SHARE YOUR STORY, SHOW YOUR STRENGTH, AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER!
Dear Second Chance:
It has been our pleasure and honor to have been able to help in a small way for the great work you all do for our brain injured community. We will continue to help in any way we can. My United Way deduction (from where I work at Publix) goes to, Second Chance, which amounts to about a little over $1,000.00 a year. Having had to deal with a brain injury in our lives, when my wife, at age 29 suffered a brain aneurysm in 1984. As you can imagine, it was a long struggle for her to regain almost all of her faculties and be able to function as independently as she does today. We praise God for that!!!
For there was NO place in existence in 1984 like "Second Chance" at that time. This is why you all hold a special place in our hearts and we will always be there to try and help in way we can or are able to. Again, Please keep up the good work! Second Chance will be in our daily prayers and in our hearts to help. Have a GREAT Thanksgiving, A very, very Merry Christmas, and a Joyous New Year!!
Sincerely,
Terry & Carol Hook
MEET RANDY
Hi, my name is Randy. The first day I joined Second Chance I was immediately impressed by the cheerful smiles and all the wonderful people within. Each person greeted me and made me feel welcome. Since I have joined Second Chance, my memory has surprisingly come back to me. What a wonderful surprise that is! I had brain surgery from a car accident causing trouble with my short term memory. I am remembering much much more than before. Not only do I remember better, I remember exact numbers of things now. Dates are easier for me to remember. Thanks to Second Chance, as an example, I read information from the computer. I’ve been able to retain this information now for about three weeks. I never could before after my accident until now. Thank you Second Chance for a second chance!
MEET SHAMIKA
Hi, my name is Shamika. I’m 31 years old and I have been a member of Second Chance since 2009. When I was 7 years old I was riding my ten speed-bicycle to the store. I crossed the street by myself and suddenly a black truck hit me in the street. The wheel of the bicycle was over my right leg and the owner of the store called the ambulance and said there is a little girl in the street who is unconscious. They rushed me to the emergency room where they had all kinds of machines hooked up to me. I stayed at the hospital to recover then I went to physical therapy. I graduated from high school in 2004. From 2005 - 2007 I attended Chautauqua Charter School where they helped me find a job. I like to have fun with my family and friends and I also attend church. I like to talk on the telephone and play my computer and my Playstation 2. I’m also a Wii champion. At Second Chance I like to help people and I like volunteering at the Blessing of the fleet, Jamboree, Bingo, Music, Cooking, and Yard sale. My goals are living in my own apartment and being independent
To whom it may concern:
My name is Amber Holton and I am a Nursing student at Gulf Coast State College. Recently I had the prestigious honor of spending the day at Second Chance of NWFL here in Bay County, Florida. Prior to this clinical visit, I personally had no knowledge that this program existence or the potential it held in having such a profound impact on me. During my visit I learned that the participants of this day program for adults recovering from traumatic brain injuries or cognitive disorders were rightfully called “members”. You see, these individuals were members of a priceless club of sorts, where they could spend up to 5 days per week being a part of something….well, magical!
This non-profit organization was designed to enlighten, impact, and facilitate holistic growth of not only the individual members but their families as well. They spend their days surrounded by fellow members and staff who treat them like family, laugh with them, develop skills, enjoy music, share meals, and participate in art, yoga, education, and therapy together; all the key ingredients to any esteemed club membership. Their club has a wonderous, soul-like depth that can only be felt by seeing it for yourself. The rooms are filled with more life and love than I have every felt in any one place and he interactions I had that day have left a lasting impression on what dignity, respect, and holistic care for our fellow man really mean. I will be forever grateful to have been welcomed into this out of the ordinary club for the day and I highly recommend you go experience it for yourself!