A TBI Waiver Provider's story

by Judy
(Endicott NY)

Every day from 1pm-5pm participants arrive at our office to take part in our Structured Day Program. The NYS TBI waiver has tagged the name “Structured Day Program” to this type of service. Per the NYS TBI Manual it is described as a “Community based social model program to provide socialization and skill building opportunities.”

We , our participants and staff, prefer to call it the most unstructured structured day program or CCCNY Social Club. The philosophy of our program is to provide an environment for participants to build relationships with one another in a positive, fun filled atmosphere. The program is geared toward the participant interests and will fluctuate based on suggestions by the group.

Our most popular event is our Karaoke night. We have Karaoke on the last Friday of every month. The first time we scheduled this event everyone was a little self conscious with taking the microphone and singing a song. It was not that they were worried about their ability to sing a song but their ability to read the lyrics as they appeared on the T.V. screen. The lyrics seem to move pretty fast on the screen and some of the participants ability to read and react has been diminished due to their TBI. One by one each person would be handed the mic and they would tentatively started to sing.

Our first Karaoke program started 2 years ago this November. Now let me fast forward to last month. One by one Tom, Richard, Jason, Beth-Ann, Michele, Allen, James, and so on walked into our building , they would hand Ian ( SDP Lead) their requested song list and they would take their place in-front of the karaoke monitor. When their song would come up on the monitor they would seek out the microphone and belt out a song with great confidence.

Jason, who acquired his TBI as a result of his father shoving his head through a wall at the age of 6 months, has non stop energy. He sings, he organizes everyone's song requests and always makes sure everyone gets a turn at singing. He experiences wild bursts of energy and at times he can be verbally inappropriate with foul language. He is 22 years old but acts like a 13 year old with his constant sexual innuendos with everyday common phrases being said during normal conversation.

This lack of self control is not unusual as a result of a TBI. Because of his constant out burst and inability to stay focused for more then 5 minutes at one time he has had difficulty securing employment. Jason is a great kid who was given a rotten start in life. Through our program he is living in an apartment on his own and is doing well. HCSS ( Home and Community Services Specialist) assist Jason with household chores and his ILST is assisting him in obtaining employment and attempting to assist him with money management.

I have great hope for him..He desperately wants what every young man wants. in life……….his own place. a hot car, a hot girlfriend and money. So far we were able to assist him with the apartment…as far as the hot car and hot girlfriend …well that will be solely up to him…I will keep you updated on Jason.