Tim Owen Good, CFP, ChFC is a financial planner that helped John and myself pre brain injury and post injury. With only one income coming in after the car crash, Tim really helped us get our finances together and is always helping with counsel and action. He has become a very dear friend. A phone call to Tim is free, and his service and knowledge is invaluable.

 John & Joan Miller

Tinnitus & hyperacusis is very common with BI

 Evaluations & Diagnosis Of Auditory problems relating to Tinnitus & Hyperacusis

Oregon Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Treatment Clinic. Since 1997 

The NW's only full time TREATMENT CLINIC

 Marsha Johnson Audiologist

825 NE 20th Suite 230, Portland Or. 97232

503 - 234 -1221 phone / 503 - 234 - 4227 fax

Dr. Gregory Cole, PHD

When I was released from R.I.O. (Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon) where I spent my first month of intense rehab. after the car crash that left me with my brain injury June 12th '99, I entered into another less intensive rehab program. That program was C.R.S. (Community Re-entry Service) now known as P.R.A.  (Progressive Rehabilitation Associates) At CRS there was a psychologist who specialized in brain injury, Dr. Gregory Cole PHD. Dr. Cole was able to explain the changes that I would or could go through and emphasize that it was part of the journey, that I was not "going crazy" because I was experiencing these things. He shared and mostly listened and ALWAYS supported my experiences and gave me "okay" to feel them, live them, even welcome them and keep moving on.

To hear validation from a person who understands this "tricky" injury was then, and still is monumental for my continued growth.

 He was able to help me understand things as a survivor, and help my husband John as he was going through this injury too, just in a different way. I know family members desire to know what they can do that will be best for the survivor. Dr. Cole made it evident to John that he first must take care of himself which in turn is taking care of the survivor.

 

Joan Miller  8 years post injury and John & I STILL see Dr. Cole.

      John & I were in Ogden Utah when we were involved in the car crash that left me with my brain injury. We were hit by a drunk driver almost killing me and seriously injuring John. We were transported to the trauma hospital, McKay Dee (thank goodness it was close) where I underwent hours of emergency brain surgery. John too was treated and underwent intensive rehab.  I was comatose for 4 days, spending 2 weeks in ICU.

     The reason I tell you this is to let you know what a difference you can make to someone or some people by a simple act.

     Two years post crash John & I went back to Ogden for business. While we were back there, we stopped in to McKay Dee so I could meet and thank the doctor that saved my life, thank the persons that tended to me while I was in a coma and the weeks following, and to show them how their devotion and skill paid off. There was a walking, talking, woman that stood in front of them with arms outstretched to hug them where 2 years ago a woman on all kinds of life saving machinery was whose future was uncertain.

      Dr. Blake Welling, the neurosurgeon that saved my life was so overjoyed to see me, (we surprised him) it brought tears to his eyes. In his words "If you never believed in guardian angels you should now, you had one foot in the grave."

     To hear the "thanks so much, we always wonder what happens to the people after they leave here," "way to go's" and "you just made what we do here worthwhile" from the staff was a simple thing we did and made a HUGE difference to so many. These people, total strangers, made a difference in our lives and the many lives they touch daily. They deserve a huge "Thanks" and "Way to go" from us!

   Way to go McMay Dee hospital staff in Ogden Utah!!

from  Joan Miller

 There aren't enough words to express what Dr. Bruce did for me. Where R.I.O. (Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon) gave me back my dignity, Dr. Bruce gave me back my life!  With brain injury so many optical changes can and do take place. Some of these changes are not visible and remain hidden from sight. The brain, however, will remind us that things are not quite like they used to be. Simply put, "something's been knocked off course." The pathway from the visual to the interpretation is askew with the eyes on separate paths when seeing things. Dr. Bruce's education and dedication to fix this problem has taken him to a level of superiority in his field.  He and his dedicated and very educated staff of vision therapists go above and beyond their "call of duty" becoming personal mentors as they do everything that is possible to bring relief to a troubling, and seemingly impossible situation with incredible results.  It's as if everyone on his staff including his associate Dr. Alex Smith, has taken a vow to excellence with the "never give up" attitude results that speak for themselves.  I am not the only person who Dr. Bruce's "healing touch" has had an effect on, He has also touched the lives of my family by way of his expertise as a gifted optometrist.   Dr. Bruce never stops giving both as a very dear friend, a fine father to his 2 children, a loving husband to his beautiful wife, and a very passionate Optometrist with intense schooling in behavioral / developmental optometry relating to brain injury.   If you or a family member has sustained a brain injury, you owe it to yourself or to them to see Dr. Bruce and experience the world again.

   Trust me in this.............YOU WILL!!!!

from  Joan Miller

 Pacific University has a clinic in downtown Portland 511 SW 10th 503-224-2323 that has a sliding scale payment option. With brain injury there is a 70 to 80% chance that optic damage has occured. It may not be visable, however things are knocked off track with the possibility of manifesting at a later date. It's imperative to see a behavioral optometrist such as Dr. Bruce or Dr. Alex at NW Eyecare or, Dr. Bruce & Dr. Alex work with the students of optometry at Pacific University and refer many people to the clinic. That way all people are insured the quality of care regardless of their money situation.

 You have one pair of eyes.....take care of them and they'll take care of you!

 Be strong......stay well

This is from Joan Miller submitted 8-6-07

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Referral

Dr. Jeff Chen neurosurgeon

Dr. Chen saved my life and for that I am extremely grateful. He did a total of 3 surgeries on my brain.

Submitted by Max Conradt  10-6-07     Date of injury 10-19-01