TBI / Veteran Related Trainings

**Please note these trainings are aimed at increasing your professional development, but are not required by NCC. Therefore, the registration fee and time spent participating in these external webinars may not be billed to NCC.   

Tuesday, April 13: Raising Voices Session IV: Transgender Competence and Quality Care: Understanding the Dynamics of Intersectionality
Presented by National Center for Training, Support, and Technical Assistance 
2pm ET. Free. Details and registration found here.

Tuesday, April 20: The Helper’s Journey – Empathy, Compassion, and the Challenge of Caring in a Challenging Time
Presented by TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing
12pm ET. Free. Details and registration found here.

Thursday, April 22: Supporting Client Health Through Intuitive Eating
Presented by the Military Families Learning Network
11am ET. CEUs available. Free.
Details and Registration found here.

Tuesday, April 27: Coping with Special Days – Finding Comfort in Remembering 
Presented by TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing
12pm ET. Free. Details and registration found here.

Tuesday, April 27: Community Health Workers: A Key Support For People Living With Dementia And Their Caregivers
Presented by The American Society on Aging
10am PT. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Wednesday, April 28: Choosing What’s Right: Using Ethics to Make Practical Decisions While Care for Another 
Presented by the Military Families Learning Network
11am ET. CEUs available. Free.
Details and Registration found here.

Wednesday, April 28: Systems-Level Strategies and Resources for Brain Injury in Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations
Presented by The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training
12pm PT.
Details and Registration found here.

Thursday, April 29: Caring for Those Who Care: Meeting the Needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander Family Caregivers
Presented by The American Society on Aging
11am PT. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

Friday, April 30: The New Normal – Understanding Individual and Family Dynamics Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Presented by the NeuroRestorative’s Neuro Institute
12pm ET. CEUs available. Free.
Details and registration found here.

On Demand: ‘Don’t Worry, I’m Fine’ – Mental Health and the Asian American Community
Presented by the McLean Hospital 
Audio Recording available here.

On Demand: PTSD and Racial Trauma
Presented by National Center for PTSD
Audio Recording available here. (Scroll down to 2021 previous lectures for details)

Resource Recommendation:

Purple Heart Homes

Purple Heart Homes fills the gaps in housing through the Veterans’ Aging In Place and Veterans Home Ownership Programs. From building a ramp for a Veteran of World War II, to providing home ownership opportunities to younger Veterans, our programs are designed out of necessity and fit the specific needs of the Veteran population. Applicants don’t need to be Purple Heart Recipients to qualify for services.

• VAIP – Veterans Aging in Place – This program is designed for Service Connected Disabled Veterans who currently own their home and who need help with renovations or repairs to make that home safe and accessible.
• VHOP – Veteran Home Opportunity Program – This program is designed for Service Connected Disabled Veterans who are either ready for the responsibility of home ownership, are looking for a rental home, or are interested in a Tiny Home. This program matches a qualified Veteran with a home that will meet their needs.

For more details, visit their website at: https://purplehearthomesusa.org/

Creative Arts Corner:

by Bill E.

Standing to a Chair

Going from walking to a wheelchair. I used to love getting the door for my lady. Now everyone thinks they need to get it for me. I used to always wait for everyone to eat before I would fix my plate for myself. Now everyone feels they need to fix it for me. You lose the use of your legs, but your mind still works the same. That song comes and, in a flash, you are on the dance floor if only in your mind. You can see every move. You can almost feel it. I truly believe that is what I miss the most is holding my loved one safe in my arms and escorting her across the dance floor. In my mind I know people are truly being nice and want to help you out and. I will always be grateful. But just sometimes I wish they would wait. I wish they would ask first. I wish they would still let me be the man I see not the man in a chair.

What do I hate

I hate not being able to hold my lady’s head in my chest holding her close.I hate not being able to Dance. Not being able to Help those that need it. Not having the freedom to go and come as I please. Being able to stop by a friend’s house and not being able to go inside because there are no ramps. Not being able to go into any stores because they are not handicap accessible. Always having to have someone drive my van because it’s the only vehicle I fit. I hate not being able to work. I miss giving back.

What I like
I can get my family and friends to the front of the line. I have found some peace.I learned what was important in life. Life, Love, Friends, God maybe not in that order. It took a long time, but I learned it’s ok to fail if you learn from it. You truly learn who cares and who does not. A handicap truly makes you love harder and way thankful for more.

Artist Bio: Bill lives in Troy, OH. He served in the Army from 1994-2006.  He was a paratrooper and injured during a parachute training. He has a strong and supportive family including his two stepsons. He enjoys time with his service dog Storm. His hobbies include anything outdoors; baseball, football, shooting and time with family and friends.

Creative Arts Therapist: Several of our warriors have been participating in creative arts sessions online, once a week with writing instructor, Anne Alper. Sessions focus on guided writing exercises with theme prompts to develop writing skills and structured writing practice.

Ms. Alper has a Master’s in Education, and Counseling, is certified through the Amherst writers and Artist Foundation and completed a 2 year program in California for expressive arts.