Call Us : 619-294-6541

News

Sycuan and Brianna

brianna scharnowThe San Diego Brain Injury Foundation is deeply grateful to be selected as a recipient of Sycuan’s annual Holiday Gift Giving Ceremony, a cherished tradition that supports organizations making a meaningful impact in our community.

Each year, Tribal Council Members and senior leaders from Sycuan’s Management Team have the opportunity to designate a holiday gift to a charity of their choice. We are honored to share that Brianna Scharnow, Treasurer of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, selected the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation as her recipient and generously awarded us a gift of $10,000.

This incredible contribution will directly support our mission to serve individuals and families impacted by brain injury. Funds like these help us provide critical education, resources, and life-changing programs that promote recovery, resilience, and hope for those navigating the challenges of brain injury.

We are sincerely thankful to Treasurer Scharnow for her compassion and generosity, and to Sycuan for their continued commitment to giving back through the Holiday Gift Giving Ceremony. Partnerships like this strengthen our work and help ensure that survivors and families in our community never have to face recovery alone.

From all of us at the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation—thank you for believing in our mission and for making a lasting difference this last holiday season.

Kiana Davis

Kiana Davis runningAfter my first professional (indoor) track and field season in 2018, just completing college (Dec 2017), I slipped in ice and my head hit a concrete ramp leaving a basketball game. What started off as embarrassment, I tried to giggle it off, but realized my balance was compromised when I fell again walking to my car. When I got to my car, I realized I didn’t remember how to drive, so I called a friend, who took me home and told me to go to sleep. After waking up vomiting and confused as to where I was, I ended up in the hospital, soon to find out I had a traumatic brain injury.

I woke up the next morning with slurred/slowed speech and ringing ears, which was getting progressively worse. Unable to function in regular activities, such as showering and cooking on my own, my parents put me on leave at work, and moved me home, for what we thought would be a few days to a few weeks. After months had passed, I had to say goodbye to my coach, sign off on my apartment, quit my job, and fully move home, as we realized this wasn’t going to be a short-term injury.

Kiana Davis at a meetThere were changes in my personality, speech, hearing, and emotional regulation, as well as needing to sleep for the majority of most days. As my day-to-day functioning began to progress, I had to face the fact that I wasn’t able to move around much without motion sickness and overheating in my body temperature, so I started to realize track might not be something I would be able to return to.

With time, I was able to begin working part time, and gradually full time, and slowly began exercising. Though my speech was progressing, my hearing loss also progressed. After a full year, I had gained about 40 pounds, and lost a lot of balance/ coordination. But I decided I was going to do whatever it took to get back to track. I knew in my heart it wasn’t time to hang up my spikes. I slowly transitioned back into training and sport, throughout 2020, and made the Olympic trials finals in 2021. I came back that year and had jumped further than I jumped prior to my injury!

Though it seemed like I was progressing, the following year I started having health complications such as daily nausea, seizures, sleepwalking/disturbances, and random loss of muscle control and coordination (including peeing my pants at practice on multiple occasions). We had to reanalyze if sport was going to be beneficial to my health in the long run. I was in and out of the hospital throughout 2022-2023, working with neurologists and specialists, but I continued my training. I switched events from jumping to running to give my brain and spinal cord a rest, and have continued training to this point. I never gave up and I am currently training for the 2024 Olympic trials in hopes to compete on the Olympic team!

UPDATE: Kiana is this year’s Honorary Chair for the SDBIF Friendraiser. So, if you would like to meet her in person, please join us on September 20 at the Admiral Baker Club House for an inspirational evening surrounded by friends of brain injury recovery!

Follow Kiana on Instagram: @kiana_imani

Kiana with track team

As our Executive Director stated in her letter, one of SDBIF’s goals is to find new and effective ways to address reintegration challenges and provide meaningful solutions by offering individualized navigation action plans for survivors.

Sample NavAP with captionWHAT IS A NAVIGATION ACTION PLAN?
A Navigation Action Plan (NavAP) identifies a survivor’s needs and current barriers and provides steps on how to address, work through and overcome them.

This plan serves as a roadmap, outlining the steps the brain injury survivor must take to progress towards their short-term goals. The NavAP addresses the survivor’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, as well as personal goals and preferences; and includes tailored recommendations and actionable steps, ensuring that the survivor has a clear and achievable pathway to follow.

HOW DOES A SURVIVOR OBTAIN A NavAP?
A survivor needs to do a simple 30-45-minute assessment completed with a SDBIF Program Coordinator. These are completed over the phone (or it can be in-person), where the Program Coordinator will ask a series of questions to get to know and understand the survivor’s situation, challenges, and aspirations better.

