Empower Through Recovery

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, infection, and

hypoxia, refers to brain damage occurring after birth. Survivors face a lengthy and often

isolating rehabilitation journey, compounded by limited community and psychosocial

support. Practical barriers such as fragmented rehabilitation services, inadequate

transportation infrastructure and difficulty navigating complex disability programs hinder

recovery and reintegration. Social stigma, workplace challenges, and the exclusion of

survivor voices in advocacy exacerbate these issues, making societal reintegration

particularly difficult.

Empower Through Recovery seeks to combat this by creating peer support groups that

connect college students from universities in Philadelphia and around the globe with ABI

survivors, fostering connections and reducing social isolation among individuals with brain

injuries. These groups aim to build meaningful relationships and enhance the reintegration

experience for survivors. Empower Through Recovery’s mission focuses on four critical

pillars: community integration, career development, advocacy, and life skills training.

By hosting workshops, raising awareness, and advocating for survivor community

reintegration, Empower Through Recovery builds a supportive ecosystem to bridge the

gaps in care. The program prioritizes tailored resources, amplifies survivor voices, and

addresses practical barriers like transportation and workplace stigma.

This holistic approach supports survivors’ rehabilitation and fosters an inclusive

community where they can thrive, reintegrate, and lead meaningful lives while driving

awareness and advocacy to combat systemic barriers and stigma. By engaging a global

network of students and survivors, Empower Through Recovery combines advocacy,

education, and practical tools to address systemic barriers while promoting long-term

empowerment and reintegration.

Authored by: Shivek Narang

February 2025

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