Daily Schedule
Typical Day at the Clubhouse
This description was written by two members, Marcus and Deborah.
WELCOME to Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse. You can find many smiles every day at the Clubhouse that are sincere and genuine. The normal day begins at 9:15 am. Members can arrive as early as 8 am. A wide variety of transportation companies, personal and other specific companies carry us back and forth to and from the Clubhouse. On our arrival, we meet in the dining hall until our work unit meetings begin at 9:15. If you come on Fridays breakfast is provided at a reasonable price. There are also lockers for use upstairs and downstairs. All members use the elevator to go up and down. There is a nice ramp from the parking lot into the main back door and an electric door opener which makes it easier for everyone to come and go.
The day starts with a program meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays, otherwise we split into our unit meetings in order to volunteer for job tasks in the unit you sign up for. Here we offer a work day program with volunteer jobs in 3 units: Kitchen, Business, and Maintenance Units.
Kitchen Unit prepares lunch for all clubhouse members and staff. These are at the greatest price of $3.00.You get a drink, main course, side item, a salad, and a dessert. Now tell me where you can find a better deal. Our lunches are very good and good for you. We prepare everything from scratch. That way it is better for you than stuff out of a box or can.
Business Unit does all the office tasks needed to run the Clubhouse such as make and mail out newsletters, thank you notes, and birthday cards. They also answer the phone, take attendance, and collect the lunch money.
Maintenance Unit keeps the Clubhouse clean and in a sanitary working order. They also take care of the grounds around the house and keep the inside and outside looking nice every day.
All jobs are voluntary. You choose what you can do well or what you would like to learn. The Clubhouse helps members to obtain paying jobs. Even after you get a job you can come back at any time. You will always be a member of the Clubhouse.
In the afternoons we offer groups like adjustment and gratitude group, walk group (we also go to the park and play basketball), yoga, and Spanish class. Many members and staff speak Spanish here at the Clubhouse. We as well have game nights once a month and outings depending on likes and weather.
Here at the Clubhouse we have a great snack bar where you can get something to drink or to munch on. All of our snacks are good for you and very health conscious. Just to give you an idea of how the Clubhouse has helped people, I was in a wheelchair and am now walking even without a cane. A lot is because of the support of the Clubhouse.
We all welcome you to our family and hope you enjoy your time with us. Now if you have any questions, please ask. If I cannot answer it I am sure someone here can help you.
An updated Week at a Glance is coming soon. In the mean time, download an older Week at a Glance to see what our work ordered day, meals and meeting schedules looked like.
General Schedule
| Day | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| M – F 8 – 9 a.m. |
Members arrive | Get settled in, socialize, prepare for the work day |
| M, W, Th | Morning meeting | Work unit meeting – where members sign up to do the jobs needed to keep the Clubhouse going |
| T, F 9:15 – 10 |
Morning meeting | Program meeting – where the whole house gathers to talk about issues that affect everyone |
| M – F 9:15 – noon |
Work in the units | |
| M – F noon – 1 p.m. |
Lunch | Members bring their own lunch or purchase a warm, healthy made-from-scratch meal from the Clubhouse |
| M – F 1 – 2 |
Work in the units | |
| M, T, Th, F 2 – 2:45 |
Various groups | Support group, exercise group, program issues discussion, education (e.g., computer usage, Spanish-English, brain behavior) |
| M – F 3 |
Members leave |
Testimonials
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Today I am going to try and share the Clubhouse’s excitement about our fundraising hoops battle on March 16 2013 less than a week after my Birthday. If you’re wondering what you should get me let it be known I will gladly accept cash and donations to my Side by Side Clubhouse to fund the day to day operations of my favorite place in the world where I enjoy working in the business unit a couple of days a week. While I’m in my Blog I feel it necessary to remember my good friend Mike McCord who was the first man that I spoke to at Emory after awaking from my coma and then I followed him up here to Side by Side. My man Mike and I got along so well because like me he was a Dawg fan but now he works in the private rehab world with individuals who are sure of returning to the work force. Sitting here talking about him is only making me miss him that much more. Frank F.
Fundraising Hoops Battle and Frank’s Shout Out to Mike McCord -
Well, my drivers evaluation out to Side By Side, from Spring Creek House, is less than 24 hours away! I’ve been preparing for this since the winter of 2012, and I feel that all of the hard work will definitely pay off! I’ve been plotting the route out on my phone, driving out here every night this week with my father, and writing down the route, on paper, every day this! I feel like this “homework” will benefit me greatly! I am very proud of myself for doing all of the “legwork”, needed in order to drive, independently, outside my allowed radius of 3 miles. I am also very thankful of my father for putting his life, in Northern VA on hold, to come down here and help me with this! It is very re-assuring to know that he is there to support me in my endeavors! Tomorrow’s result could turn out to be a huge accomplishment for me! We’ll see how it goes.. Shep
Inch by Inch, Mile by Mile- The Long Road to Recovery -
Side by Side Clubhouse has been an invaluable resource for our research on usability and accessibility of wireless technology by people recovering from brain injury. The staff and members have provided critical feedback and insights on existing technologies and proposed new solutions. The data and insights we gather at Side by Side Clubhouse is used to inform designers and developers of wireless technology about the needs and wants of people living with the effects of brain injury.
