October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  According to research by the CDC, about one in four women and nearly one in ten men report some form of intimate partner violence over their lifetime.  Domestic violence is one of the main causes of TBIs in both adults and children.  From shaken baby syndrome to blows to the head, domestic violence can lead to serious long-term effects.

However, sometimes a victim might not know they have sustained a TBI. Likewise, they might not seek medical treatment because they don’t think the injury is that severe.  This puts them at risk for repeated injuries, thus compounding the effects of a TBI. Early treatment and awareness are key in helping TBI survivors overcome their injuries.

Like anyone with a TBI, domestic violence survivors may have trouble with executive and cognitive functioning.  They may have personality and behavior changes as well, though if the abuse is ongoing, the changes may be gradual and not sudden.

Sometimes, these impairments make it challenging to hold down a job or perform day-to-day tasks.  With a lack of income, someone suffering the effects of a TBI after being a victim of domestic violence may be unable to leave the abusive situation and find the resources necessary to fully heal.

Adults who have suffered from a TBI as a result of domestic violence may not have a safe and loving home environment.  As much as anyone with a TBI, they need a safe community in which to live and thrive.

Villa Licci does not discriminate against anyone in regards to the mechanism of their TBI. The residential community will provide supportive relationships to all who live here.  This will allow all survivors of traumatic brain injuries to thrive.

Recently a group of local TBI survivors were asked what they would like others to know about them and their experiences.  Here are their top five answers.

1. More awareness is key

The most common answer amongst the young adults interviewed related to awareness.  What a brain injury is and isn’t.  How it changes a person’s life and what stays the same.  Causes and effects, and so on.  Brain injuries are often hidden disabilities, and what is hidden is frequently ignored.

2. A brain injury doesn’t change everything

Closely tied with awareness of brain injuries overall is wanting people to understand that a brain injury does not equal complete loss of cognitive abilities.  While there are changes to cognitive functions because of the injury, TBI survivors would like others to know that not all is lost.

3. The need to be accepted and understood

The third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs encompasses love and belonging.  All people share these needs and those with TBIs are no different. Not only do they seek acceptance, but also understanding. This comes from the awareness other people have of the nature of TBIs as well as the understanding that a brain injury doesn’t change everything.  Each survivor is unique and wants to be understood and accepted as such.

4. We want to contribute to society

Also like everyone else, TBI survivors have a strong desire to contribute to society.  They want to find meaningful work and feel as if they are needed.  This is no different than anyone else looking to find their place in the world.  The only difference is that people with brain injuries once thought their life was going in one direction. Whereas now they have to re-figure out how they will be useful and needed again post-injury.

5. We are the same as anyone else

The one overarching theme that ties everything together is the assertion that people living with a TBI are just like everyone else. And jumping off of that, they want to be treated like everyone else.  Every human being has physical, emotional, social, and other needs.  Everyone wants to be loved and everyone wants to love.  Everyone has goals they are seeking to achieve and desires they want to fulfill in their lifetime.  A TBI survivor is no different.  Just like everyone else, they are deserving of respect and being treated with the dignity of any other person.

While TBI survivors are all unique individuals, they do share commonalities, both within the circle of other survivors and with people who have not had a brain injury.  These are just the top five things a group of local survivors would like you to know about their lives and experiences.

My accident occurred in the fall of 2000.  I was an apprentice for a brick laying company and fell from scaffolding 10 ft. onto a concrete pad.  I acquired a traumatic brain injury along with other minor injuries.  It has been a long, difficult recovery to my new normal.  I was engaged and working toward a job that I really enjoyed.  Now I must face my new life and struggles.  Here are some of the things I struggle with.

The greatest difficulties that arise to me are time management, staying on track and keeping focused. I’m sure there are literally dozens if not hundreds of flaws that could be pointed out in me, but I was writing about the flaws that other survivors might have experienced, and I can just about guarantee every TBI survivor has experienced at least two of the three of these.

