A person can acquire a brain injury in a number of ways, including auto accidents, falls, substance abuse, aneurysms, and strokes. Survivors of brain injuries usually receive services as long as medical insurance is available. When the money runs out, however, services end. Family members who must leave jobs to care for loved ones often find themselves destitute, financially and emotionally. Vision House, at 464 Main Street in Tewksbury, Mass., provides services to people who have no other place to go. Founded in 1984, it is achieving success with a program that is extremely cost effective. The current base is $52 a day per member. This compares with other programs that cost as much as $1000 a day!

The founders of Vision House preferred to begin with a day program. Their rationale was that meaningful progress can be made only if a person feels productive in daily life. The day program enables survivors to progress at their own rate, consistent with their individual abilities. At the same time, it keeps the family unit intact. The program emphasizes individual cognitive, psychosocial, and vocational skills that empower the members to re-enter their community and function at their highest potential; and provides continuing support to their families and the communities in which they live. Members live at home but attendance at the day program simulates a work week. One example of the work regimen is a farm stand from which members sell fresh vegetables in season. In addition, a building adjacent to Vision House has been renovated into a store that offers members an opportunity to develop a variety of skills needed for community re-entry.

 

BOARD MEMBERS

 

Norma Eisenberg, President

Norma is a founder of Vision House and currently serves as clinical director and president of its board of directors. She oversees the Vision House program design, client assessments and treatment plans, and has created and implemented the program's vocational rehabilitation experiences, including the Gift Shop and recycling business.

An educational psychologist, learning therapist, consultant, advocate and guest lecturer, Norma was on the staff at Andover (MA) High School for 20 years. Her duties included serving as the school psychologist, Chapter 766 chairperson and liaison, a special needs teacher and an in-service provider for the faculty.

Norma is a former Area Board president for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and is a founding member of the board of directors of both the Massachusetts and National Brain Injury foundations.

Hy Eisenberg, Treasurer

Hy, a founder of Vision House, has an extensive background in both education and business. He has been affiliated with numerous national hotel corporations, where he served as general manager, director of operations and president.

Hy later joined the faculty of Johnson & Wales University as general manager of the practicum facility, which provides hands-on training for all hospitality and culinary students. He went on to teach classes in hospitality, convention sales and marketing, front office management and a number of other subjects. While at Johnson & Wales, Hy developed a new curriculum and courses for an International Hospitality degree.

He retired to help develop the Vision House vocational rehabilitation program.

Paula Hegarty, Vice President

Paula has been a member of the Vision House board of directors for five years. She is a graduate of the Boston University School of Nursing and has 30 years of experience in all phases of nursing, including intensive care, recovery room, medicine and surgery, as well as visiting nursing. She is currently working in pediatrics.

Widowed at a young age, Paula has raised five children on her own. She brings care and compassion to her work on the board and as a volunteer in the Vision House Gift Shop.

Sandra Spanos-Johnson, Vice President

Sandra is a physical therapist with Genesis Eldercare in Andover, MA, where she is responsible for evaluating and treating patients in subacute and long-term care facilities.

Sandra has extensive experience in health care. Previously, she was a physical therapist at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA, and rehabilitation director for Easter Seals Home Health in Raleigh, NC.

She also has served as a rehabilitation consultant for Visiting Nurse and Community Health in Lexington, MA, a clinical instructor for education at Braintree (MA) Hospital and director of physical therapy and marketing at Rehabilitation Concepts in Wilmington, MA

Mary Jo Hayes, Clerk

Mary Jo has been closely involved with Vision House since 1994, most recently helping to manage the Vision House Gift Shop.

Mary Jo also works as a swim instructor and lifeguard at the Andover/North Andover YMCA. As a volunteer, she helped implement parent-and-child swim classes at the Y and aided the fulltime staff with the start of a new recreational facility.

Ann Hall, Secretary

Ann is a writer and public relations consultant who specializes in promoting clients in the nonprofit sector. Before becoming a consultant, she was the public relations manager for a software company and communications director at a large financial services company, where she was in charge of public relations and speechwriting for top-tier executives.

An award-winning journalist, Ann was a columnist and reporter for The Boston Globe NorthWest Weekly section for many years and has written articles for numerous magazines and newspapers. She also has edited and contributed to a number of books on business management and computers.

Lani Matthews, Member At Large

Active in community service, Lani is a dedicated volunteer at the Vision House Gift Shop. She also is a member of the Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council and the University of Massachusetts Lowell Alumni Relations Council, and is a committee member and site volunteer for the Pine Street Inn.

Lani worked for The Boston Globe Newspaper Company for 19 years, most recently as disbursements supervisor. Previously, she was mechanical payroll supervisor, payroll clerk and accounts payable clerk.