www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com | 83 HEALTHL INKS IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THESE UPSTATE AREA NONPROFITS The process of finding the right job for Liz was “collaborative, and it was a journey,” said Brooks. After trying assembly and production-focused jobs, it was clear that Liz needed a position that would better suit her intelligent and extroverted nature. Now employed as an event staff member at a local facility, Liz is able to thrive in a position that suits her interests and celebrates her interpersonal skills. The experienced trainers at Thrive Upstate coordinate services and provide recommendations to support a more independent lifestyle for each participant while continuing to promote both physical and mental health. The HASCI services staff also partners with the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina to provide a monthly support group for brain injury survivors and their families. Respect and dignity are essential principles when it comes to community re-entry, as is intentional accommodation. “Individuals with disabilities want to participate in the community, just like all of us,” Brooks remarked. “Sometimes they need accommodations, and sometimes those accommodations are fairly simple, like providing a written agenda at a community program or expanding transportation to and from an event.” “Variety, accommodation and community involvement. That’s where the future is for working with people with disabilities and brain injuries,” Brooks stated, noting that, in the end, “Everybody wants to feel like they are a part of their community.”
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