About Us

Our Mission Statement:

The Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association, an organization led by volunteers, is dedicated to providing the hope, support and resources necessary to help brain injury survivors and their families navigate the often difficult and confusing recovery process associated with brain injuries.

Our slogan:

Hope, Support, Empathy, Education, and Information for hospitalized and rehabilitating brain injury survivors and their families, from someone who has BEEN THERE and DONE THAT.

The Brain Injury Peer Visitor Program was conceptualized in December 2001. Ann Boriskie began working on developing the program in January 2002, working with the local American Stroke Association, hospitals, and local organizations. Materials and training were developed for several years. The Brain Injury Peer Visitor Program actually started in June 2006 and was modeled after the American Stroke Association's Peer Program for Stroke patients and their families. The American Stroke Association, as part of the American Heart Association, gave the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Program written permission to use any and all of their materials, as needed, to develop the Brain Injury Program.

This program is currently operated completely by unpaid volunteers. We have over 60 trained Brain Injury Peer Visitors, including Ann. We conduct Peer Visits in 16 Atlanta metropolitan hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, as well as conducting Telephone Peer Visits and Email Peer Visits. The Peer Visitors conduct visits with brain-injured survivors and/or their families and/or their caregivers, and even with friends.

Peer Visits are made with individuals who have any type of brain injury. Every brain injury is different. The brain may be injured by an impact, trauma, or an external blow to the head, which may result in a skull fracture or concussion (caused from motor vehicle accidents, falls, violence, sports, etc.). The brain can also be injured from bleeding inside the brain, a hematoma (a blood clot), or a brain tumor. Loss of oxygen to the brain – called anoxia – also injures it. Infections such as encephalitis can damage the brain. Stroke is another cause of brain injury. The brain damage may occur at the time of the injury or it may develop after the injury due to swelling or further bleeding. Patients may also have more than one type of brain injury. Physical changes, as well as cognitive and behavioral changes, often occur in the brain-injured person.

The Brain Injury Peer Visitor Program began operating on September 30, 2006.

As of April 1, 2010, 4,089 total Peer Visits were made in hospitals, facilities, via the phone, and via email:

Year Peer Visits
2009 1,668
2008 1,107
2007 662
2006 121

Ann and the team have donated over 8,500 volunteer hours.

The need for our help is real. Our Peer Visitors are trained brain-injury survivors and/or their loving families and/or caregivers, who are warm, caring, ready, and willing to help.

Read more in the VOLUNTEER NEWS, February 2010 – a newsletter for the Shepherd Auxiliary & Volunteers – Former patients and family members comfort and support peers.

There is an article on Ann on page 26 of the Spring 2010 edition of the Spinal Column (www.spinalcolumn.org). Read the article here.