Stephens Farm spreads awareness of brain injuries

Here is some sobering data about a significant medical condition that most of us know little about: Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

An ABI is any type of damage to the brain acquired after birth and which is not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. Causes of ABI include external forces applied to the head and or neck also known as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), cardiac arrest, carbon monoxide poisoning, airway obstruction, intracranial surgery, infectious diseases, seizure disorders, substance abuse, ingestion of lead, inhalation of volatile agents, aneurysms, and stroke.

No one is immune from brain injury, especially TBIs.

Colorado ranks ninth in the nation for fatalities due to a TBI and 13th in the nation for hospitalizations due to a TBI. Almost 5,000 individuals are hospitalized and nearly 1,000 die due to a TBI in Colorado each year.

There are 23,500 emergency room visits each year due to a TBI. Each year, 2,200 individuals continue to experience disability one year after hospitalization for a TBI.

Brain injury affects the whole person, including changes in the physical, emotional and cognitive areas of the body. Brain injury can result in impairment in attention, memory, reasoning, problem solving, perception, speech and language, motor and physical functioning, and psychological behavior.

These changes can impact how a person reacts to his or her daily life, including school and work, and how he or she manages his or her finances. Relationships and a person’s well-being are determined by how well he or she can manage these challenges.

People with brain injuries require specialized, skilled assistance that cannot be readily found elsewhere. Many require significant support along a wide spectrum from behavioral functions to full support for all major life activities.

The road can seem long and insurmountable, especially without help.

That is where we at Stephens Farm @Adeo can help. We provide wrap around services and residential support to twenty residents at Stephens Farm.

Our aim is to help our clients live independent and interconnected lives to the extent that they are able. We work closely with them, their case managers and their families to develop and implement strategies to help them manage the effects of their brain injuries, live the kind of lives they choose to live and to help them find joy in living.

This can only happen because of the dedication and skill of our staff. They are on duty 24/7, providing for the needs of our clients. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of care-givers at Stephens Farm @Adeo.

We are the only organization that provides these services in northern Colorado. There is a waiting list of more than 60 people seeking the help that we can provide. That is why it is so important that we expand our facilities and services.

We have heard so many stories from our clients and their families about their struggles to find help in managing their brain injuries. The overwhelming consensus is that Adeo’s programs have been positively life changing for those with brain injuries and their families.

There is a sense of community among our residents at Stephens Farm. There are activities, parties, time to be alone, even time to go out into the community for self-directed activities.

We will continue to look for ways to enhance the lives of all the people we serve, and those with brain injuries not currently being served. We look forward to your continued support.

This article was written by Chris Woodruff and originally appeared in the Greeley Tribune on March 15, 2023.