On October 19, 2019, the Moss TBI Model Systems and MossRehab co-hosted the Living Well with Brain Injury Conference, which marks the 5th TBI Model Systems Philadelphia area consumer conference. Over 250 conference goers enjoyed a day of lectures, workshops, networking and resource-sharing at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The program focused on all aspects of living well, with topics addressing the mind, body, and spirit. Sessions featured panel discussions, research findings, and practical advice from experts on these topics—individuals with personal experiences living with or caring for someone with brain injury, and experts on brain injury research and clinical care.

Kevin Pearce, champion snowboarder and subject of the 2013 documentary, Crash Reel, inspired the audience with a keynote address infused with humor, positivity, and his personal story of resilience after brain injury.

In addition to learning about living well, conference goers participated in hands-on sessions in which they practiced yoga, tai chi, and mindfulness. Attendees also took advantage of the opportunity to express themselves creatively by creating masks that convey their experience living with brain injury. Mask making was facilitated by the Unmasking Brain Injury project, a brain injury awareness campaign co-sponsored by Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital and the Dana Jones Art Therapy Fund. The conference closed with an enjoyable performance by the Jazz Sanctuary.

We would like to thank all involved in planning this inspiring event. The Advisory Committee was led by Dr. Rabinowitz, Moss TBIMS project director, and included Kevin Gallagher, Bridget Kaiser, Rock Allen, Melody Mendez, and representatives from MossRehab, Bancroft, Beechwood NeuroRehab, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, Community Skills Program, Council on Brain Injury, Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Mind Your Brain, ReMed, Success Rehabilitation, and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania.

This article was originally published in The MossRehab Traumatic Brain Injury Model System’s Fall 2019 Edition of Brain E-News.