Brightway Answers - Professional Answers about Brain Injury - TBI, ABI, Stroke, and More

Hospitalization after a loved one's brain injury or stroke is an incredibly difficult experience.In episode 14 of Brightway Answers, Brightway's Medical Director Dr. Amit Bhardwaj walks through the ICU experience after a brain injury.  He provides some tips and answers some of the most common questions family members have during this time, including:Why is a prognosis so difficult to provide?Are there types of injuries that usually see better or worse outcomes?Who are the medical professionals in the ICU?How is the ICU team monitoring my loved one and what are common procedures after a brain injury?How long is a typical ICU stay after brain injury?How can I stay connected with the medical team while my loved on is in the ICU?Dr. Bhardwaj is Brightway Health’s Medical Director and a board-certified internal medicine physician who’s been in practice for 10 years.  He has been involved in both hospital medicine and post-acute care where he’s worked with TBI, stroke, and other neurologic patients.Get your questions about brain injury answered! On Brain Injury Q&A, you can submit your questions at to get answers from doctors, therapists, and other caregivers and survivors.Listen to all episodes of Brightway Health at

Want to learn how to improve physical symptoms after a brain injury?In episode 12 of Brightway Answers, recreation specialist Holly Auth answers questions about physical symptoms and recreation therapy submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.She answers questions like:What recreational activities are available for someone with a severe TBI and limited right arm and leg use?What can I do to improve my energy levels so I can function better throughout the day?Do you ever recommend that patients try alternative therapy like hyperbaric oxygen therapy or acupuncture?You can see all of Holly’s answers on Brain Injury Q&A.  If you have a follow-up question for Holly, add a comment to one of her answers and she'll get an email!Holly Auth is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at ReMed and Learning Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She works in both the inpatient and outpatient programs and assists individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries to have healthy and productive leisure interests. Holly also is a community group facilitator for survivors of TBI with ReDiscoverU through The Council on Brain Injury.Get your questions about brain injury answered! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all episodes at or submit a question at Rivers Adaptive Sports:

In episode 11 of Brightway Answers, clinical specialist Marlene Rivera answers questions about cognition and recreational therapy submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.She answers questions like:Is there anything you can recommend to help with brain fog?How can I build focus and increase my attention span?Are there ways that survivors can get better sleep and deal with fatigue?Marlene Rivera is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. She currently serves the brain injury community in the role of Clinical Specialist at ReMed in Partnership with Learning Services and as the ReDiscoverU Coordinator for the Council on Brain Injury, also known as CoBI. Marlene supports fundraising along with brain injury education and awareness building efforts through her involvement with CoBI's annual events, including David's Drive and Tribute Trek. As a Clinical Specialist, Marlene uses her background in Recreation Therapy to provide oversight of client treatment plans in an intensive neurobehavioral rehab. During her free time, Marlene enjoys activity-based social gatherings and serving her local community with her loved ones. Get your questions about brain injury answered! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all episodes at or submit a question at mentioned in this episode:RediscoverUCouncil on Brain InjuryAmerican Music Therapy AssociationOnline directory of music therapistsBrain Injury Association list of support groups

In episode 10 of Brightway Answers, we interview Speech-Language Pathologist Amber Kloess with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.In this episode, Amber answers questions like:What speech, language, and cognitive issues are common after a brain injury?What can I do about these symptoms?When do survivors usually become more aware of their symptoms after a brain injury?Amber is a licensed speech-language pathologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders. She is the owner of Salient Speech and Language Therapy in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a certified brain injury specialist and holds masters degrees in both medical physiology and speech-language pathology. Her unique background helps to thoroughly educate clients on the brain-behavior relationships and how they affect functioning in daily life. Amber has experience in a variety of settings, including private practice, outpatient, supported community programs, and skilled nursing facilities. She prides herself in providing client-centered, functional treatment goals to improve independence across all areas of speech, language, and cognitive-communicative functioning.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all episodes at or submit a question at

In episode 9 of Brightway Answers, we interview Speech-Language Pathologist Mayya Teytel-Cocozza with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.In this episode, Mayya answers questions like:How do speech-language pathologists help brain injury survivors with cognition, social skills, and speech?What online or other type of therapy that can be done at home do you recommend to stimulate memory and speech?How can I work on apraxia?Mayya Teytel-Cocozza is a New York State Licensed and ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Mayya is a certified brain injury specialist trainer, and demonstrates clinical concentrations in the areas of neurogenic disorders. Mayya is currently working as an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Educator within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus, where she teaches classes in neurogenic and communication disorders and provides clinical education and supervision to graduate students.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at is a list of resources mentioned in this episode:WALC Books: WALC 2, WALC 3, WALC 7, WALC 9Apps: Tactus Therapy, Brain HQ, Constant Therapy, LumosityFormal Tests: RBANS, SCATBI, SLUMS, CLQT, BDAEInstagram Accounts to follow: @lifebeyondbraininjury, @brainhealthsummit, @thestrokestoryteller, and @thebrainpossible

In episode 8 of Brightway Answers, we interview Occupational Therapist and brain injury rehabilitation expert Angela Williams with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.In this episode, Angela answers questions like:What have you seen help a majority of survivors to improve their ability to complete daily activities?When should a survivor seek out outpatient occupational therapy?Can you talk about sensory integration issues and some things that may help?What makes spasticity flare at times worse than others, and what can help?Angela Williams, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, CSRS is an occupational therapist with 11 years of experience specializing in the treatment of brain injury, stroke and other neurological conditions. Angela is currently enrolled in Towson University’s post-professional occupational therapy doctorate program. She has experience working with clients in a variety of settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facilities. She is motivated to improve patients’ ability to participate in valued occupations. Angela enjoys mentoring other clinicians, helping with managerial duties at her job and clinical development.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at