Better yet, It is VERY easy to ask for one of these assessments to be done. All a survivor has to do is call SDBIF’s Telephone Helpline at (619) 294-6541 or email info@SDBIF.org and ask to schedule one!

HOW MUCH DOES A NavAP COST?
NOTHING!!! These are Free-of-Charge thanks to funding from the California Department of Rehabilitation and the generous donations of SDBIF’s supporters.

WHAT ARE NEW BENEFITS SURVIVORS HAVE ACCESS TO AFTER COMPLETING A NavAP?
SDBIF has begun a series of new initiatives in 2025 that active, participating survivors will have access to, once a NavAP is completed.

SISR Program
SDBIF is partnering with SDSU’s School of Health and Human Services–Center for Clinical & Cognitive Neuroscience to launch the Students Invested in Survivor Reintegration (SISR) Program. This advocate-based initiative pairs junior and senior undergraduate students with TBI survivors to assist with facilitating their reintegration from rehab to community life. Guided by Dr. Stephaine Ries, Professor, Dr. Roslyn Knox, SDBIF Executive Director, and Dr. Dan Gardner, M.D., a renowned brain injury expert, participants will receive training and support to ensure effective enrollment and engagement.

The objectives of SISR include weekly 1-on-1 meetings between students and survivors to enhance daily living and communication skills, advocacy support for navigating community resources, organization, and goal setting. Additionally, students will assist survivors with technology through workshops. The program will operate repeatedly on a semester basis, with ongoing assessment and reassessment using standardized instruments to track outcomes.

Community & Vocational Readiness Workshops
Partnering with Rehab Without Walls, SDBIF will host a monthly workshop series, each session led by licensed practitioners in various therapy disciplines. These interactive workshops will cover essential strategies and skills to prepare participants for re-entering the community and the workforce.

Assisted learning Technology Library
SDBIF is committed to bridging the digital divide after brain injury to address technological literacy needs. Recognizing the importance of access to technology and assistive devices, SDBIF will establish the Assisted Learning Technology (ALT) Library where workshops will be held to assist survivors in re-learning essential technology skills. This ALT Library will provide survivors and their families with access to computers, the internet, assistive technology, and printed materials, serving as a hub for workshops and technological assistance services.

Transportation Vouchers
Recognizing transportation barriers faced by survivors, SDBIF will offer financial assistance to enrolled survivors in need. Collaborating with rideshare services and public transportation systems, SDBIF will provide passes and vouchers for healthcare appointments, social services, and SDBIF programs. Additional assistance may be available upon request.

What's next graphic
UNITED FOR REINTEGRATION
SDBIF’s Navigation Action Plan (NavAP) provides survivors with a personalized roadmap to overcome challenges and achieve their goals—all completely free. With new 2025 initiatives like the SISR Program, vocational workshops, assistive technology resources, and transportation vouchers, survivors have more support than ever.

If you or a loved one could benefit from a NavAP, reach out today! Just call (619) 294-6541 or email to info@SDBIF.org to start your reintegration journey. Your future is ready—let’s navigate it together!

Roslyn and Brain Injury Symposium Panelists

surviveHEADSTRONG San Diego 2024 walk start
As we come to the close of 2024, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you—the donors, advocates, professionals, family members, friends, and most importantly, the incredible survivors who form the heartbeat of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF). This has been a transformative year for our organization, a year where we took bold steps in re-structuring and re-imagining what’s possible when we come together with dedication, passion, and purpose. Because of you, this year has been one of growth, accomplishment, and progress for the entire brain injury community.

A Year of Re-Structuring and Re-Imagining
In 2024, we set out with a vision: to reinforce our foundation to not only provide resources and support but to also embody resilience, community, and advocacy. This re-imagining required fresh perspectives and hard work, and we couldn’t have done it without your belief in our mission. Whether through your generous donations, volunteer work, expertise, or the simple but profound act of showing up, your commitment has been invaluable. Together, we’re building something stronger and more impactful than ever before.

This year was also a testament to the power of community-driven change. Every program, event, and initiative we introduced was inspired by your insights and needs. From support groups and educational workshops to our new community events, we focused on creating spaces where survivors and families could feel seen, heard, and supported. These milestones were achieved thanks to your unwavering support and engagement.

