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Maurice
P. was a college student with aspirations of becoming a
lawyer until a motorcycle accident and brain injury changed his life forever.
Here is his story in his own words:
I'm from Long Island. I have a good family. My mom and dad
have five kids and I was the middle child.
Before my injury I was attending college. I was taking basic
core courses and my goal was to transfer to a four-year
school. I wanted to be a lawyer. I was in my second year of
school, I was a commuter student and was living at home.
During that time I was in an accident. I was riding my
motorcycle on a two-way street and a driver of a car tried
to cut in front of me and I was hit.
I got a brain injury from the accident and I was in a coma
for about two months. When I woke-up I knew that I had been
hit. My family was there at the hospital. Right away I knew
that I had a job to do and I still do even though I have
come so far. I use a wheelchair now and I had to relearn how
to do a lot of things.
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Maurice
P., with Peggy Cortright, RN, MDS Coordinator.
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I've
worked hard with my therapists. Now I can get up and wash,
get myself dressed, take my meds on my own. I can even tie my
shoes! The physical therapy and occupational therapy that I
worked on here at Northeast Center has been important to
me.
My therapists have been a big help to me. When I first came
here it was my physical therapist that got me working hard.
That's the thing I am most proud of, regaining the things
that I couldn't do because of the accident - just call me Mr.
independent!
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Maurice
P., with Patty Paige, staff member. |
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I
am going to live back home on Long Island. I'm getting
services from the TBI Waiver. My father has been converting
our garage into an apartment for me that is wheelchair
accessible. I want to go back to school but I am going to
change my direction instead of a becoming a lawyer I want to
be a computer technician. My family is very
supportive.
When I get back the first thing I am going to do is just
enjoy being at home and spending time with my family. Than
I'm going to keep working in therapy to to be as best as I
can be, I've gotten a lot back and I won't stop I'm going to
keep going!
To anyone who has gone through a brain injury I would say
keep your head up. Don't stop striving and go for your gold.
I want to say something else about the people here at
Northeast Center, they are like family to me - everyone.
From Patty at the front desk, the safety staff, the people
in maintenance - this whole building I give a shout-out to.
I'm going to miss everyone but I am going to come back to
visit.
Maurice has returned home in the community. Our
experienced staff and dedication to our mission
helps our Resident-Neighbors to reacquire the skills they need to live at the most integrated level.
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Maurice
P., with (L) Laura Basdekis," Occupational Therepist, Arlene
Birnbaum, Physical Therapist
and Rob Bownes, COTA |
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Northeast
Center for Special Care QUICK FACTS:
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- TBI
Waiver Program: New York State Department of
Health Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver for
Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
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