In this episode of Brightway Answers, we interview Physical Therapist Susan Little with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.In this episode, Susan answers questions like:Can severe balance problems ever get better?What treatments help the most for the greatest number of people?What assessment tools are useful for determining prognosis and progress in brain injury?Susan Little, PT, MS, CBIS is a licensed Physical Therapist with specialization in the management of the traumatic brain injuries. She is currently employed by Allegheny Health Network serving as a clinical physical therapist on the Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit at Allegheny Valley Hospital near Pittsburgh, PA. With over 30 years of experience in inpatient rehabilitation of neurological injuries, she has served in clinical, developmental, supervisory, research and educational roles. She regularly provides community education on various brain injury related topics to audiences ranging from grade school students to doctoral programs. This includes serving as adjunct faculty/guest lecturer at Duquesne University, Chatham University and Slippery Rock University. Susan is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America and a Certified Instructor for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Susan’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in PT from the University of Scranton and a Master’s Degree in Neurological PT from the University of Pittsburgh.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at

In part 2 of our interview with Dr. Cristen Gordon, we continue our conversation with questions about physical therapy submitted by survivors and caregivers in the brain injury community.In this episode, Dr. Gordon answers questions like:Why are survivors sometimes told that they’ll improve only for a certain amount of time after their injury?Is there any specific exercise that can help with foot drop?What does splinting help with?Dr. Cristen Gordon, PT, DPT, CBIS is a physical therapist with 13 years experience specializing in the treatment of brain injury, vestibular impairment, and other neurological disorders. She is passionate about helping people gain safe mobility and function to improve quality of life and has been fortunate to treat in both outpatient and inpatient settings.  Cristen is a dedicated professor and clinical educator and enjoys giving back to the progression and improvement of the profession.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at child lost a sixth of his brain, then made an amazing comeback case offers insight on mysteries of the "changeable brain"

In part 1 of our interview with Dr. Cristen Gordon, we ask her questions about physical therapy submitted by survivors and caregivers in the brain injury community.Dr. Gordon answers questions like:What types of exercise help to heal brain injury?How can I get my arm or leg working again?What can be done for brain injured, bedridden patients that have bed sores? Dr. Cristen Gordon, PT, DPT, CBIS is a physical therapist with 13 years experience specializing in the treatment of brain injury, vestibular impairment, and other neurological disorders. She is passionate about helping people gain safe mobility and function to improve quality of life and has been fortunate to treat in both outpatient and inpatient settings.  Cristen is a dedicated professor and clinical educator and enjoys giving back to the progression and improvement of the profession.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at Physical Therapy Association (APTA): a physical therapist:

In this episode of Brightway Answers, we interview recreational therapist Allison Huck with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.Allison answers questions like:- What is recreational therapy and how can it help brain injury survivors?- What types of recreational and adaptive activities and programs are available?- How can I use recreational therapy to improve things like vocabulary or my social life?Allison Huck is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. She works with inpatients to increase their ability participate in meaningful recreation and leisure activities after brain injury. She has interests in yoga, cycling, rowing, virtual reality, and gaming, which she incorporates into her practice as a therapist as well as into community programming.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at is a list of resources that Allison mentions in this episode.MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital Adaptive Sports & Fitness: United - adapt at home fitness classes: H 5k Run, Walk & Wheel: Resources:Headspace: Second RuleTabooCatch Phrase

In episode 3 of Brightway Answers, we interview Dr. Bryce Appelbaum with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers, focusing on vision.Dr. Appelbaum answers questions like:- What vision issues does vision therapy help with?- What can be done for double vision?- Can anything help me to regain my peripheral vision?Dr. Bryce Appelbaum is a Neuro-Optometrist and board-certified Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, specializing in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation.  His practice has offices in both Bethesda and Annapolis MD, where he evaluates, treats, and manages the visual consequences of brain injury.  He has extensive experience rehabilitating the visual problems secondary to traumatic brain injury, stroke, and concussion.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at

In the second episode of Brightway Answers, we continue our conversation with Dr. Thomas Franz with questions submitted by brain injury survivors and caregivers.Dr. Franz answers questions like:- Does TBI qualify as an increased risk for COVID-19?- What online or other type of therapy do you recommend to stimulate memory and speech?- What can be done to address discrimination against people with brain injuries?Dr. Franz is a physiatrist with more than 30 years of experience who focuses on brain injury rehabilitation, spinal cord injury and spasticity control.  He serves as the Division Director for physical medicine and rehabilitation at Allegheny Health Network in Pennsylvania and is a member of the International Brain Injury Association.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at

In the very first episode of Brightway Answers, we interview Dr. Thomas Franz with questions submitted by survivors and caregivers in the brain injury community.We answer questions like:- How can I get better sleep and deal with fatigue?- What types of rehabilitation help to improve cognition and executive functioning?- How can I manage light sensitivity and headaches?Dr. Franz is a physiatrist with more than 30 years of experience who focuses on brain injury rehabilitation, spinal cord injury and spasticity control.  He serves as the Division Director for physical medicine and rehabilitation at Allegheny Health Network and is a member of the International Brain Injury Association.Get your questions answered about brain injury! On Brightway Answers, we ask YOUR questions to doctors, therapists, and other professionals who specialize in brain injury. View all our episodes at or submit a question at