Testimonials

Bridget Wheeler

Poem by DeeAnn Blanchard

Joshua Peter Vincent

"Humpty Willie" by Willie K.

Comforting by Tom H.

Speech Video - Fawn Hallam

Bridget Wheeler

from letter written 1/24/07

    Origami Staff,

    I will never be able to thank all of you for all the help and support I received

    from the staff at Origami. I owe  all of you so much for you patience's and

    understanding during treatment at your facility. The treatment

    help me tremendously. You let me see the light at the end of the tunnel

    and gave me hope to go on. Before I came to Origami I had given up--- I had

    curled up like a rag ball in the corner without hope.

    Then I was introduced to Origami and a light started to flicker. I want all of

    you to know what a GREAT job you do at Origami. I have praised this facility

    to all who would listen. A place I didn't even know existed until my injury,

    thank the good Lord that someone relised there was a need for this type of

    treatment.

    I have continued to improve but also have accepted that I will never be the

    same. I still can't do large groups of people, a situation I don't think will ever improve. I'm

    seeing a psychiatrist, which has helped a lot, especially accepting that some things will

    never improve.

    Please give everyone my best and tell them I will never forget what they did

    for me, they will always be a part of me.

    Origami is the BEST and the people who work there are the GREATEST!!

                                                      Thank you again

                                                                   &

                                                           God Bless,

                                                      Bridgett Wheeler

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Poem by DeeAnn Blanchard, Presented to Origami Staff on August 11, 2005

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Joshua Peter Vincent

     I am Joshua Peter Vincent and I am a survivor of a traumatic brain injury.  At the time of the injury I was completing an internship in Columbus, Ohio.  I was back for Independence Day and had a horrible car accident.  This caused traumatic brain damage that required brain surgery, without which I would be dead.  I was released from the hospital in 24 days. 

     I arrived at Origami on July 28th, 2002.  When I first arrived I did not think anything was wrong with me.  I believed I was at drug rehabilitation in Hanover, New Hampshire.  I proceeded into evaluations to assess my weaknesses.  I then began to have Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapies.  At some point I broke down and realized I did have a problem.   

     My brain injury rehabilitation taught me humility.  I finally realized I wasn’t capable of doing everything to better myself.  This was strengthened by the challenges that the coaches and therapists presented me with.  I steadfastly attacked each challenge with all of my abilities.  People at Origami showed me that others could help me with what I could not do for myself. 

     Without the environment of Origami, I would not be where I am today.  When I started rehabilitation, my vocabulary was limited, my mathematical skills were poor, and I was very depressed.  Employees there provided me with much more than I paid for.  At the end, I walked out in infinitely better shape than when I arrived. 

     I returned to MSU to finish my Bachelor of Science in Packaging.  I stepped into the greatest challenge that I had ever faced.  I was in a new environment, compared to that which I was in from August till December of 2002.

     I am now an engaged young man, full-time Masters Student, and have graduated with my Bachelor degree; this was achieved with cum laude status.  Without my family members, neurosurgeon, God, love, prayers, and luck I would not be here today.  Without Origami, I would not be standing where I am today.

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Humpty Willie

Presented by a client at Origami's Speech Night

April 2003

Humpty Willie sat on a wall,

Humpty Willie had a great fall.

All the Traverse City Doctors had given in,

Because they couldn’t put Humpty back together again.

So they said to themselves “Where should he be?”

His case manager said “Take him to Origami.”

So Humpty packed up his bags and he was on his way

Origami, in East Lansing, was where he was going to stay.

Now, when old Humpty got there, his temper was ferocious,

He fought with the doctors and therapists and coaches.

He fought them about this--he fought them about that,

I guess you could say, he told them all where it was at.

“It’s all trickery,” old Humpty would explain,

“This ‘brain injury’ stuff—it’s all just a game.”

“You therapists and doctors work for a fee.”

Deep down inside, you don’t care about me.”

But the therapists didn’t give up--they kept right on teachin,’

Regardless of what old Humpty was preachin.’

He fought through the day—he fought them at night,

The whole world was wrong—only Humpty was right.

It started to wear old Humpty down, fighting every day,

And finally Humpty started to listen to what they had to say.

The therapists said, “Mr. Humpty, now if you’re through,

There are many things that we can teach you.”

They taught him about neurofatigue, adynamia, and disinhibition

And the many more things that were a part of his condition.

They kept drilling and drilling and drilling their thesis,

“So you fell off a wall, so now, let’s put back the pieces!”

“Yes, your life has changed, that doesn’t mean your life is through.”

“There are many positive things that you can still do.”

As the months rolled by, old Humpty got better and better,

And the next thing you know, his life was coming together.

Yes, instead of keeping the world out, he started letting people in,

And old Humpty discovered he was surrounded by friends!

He would get up early in the morning and sleep good at night,

And think to himself, the therapists and coaches, well they were even alright!

If you leave all the negative, and take all the positive you can funnel,

You will find there really is a light at the end of the tunnel.

So, if any one of you in life should happen to fall off a wall,

And everyone around you thinks they can do nothing at all,

Well, I know a place where they can help you, kid,

Go down to Origami, like Humpty Willie did!

COMFORTING
By Tom H

article for the Unfolding Potential newsletter, December 2005

Comforting: “The feeling that finally someone acknowledges the difficulties I have been experiencing.”

It seemed as though I could not fully explain the difficulties I was experiencing after my Traumatic Brain Injury to my follow up doctors. I felt as though they casually dismissed them. I yearned to feel that someone truly cared about my injuries and could/would offer me emotional support that I needed. I found this “comfort” at Origami. Staying late or rearranging their schedule to make treatment more convenient for me was not at all uncommon. Now I realize that the treatment team was very good at supporting and challenging me without compelling me to feel stupid.

Early on in my treatment I found that I did not want to disappoint the “Team”. Many times that is what motivated me to give extra effort. Speech therapy included showing me that what I was projecting to others was without the emotions necessary for effective communication. Practice with listening, planning what to say, and casual conversations while cuing me to brighten up when I am speaking. (Women are sneaky like that).

The Origami staff continually reinforced my “self” image with a direct confidence that I would have great improvements and overcome many of my challenges. I remember feeling that if they knew I could do it, I must be able to. The staff was also great about making me aware of even small improvements that I often overlooked and using many opportunities to include my daughter and friends, in my treatment, to help them understand how this injury has affected me.
This is what is making my recovery successful.

SPEECH VIDEO
By Fawn Hallam

Fawn's Speech Video

Need Quick Time Verson 7 to view.

Go here to download