Time management is not a tough one to fix.  It is a pain, but it isn’t impossible.  All you need is an annoying alarm or a nagging loved one (alarm preferred) and you’re ready to go.  Set it to go off early to give yourself extra time, if you’re slow.  Always mind it and try to be Johnny or Jenny-on-the-spot.

Next, staying on track.  Some non-brain injured people have problems with this one.  Take for example The National Monument of Scotland. It was meant for those who died in the war against Napoleon in the century of 1900. Ground broke in 1826 to commemorate the brave Scotsmen who bled and died fighting Napoleon.  As funds started to trickle out so did the pride and patriotism of the countrymen.  They didn’t have the money at the time to finish it.  Instead of finishing it later, they just left it.  It sits unfinished to this day.  Had they stayed on track, instead of a monument known as an epic failure it would have been a monument of pride for the Scotsmen from the beginning.

Keeping your focus can be difficult when you have a TBI. Sometimes my TBI makes it seem like I have a hundred different things running through my brain.  I’m using all my might just to hold onto that singular thought.  As a cruel joke, someone has switched that thought and put a stupid water balloon in its place and now I’m left with a confused look on my face, a wet shirt, and not even the remnants of a water balloon because it was just a metaphor.

We’d like to thank Robb for taking the time to write out in his own words what it is like to be a TBI survivor and some of the long-term effects he deals with every day.

While there are many reasons a survivor of a traumatic brain injury would choose to join a support group, here are our top six:

6. Learn strategies from others on how to live with TBI

Beyond the medical and rehabilitation worlds – which also offer support in how to adjust to life after a TBI – a TBI support group can offer even more practical strategies for survivors with brain injuries.  Support groups offer a chance for survivors to help each other and often times it is better to learn from someone who is going through similar struggles.  Support groups offer inside perspectives and peer-to-peer strategies and coping skills on how to live after suffering a TBI.

5. Gain inspiration from others who have been on your journey and have had some success

Support groups are comprised of people at all stages in the TBI recovery journey. Therefore, besides walking alongside others at the same stage, a TBI survivor can see others who are further along the road and gain inspiration and encouragement.  Seeing someone else who has overcome similar challenges can be the catalyst and motivation needed for a survivor to maintain a positive outlook on their own life.

4. Know that there is someone there for you to talk to

Attending a group regularly shows TBI survivors that there are others there who will listen when they struggle and offer support when needed. Support groups create an environment where sharing is encouraged and welcome. Knowing there are others out there who will listen when a compassionate ear is needed can alleviate some anxiety over the entire situation, which leads directly into the next reason.

3. Minimize anxiety

A traumatic brain injury can cause many anxieties. It is a huge change that affects all aspects of life: physical, social, emotional, and more.  It can cause great stress and a huge sense of loneliness, which only exacerbates any anxieties.  Attending a support group shows survivors they are not alone and what they are going through is not unusual.  The supportive environment of these groups is intentionally created to ease anxieties and help TBI survivors feel comfortable about themselves and their new situations.

2. Make new friends who understand you

One of the major struggles after a TBI is navigating both old and new relationships.  The dynamics of many existing relationships change after a TBI and forming new relationships can be a challenge.  Within a support group there are people who already recognize the unique situations and perspectives of life after a TBI.  Whereas old friendships may drop off, these new friendships that develop are with others who understand on a deeper level what it means to survive a traumatic brain injury.  These new friendships – outside of extended family or medical professionals – are vitally important to creating the “new normal” after a TBI.

1. Feel less alone

A common thread runs through all the above reasons and culminates in this most important reason. Joining a support group helps survivors feel they are less alone.  According to research from professors at Brigham Young University, loneliness can have more deadly outcomes than alcohol abuse, excessive smoking, or obesity.  Anything a TBI survivor can do to feel less alone will increase their long-term survival and overall quality of life.

 

While there are numerous reasons for joining a traumatic brain injury support group that could be added to this list, these are our top six.  What other reasons would you add?  Click the link below to send us a comment!

