This month at BrainStorm: Finding Gratitude After Brain Injury

 

A community where young adults connect, grow, and navigate life after brain injury together. What does it mean to figure out who you are after brain injury? How do relationships change? What does moving forward look like when life doesn't look quite the way you expected? BrainStorm brings young adults ages 18–29 together each month for honest conversations about these questions and others that come with navigating young adulthood after brain injury. Register & Learn More Register once to participate in monthly BrainStorm meetings through June 30, 2027. Registration for the 2027–2028 program year will open in June.

This Month More Than Grateful Finding Gratitude After Brain Injury. Gratitude is often associated with happiness, but after brain injury, it can feel complicated or out of reach. This month, we’ll explore what it means to be “more than grateful” and how to appreciate what matters while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of recovery. Wednesday, Nov. 18 6:30 – 8 p.m. ET | Zoom Upcoming Conversations Dec. 16 - Presence Over Presents Jan. 20 - The New Me Feb. 17 - Love After Brain Injury Know a young adult living with brain injury? Please forward this email and invite them to join BrainStorm.

BrainStorm meets virtually on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30–8 p.m. ET. Questions? Contact brainstorm@biaofsc.com.

AAIDD FYI: November Notes & News

 

November AAIDD Highlights Benefits AAIDD members are enjoying this month

Gather new opportunities with an AAIDD membership! Unlock exclusive access to professional webinars, leading IDD journals, networking opportunities and more. Discover all the membership benefits waiting for you this month.

Join AAIDD Today!

Call for Papers Share Your Work. Grow Your Network. Shape the Field.

AAIDD Seeks Proposals for the 151st  AAIDD Annual Meeting Submission Deadline: November 30th, 2026

AAIDD Webinars  Ongoing professional education  Why pay $10? Members receive registration at no cost for all AAIDD webinars

Pro Tips and Resources for Creating a Successful Proposal Workshop for Community Service Providers  November 18, 2026 4:00 - 5:00 pm Eastern  Register Here

Creating an Inclusive Environment for Elementary Students with IDD AAIDD Webinar December 10, 2026 3:00 - 4:00 pm Eastern  Register Here

AAIDD Journals Leading Peer-Reviewed Journals in the IDD Field Access articles at no cost for AAIDD Members

Volume 131, Issue 6 of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) is Available Now!  Read AAIDD Journals

Ready to Take the Next Step? Join AAIDD and enjoy all these member benefits and more! AAIDD's mission is to promote progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Become a member today! Join AAIDD!

South Carolina Assistive Technology: Adapted Toy Workshop

Reminder to please join us for the Adapted Toy Workshop on November 13th and 14th.  

 
Register today!  To register on our website, click on the date you would like to attend and then the workshop times will be available for you to choose your best time.  
 
If you cannot attend, but would like to support the event, please consider donating a toy from our wishlist.  
 
Thank you for your support! 

 

 -

 

Children with disabilities often have difficulty interacting with toys. Families, professionals and 
school staff are invited to bring battery-operated toys to the SC Assistive Technology Resource Center 
to learn how to adapt the toys for switch use. The toys should have an on/off switch and only one 
action. An example would be Flappy the Elephant, as he only flaps his ears when he is turned on, or 
Robo Alive T-Rex Robotic Pet that only walks when it is turned on. SC Assistive Technology Program 
staff and students from Richland Two will be available to assist you. Everyone will leave with 
their toy adapted for switch use and a switch to operate it.

 If you need an accommodation to participate, please contact us at least one week prior to the scheduled 
training. 
Email: janet.lambert@uscmed.sc.edu 
Phone: 803-935-5263

  

 

Webinar Tuesday 11/10: Monarch - A basic overview of the multi-line braille display

 

Subject: Webinar Tuesday 11/10: Monarch - A basic overview of the multi-line braille display

 

Join us for a Webinar on Monarch - A basic overview of the multi-line braille display

Register today! 

Date & Time:  Nov 10, 2026, 2:00 PM EST   

Target Audience: Anyone interested in multi-line braille displays can join.  

