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Rainbow Survivors
Rainbow clients and alumni share their stories as survivors of traumatic brain injury.
Aiken, Larry (333 KB)
Larry Aiken has been a Rainbow client since 1999 following a motorcycle accident. Learn more about how Larry spends his time and continues to enrich himself through his activities.
Anderson, Mitchell (359 KB)
Mitchell Anderson wasn't expected to live when he was injured in December 1996, much less graduate from college. Enrolled in Rainbow's Semi-Independent Living Program, Mitchell has defied the odds, but it hasn't always been easy.
Blakemore, Mabel (253 KB)
After sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in June of 1998, Mabel Blakemore transferred to Rainbow from another rehabilitation facility. Her dual diagnosis of TBI and bi-polar disorder made her recovery challenging. With the proper care and medication, her condition soon stabilized allowing her to make many positive gains.
Branscum, Becky (279 KB)
Becky Branscum came to Rainbow almost nine years after an automobile accident that left her seriously injured with neurological muscle damage. Even though she may never fully recover from her injuries, proper care and active therapy administered by Rainbow's staff have greatly improved her quality of life.
Caballero-Amaya, Yaseni (300 KB)
Following her automobile accident, Yaseni Caballero-Amaya lost her ability to speak. Her vocal cords were weakened due to her injuries, resulting in vocal cord paresis (weakness of the vocal cords). She recently underwent an operation that strengthened her vocal cords and enabled her to communicate verbally again.
Choate, Jamie (384 KB)
Photography and painting have been a large part of Jamie Choate's life since he was a child. See how these two hobbies became a powerful motivator that prompted him to pursue an associate degree following his brain injury.
Davenport, Brian (273 KB)
Brian Davenport was not expected to ever live independently. Through rehabilitation and hard work, Brian defied the odds and learned how to utilize compensatory strategies for his benefit. He holds a full-time job and plans to begin a four-year degree at a technical institute.
Foley, Sarah (384 KB)
Sarah Foley had little interest in art prior to her brain injury, but it was a class in sculpture that helped her process the changes she saw in herself after her injury.
Godfrey, Renae (205 KB)
Renae Godfrey has had wedding plans on her mind lately, but life has not always been rosy for this vibrant young woman. Following her accident, she spent over 12 years in rehabilitation. She made significant gains in the process, even holding down a part-time job.
Kulback, Tom (72 KB)
Tom Kulback was a baggage handler at Northwest Airlines. Injured on the job when he was hit by the de-icing truck, Tom's prognosis looked grim. With hard work and determination, he was back to work within six months of his near-fatal accident.
Mitchell, John (247 KB)
John Mitchell came to Rainbow when he was 17 years old. A victim of a motor vehicle accident, John sustained a severe TBI when the vehicle he was riding in was broadsided by another car.
Mussehl, Gabrielle
Gabrielle Mussehl's hard work following her automobile accident enabled her to make significant rehabilitation gains quickly, even at 75. She continues to reside in a Rainbow residential home where she enjoys many hobbies and participates in volunteer work.
Volunteer of the Year (154 KB) Gabrielle Mussehl (339 KB)
Newland, Jeffrey (142 KB)
Brenda Newland, Jeffrey's wife, recounts the tragic accident that resulted in Jeffrey's traumatic brain injury (TBI) and how he's been able to meet and exceed his rehabilitation goals. She also shares her experiences as a family member of a survivor.
Sell, Heather (449 KB)
Heather Sell made amazing strides within nine months of entering Rainbow's program. In an effort to help her succeed, Heather's family worked hand in hand with the rehabilitation team and became educated about Heather's injuries and her treatment.
Sutphin, Jen (384 KB)
Jen Sutphin has always had a flair for the creative. Find out how her artistic hobbies helped her fill a void in her life following her traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Spencer, Jonathan (142 KB)
Jonathan Spencer was injured in an automobile accident just days before his nineteenth birthday. He discusses the gains he has made at Rainbow moving from the residential program to outpatient treatment.
Stevens, Chuck (240 KB)
Follow the recovery process of former Rainbow client, Chuck Stevens, and the sequence of events following his accident and post-accident medical care, his rehabilitation at Rainbow and his eventual return home.
Summers, James (297 KB)
Jim Summers likes to analyze all the angles before he makes a decision. But that hasn't always been the case. In 1995, Jim was walking down an unlit street when he was hit by a drunk driver. Through rehabilitation, he's learned to compensate for his deficits.
Rainbow's Pediatric Clients and Alumni
Darga, Renee (90 KB)
Today, Renee Darga shops, dances and goes out to eat with family and friends. Thirteen months before, this was not the case. She was unable to even feed herself or lift her head. Learn more about her remarkable progress.
Hager, Alicia (332 KB)
Alicia Hager, a former Rainbow pediatric client, shares how sustaining a traumatic brain injury at the age of 13 impacted her life.
Raby, Ben (85 KB)
Ben Raby's fighting spirit was an asset during his rehabilitation at Rainbow, but there was a time when that same fighting spirit caused him to act out. Enrolling in Rainbow's Pediatric Program soon changed that, and Ben learned to channel his energy into positive outlets.
Wilber, Chris (130 KB)
Chris Wilber was one of the first Rainbow clients to participate in the Oakland County Townhouse Program, targeted specifically toward young adults ready to begin learning to live independently.
Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers
5570 Whittaker Road
P.O. Box 970230
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Toll-Free: (800) 968-6644
5570 Whittaker Road
P.O. Box 970230
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Toll-Free: (800) 968-6644
Rainbow's Continuum of Care spans a broad range of brain and spinal cord injury recovery and rehabilitation services including: medical, physical, cognitive, occupational, psycho-social, behavioral, vocational, educational, and recreational. Learn more.