Traumatic Brain Injury is nothing new. It has been around since people could fall out of trees. What is new is the ability to save the lives of many more people with brain injury. Even someone who sustains a severe brain injury can be airlifted to a Level One Trauma Center—and survive. The trouble is, these medical miracle workers can save lives—repair broken bones—but they cannot repair the brain
. Some people do not recover enough to be able to walk, or speak, or take care of themselves, but are otherwise healthy. Most of them, even those in their 20’s, end up spending decades in a nursing home. This is hard on families, and does not meet the physical, sensory, or social needs of this population. When someone with a severe brain injury does not emerge from low consciousness, options for treatment, housing, and family support are scarce and largely inappropriate for their needs. Granite House, a Minnesota Non-Profit, is making a difference. Founded by the parents of an adult child with a severe and permanent traumatic brain injury and a nurse who cared for him, we will offer a better option. Our mission is threefold:
SUPPORT: Support groups for families caring for someone in a minimally conscious state never existed before. As parents caring for our adult son since 2008, we couldn’t locate anyone else who could speak our language of wheelchairs, feeding tubes, and dystonia. Referrals by the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance helped us start a unique support group. ADVOCACY: We work with local and statewide organizations and policymakers to increase awareness of the needs of this population. These young adults have slipped through the cracks in the health care system for too long. Through our efforts, they are finally being noticed. HOUSING: Granite House has created the first residence for younger adults who need 24-hour care and maximum assistance. An alternative to traditional long-term care or care at home, Granite House offers a home-like setting for people who are not likely to emerge from a minimally conscious state but are medically stable and responsive to sensory stimulation. The home has been designed to meet their specific needs and provide them with sunshine, services, and compassionate care. We provide long-term compassionate care for four people, 24/7. Granite House provides private bedrooms, views of the woods, and a large screened porch for fresh air and the smells of nature. We also have a therapy suite with equipment for range of motion and weight bearing exercise, and a bathing suite with roll-in shower and hydrotherapy tub. A breakout room is available for private family gatherings or community educational and support meetings. Granite House is a place for families to heal.