Description of Training: Join the SCATP and APH for a virtual overview over the Monarch as a multi-line braille display. Learn the basic functions of the device and the latest updates published in August of 2026.  

Participants will learn:  

1. Basic overview over the applications on the Monarch  

2. How to use the Monarch in a classroom setting or at work  

3. Learn about the newest updates from August 2026  

Speaker: Michael Dennis is a Technology Product Specialist working for APH. He lives in the Metro Atlanta area with his wife and son. Michael has bachelor's degrees in both business administration and in Sports Management. Next to his role at APH, Michael is a two-time Paralympian in the sport of Goalball and serves as the Head Coach for the USA Men’s Goalball Team. 

Discover BI support groups, holiday balance, and more.

 

Caregiver in Need of Support? Nov. 10 • 6:30–7:30 p.m. The Statewide Neuro Caregiver Support Group gives caregivers across South Carolina an opportunity to share experiences, learn from others, and discuss the challenges of caregiving. Register Now Meets virtually on the second Tuesday of each month. Register once to attend recurring meetings.  View All Support Groups Share Your Story: Life After an Opioid Overdose An opioid overdose can cause a brain injury with lasting effects. BIASC is seeking overdose survivors and family members who are willing to share their experiences for a new statewide awareness campaign. Your response will remain confidential, and submitting a story does not commit you to participating. Share Your Story Join Thrive Together! Healthy Holiday Boundaries: Finding Balance After Brain Injury Dec. 1 • 10–11 a.m. Join Thrive Together for a special presentation with Teresa Satterfield, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST), on setting healthy holiday boundaries for brain injury survivors and caregivers. Learn More & Join the Conversation This Month at BrainStorm: More Than Grateful Nov. 18 • 6:30–8 p.m. Finding Gratitude After Brain Injury.  Gratitude is often associated with happiness, but after brain injury, it can feel complicated or out of reach. This month, we’ll explore what it means to be “more than grateful” and how to appreciate what matters while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of recovery. Register Now Meets virtually on the third Wednesday of each month. Register once to attend recurring meetings. BIASC Recognized for Advocacy Efforts BIASC received the 2026 Award of Excellence for Advocacy at the Brain Injury Association of America's Affiliate Leadership Conference in Fort Lauderdale on September 30. To everyone who answered our calls to contact legislators, shared our messages, or told their story: Thank you. You helped make this possible. Read More Brain Injury Survivor Series Nov. 13 • 3–4:30 p.m. ET Join the Brain Injury Hope Foundation on Zoom for a virtual panel with specialists from CU Anschutz and CommonSpirit. They’ll discuss their areas of expertise in brain injury and stroke. Learn More & Register Coming Soon! Midlands/Upstate 2026 Caregiver Summit Don't forget to register for, The Respite Coalition Upstate & Midlands Caregiver Summits provide encouragement, practical resources, and meaningful connections with others who understand. Choose the location that works best for you! Upstate Nov. 6 • 3–7 p.m. Kroc Center Greenville   Midlands Nov. 21 • 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn - Northeast Research Opportunity: Helping Improve Brain Injury Support for Hispanic/Latino Adult Researchers are seeking Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latino adults who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to participate in a virtual study to improve the Brain Injury Coping Skills (BICS) program and make it more culturally and linguistically appropriate. If you're between 18 and 60 years old and experienced a TBI at least six months ago, email Amanda at amamelto@iu.edu to see if you qualify.

SC Department of Transportation Transit Survey The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking input from South Carolinians about their public transportation needs. This short survey will help inform decisions about local transit services and how they can be improved. A public information meeting will also be held Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Complete the Survey BIASC Quick Links BI Survivor Resources Support Groups – Virtual and In-Person Thrive Together Tuesdays SC State Museum Accessibility Mornings Keep up with all the happenings on our calendar of events.

Community Sponsors enable BIASC to provide vital services and programs to individuals navigating life after brain injury. Find out how your organization can get involved. Heart of the Carolinas  •  Rosen Hagood Attorneys Larry Lucas State Farm Agency  •  Coastal Carolina National Bank  Vision Therapy Institute    National Safety Council Southeastern Chapter Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Columbia