THE Challenge! Spring 2014

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Spring 2014 THE Challenge! is published by the Brain Injury Association of America. We welcome manuscripts on issues that are important to the brain injury community. Please send submissions in a standard Microsoft Word ® document to publications@biausa.org. Contents 4 8 For more information regarding advertising in THE Challenge!, please visit the sponsorship and advertising page at www.biausa.org. Association Staff & Volunteers: Marianna Abashian Greg Ayotte 10 Amy C. Colberg Susan H. Connors William Dane 22 Robert Demichelis Ahmed Huidobro Jessica Lucas Mary S. Reitter Rob Traister Postmaster: Send address changes to: THE Challenge! 1608 Spring Hill Rd., Suite 110 Vienna, VA 22182 Copyright 2014 BIAA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the Brain Injury Association of America. Email requests to publications@biausa.org. Publication designed by Eye to Eye Design Studio, LLC eyetoeyedesignstudio@gmail.com Please recycle this issue. 3 From my Desk 4 Lifetime Financial Security for Plaintiffs with TBI 8 Financial Strategies for Individuals with Brain Injury 10 Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits 14 Research: Helping Individuals with Brain Injury Obtain or Return to Work 16 Advocacy Update 18 Honor Roll of Donors 22 BIAA’s Preferred Attorneys 26 State Affiliate News 32 News & Notes 26 2
From My Desk As we were finalizing this issue of THE Challenge!, we received an e-mail from a 56-year-old woman who was struck by a car in a crosswalk 13 years ago. She agreed to accept a structured settlement for her injuries but then sold it for a lump-sum payout. When she realized she had traded a lifetime of financial security for a little more than $10,000, she contacted the company that purchased her annuity. She explained that she was on medication and didn’t understand what she was doing when she signed the papers. The company representative allegedly laughed at her and hung up the phone. This woman who had been victimized twice—first by a careless driver and then by an unscrupulous corporation —brought this to BIAA’s attention in the hopes that we could prevent others from enduring the same devastation and humiliation she experienced. Each year, thousands of people call BIAA’s National Brain Injury Information Center (1-800-444-6443) looking for information to help them in their daily lives. They often contact us for help dealing financial problems. Dealing with medical bills and lost income can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why this issue of THE Challenge! is dedicated to the financial and legal issues facing people with brain injuries and their families. This issue explains what a structured settlement is, how it works, and the long-term consequences of selling a settlement for a short-term payout. We also discuss working with a qualified financial professional to help manage your finances for life. We also cover research on unemployment, transition, and returning to work, and how to apply for Social Security Disability benefits in the event that returning to work is not an option. Finally, we introduce readers to the attorneys who have been recognized for their service to the brain injury community through the BIAA Preferred Attorneys program. BIAA created this program to help people who have been in injured connect with attorneys who are effective advocates for people with brain injuries. As always, we’ve included an update on federal legislation, news from affiliates and highlighted the individuals and organizations that support our organization financially. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the members of BIAA’s board of directors and our staff and volunteers. To a person, they work hard to advance prevention, research, treatment, and education to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. I am grateful to them. Susan H. Connors, President/CEO Brain Injury Association of America www.biausa.org 3
Page 1: BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION of America
Page 5 and 6: Care Plan will be met for life. The
Page 7 and 8: www.biausa.org 7
Page 9 and 10: • The options available to suppor
Page 11 and 12: evidence in the record by the heari
Page 13 and 14: www.biausa.org 13
Page 15 and 16: Research on Transition Services The
Page 17 and 18: BIAA’s Business and Professional
Page 19 and 20: Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Marjorie Immerma
Page 21 and 22: Honor Roll (continued from page 19)
Page 23 and 24: of Pennsylvania and is a frequent s
Page 25 and 26: The firm’s philosophy of compassi
Page 27 and 28: Illinois The Brain Injury Associati
Page 29 and 30: New Hampshire The Brain Injury Asso
Page 31 and 32: A big thank you goes out to all our
Page 33 and 34: AGR Dairy Dash Raises Funds for BIA
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