am greatly concerned as the looming uncertainty of these programs may be in jeopardy.
Many individuals and families including myself, across the country rely on federally funded programs for essential services, rehabilitation, housing, employment support, and healthcare. Any disruption in funding—even temporarily—can have devastating consequences for those who depend on these programs to live independently and with dignity. Reports indicate that additional, more targeted funding freezes may be announced. This will further jeopardize critical services that were a key component in my recovery and the recovery of survivors whose lives depend on these services.
I urge you to contact your legislators and ask them to take immediate action to ensure the following-
(1) The brain injury and disability communities are protected from harmful funding freezes that could disrupt vital programs and services
(2) Congress takes a firm stand to prevent further administrative actions that would negatively impact on the individuals and families who rely on these federally funded programs
(3) Any proposed funding pauses undergo a transparent process that includes direct consultation with stakeholders in the brain injury and disability communities to fully assess potential impacts
(4) The reauthorization of the TBI act
(5) Authorizing the change of “TBI” to “brain Injury” to include non-TBI to secure services for Survivors across the country who currently are unable to receive services
Congress has the power—and the responsibility—to safeguard these essential programs and ensure that future funding decisions do not place vulnerable populations at risk. I respectfully request your voice in advocating for the stability and continuity of these life-changing services.
Mine is one of many stories I hear in my employment daily. I am hoping sharing my story will show you the importance of these services and the urgency in which we must protect them.
I can’t do this alone; I thank YOU for standing with me on these important issues by contacting your legislators and spreading awareness in your community.
Sincerely,
Heather Matty
Thank you for using your voice to stand with Heather and all brain injury survivors in our state.
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