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Your kind donation makes sharing our resources possible!
Tax ID #: 27-1690965
Welcome!

Looking to reinvent yourself after a traumatic brain injury? We're an online lifeline and resource connector. This has been my vision ever since a young woman ran a stop sign and sent my car tumbling end-over-end.

This website allows us to share our research, resources, and stories with each other. We're glad you are here!

If you are feeling alone, please email info@tbibridge.org and include your phone number. We'll reach out!


March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Celebrating brain injury awareness, holding hands in a victory circle in the park

Join the My Brain Injury Journey Campaign through BIAUSA.com, the Brain Injury Association of America.

  • Get Involved
  • Share Your Story
  • Attend Webinars and Rallies
  • ... Learn More


Meetings

Weekly Zoom Meetings

Are you on the list?
Please call Celeste at (909) 260-0980 or send her an email at info@tbibridge.org. You'll be added to a list to get a reminder the day before each Tuesday's meetings.

Missed the Zoom Meeting? Watch recent ones here!

March 19
Replay
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Zoom meeting of March 19, 2024
February 27 :
It's A Hero's Journey

It's A Hero's Journey. Facilitated by Kenny Mirman
February 20
Replay
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Zoom meeting of February 20, 2024
February 6 :
Survive, Revive, Thrive

Survive, Revive, Thrive. Facilitated by Kenny Mirman

Watch Older Zoom Meetings


News

Kirk's Solo Trip to Machu Picchu

Kirk in Lima, Peru
The capital city of Peru, Lima
Cheers to Kirk, our own Bridging the Gap friend, who traveled solo to Peru to see the wonders of the Inca Kingdom at Machu Picchu! Here are a few photos he shared with us.

Click any photo to view larger.


Visit to Upland-Foothill Kiwanis

Celeste and Christian at Upland-Foothill Kiwanis
Celeste and Christian with President
Celeste speaks at Upland-Foothill Kiwanis
Celeste speaks
August 23rd we visited Upland-Foothill Kiwanis, and presented a talk about Bridging the Gap to their members.

Jim's Exhibit at Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Jim introduces his exhibit
Closer Looks at Nature with artist Jim Manley
Many of our group had the pleasure of attending the official opening of our friend Jim Manley's photography exhibit, "Closer Looks," at Mt. San Antonio Gardens on June 8th. The photos are large versions of close-up nature subjects. These images can, in the artist's words, "immerse people in a restful moment for the eyes and brain. Like a little sanctuary."

Click any photo to view larger.
The group listening to Jim The group listening to Jim Succulent Green tendrils Agave Pink lily Red spiky flower Succulent Yellow daisy Succulent Little league pitcher Jim at the podium Info about exhibit Info about exhibit After party


Great Connections: PVHMC's Stroke Awareness Day

Mike and Norma tooling around PVHMC
Mike and Norma on a beautiful SoCal day

We were glad to see and be seen at the annual Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Stroke Awareness Day.

This April, we partnered with healing professionals and support groups from our area to celebrate the strides we're making in the field of brain health. Bridging the Gap was very pleased to have a table again at this excellent event, with speakers on the state of the art of stroke recovery.

Click any photo to view larger.
Mike, Norma, and Christian staff our booth Christian setting up our table Mike and Norma tooling around PVHMC


Radio Shorts — Brain Injury Radio Stories at Chico State

Gentleman speaking into a microphone
Stories of TBIs from folks at Chico State are a window into the soul of recovery

The Brain Injury Coalition promotes brain injury awareness at California State University at Chico in Northern California.

This January, the radio station KZFR partnered with the coalition and graduate students of the Communications Sciences and Disorders Program to create a show featuring the personal stories of four TBI survivors: Tom, Bev, Nikki, and Bridging the Gap's own Clay Ellington.

Listen Now


Their theme this year is "Progress Over Perfection." Let us know what these stories and heartfelt insights mean to you.


TBI and Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws

Sketch of little bird
Sketch in a nature journal
Celeste was a guest on the Nature Journaling Educators' Forum video cast in December with artist and educator John Muir Laws. She shared her TBI story and how she went on to create Bridging the Gap. And she delighted in sharing her experiences journaling and drawing in nature, especially while sitting on her favorite bench among the giant poppies at the garden!

Zoom call screen shot with John and Celeste
Video replay of our meeting
It was great to hear John's group sharing how art and nature are healing for them, and connecting with them through these simple yet deeply enriching pleasures of life. He was kind enough to share the video of this meeting, I hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did during the live online meeting!

Visit John Muir Laws's website for more information about John's artistry, his lessons, conferences, safaris, and more!


Pomona Valley Stroke Classes Going Strong

Pomona Valley Health Center in Claremont
Beautiful Claremont Campus of PVHC
"Life After Stroke: New Beginnings" is the stroke support group of Pomona Valley Hospital, held in Claremont at Pomona Valley Health Center on Monte Vista.

Meetings are held every fourth Thursday of the month from 10 to 11:30 AM.

For more information please email Stroke.Support@PVHMC.org.

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Latest Video Interviews are Live!

