Josh Stambovsky’s life was permanently changed after he was involved in a car accident due to operating under the influence of alcohol. In the accident, he suffered a brain injury that required months of intensive medical care and rehabilitation. After completing his medical rehabilitation, Josh sought out a place that could help him adjust to his new reality and teach him to cope with the lasting health impacts of his injury.
At BHN’s Center for Traumatic Brain Injury, Josh was able to find a powerful support system that has played a pivotal role in his continued recovery. For the past two years, Josh has participated in the center’s group therapy programs, which range from more traditional discussion-based therapy to groups that allow members to express themselves through art or music therapy. Josh even helped the center’s director start a group that teaches its members how to use different technologies, including smartphones and tablets, and customize them to suit their different accessibility needs.
Josh says that the kindness of the staff and other group members at the center has been incredibly helpful in his ability to manage his brain injury.
“I like the environment here,” Josh said. “It’s a judgment-free zone, and everyone knows what you’re going through, because they go through it, too. And I can look for guidance from people who have had their injuries longer than me.”
Josh has faced plenty of difficulties throughout his recovery from his brain injury, but the continued support of the staff and other group members at the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury has helped him deal with the mental and emotional strains that come with his injury. The connections he has made with the other group members have helped him develop a more positive outlook on life, encouraging him to continue to overcome his injury rather than yield to it.
“Coming here pushes me to want to do more,” Josh said. “There are some people in the group who have had brain injuries for 30 years, and I want to eventually get to that point— I’m going to get to that point. I know that if they can do it, I can too.”
