Do you know the first warning signs of a stroke? You can remember them easily using F.A.S.T.:

– Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

– Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

– Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

– Time to call 9-1-1 If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

THANK YOU! Without YOU we wouldn’t be able to say we have been serving this great state for 26 years now!

26 YEARS!

We are so proud of this accomplishment and we are so incredibly blessed to continue to provide care to our clients throughout Michigan daily with the same core values that we started with in 1988.  The structure of our organization continues to grow and evolve, adapting to the changing times but we couldn’t be prouder.  From one small regional office in the start, with a handful of employees, we have grown into an organization with nearly 200 field staff, an administrative team of nearly 20 plus members and a statewide community support network with countless members.

How and where do we start counting our blessings?

As we continue on into our next 26 years know that we will continue to remain focused on you are clients and employees.  You are what make this organization tick.  You are what have made us continue to grow through the many years and we THANK YOU.

If we haven’t saw you in a long time, if you were a part of the Dobson Healthcare team in the early years, we would love to see you around sometime.  Stop in and say HELLO, tell this new generations of Dobson staff about how it was in the beginning, when we had all of our schedules in 3 ring binders and had to forward phones to our homes when we were on-call during the weekends, when we worked with typewriters.  Yes, we have been around that long!

Once again, THANK YOU!  Cheers to 26 Years!

Yesterday we honored our 2013 Verlene Ritter Employee Dedication Award Recipient. Please congratulate Jodie D. on being recognized for her continued dedication to Dobson Healthcare and her clients. Caregivers like Jodie are what make Dobson the home care leader that we are! Congrats Jodie!

Here’s a great article from Rachelle Friedman…

I’ve heard some pretty crazy things come out of people’s mouths in my few short years as a wheelchair user. Most people definitely mean well, but some sentiments aren’t received the way many able bodied people might expect. In the disabled community, it’s not uncommon for us to joke with each other about some of our interesting conversations with family, friends and strangers that often involve some off putting statements. Below are the top 10 things that I’ve heard people say since my injury that don’t necessarily leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

1. “You’re Really Pretty for Someone in a Wheelchair.”

Yes. People actually say this. There’s this huge misconception that people in wheelchairs are unattractive, frumpy and sloppy. Well spinal cord injuries and other disabilities don’t discriminate against attractive people. Some of the people I know in chairs are totally gorgeous! But honestly that’s besides the point. If you’re going to compliment someone, that is great! But leave the wheelchair out of it.

2. “I Had to Use a Wheelchair When I Broke My Leg, So I Know Exactly What You’re Going Through.”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve struck up a conversation with a total stranger only to hear about that terrible month where their leg was in a cast. They had to use a wheelchair too and so they totally get it. Spinal cord injuries involve a plethora of other issues that don’t involve the actual paralysis. So I really hate to sound insensitive, but it gets kind of hard year after year to smile and listen to your short stint with a wheelchair while I’m on a nice outing with my husband.

3. “You’re an Inspiration.”

There are times where this is OK, but there are also times where this just makes me really uncomfortable. I’ll give you an example. One night I was out with my friends at a local club. I was dancing with my girls when a guy walked up and said “you’re a real inspiration.” In that moment with my friends, I was care free, a normal girl just going out and having fun. But, then I’m reminded that “oh yeah. I’m in a wheelchair and people think it’s merely inspiring that I go out.”

After years in our chairs, we don’t want to be called inspiring for driving to the grocery store, hitting the gym, or attending a sporting event. “You’re an inspiration” equates to “If I were you I don’t think I’d be able to leave my house” If it inspires you, that’s great. But we just don’t like to be told how incredible we are for doing the day to day tasks that you do. I’m often told by others that they’d never handle this injury with as much grace. You’d be surprised. This injury doesn’t just smite the most strong willed of the human race. And yet a significant majority of us go on with life eventually.

4. “I Was Only Parked There for a Minute.”

Don’t. Just don’t. This is the number one excuse us rollers get when we must confront someone who’s illegally parked in a handicap spot. Besides the fact that this usually isn’t true, I shouldn’t have to wait for an able bodied person to run inside. I run into a handicap parking issue at least once a week. People who need those spots have schedules to meet and places to be as well. Just walk the extra 50 yards because I sure wish I could.