John Morris, Ph.D. Research Scientist Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) Shepherd Center
John Morris, Research Scientist, thanks members for critical feedback and insight -
Our Stone Mountain Woman’s Club began our relationship with Side by Side when the Clubhouse moved to Stone Mountain Village several years ago. We recently held our 6th Annual Christmas Brunch honoring the SxS members and staff, an event during which we celebrate the season with food, fellowship, and singing. We are moved by the stories of the members whose lives have been forever changed by brain injury, the hope and resilience they demonstrate, and the compassion and professionalism of the wonderful staff there. Volunteering with Side by Side always provides us more blessings than those we are able to impart.
Terry Ingwersen
Terry Ingwersen, Side by Side volunteer extraordinaire -
Upon reading an article about my traumatic brain injury, in the Shepherd Spinal Column magazine, I felt it very relieving to be past that fateful, tragic day back in mid-June, 2010. While reading about this experience tends to take me back, in a small way, to that fateful day that would come to change my life forever, it’s very comforting to know that it has changed my life for the better. Having spent a good portion of 2012 recovering down here in Atlanta, GA at Shepherd Pathways, my therapists and case managers have shown me that there is, indeed, a life after brain injury waiting to be explored. It has shown me that the old saying, “it’s not so much about what happens to you in life, as it’s all about how you deal with it,” is indeed a valid statement. I believe that that is what shapes us into being human.
-Chris
Chris Responds to his Article -
One of the things I enjoy most about the Clubhouse is the generosity of our members. I tell new volunteers that our members will share moving stories of survival and triumph with them and some of them even travel around the city with Cindi talking to groups about their experiences. Others are generous in giving their time to volunteer at various volunteer activities which can be adapted to use their talents. Debbie helps with publications at her church and Greg and Gary sing in the men’s choirs at their churches. Cynthia volunteers as a receptionist at a charity and Colleen serves meals at an older folks home.
The most generosity, however, can be seen in the way members help each other with their jobs during the work ordered day and with meeting their goals. Not too long ago Chris, our resident folk artist, got enough paint and canvas to start painting at home. This made a big difference in his life because he needed that creative way to express himself and he needed to spend more of his time in active, healthy ways. One thing missing was an easel. He had already gotten in trouble with his landlady for getting paint on the bead spread in his room. The very next week after this dilemma presented itself Marc appeared at the Clubhouse with 5 easels. He donated one for Chris to use at home and the others to be used here. Marc is a wood worker as is his grandfather. When he got home from his day at Side by Side he had designed a simple easel in his head and he and his grandfather found some discount wood to make it a reality.
Members with a brain injury don’t necessarily have a lot of resources but everyone has skills, and talents. Being able to provide something that another member might need whether it is help on the computer or a word of encouragement, makes life more satisfying and really fulfills the spirit of our name – Side by Side.
Virginia
Generosity -
Memorias de mi vida
Me llamo Manuel. Tuve un accidente de trabajo y estuve diez dias en coma. Ingrese a Shepherd Center y despues a Shepherd Pathways y de ultimo estoy en Side By Side donde e aprendido algunas cosas y ya me he recuperado muhco de mis lesions. Entre las cosas que me gustan esta sembrar flores y algunas verduras. Me gusta dedicarles tiempo a las plantas en espesial a las flores
My name is Manuel. I had an accident at work and I was in the hospital for 10 days in a coma. I then went to Shepherd Center and then to Shepherd Pathways. Ultimately I came to Side by Side where I have learned a few things and I have learned a lot of my lessons. Among the things that I like is planting flowers and some vegetables. I like to dedicate time to plants, especially flowers.
Memories of My Life -
Treat us like normal people! Don’t poke us. Don’t make fun of us. Try not to critique us. Don’t play loud and/or obnoxious music. Don’t run and scream. Try to be understanding. Let us live how we live.
Erin
Tips for Treating People with Brain Injury -
Just had to send you a note for sending Colleen our way. We have never had anybody as conscientious and dedicated to her work as Colleen. She is always on time and goes out of her way to accommodate others in the Office. Thanks for sending Colleen and the wonderful work done at Side By Side.
Candler Broom, CEO, Austin Brown Inc. -
The Clubhouse is a treasured and unusual resource. It provides experiences that I, as a professional, cannot. Working as part of a community, a person learns to value others, to value him or herself. The Clubhouse provides a safe and respectful space in which patients become people again.
Dr. M. Rusin, psychologist serving brain injured clients
