Operation TBI Freedom Helps Wounded Troops Help Themselves

Returning home after several tours in a combat zone often takes months of adjustment for any soldier. For the men and women who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while serving, the road back to stateside military duty or civilian life can offer extra challenges. “When someone has a brain injury, it affects the whole family unit. Our program, Operation TBI Freedom (OTF), supports everyone in the family through care coordination,” said Christen Mason, OTF Program Manager.

This innovative program was developed by Denver Options, an organization with a long history of working with people who have intellectual disabilities. Care coordinators provide daily support to positively impact the lives of returning military and their family members. Every care coordinator is a military veteran, and services are offered free of charge. The program is privately funded.

Most combat related TBIs come from blast injuries. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury can include fatigue, memory issues, cognitive deficits, headaches, balance problems, anger and depression. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often identified in tandem with TBI.

Kruger Jorden is one of the many soldiers that have received help from Operation TBI Freedom. Kruger has no regrets that he became a survivor of brain injury through service to his country. His wife, Karyl-Lynn, has become his primary caregiver. Both are grateful for the help they received from OTF. His care coordinator, John Lenz, arranged for emergency assistance when Karyl-Lynn needed to care for Kruger during brain surgery but could not afford to travel to Denver where he was hospitalized. OTF also got him a PDA to keep doctor visits organized and transportation to post-operative appointments. “Knowing John was there when I needed him, and that he’d be there for Karyl-Lynn if something would happen to me, was such a huge relief,” Kruger said.

“We focus on three key elements when we meet families,” said Christen Mason. “First we help the families manage crisis situations. Often, soldiers returning with TBI cannot go back to their former jobs, and bills start to pile up while they get therapy and retraining. We help many people avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy by partnering with military and community resource groups around the country. Once a family is stable, we look at their long term needs.”

José Olivero and his wife, Lizette, have benefited from resources OTF found to help them move ahead after José’s TBI. “They connected us to free counseling services through First Choice and found us financial help through Salute America’s Heroes when the tension got really high,” Lizette said. The couple has four children, ranging in age from 19 to three.

OTF supports self advocacy, a key strategy in the program’s success. Once clients understand how to access resources, they are able to access the resources they need long after leaving OTF. Tona Rimmer said it’s often difficult to take the first step. “I think many military families feel asking for help has some shame associated with it. Our care coordinator helped us find several military and community resources that are already set up to help military families in our situation,” Tona said. “Operation TBI Freedom let us know what’s out there and advocated for us if we hit an obstacle. The program really understands the needs of military families, and they helped us help ourselves.”

PJ Green, a full time volunteer for Operation First Response, has high praise for the effective support OTF provides. Care Coordinator Frieda Johnson contacted Operation First Response about a veteran who bought a house that needed significant renovations just to make it a safe living environment. “I love being in the center of the action,” said PJ, “so I flew out to Colorado and joined the ABC construction team that offered to fix the home for free through our organization.” The crew completed mold abatement, replaced all the floors in the house, cleared the backyard and put down sod. They also put in new carpeting and bathroom tile. The donated labor and materials, including new appliances, totaled more than $30,000. PJ noted that she likes to work with groups who hold very high standards. “Frieda and I are made from the same cloth. She’s got spunk, drive and devotion,” PJ said.

Operation TBI Freedom provides services throughout Colorado to veterans who sustained a traumatic brain injury in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. To learn more, visit www.OperationTBIFreedom.org or call 1-866-245-6600.