5. “Everything Happens for a Reason.”

For many individuals hit with hard times, this very thought pulls them out of depression and gives them hope. To others it’s another way of saying “fate wanted you to get hurt so that others would realize that their lives aren’t that bad after all.” For me? It’s neither really. I may disagree but I’m not offended. I believe that sometimes really bad things happen to good people and it is what it is. In some cases you can rise above a tragedy and give it a reason by choosing to make a positive impact. In other cases, it may simply be a horrific event that requires not a purpose, but some time to cope and heal.

6. “Here, Let Me Help You!” [Rushes to My Side Frantically]

Undoubtedly the hurried helper is just trying to be nice! But let me explain the sentiments behind disliking this. When I was injured, a lot of things were taken out of my control. There’s a laundry list of things I can no longer do without someone’s help and losing independence can take away ones ability to feel “normal” at times. So if I’m at the store and you see me bending down to pick up my cell phone, Just give me a chance to get it. I promise that people in my situation have gotten used to asking for help and so we won’t hesitate to ask if we truly need it. Also, we generally don’t need help getting into our cars or pushing our chairs. We wouldn’t be out alone if we couldn’t do it! We appreciate that people want to be helpful, but I almost feel like I need to fight the helpers off so I can learn how to do more things for myself.

7. “It’s Good to See You Out.”

I’m not talking about a scenario in which I bump into an old friend at a restaurant I’m talking about complete strangers coming up and saying it. I’m not even sure what this one is supposed to mean. Does society think we are all hermits? An overwhelming majority of us leave our house. I promise!

8. “You Have Found Yourself a Real Stand-Up Guy.”

The fact that my husband chose to stay with me after my accident is not what makes him a stand up guy because his decision wasn’t based on morals. Staying with someone “because it’s the right thing to do” is actually in fact the wrong thing to do. You should choose to stay with someone because you love them. plain and simple. So when people shake his hand and tell him what a “real man” he is for staying and then tell me how lucky I am to have him, it leaves a bad taste in our mouths. This is a conversation Chris and I have had with many couples like ourselves. No one wants to be given a high-five for not leaving the side of someone they truly love.

9. “With Your Effort And Attitude, I Know You’ll Walk Again.”

It doesn’t work that way but oh how I wish it did! If a lamp isn’t plugged in, I assure you a good attitude will not make it turn on no matter how hard you try to flip it on. Some people’s injuries are less severe and so, for them, a rigorous therapy schedule will heed results. But for many of us, it just won’t happen without science. There’s plenty of people who have recovered function who have a bad attitude and millions still in their chairs who have lots of determination. If you think effort and attitude is a solution for a cure, then next time you’re in a thunderstorm call me after you’ve wished it away.

10. “Anything in Your Preschool Teacher Voice.”

I am not sure what makes people who I meet for the first time want to talk to me in that high pitched voice, but it’s kind of awkward. And I’m not talking about sweet old ladies. I’m talking about individuals that are around my age. If you were meeting an adult who doesn’t use a wheelchair, you wouldn’t say (insert preschool teacher voice here) “it’s so nice to meet you sweetie!” I smile and return the excitement, but I’d much rather have a more age appropriate interaction.

If you’ve said any of these, don’t feel bad (unless you’ve stolen a handicap parking spot!). We aren’t angry or offended, but we want people to understand. We aren’t inspiring for living our every day lives, completing the mundane tasks we as adults are often subjected to. Able bodied partners of people with disabilities are not heroes. They just love their significant others like anyone else. No need to pat us on the back (or HEAD!) just for leaving our houses. I may not be speaking for everyone, but I know that I’m saying here what so many people in my situation want able bodied individuals to know. If you had a disability, would these things bother you?

Rachelle writes regularly for themobilityresource.com, where this piece first appeared.

We hope you have a great Friday and an even better weekend! Our administrative team is already hard at work this morning in our daily operations meeting. This meeting is part of our daily routine here at Dobson Healthcare to ensure continuity of care to our clients and employees. We use this meeting to review anything pending from the previous day and to discuss anything that may have occurred during our on-call hours. Here’s some of our team going over items from last night right at this very moment!