The family-like environment at Villa Licci will be designed to include shared common spaces and provide planned social opportunities.  This is intended to nurture friendships which contribute to an overall sense of belonging and well-being for all residents. Villa Licci will be a pioneer in providing TBI survivors with a residential setting in which they can find and form a sense of community and belonging.

Phase I

The first phase of this project was to identify and acquire property that would meet the planned development needs. In April 2021, a 13-acre property located in central Indiana was purchased. Funded by a group of parents of TBI survivors, this completed the initial phase.

Phase II

The next phase of this project begins with the selection of the site development partners for architecture, engineering, and construction. It will conclude with the completion of the initial community residence.  This residence will feature the first residential building which contains one- and two-bedroom apartments.  In addition, a gathering room, common space, and a chapel are in the plans. Around the community, there will be walking paths, gardens, recreation spaces, and a pond, encouraging residents to partake in outdoor and physical activities.

Apartments are intended to be equipped with various private living features such as a kitchen, laundry facilities, a living room, and an outdoor space. Because of the vast spectrum of TBI-related disabilities, each unit will be outfitted to best suit both the abilities of the survivors and the challenges they face.  This will include wheelchair accessible rooms and easily maneuverable spaces. We are currently in the beginning stages of this phase.

Phases III and IV

These future phases will consist of expanding the community by erecting a second residential building, adding a community center, and enhancing the landscaping for the residents to enjoy. The timeline for these phases is to be determined.

Over the next five years, Villa Licci will continue its capital campaign, break ground, and begin construction on its first residence. The target move-in date for the first residents is 2027. Would you please consider contributing towards this capital campaign and ensuring these TBI survivors have a community to belong to?

 

Donate to Villa Licci

Did you know that approximately 2% of Americans live with the effects of a brain injury?  In Indiana alone, there are over 130,000 individuals living with a long-term disability due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  While everyone has a unique story, there are many common threads that bind them together. For most, the lives of these survivors changed dramatically after their accident with profound implications for their mental, functional, and emotional well-being. The fact that they also remember life before their accidents adds further emotional distress and creates a longing to regain what they know they have lost.

Individual Effects

A TBI may result in mild, moderate, or severe changes in one or more abilities, such as cognition, speech, physical functions, and social behavior. This affects the overall quality of life for these survivors and often results in great loss – loss of jobs, loss of friendships, loss of self-worth, and loss of community.

Studies of mild to severe brain injury survivors show only 34% are stably employed after three years and approximately 60% of moderate to severe TBI survivors do not return to work. Of those who do, most are not able to return to their former line of work or are unable to return permanently.

TBI survivors often feel isolated and lonely and want more out of life. They feel constrained, however, by their inability to follow conversations, to remember things, and to do physical activities that were once effortless. They feel lonely but often reluctant to leave the house, so they withdraw into their own world.

Due to their brain injuries, many of the survivors’ relationships are greatly impacted. In families, changes in roles and responsibilities can add stress and increase tension among members. Relationships with friends, coworkers, community members, even family members can become difficult to sustain. This can lead to or exacerbate already existing depression, anxiety, and other mental stressors.

Community Effects

When someone suffers from a TBI, the entire family is dramatically affected. Studies show that caregivers and other family members of people who have suffered a brain injury typically experience feelings of distress, anxiety, anger, and depression. These family members are often concerned about the future and what will happen when they are gone – namely where can their loved one live semi-independently and with purpose.

However, this can present a challenge when many TBI survivors need help throughout their day to perform even basic tasks and aren’t always able to receive it. They do often live at home with their parents who may work or have little time to provide appropriate caregiving, or they live in care facilities that are not designed to meet their unique needs.

People with a TBI differ from those with other disorders and disabilities that seem to have the same affects in that a TBI is an acquired injury. Each TBI survivor was living their life a certain way and now they must live differently due to their injury. This creates a dramatic “before and after” to their lives, and many lament the loss of the life they once had, which now seems unattainable.