Fireside Chat with Celeste and Christian
Film at Eleven
The latest "Our Stories" videos are now live here on the website! See new faces, and some familiar ones too!
Watch Now
Corner scrollwork art
Bridge Event Series
New!
Our Bridging the Gap tree of events means there are lots more ways to connect with each other! Check out our exciting new offerings ...
Visit Helpers' Corner to learn more
  • Reading Bridge
    Build back language skills with Suzanne, reading for fun and therapy
  • Poetry Corner
    Jim guides us in the healing act of writing and reading inspirational quotations



Welcome from Celeste Palmer
Founder and TBI Survivor


Neuro-optometrist Dr. Doug Stephey shows us how the brain and eyes work together
Neuro-optometrist Dr. Doug Stephey Video
How the brain and eyes work together


To the future!
Holiday Happiness Strategies Video
Tips for keeping spirits bright all year long


Dr. Martin McLeod speaks at our meeting
Chiropractor Dr. Martin McLeod Video on Successful Living
This dynamic speaker makes sense of getting to know your body and emotions, how doctors and patients should communicate, and how diet can be the key to everything.


Krista Von Stetten during her video interview
Our Stories - Video Edition!
Catch up with us live on video.



My Happiness Project Video
Celeste speaks about our pursuit of happiness


Celeste and Judith at booksigning event
Celeste's Journey Video
Sharing her adventures at a booksigning event



Donations Welcome!
Your kind donation makes
sharing our resources possible!


Tax ID #: 27-1690965

We appreciate our business donors so very much!
  • Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater
  • Citrus Community College and Haugh Performing Arts Theater
  • Claremont Courier
  • Espiau's Restaurant
  • Human Interface
  • In-N-Out Burger
  • Inter Valley Health Plan
  • Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
  • Salt Oasis
  • Stroke Department, PVHMC
  • Tea with Sherry
... and to all the people who give to help us. You allow us to continue the tradition of scholarships to Veterans who are students at Citrus College. You also expand our reach to find and provide resources, education, and advocacy for survivors' families and friends — our gratitude is endless!

If you would like to contribute to the Susan Reis Carroll Memorial, please make a note of it in your donation. Susan was a TBI survivor and a member of our community.

Gentle Intro to TBI: Celeste on the Radio — July 26, 2018
Terry Smith's radio show screenshot Our own Celeste was a guest on Brain Injury Radio with Terry Smith! She gave a wonderful introduction to the world of traumatic brain injury, shared her personal experiences, and offered some great tips on how to venture forward and find help. (Note: Celeste's segment runs from 19:40 to 56:48 minutes)
Listen on Terry's Website


Chicken Soup for the Soul - Book Cover Inspiration for Recovery in 101 Doses
Celeste is honored to be one of the 101 people who were asked to share their brain injury journeys in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries: 101 Stories of Hope, Healing, and Hard Work.


Our Resources page contains many listings we have found helpful. From medical centers to massage, in-home care to brain boosting techniques, please make use of these great opportunities. Email Us if you have a resource to share with others!


Media

Crash Support Network Logo Celeste's Story in Crash Support Network Newsletter Looking for more connections with the TBI community? Dawne McKay's website is Crash Support Network, and she publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Sharing Our Recovery." Both are full of stories about survivors as well as helpful resources. Her Spring 2020 newsletter features an article about our own Celeste Palmer!
Read the PDF newsletter
Visit the website


TBI and Visual Consequences Podcast — August, 2018
Celeste Palmer Celeste was a guest on neuro-optometrist Dr. Doug Stephey's "Move, Look, and Listen" podcast, with host Tim Edwards. This audio is a mind-boggling "look" at how the brain and vision interact in so many fundamental ways.



You're Invited

You are not alone. We're there for each other. As our videos show, our support groups are tremendously helpful in allowing us to hear what works for others, and also to discuss the things that are difficult.

We cover current topics about brain injury, cutting-edge research about concussion and stroke, and we discuss what's currently available to us in our recovery. We address the issues of survivors, caregivers, family, and friends.

Join us on Zoom every Tuesday at 9:00 AM. We'd love to meet you!


Special Insight Into "The New Normal"
With COVID-19, people struggle to process "the new normal" when life keeps throwing them curve balls. The TBI community may be better prepared for the "new normal" than the average person. We understand how constant re-adjustment can challenge our memory, mood, and decision-making ability.

We have learned coping strategies such as meditation and distraction to calm the brain during times like these. Our Stories page has lots of inspiration, and Celeste's Holiday Happiness video contains steps to help you get your groove back.


Winter Whispers Kids sledding "Winter is a season of recovery and preparation." — Paul Theroux

Hello, 2024!

This new beginning springs with hope that 2024 brings you peace and satisfaction. We are pleased to be on this journey with you, glad to be of help in providing resources, and comforted to welcome you into our family.

Take heart and remember our simple motto:
Believe, Be Patient, and Never Give Up!



Our Gang at a recent meeting
Bridging the Gap is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Logo designed by Danny Blanco
danny_blanco@yahoo.com