The Denbigh House, a program of Community Brain Injury Services (CBIS), announces the completion of its accessible garden, which provides individuals with brain injury an opportunity to regain quality of life lost after trauma. The Denbigh House members and staff invite the public to the Garden Grand Opening on April 27, 2017 from 2 pm-5 pm to celebrate the completion of the accessible garden project. A presentation to recognize supporters and funders will be made at 3 pm. This event is free and light refreshments will be provided.
For individuals with a brain injury, barriers often define the way life is lead. Return to independent living is difficult. Return to work can seem impossible. Even forming relationships and keeping a social network after a brain injury is challenging. The powerful vision of the nonprofit, Community Brain Injury Services (CBIS), is for every survivor of brain injury to have the opportunity to realize a life of purpose and self-determined value. CBIS missions to empower survivors of brain injury to regain and maintain independence through innovative, outcomes-based services. For more than a decade, The Denbigh House, a Clubhouse model program for adults with brain injury in Newport News, has accomplished this mission by helping individuals with brain injury overcome obstacles to community living, social support and return to work.
Prior to 2017, however, an act as simple as tending to The Denbigh House garden was impossible for Clubhouse members who used wheelchairs, walkers or struggled with balance. Through the support of the Altria Companies Employee Community Fund, the First United Methodist Church of Newport News Foundation, the Bernardine Sisters Foundation, Outdoor Kitchen Creations, and many individual donors, The Denbigh House was able to address this accessibility barrier by completing a multi-year project to install new back doors and a paved back patio. The newly completed patio includes raised garden beds, wheelchair accessible planters and a wheelchair accessible picnic table.
At the Garden Grand Opening event on April 27, 2017, Clubhouse members will be available to give tours of The Denbigh House and talk about their experiences with life after brain injury. Again, this event is free and open to the public. The Denbigh House is located at 12725 McManus Boulevard, Suite 2E Newport News, VA 23602. Please join us to help celebrate the addition of fully accessible gardening at The Denbigh House!
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jessica Dupuy at 757-833-7845 or email at jessicad@communitybraininjury.org.