We had another great evening in Lansing recently for the Capitol Area Case Management Vendor Night! This event is held annually at the UClub on the Campus of Michigan State University.  It was Marcie Coffell, Northern Regional Coordinator, first time attending this event.  Jenna and Marcie together had a great night meeting with many of the case managers that attended who we have had the honor to work on cases with before.  We love the times that we are able to catch up with everyone in a relaxed environment like this.  We look forward to next years event!

http:///www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VZnALI7Lz1A

BAY CITY, MI – As Dobson Healthcare enters its 25th year, the company is seeking to continue the growth it has seen in recent years.

Since 2010, the home care provider has seen a 90 percent increase in new employees. It hopes to build upon this momentum by adding 25 employees in each quarter of 2013, totaling 100 for the year.

The company currently employs about 200 full-time and part-time employees, according to Jami Dobson-Schrumpf, president and chief executive officer of Dobson Healthcare.

“Home care in general is a nice balance for caregivers looking for a more one-on-one care setting since healthcare facilities and hospitals can be more tasking with higher client to caregiver ratios,” said Dobson-Schrumpf in a statement. “Many of our caregivers retain their current job, but supplement their hours by working with us.”

Dobson-Schrumpf started the company, which has regional offices in Bay City; Lansing and West Branch, in 1988 with only one client, a young boy who required a ventilator because of an auto accident. She says she is grateful the family gave her the opportunity to help their son.

“Luckily, his family took a chance on me,” she said. “The teenager was destined to spend his days in a nursing facility about three hours from his parents just because another agency wouldn’t care for him on a ventilator in the home. Now, 25 years later, I am thankful for the family who helped me realize my passion for keeping people home.”

Dobson says one of the most difficult aspects to expanding is being able to continually hire quality caregivers. She believes it takes a special individual to make a family comfortable inviting that person into their home.

“Home care isn’t something that is normally on any family’s list of purchases, and for the client themselves, they have to trust the person coming to their home,” she said. It is daunting, but knowing who the company is and what they stand for makes for a more comforting experience.”

Throughout the year, Dobson Healthcare will be hosting hiring fairs with local employment facilities throughout its coverage area including the Great Lakes Bay Region, Genesee County, Northern Michigan and Lansing. Exact dates for the hiring fairs have yet to be set, but those interested are encouraged to check the company’s Facebook page and website for announcements.

Source: Bay City Times

Written By: Alex Mitchell

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Without each and every one of you we would not be able to celebrate 25 years this year!  It is because of our amazing employees, clients and community supporters that we have been able to grow from one client and one office in 1988 into the company that we are today.  We now serve over 44 counties in the State of Michigan, employee over 300 employees and have provided services to over 2,600 clients in our 25 years!

WOW!

We are looking forward to a great 2013,  some highlights to look forward to:

100 New Dobson Employees?! That’s our goal!

Dobson Roadtrip! We’re coming to YOU!

Introduction of a new service line!  We’re excited! You should be too!

A BIG 25th Anniversary Party!

So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Families with a loved one who has suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury are directly effected by the changes to that loved ones personality, behavior, and physical ability.  No one can wave a magic wand and make the acceptance of these changes easy for any one. Family members will find that they need to spend additional time with the TBI Survivor, helping them both physically and emotionally has they come to terms with the changes. This additional time needed to care for the family member can cause strains on other relationships throughout the family.

Many of our clients family members will express that they have stress, guilt, and anxiety due to the additional time they need to commit to their family member.

The biggest challenge that we have noticed families facing is being able to fully understand what the Traumatic Brain Injury has done both physically and mentally to their loved one.   If you are caring for a newly diagnosed Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor this video will help you to better understand what they are now facing:

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

At Dobson Healthcare we are here for your family as you start the process of caring for a loved one with a Traumatic Brain Injury; helping you to keep life as normal as possible.  The staff at Dobson can easily assist you with finding such things as the right physician for your loved ones needs or the best gym for them to utilize in your area while they are in their recovery.