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Whether you are an individual living with a brain and/or spinal cord injury, a caregiver, or professional in the field, we have programs to offer for everyone. Through these programs, we connect individuals needing support with others through peer mentoring, sports and recreation partnerships, and community events. Other programs we offer focus on raising awareness, education, and advocacy. To learn about our programs, click on the tabs below.
Our Connections Circle (Connections Immersed in Real Community Life Experiences) fills the need of connecting individuals with brain and/or spinal cord injuries and caregivers to support around the state. While there are some support groups individually run throughout the state, there are many individuals living with brain and/or spinal cord injuries that are not connected with any type of support. By communicating with people around the state, our hope is to locate these individuals needing support, and bring them together for enrichment and social opportunities with established support systems. Connections Circle events will be offered numerous times throughout the year statewide.
To learn more about this program, please email kim@biala.org
Our caregiving program includes a virtual caregiving support group facilitated by a caregiver. Fourth Tuesday of the month from 6 pm - 7 pm. Email info@biala.org for Zoom link.
We also partner with rehabilitation hospitals and community partners to offer caregiver coffees statewide. These caregiver coffees are intended to provide support and resources for caregivers.
Caregiver tip sheets are available as well as steps on what to do right after a loved one is injured. Caregivers can also be paired with peer mentors through our peer mentoring program.
Thanks to the generosity of the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, we are able to provide Caregiver Resource Bags containing valuable information that is of immediate assistance when caring for individuals following a brain and/or spinal cord injury. These Caregiver Resource Bags also share a message with caregivers that they are not alone and are appreciated. We are deeply grateful to the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust for supporting our mission and providing these Caregiver Resource Bags.
Mr. Oscar J. Tolmas was an attorney, World War II veteran and a real estate developer. Upon his death, he created the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust to help other tax-exempt organizations with their mission of helping others. The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana/LA Chapter of United Spinal Association is the statewide resource for those impacted by brain and/or spinal cord injuries. Trustees Lisa Romano and Vincent Giardina stated “We decided to support the association because of their proven efforts in advocacy, awareness, education, prevention, and services to individuals and families affected by brain and/or spinal cord injuries. That falls in line with Mr. Tolmas’ mission of helping others.”
For more information, please send email to: info@biala.org
Thanks to the generosity of the Mande Milkshakers, Resource Backpacks are available for individuals newly impacted by a traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injury. We understand that the early stages of recovery can feel overwhelming and uncertain. These backpacks are thoughtfully assembled to help individuals take those first steps with guidance, clarity, and hope. Each backpack contains essential resources and educational materials to help individuals and their loved ones better understand the injury and what to expect in the days ahead. These tools are designed to support and empower individuals as they begin to navigate the path of recovery, with a little more confidence and a lot more support.
The Mande Milkshakers is a year-round philanthropic organization based in Mandeville Louisiana, that serves the community through four pillars… fun, friendship, fitness, and philanthropy.
Not only do they have tons of fun and spread this fun throughout communities, but they are also friends who have become a family where they encourage each other to become the best version of themselves. Supporting and bringing awareness to their charitable partners and other community organizations is a year-round effort and something they are passionate about. As a reward for their hard work, you can find them dancing in parades and participating in community events all over the Northshore and Southshore where they bring fun, joy, and smiles to all around.
To learn more about the Mande Milkshakers, visit: https://linktr.ee/mandemilkshakers.
For more information, please send email to: info@biala.org
Craig Cares emerged through the gift of friendship, in honor of Craig, to ease the transition in life for individuals following a spinal cord injury. Knowing the challenges Craig faced after his injury, Craig Cares aims to provide hope by helping others who are facing similar challenges in basic, yet impactful ways.
Craig Cares is a grant program, funded by a charitable gift, intended to assist individuals with spinal cord injuries as they adjust to life living with their injury. The goal is to provide this assistance, in a time of great need, when insurance will not cover or fully cover necessary items or services to maintain a positive quality of life. Individuals may apply for a grant, up to $1,000, if they meet the criteria as well as agree to the terms listed on application. That amount is not guarenteed. Before submitting, please click below to download the details of what exactly what this grant will cover. Applications will be reviewed and a determination will be made by a committee. If the application is approved, a check will be mailed to the address listed on the application. A receipt must be submitted to our organization for the approved purchase. Failure to submit a receipt will eliminate any future grant funding.
BIALA is honored and proud to represent Louisiana as the state partner of "Unmasking Brain Injury". This powerful art exhibit, created by individuals from around Louisiana, who have sustained brain injuries, promotes awareness of the prevalence of brain injury; gives individuals with brain injuries a voice, and educates others of what it’s like to live with a brain injury. These masks show others that persons living with a disability, due to their brain injury, are like anyone else, deserving of dignity, respect, compassion, and the opportunity to prove their value as citizens in their community. Louisiana's Unmasking Brain Injury art exhibit is proudly shared around the state, at no cost, and leaves an impactful impression on all who view the masks.
To host the exhibit or paint a mask, email: kim@biala.org
BIALA has formalized a partnership with the New Orleans based BISCIS League (Brain Injury Spinal Cord Injury Sports), the Baton Rouge based Cajun Crushers and Ski-Dawgs Adaptive Water Skiing.
BISCIS is led by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who volunteers her time generously to individuals with either brain or spinal cord injuries who wish to play baseball and to bowl. For more information, email Linda.Brown@LCMCHealth.org
Cajun Crushers offers residents of Louisiana, with a permanent disability, the opportunity to network with others like them by participating in adaptive sports clinics and participate in annual competitions nationally. They aim to break down barriers, promote physical fitness, personal growth, and community awareness for the unique talents and strengths of each individual. For more information, visit: www.cajuncrushers.org
Ski- Dawgs Adaptive Water Skiing's mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to experience the thrill of water skiing in a controlled safe environment 100%. They foster a strong sense of community among their skiers, their families and volunteers. Their clinics encourage camaraderie where individuals can gather to fellowship with others who experience many of the same challenges faced on a daily bases. If you're not ready to try the adaptive ski, they also offer rides on our large inflatable tube or a day of great food and fun. For more information, visit: www.skidawgs.com
BIALA collaborates with hospitals and rehabilitation facilities around the state offering to pair certified, trained peer mentors, with patients and/or their caregivers who could benefit from having a mentor. This program impacts many lives in different ways, but its most important influence is the first-hand knowledge and guidance that newly injured individuals or caregivers are able to receive from their peer mentors who have gone through similar injuries. For more information, email: info@biala.org.