LIFE Center
Meet Kevin: How Your Generosity Helps Families Cope
In FY25, LIFE Center educators reached 3,808 patients, family members, caregivers and children through in-person, customized education sessions that focused on quality of life following discharge. A team of 36 peer mentors shared their lived experiences with 1,458 patients, family and staff. Online, the LIFE Center reached people from 188 countries, with more than 14,000 page views per month.
3,808 individuals reached 188 countries reached The Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center continued to offer the most comprehensive collection of educational resources for people living with a wide range of cognitive and physical impairments, chronic conditions and diseases affecting function. Through its services, the LIFE Center promotes learning, innovation, family and empowerment. Resources are always available free of charge, thanks to you.
Last spring, Terry and Bob’s son, Kevin, sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after falling down the stairs in his Delaware home. After 10 weeks in intensive care at a local trauma center, the 47-year-old was moved to the neurological step-down unit. It soon became clear that the facility did not have the specialized care that Kevin required. His wife, Nichol, searched online for experts in complex brain injury recovery and found Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Here, Terry and Bob found more than expert medical care for their son — they discovered a community that cared for them, too. With a daily schedule and collaborative treatment plan, they were able to participate in Kevin’s recovery while also taking time to rest, confident he was in good hands. The Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center played a pivotal role in their experience. An educator provided tailored resources that helped them better understand Kevin’s condition. They also were invited to join the weekly caregiver support group, where they connected with others facing similar challenges. These sessions offered emotional support and practical guidance, helping them navigate complex decisions and feel less alone. Through ongoing conversations with LIFE Center staff, Terry and Bob gained a deeper understanding about TBI and how to support Kevin’s healing. They appreciated having trusted experts who could address their questions and concerns, and they valued the genuine care shown to them as individuals.
Thanks to your generosity, families like Terry and Bob’s receive not only world- class medical care for their loved ones, but also the knowledge, compassion and community they need to heal.
“The LIFE Center team embraced Kevin, but they embraced us as caregivers, too,” Terry said. “The kindness and compassion we received was incredible.” Bob added, “Sometimes we feel lost and frustrated, but we know that we have someone to turn to if we have a question or a problem. What the LIFE Center staff does is invaluable.”
Quality-of-life Programs 27
26 Quality-of-life Programs
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