Donations Welcome!
Your kind donation makes
sharing our resources possible!
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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!
Stroke Awareness Day — Celebrating A Toast to Our Homecoming
In-Person Event!
Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 9 AM to 12 PM
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center — Pitzer Auditorium
This day offers stroke survivors, family, caregivers and our community
a day of celebration, education, awareness and fun with our knowledgeable
and dedicated stroke team. View Flyer for more info
May is Stroke Awareness Month
Learn more at the National Institutes of Health's Know Stroke website.
Zoom Meetings
All of our in-person events are suspended due to Coronavirus concerns.
In the meantime, please join us for Zoom Meetings online.
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.
Tuesdays at 9 AM — Support Group Meeting for survivors, caregivers, family and friends >>> Click to join meeting <<<
Tuesdays at 11 AM — Caregiver Meeting
Please call Celeste at (909) 260-0980 or send her an email at info@tbibridge.org for meeting ID and passcode.
Please check back for updates as the Coronavirus situation improves and in-person meetings resume!
If you are feeling alone, please email info@tbibridge.org and include your phone number. We'll reach out!
Go Ahead and Spring!
"Spring is the time of plans and projects."
— Leo Tolstoy
Spring always inspires me to take on lots of projects. I'm not too concerned if my plans don't all bear fruit.
I take my cue from the lemon tree outside my door.
This particular tree is a Meyer Lemon, a variety first sent to the states in 1908 by agricultural explorer Frank Meyer,
who wrapped up a little cutting and mailed it on a slow boat from China. The Meyer is sweeter than regular lemons, like me.
It sends up lots of blossoms, more than it probably needs. A lot of "trial balloons" are launched. Some end up on the ground,
but others mature into juicy treasures.
If winter was the time to hunker down and conserve our energy, then spring is not only the time to act — it's also the verb! SPRING!
Citrus College Awards 2021 Bridging the Gap Scholarship 2021 Scholarship Recipient Andrew Sanchez
We are proud to introduce the latest recipient of the Bridging the Gap Scholarship — Mr. Andrew Sanchez! This is
our ninth year of providing scholarships to veterans and other deserving Citrus College students
Andrew spent 5 years in the US Army, one year of which was spent in a combat zone in Baghdad, Iraq. His experiences
were full of harsh challenges to face and overcome. Transitioning to life as a college student means that he now has to face
a whole series of new challenges: to adapt to the familiar-yet-different environment of life back home,
and to also address the PTSD that came as a result of his war-zone experiences.
Andrew partnered with mental health professionals through the Veterans' Administration, and realized school could be a
part of moving forward with his life goals. He is pursuing a career in Public Works Administration at Citrus College, and
now he has a scholarship to help him make it happen.
Congratulations, Andrew! We're thrilled to be a part of your future goals!
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.
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
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.
Our monthly meetings at Claremont Place are currently canceled due to Coronavirus concerns. We normally meet on the
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm. It's free. We'd love to meet you when the schedule returns to normal, so please
check back for updates as the situation improves.
If you are feeling alone, please email info@tbibridge.org and include your phone number. We'll reach out!
Latest Updates
TBI and Visual Consequences Podcast — August, 2018
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.
Gentle Intro to TBI: Celeste on the Radio — July 26, 2018
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
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!
We are on Amazon Smile!
When you make a purchase through Amazon Smile and designate "Bridging the Gap Connecting TBI Survivors", we receive a small
donation. It's the same as your normal Amazon shopping, but this way Amazon donates to our group.
We would greatly appreciate it if you would click here to make us your Amazon Smile charity.
3 Event Series
The recent birth of three new branches in our Bridging the Gap tree of events
means there are lots more ways to connect with each other! Check out our exciting new offerings ...
Click any section to learn more
Artists' Studio
Gigi helps us get creative and use art as therapy
Health & Wellness
Jeannette gets us moving and learning about our bodies and brains
Helpers' Corner
Cisco, Michelle, Christian, and Eric give comfort and help us expand our horizons with poetry, film, books, and meditation
Welcome from Celeste Palmer
Founder and TBI Survivor
Holiday Happiness Strategies Video
Tips for keeping spirits bright all year long
Chiropractor 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.
Our Stories - Video Edition!
Catch up with us live on video.
My Happiness Project Video
Celeste speaks about our pursuit of happiness
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.
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.
Proceeds from purchases made through Celeste go directly to our non-profit, Bridging the Gap.
Your purchase will help us share our resources with other TBI survivors!
Our Gang at a recent meeting
Bridging the Gap is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization