Social Events
The BIAME hosts several events throughout the year to raise awareness on brain injury. All these events encourage socialization for individuals with brain injuries, their family members and friends.
Our largest social event is held annually at Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine. This two day affair is filled with fun which includes boating, swimming, hiking, fishing, singing and movies and more!
Fun Conference
Well Folks, Brain Injury Association pulled it off yet one more time! Pulled off what? you say. The Fun Conference of course! Where and What is this fun place for individuals with brain injury and their families to meet for relaxation without having to deal with the daily rigors of rehabilitation? Picture this-somewhere in the deep woods of Maine, a place that beckons to members of Brain Injury Association each year, soon after Labor Day. A place that is accessible to people with or without brain injury; a place that allows for dreaming, relaxing, playing, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, crafting or perhaps simply sitting by the water and watching the beautiful loons that return to this habitat year after year.
A place that is for re-connecting with old friends or connecting with new friends; a place where the water is pristine, crystal clear and conducive to swimming with its' sandy bottom and easy access. A place with walking trails that are easy for each level of ambulation. A place that smells like pine and earth, A place that serves gosh darned good food. This and much more bring back those with BI or affected by BI year after year.
How does this happen on a mere $25.00 for a stay? It happens with the volunteer efforts of the Fun Conference Committee, BIA Staff, and the staff from Rehabilitation facilities that support this conference. By the way, kudos to the Staff at River Ridge who are going to join the Fun Conference Committee for 2008!
A great deal of team work goes into putting this conference together. Volunteers start meeting monthly in Portland during winter to form ideas, assess the Fun Conference that just ended and to line up and initiate a new Fun Conference for the coming year. Many dedicated volunteers have made the conference successful over the years and our thanks go out to each and every one of them. This year we extend a tribute to Myra Champagne, our fearless leader who has the fortitude to keep things rolling. Also special thanks go out to Leslie Duval our beloved administrative staff member at BIA. Couldn't do it without them! The list of volunteers is long and each name can't be included but we need to also thank Suzie Baker our faithful and talented artist, Ann Parker, BI Board Member and long time supporter of the Fun Conference; Stacy Linkel long time committee member and her awesome assistant Troy Morgan.
We have seen some tough times and at one point nearly saw the demise of the Fun Conference. Do funding cut backs and/or brain injury key staff being laid off as a result make it difficult to pull off? You bet!! But, should the Brain Injury Association continue to support this Fun Conference during tough times? Absolutely! It is the one and only time that brain injured persons and their families have the opportunity to get together, share their stories, enjoy the freedom of the endless rehabilitation process and perhaps get to use some of the skills learned in their rehab journey.
There is a payback for the persons involved in making the Fun Conference a reality. It only takes observation of a newly brain injured person coming to the conference for the first time. Arriving at the sign in table feeling a little or a lot awkward, shy and unsure. The question of the hour is whether or not this Fun Conference is going to actually be fun. Anxiety level is high and self confidence is low. It is absolutely wonderful to watch various individuals grow in each area and leave with a big wave and a smile on their face looking forward to coming back again!
This was a wonderful year for the Fun Conference. The weather was great, clear and sunny. The tie dyed tee shirts came out beautifully, as did the sand art, painting on glass and the embellishment of the country western hats. The hike out to the dam was a wonderful opportunity to just be with nature. The disk jockey led dance was a big hit as was the karaoke. The Fun Conference just keeps getting better due to these efforts of many BI members. In ending, we hope to see you at the Fun Conference next year and if you can't make it you definitely are missing the boat.
Submitted by Tina Gilbert/BIA Fun Conference Committee Member
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