MANHASSET, NY -- Jeremy Riddle, 32, was a firefighter working out of Engine 332 in East New York when he fell down a stairwell and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in December 2009. As a result of his injuries, Mr. Riddle (who has no memory of the accident) came to Transitions of Long Island® in January for physical therapy to help achieve balance, occupational therapy to help him re-learn the most basic activities of daily life, and speech and language therapy. Married nearly two years, Mr. Riddle and other clients of Transitions recently organized a prom to celebrate their ongoing recovery. Dressed in a tuxedo and playing his guitar, he performed a medley of his favorite songs, including the Beatles’ “Imagine” and Don McLean’s “American Pie.”

Theresa Manfre was injured in November 2007, also as a result of a fall. Prior to her extensive injuries, Ms. Manfre, a wife and mother, was an award-winning teacher and writer (as well as an avid lover of Harley-Davidson motorcycles). She came to Transitions in February, and has also been working on improving her motor and cognitive skills. It was Ms. Manfre who came up with the prom’s theme of “Spring Garden of Light,” since she views her journey at Transitions as one of a new beginning. “We need to re-build our self-esteem,” she said. “Our will determines our success… We are determined to get through this together. This is my calling in my new life,” she said while accepting flowers from her fellow prom-goers.

Jean Elbaum, PhD, clinical director of Transitions, said the prom was a time for clients to show the world how much they’ve achieved on their journey to acceptance. “It’s really a chance to highlight people’s progress and recovery; it helps clients build their self-esteem following an injury, and to give hope and inspiration,” she said.

Part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, Transitions of Long Island®, located at 1554 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, is a comprehensive neuro-rehabilitation program for individuals with neurological injuries, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, anoxia, encephalitis and mild head injury. The only program of its kind in the region, Transitions provides both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs.

To find out more about Transitions, call 516-562-3822 or email neuro@nshs.edu.

Contact:
Michelle Pinto
516-465-2649
mpinto@nshs.edu