Category: News

The Kitchen Unit is back!

The long-awaited return of The BridgeLine Place’s kitchen unit is finally here!

Members and staff were excited to start cooking meals in The BridgeLine Place Clubhouse again after the much-needed remodel was complete. 

The first meal in our new kitchen was definitely a success and we can’t wait to see what our members will decide to make next. 

Picnic at Charlottesville Elks Lodge #389

The BridgeLine Place Clubhouse was able to enjoy a lovely picnic with games at the Charlottesville Elks Lodge #389.

The Elks Lodge graciously donated their pavilion to us for a social this past summer but due to the heat we weren’t able to have an outdoor social. We appreciate their understanding and willingness to allow us to use their pavilion at a later, cooler, date. 

All of the members and staff who were able to attend had a great time and we hope to continue working with the Charlottesville Elks Lodge #389 in the future.

Picture Gallery

Day of Caring was an amazing success. We had a great group of volunteers willing to share their time to help improve our Frankl House’s landscaping. Through a lot of hard work, great connections were made and a ton of fun was had. Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make this day a success!

Stroke Awareness

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.”  — Stroke Survivor

You probably know of someone in your community who has survived a stroke. It is the brain’s equivalent of a heart attack, happening when there’s an issue with blood flow to a part of your brain, too much or not enough.

We hosted a virtual presentation with Keri Johnson, Nurse Practitioner at the University of Virginia in the Department of Neurology. She is involved in the outpatient stroke clinic and coordinates effective, evidence-based care to the patients recovering from a stroke.

Keri discussed stroke prevention, how you can recognize symptoms and how you can help if someone is experiencing a stroke.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we fall.” — Confucius

World Stroke Day is October 29

F.A.S.T. is how we come together to end stroke®
Learn the stroke warning signs: F.A.S.T.
Face Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time to call 911

The BridgeLine Place Clubhouse was able to host its second social after our remodel. The clubhouse’s members decided to have pizza from Marco’s and watch a few episodes of a popular television series. Members are still deciding on what they would like to do for September so stay tuned!

Accessibility Matters

Imagine everything is accessible to all –
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one” – John Lennon

You probably have encountered obstacles when traveling, shopping at a store, or eating out.
We are excited for you to meet two local trailblazers who are changing the world of accessibility in our community and beyond.
Please join us for a virtual presentation with
Claire Wellbeloved-Stone and Joe Jamison.
Claire is the Vice President of the Blue Trunk Foundation, dedicated to providing information about accessibility for people to travel in their own city and around the world regardless of their age, disability, or health conditions.
Joe is the CEO and Founder of Visitable, and works on listing and certifying businesses to make going out in public fun, easy, and possible for those with disabilities.

“We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability.” – Stevie Wonder
 

When: July 28, 2023
Time: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Where:  Zoom

Meeting ID: 835 7750 9205
Passcode:  666813
 

We look forward seeing you.

PS: We are still working on the name for our “Last Friday of the Month” series. And if you have an interest in a specific topic, please let us know.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month

While it should be obvious that physical trauma like sexual assault would have long lasting impacts on victims, many often don’t realize or understand the profound and serious effects that violence has on survivors. If the brain was traumatized, they can experience cognitive, behavioral, and physical challenges. Please join us for a virtual presentation with Carley Mack, Director of Prevention at SARA – Sexual Assault Resource Agency.
She will tell you about the work they do including community education and training efforts to increase public awareness.   When: April 28, 2023

Time: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Where:  virtual – Zoom 
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88352587108?pwd=YytqQTUyU0VUbm9EU1V4MWZyYWN4QT09

Meeting ID: 883 5258 7108
Passcode: 390340

We look forward seeing you.
Daniela Pretzer – Executive Director
She/Her

PS: We are working on the name for our “Last Friday of the Month” series. And if you have an interest in a specific topic, please let us know. 

It’s the last day of Brain Injury Awareness month, and you are invited to please join us.

March is Brain Injury Awareness month.

Please join us for a virtual Meet & Greet with the Bridgers.
We will tell you about us, what we do, take you on a quick tour of our new location, and will answer any questions you have.When: March 31, 2023
Time: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Where:  virtual – Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82314141140?pwd=dmphQ1RrNVlIOUNDVExvUlVtY045Zz09

We look forward seeing you.
Daniela Pretzer – Executive Director

The motto for this year #MoreThanMyBrainInjury.

Many people with disabilities have their lives defined for them. The #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign gives individuals a chance to overcome those definitions, allowing them to tell their own stories and change the narrative of their lives.

This Brain Injury Awareness Month, join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign in a way that feels uniquely you.

Please visit the Brain Association of America’s website for more information.