Brain Injury
The Silent Epidemic

One in every 220 people in the U.S. is suffering from the effects of a brain injury.

The clubhouse setting at Jodi House provides a safe place members identify as their own, where they congregate, share common experiences, socialize, develop skills, and grow together.	Programs available at Jodi House
	Peer Support Group
	Aphasia Group
	Family Group
	Percussion Workshop
	Vocal Training and Warm-up
	Yoga
	NIA
	Reiki
	Communication Skills
	Memory Strategies
	Arts Group
	Ceramics
	Computer Lab
	Speakers Bureau
	Community Outings

Peer Support Group A warm and friendly weekly meeting where members share experiences of dealing with the many aspects of living with a traumatic brain injury, in a surprisingly candid and straightforward manner. Participants learn from each other's experiences finding new coping mechanisms, renewed strength and a kind of camaraderie invaluable to their recovering process. In Santa Barbara, the peer support group is facilitated by Jodi House Executive Director Luciana Cramer and meets every Monday, from 2 to 4 PM. In Solvang, the peer support group is facilitated by Occupational Therapist Cheryl Hermann and meets every Tuesday, from 2 to 4 PM. First-time attendees must check in with staff, personally or by phone, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Aphasia Group Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person's ability to process language. Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others, and most people with aphasia experience difficulty reading and writing. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, at 5PM at Jodi House.

Family Group A brain injury is a trauma for both the afflicted member of the family and the affected family members. Family members know this the day they are notified that a loved one… spouse, child, relative… is in a coma or has been diagnosed with TBI. Traumatic waves radiate out, slowly, to extended family members and friends so that everyone involved is seriously affected. The mission of Jodi House is to serve the TBI survivor and his/her surrounding social and support systems --- spouses, children, siblings, friends, relatives in an atmosphere of hope, understanding and caring. Group meets every Tuesday, from 12 to 1pm. If you want to bring a family member with TBI with you, there are parallel activities available for him/her.

Percussion Workshop Our new percussion instructor, Budhi Harlow, is doing a fantastic job and our percussionists have never sounded better! Wednesdays, 1 to 2 pm.

Vocal Training and Warm-up Voice coaching made fun with the talented singer Lisa Beck. Lisa is a singer, drummer, and dancer for the band, Panzumo. She has been performing since very young age and has immersed herself in West African drumming and various dance traditions. Lisa will guide you in a harmonious voyage through African and South American melodies that unite cultures and erase distances. All levels of speech abilities are welcome and will greatly benefit from this amazing program. Wednesdays at 12:15 pm.

Yoga To a person with a traumatic brain injury, exercising becomes even more important than it was before the trauma: it helps in the recovery process and in maintaining general well being. Our yoga instructors, Nicole Inglish from the Yoga Studio, Emily Kligerman and Daniel Bowen have many years of combined experience in working with brain injured people. They assure that even those with very limited ambulatory skills have access to an exercise regimen tailored to their individual capabilities. Yoga has also proved to be extremely helpful in achieving better concentration skills, emotional stability and managing muscular disorders. Classes are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 2 to 3 PM. Please, check our calendar for this month's schedule.

NIA Joann Rothman and Jo Williams have brought the power of Nia dancing to Jodi House. Nia uses physical activity to integrate one's neurology (including the mind, emotions, and spirit), with one's outer body, or musculature. To achieve this whole-being integration, Nia addresses the whole person, using a comprehensive, holistic exercise approach designed with a combination of classic movement. Please, check our calendar for the class schedule.

Reiki Program Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. At Jodi House, with Reiki Master Bette Briggs, every Friday, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Now also at Jodi House II in Solvang, with Reiki Master Christina Codazzi, every Tuesday from 1 to 3 pm. Walk-ins welcome.

Communications Skills Many people affected with a brain injury are also subject to speech disorders, including delayed language, stammering, aphasia, swallowing disorders and voice problems. Suzanne A. Weintraub conducts the Communications Skills Program created to address these problems. Suzanne is a speech/language pathologist who has worked at the Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara for over 15 years. Classes are every other Thursday, at 12 PM.

Memory Strategies Suzanne also conducts this program designed to provide our members with strategies to improve organizational and memory skills. Members learn skills that have immediate practical use in their daily lives. Classes are every other Thursday (alternating with Communications Skills), at 12 PM.

Arts Group In collaboration with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, art teacher Susan Griffin has revitalized our art program. The classes are structured in coordination with visits to the museum's most recent exhibits, enhancing access to new techniques and contemporary arts. Please, check the Jodi House Calendar for class schedule.

Ceramics Jodi House members create pieces ranging from simple household items to highly intricate art work. We fire their work in our own kiln, donated by the Santa Barbara Shott Center. In addition to exercising creativity and imagination, this class helps improving hand-eye coordination, motor-coordination and planning skills. Our teacher, Deanna Pini, has years of experience working with people with disabilities. Please check current calendar for schedule.

Computer Lab Jodi House members tried for years to attend computer classes at local community schools and adult education, resulting in the growing frustration of not having a program designed to meet their specific learning needs. That's when we decided to create our own computer program. Today, our computer lab is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware, software and adaptive equipment. Our high-speed Internet connection makes researching the web enjoyable and easy. Our computer teacher, Don Devan is extremely dedicated and committed to make learning the computer a rewarding, useful and fun experience! Jodi House members are now on-line, communicating with other people with TBI around the world and starting our own web-based Peer Out-reach Program. Computer skills are not only helping with improving concentration, memory and hand-eye coordination skills, but are also helping bridging the gap that keeps TBI survivors in social isolation. The lab is open to all members during Jodi House opening hours and Don is available from Tuesdays thru Thursdays, 12 to 4pm.

Speakers Bureau Brain injury survivors and staff are available for presentations about brain injury awareness and prevention to local schools, colleges, businesses, educational centers and faith-based communities. If you would like to schedule a presentation, please contact Luciana at 805-563-2882 .

Community and recreational outings Every month Jodi House members enjoy outings to Museums, parks, fairs, concerts and other community events. Please check our calendar for information on our next outing.

 

Participation is voluntary and free of charge.
Contact Jodi House to enroll.