Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut Raises Awareness During National Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness and educate the public on prevention, research, and treatment of brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. In fact, 2.4 million people sustain brain injuries in the U.S each year, resulting in a lifetime of physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges.

Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut, a non-profit organization that provides employment and support services to people with disabilities and other challenges, is working hard to improve the quality of life for all individuals impacted by brain injuries.

Winsted resident William Salisbury suffered a massive stroke at 34 years old, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that left him with several physical and cognitive disabilities.  With the help from Goodwill’s Acquired Brain Injury Program and their in-home support services, William is working to re-develop his physical mobility, compensate for his memory loss, and develop other skills needed for daily living.

“Just as no two people are exactly alike, no two brain injuries are exactly alike,” said Vickie Volpano, President, Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut.  “At Goodwill, we are committed to help each individual attain and maintain the highest level of independence possible. Our staff consults with doctors, family members, loved ones and other service providers to ensure a collaborative and personalized approach that will best address their individual needs.”

William has been working with the Goodwill staff for several years and is expected to receive an Associates Degree in General Studies this May. He credits his progress to the staff at Goodwill for helping him every step of the way to overcome his life-long injury.

TBIs are caused by falls (35%), car crashes (17%), workplace accidents (16%), assaults (10%), and other serious injuries (21%).  The effects of brain injuries are complex and vary greatly from person to person depending on the cause, location and severity.

About Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut:

Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut is a non-profit organization that provides employment and support services to people with disabilities and other challenges to employment. Through programs that offer people the opportunity to develop the life-changing skills they need to obtain and keep a job, Goodwill helps the individuals it serves gain hope, dignity and financial independence.