News
The Rest of the Country
Last week I had the honor of speaking at Spaulding Rehabilitation
Hospital in Boston, during a small luncheon they have with their
staff. Two of their case managers accompanied me on a panel, and the
clinicians were invited to ask us about our jobs.
One of the doctors asked me what they could offer patients who were
discharging from Spaulding and into communities where there were very
few services. I glanced over at Marilyn Spivack, founder of the Brain
Injury Association of America, who was in the front row, and she
raised her eyebrows knowingly. I told the clinician that Massachusetts
is regarded (along with New Hampshire) as one of the most privileged
states for brain injury services.
"If you guys think you have it rough," I said, "Imagine how the rest
of the country feels."
It was a sobering moment for me, realizing that even in a state that
has the best America can offer, available services are incredibly
difficult to access. It's enough to make you want to take
action–which is exactly what I encouraged each of the clinicians to
do.