Megan,Andreia,Gabriella,JasonCelebrating Accomplishments Together
As we look back on the achievements of this year, it’s clear that our progress is a direct result of your involvement. Each of you—donors, supporters, and collaborators—has played an integral role in making 2024 a success. Your donations have funded essential programs, your advocacy has raised awareness, and your expertise has guided our decisions. With your support, we’ve expanded access to services, enhanced resources for survivors, and deepened our partnerships with healthcare providers, advocates, and other community organizations. Together, we’ve achieved what once felt beyond reach, and it’s only the beginning.

Thank You to Our Donors and Advocates
To our dedicated donors, thank you for believing in our vision and investing in the future of brain injury support. Every contribution has a ripple effect, directly improving the lives of survivors and their families. To our passionate advocates, your voices amplify the needs of our community. You remind the world of the challenges faced by brain injury survivors and the importance of understanding, support, and inclusivity. Your tireless work uplifts and empowers every survivor in San Diego and beyond.

A Heartfelt Tribute to Professionals, Families, and Friends
To the professionals who partner with us and guide our efforts, thank you for your commitment to ensuring that survivors receive the highest quality of care and resources. Your expertise and dedication bring hope and healing to countless individuals navigating their recovery journeys. To the support system of families and friends who stand beside our survivors each day, your love, patience, and resilience are truly inspiring. You are the unsung heroes, providing strength and comfort in ways that words cannot capture.

2024 Friendrasier check-inAnd Above All, Thank You to Our Survivors
Finally, to our incredible survivors—you are the reason we do what we do. Your courage, determination, and resilience are the driving force behind every decision, every program, and every event. We are honored to be part of your journey and are inspired daily by your strength and perseverance. Thank you for allowing us to walk this path with you and for showing us what it means to truly live with purpose and resilience.

Looking Forward to 2025
As we move into 2025, we carry forward the momentum and enthusiasm that 2024 has sparked. We are excited to continue re-imagining the ways SDBIF can serve and support you. Together, we will create new opportunities, deepen our partnerships, and ensure that every survivor in our community has access to the resources and support they deserve.

Thank you for making this year so meaningful and memorable. With your continued support and involvement, the future holds endless possibilities for the brain injury community. Here’s to a new year of hope, resilience, and togetherness.

With deepest gratitude,
The Entire Team of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation

Stevie McCarley

In 2013 I suffered an anoxic brain injury. I started making art soon after. Art became my way of healing through my life and brain changing. Art gave me a direction in life. I took art classes and spent many long hours in my studio. My first exhibition was called brain texture because I realized a lot of the imagery, I was creating looked similar to a brain. Creating became my purpose. I like to work with multiple mediums such as acrylics, oils, texture and charcoal. I have found that my brain enjoys the challenge of new mediums and using inventive practices. I have made a life for myself while still struggling with my disability. I am constantly amazed by how my brain keeps growing and healing.

I’d like to give hope to those who are at the beginning of their brain injury journey. It’s okay to accept that things are different and that in many ways life is harder. Your healing is not limited to a timeline. I have been able to accomplish big life goals 5 to10 years out from my injury, so many things that I was not able to do or even thought would be possible for me right after my injury. Don’t give up on yourself or your brain. Love yourself and try to find ways to love your brain. In many ways it is your partner in this life even though some days it may feel like your greatest adversary. So be kind to your brain, you both have been through so much.

Stevie photo & art

Grant GeblerAt the beginning of the year, SDBIF was blessed with a new partnership…and friendships—we were contacted by Full Metal Burgers and Black Plague Brewery about donating all the proceeds from their 3rd Annual Grant Gebler Car Show and Benefit Concert to SDBIF! We were amazed by their passion for the SDBIF mission and found out why…

Their friend and colleague, Grant Gebler, suffered a stroke on 11/11/2020. His friends at Full Metal Burgers and Black Plague Brewing wanted to do something to help Grant’s recovery…so, they started this annual Car Show and Concert fundraiser to help him monetarily…AND show him the love and support he has all around him.

Grant Gebler BenefitGrant has now recovered to the point where he is back to work, and they have decided to use this event’s proceeds to support others who are on their journey to recovery from brain injury. So, on March 24th, Full Metal Burgers and Black Plague Brewery put on a spectacular event with a car show, music performances and amazing food and drinks. Despite the weather, there was quite a turnout, and in the end, the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation was presented with a $1500 check!

We are grateful for this partnership, our new friendships and more importantly, are glad to see Grant well on his way to recovery.

If you are in the Oceanside area…grab a tasty burger and brew and tell them how much their support means to us!!!

Serving the Brain Injury Community Since 1983

Get Involved with Us OrDonate to SDBIF