Why we need Villa Licci

Villa Licci strives to bridge this gap of loss by creating a residential community encouraging friendship, cultivating independence, and providing a strong support structure.  While it can never fully “bring back” what once was, it can help survivors transition to a new and fulfilling life with purpose and meaning.

Won’t you consider supporting this dream and helping it become reality?

Donate to Villa Licci today!

Out of all the cities and towns in the US, why is Villa Licci being built in central Indiana?

For multiple reasons, Indiana is uniquely poised to create and welcome the first Villa Licci community. For example, Indiana has an extensive infrastructure already in place for TBI survivors. This ranges from the initial injury assessment, to rehab care, to outpatient therapy and other follow-up services.

Community Resources

TBI survivors in Indiana have access to several high-quality rehabilitation centers and service providers. Most noteworthy is the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI), one of just 16 TBI Model Systems in the country. RHI is the only center in Indiana to be nationally certified in traumatic brain injury care. In addition, RHI is one of the premier research facilities in this field. This ensures Indiana will be on the cutting edge of understanding, treatment, rehabilitation, and other services for survivors of traumatic brain injuries both now and into the future.

Due to the strength of this existing infrastructure, Indiana recently became one of only 10 states to receive a mentor grant from the Administration for Community Living. This grant was awarded for Indiana to assist other states in designing similar systems of services and supports for all people with TBIs. And also to assist with building up their family and social networks.  These funds will be used to teach about what is already making a positive difference for TBI survivors. Through this grant, the existing infrastructure in Indiana will be further strengthened and expanded, as well.

Benefits of our unique location

With Villa Licci being located near such nationally recognized facilities, residents can benefit from this expertise and high level of care. Each resident will maintain their own medical and therapeutic care with their chosen providers through outside organizations. Villa Licci will provide space for in-home care, or residents will be able to travel to their chosen facilities.

The contribution of Villa Licci

The addition of Villa Licci to the brain injury community in Indiana will address a critical gap in the continuum of services for TBI survivors. Specifically, this is through providing housing specifically designed for the needs of adult survivors of TBIs. Villa Licci will be a vital next step on this continuum by providing a supportive community for these individuals.

You can help make this dream a reality by donating to our capital campaign here.

A fall. A car accident. Repeated sports injuries. Combat injuries.

Any of these – or other circumstances – can cause a life-altering traumatic brain injury (TBI).  In an instant, life is not the same.

Family members and friends of TBI patients sometimes feel helpless as they watched their loved ones struggle with regaining skills that were once second nature.  They encourage and offer support, but they realize there is more out there that the survivors need.

All people need to feel connected to other people who understand their struggles and what they are experiencing. In this manner, TBI survivors need to be connected to other survivors to share the uniqueness of their situation that others who haven’t had a TBI or who have different cognitive issues just cannot understand.

TBI survivors need their own communities to share life with others who understand and share their daily challenges. Not just a support group to attend once a month, not just the medical or physical therapy staff who help them reach their health goals, and not just their families, who do love them, but may not fully understand.

It is for this reason, that in February 2018, eight families of adult TBI survivors came together to discuss what the future could look like for their children. In researching long-term living situations, they validated what they suspected, that no organization existed that catered to the unique needs of adults living with a TBI. They were determined to change that – to create a path to help their family members find the support and community that would allow them to thrive.

United in their common goal, these founding families conceived the idea of Villa Licci with a mission to provide safe and independent housing, fellowship, and dignity in a faith-centered environment for adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries.

“The hope we have for Villa Licci is that it will be a place to find commonality with others,” one mother says. “A place to make friends and not be alone. A place to feel safe when going outdoors. A place to call home.”

In the future, a national network of residential communities is envisioned that creates the social fabric and fellowship necessary for each survivor to live semi-independent lives filled with hope, self-respect, and purpose.  Right now, the focus is on the first residential community, located in Central Indiana.  Click here  to learn more about how you can be part of this life-changing mission.