Welcome to BIA-MA
Accidents happen. Brain injury happens.
We can help!
In the blink of an eye, everything changes; nothing is as it was before. How will you identify brain injury if it happens to you or to someone you love? How will you cope with it? What resources will you need? Where will you find them? The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts is here to help with information for brain injury survivors, family members, caregivers, professionals and others. To meet people whose lives have been impacted, visit "Faces of Brain Injury"
BIA-MA 2021 Annual Appeal
Please donate to the BIA-MA 2021 Annual Appeal. As it has for so many organizations, the on-going pandemic has created some significant challenges for us. As our costs continue to increase, the BIA-MA’s ability to expand our impact and help more people thrive after a brain injury will be greatly helped by your generous financial support.
Your tax-deductible donation can help us strengthen our advocacy on Beacon Hill to both preserve progress achieved to date and address critical gaps, spread awareness regarding brain injury prevention, and multiply the impact of our programs to support individuals rebuilding their lives after suffering a brain injury. Learn more and Donate
Federal Judge Approves Joint Motion to Dismiss Hutchinson v. Patrick
Recognizing the tremendous collaboration that has “benefited so many people,” U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Posner has approved a Joint Motion filed last month seeking court approval to dismiss the Hutchinson v. Patrick class action lawsuit. The lawsuit was brought in 2007 on behalf of all persons living with acquired brain injury (ABI) who were institutionalized in nursing facilities in Massachusetts, and who preferred to live in more integrated community settings. The resulting court-enforceable Amended Settlement Agreement required the Commonwealth to significantly reform its service system for individuals with ABI, creating new opportunities for community living. Learn more
Upcoming Events (Virtual)
| Event | When | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Journey - Healing Through Self-Expression | Every Monday except holidays | Join us for a series of inspiring presentations designed to help you explore the many ways of sharing your lived experience with brain injury. Each week, you are invited to join fellow survivors who will share their personal experiences using many different forms of self-expression. We will explore using the arts, such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, pottery, music, the written word, hand crafting, sewing and more. Learn more |
| Virtual ABI Series 2022 | February through June 2022 | Starting in February 2022, BIA-MA is offering multiple Virtual ABI Series courses that include CE credit. The courses include: Acquired Brain Injury Certificate Training; Cognitive-Communication Disorders Following ABI; Seizure Disorders: Classification, Treatment and Neurobehavioral Aspects; ABI and the Family: A Biopsychosocial Perspective; COVID-19: Neurocognitive and Psychological Effects; Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome; Creating Therapeutic Environments for Individuals with ABI; and Substance Use Disorder. Learn more and Register |
| 2022 Annual Conference | Mar 30 & 31, 2022 | SAVE THE DATE: The 40th Annual BIA-MA Brain Injury Conference will be held virtually on MARCH 30 & 31, 2022. Gather, learn, and discuss all the challenges the brain injury community faces. Learn more |
BIA-MA is Offering Virtual Support Groups
BIA-MA remains committed to its mission during this time of social distancing. We are making a temporary transition of our brain injury support groups to virtual settings. The need to connect is strong, especially for brain injury survivors who may already feel isolated.
Each virtual meeting will be facilitated by staff and a group leader using ZOOM video-conferencing. There is no cost to attend, and minimal information is requested from each attendee. You may participate using video or just the audio from your phone. Each meeting is hosted by an existing support group but is open to all. Click here to view our upcoming support groups and RSVP to attend!
Unmasking Brain Injury Project
BIA-MA is pleased to announce our partnership with the Unmasking Brain Injury Project! Our goal is simple – offer every brain injury survivor the opportunity to create their own mask, tell their own story, and provide opportunities for the masks to be displayed in public places. Collectively this project partners with brain injury agencies across the country – and we are proud to join their ranks to illustrate brain injury and its impact.
Follow along with us via social media and stay tuned for upcoming events where the masks will be on display. Interested in getting involved? Contact Cynthia Cardeli, Dir. Programs & Services, at 508-475-0032 or ccardeli@biama.org