“By taking a holistic approach to treatment, we can view each survivor as an actual person…”

Benjamin Gross To Co-Headline Leadership Breakfast

Professor Benjamin Gross is scheduled to share his vision of the ever-expanding role of occupational therapy as a panelist at the upcoming Brain Health Leadership Breakfast, presented by the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona.

This prestigious annual breakfast, BACK TO BUSINESS, continues to bring together businesses, medical professionals, and the brain injury community to emphasize the importance of all systems working united.

What’s more, presenters are honored to serve as guides for C-suite executives welcoming new and returning employees with various forms of brain injury. This includes those recovering from stroke, involved in car accidents, and have experienced an overdose.

Carrie Collins, CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance, says, “We live in a world where cars are being made safer and surgical techniques are improving, Now, our leadership is pleased to host this event to holistically examine proven ways what works and what doesn’t for new and returning employees recovering from brain injury. Everyone wants to be recognized for the value they bring.

“Conversely, there is a real cost to the community when you don’t accommodate someone who can participate in the workplace, whether short- or long- term,” continues Carrie. “We can quantify the economic loss, but the world misses out on their collective experience, education, creativity and ingenuity. Honestly, that is something we cannot afford night now.”

Professor Gross’s ongoing mission is to help those with disabilities, such as brain injury, regain their independence. He puts it simply, “People want to be able to go the bathroom and shower themselves.” They also want to go back to work and their community. These are the goals that he and his colleagues seek to attain every single day.

“His therapies take the classic truism – if you have seen one brain injury, you have seen one brain injury – to the physical rehabilitation arena for optimal success,” says Carrie. “When you add community-level supports like the Brain Injury Alliance for survivors and family, the progress made at the clinical level in rehab are more likely to stick as life returns to normal.”

Now an Instructor at A.T. Still University, this Pittsburgh native is a prominent advocate of the multidisciplinary team approach to post-hospital recovery. “By taking a holistic approach to treatment, we can view each survivor as an actual person. This means that everybody’s plan is different.”

Members of a multidisciplinary team can include a physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, neuropsychologist, and occupational therapist. The patient’s family, caregiver, teachers, and employer can also play a key role as consistency and ongoing attention are needed to gauge progress. Professor Gross also acknowledges there are only four such teams in Arizona dedicated to vocational rehab, specifically focusing on return to work.

“In Arizona, there is a lot of funding for this approach. A high value is placed on TBI in this setting. In fact, much of guidance is usually provided by the vocational developer, who acts as a coach.” He is also very bullish on the state’s commitment to training undergraduates to learn how to be part of such a team. “I’d like to find even more OTs who want to work in a variety of settings – hospitals, schools, and private practice.”

Returning to work is a key objective and the current good job market in this state is good news for those with TBI. “More employers are willing to hire these individuals, especially in entry-level positions,” he says, “but that can change if the job market worsens. We’re always conscious of the fact that this population tends to be underemployed.”

His research revolves around finding solutions so they can maintain job security. Quite often, that means physically watching a survivor at work to analyze if accommodations must be made. Sometimes it’s simpler than others.

Because TBI is invisible, solutions aren’t always as apparent as this, but he is determined to have the OT’s specific role recognized in the journey of recovery. “For example, the PT focuses on building strength and mobility. The neuropsychologist talks about life and emotional issues. The OT says, “Let’s see how you’re actually doing it.’ This is more holistic as we can watch and make real-life recommendations with usable tools.”

“I recall one gentleman with hemiplegia, one side of his body was paralyzed. He worked at a call center and needed to raise his hand in between calls when he needed to notify the supervisor but was unable to. So I devised a flag system that only required one hand to operate the phone as well as raise the flag. This is an example that you could only get by watching him in action.”

This father of three is currently enmeshed in academia and is working on his Clinical Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh after extensive experience with in- and out-patent settings. He lives in Phoenix with his wife Danielle, their twin boys Asher and Joey, and daughter Naomi.

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona:

• Works with Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
• Houses Arizona Brain Health Resource Center
• Hosts virtual and in-person support groups for survivors and families
• Has Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Response team with peer support, training, and family wraparound services
• Facilitates Brain Health Advisory Council
• Manages statewide Help Line: 888-500-9165