The Supported Living Group

07/21/2026

🚜 Brain Injuries in Agriculture: The Hidden Injury We Don't Talk About Enough 🧠

Farming is one of the most rewarding professions, but it is also one of the most physically demanding and hazardous. Every day, farmers face risks from tractors, ATVs, livestock, heavy equipment, falls, and unpredictable working conditions. Unfortunately, many traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sustained in agriculture go unrecognized, undiagnosed, or are simply accepted as "part of the job." Research has consistently identified farmers, older agricultural workers, and those working around machinery and livestock as being at increased risk of serious head injuries. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1e1lj34nvdo

What many people don't realize is that the effects of a brain injury aren't always visible. Difficulties with memory, concentration, planning, emotional regulation, fatigue, or changes in personality can persist long after the physical injuries have healed.

At The Supported Living Group, we know that recovery is about far more than medical treatment. With the right community-based supports, rehabilitation, and person-centered services, individuals can regain independence, reconnect with their communities, and continue pursuing the lives that matter most to them.

As we celebrate the resilience of Connecticut's farming communities, let's also raise awareness of the hidden impact of brain injury. Recognizing the signs early and seeking appropriate support can change the course of recovery.

💙 Brain injuries are often invisible, but the people living with them shouldn't be.

Brian McColm, 68, died in hospital four days after the crash on his farm in rural Galloway.

07/13/2026

🌟 Making the Right Match Makes All the Difference. 🌟

At The Supported Living Group, we believe exceptional support starts with truly understanding the unique needs, goals, and personalities of the individuals and families we serve. That's why we're so grateful to receive feedback like this from the mother and conservator of one of our Connecticut ABI Waiver participants:

"I think it's important to inform you how happy we are with the service of Joe Kierwiak. Joe provides Craig with carers who are great matches for him, and he is eager to help both of us in any way he can. Joe is a great asset to SLG."
— Margaret Bristow

Thank you, Margaret, for taking the time to recognize Joe's dedication. We couldn't agree more! Joe exemplifies the compassion, responsiveness, and person-centered approach that our team strives to provide every day. https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/joe-kierwiak

Supporting individuals living with acquired brain injuries is about far more than staffing services—it's about building meaningful relationships, creating the right support team, and empowering each person to live as independently and successfully as possible.

We're incredibly proud of Joe and our entire team for the work they do across Connecticut to support ABI Waiver participants and their families.

💙 Thank you to all of the families who place their trust in us. It is a privilege to be part of your journey.

07/08/2026

🧠 New Research Highlights the Long-Term Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury

A newly published study has found a bidirectional association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and several neurological conditions, suggesting that individuals who sustain a brain injury may have an increased likelihood of developing certain neurological disorders over time, and that some neurological conditions may also increase the risk of sustaining a TBI.

While researchers emphasize that this study identifies an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the findings add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that the effects of brain injury often extend well beyond the initial recovery period. Previous research has linked TBI with an increased risk of conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and long-term changes in cognition, mood, and behavior. Parkinson's disease Alzheimer's disease Epilepsy Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

At The Supported Living Group (SLG), these findings reinforce something we've long recognized through our work with brain injury survivors across Connecticut: recovery is not simply about healing from an injury; it's about understanding how the brain changes over time and providing the right supports to help individuals adapt, thrive, and maintain independence.

Rehabilitation doesn't end when therapy is complete. Ongoing community supports, cognitive rehabilitation, behavioral strategies, vocational services, and clinical care can all play an important role in helping individuals navigate life after brain injury.

As research continues to evolve, one message remains clear: brain injury is a chronic health condition for many individuals, and long-term support matters.

Read more about the study here:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-bidirectional-association-tbi-neurological.html

There is a bidirectional association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and certain neurological conditions, according to a study published online June 17 in Neurology.

07/07/2026

The Hidden Cost of “Fitting In”: Understanding Workplace Masking for Neurodivergent Employees

For many autistic and neurodivergent adults, finding employment is not just about learning the job; it is also about navigating the invisible expectations of the workplace.

Many individuals spend significant energy masking: suppressing natural behaviors, hiding sensory needs, rehearsing social interactions, or changing how they communicate in order to appear more “typical” in professional environments.

While masking can sometimes help individuals navigate workplace expectations, the long-term impact can include increased anxiety, exhaustion, burnout, and executive functioning fatigue.

At The Supported Living Group, we believe employment success should not require someone to hide who they are.

Our Private Pay Neurodivergent Employment Support Services are designed to help autistic and neurodivergent adults build meaningful and sustainable career pathways through individualized support, including:

✅ Career exploration and employment interest alignment
✅ Identification of strengths, skills, and workplace support needs
✅ Resume and cover letter development
✅ Interview preparation and confidence building
✅ Workplace communication strategies
✅ Accommodation planning and self-advocacy support
✅ Executive functioning strategies for job searching and workplace success
✅ Ongoing employment counseling and support

Our approach focuses on helping individuals find the right employment environment—one that aligns with their strengths, interests, goals, and needs—rather than expecting them to simply adapt to environments that may not support their success.

A successful career is not built by masking more effectively. It is built by understanding yourself, identifying the right supports, and finding workplaces where you can contribute authentically.

Read our newest blog post:
“The Hidden Cost of ‘Fitting In’: Understanding Workplace Masking for Neurodivergent Employees”
https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/asd-blog/the-hidden-cost-of-fitting-in-understanding-workplace-masking-for-neurodivergent-employees

If you or someone you support is seeking neurodivergent employment support in Connecticut, our team is here to help individuals build confidence, independence, and long-term vocational success.

Discover how workplace masking impacts autistic and neurodivergent employees. Learn strategies for sustainable employment and explore Connecticut neurodivergent employment support services.

06/30/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode | Celebrating Creativity, Recovery, and Community

We're incredibly proud of LP and Rebecca Maloney from The Supported Living Group's Inspire Arts Program for joining the latest episode of the F # It, I Have A Brain Injury podcast!

Hosted by passionate brain injury advocates who are committed to sharing authentic conversations about life after brain injury, the podcast creates an important platform for education, empowerment, and lived experience.

During the episode, LP and Rebecca discuss the inspiration behind SLG's Inspire Arts Program and the powerful role that creative expression can play in the recovery journey. From rebuilding confidence and identity to fostering connection, purpose, and community inclusion, the conversation highlights how the arts can help brain injury survivors discover strengths that extend far beyond their injury.

At The Supported Living Group, we believe recovery is about more than rehabilitation; it's about creating opportunities for individuals to thrive, express themselves, and live meaningful lives within their communities. We couldn't be prouder of LP and Rebecca for sharing the impact of Inspire Arts and helping raise awareness of the transformative power of creativity.

🎧 We encourage everyone to listen to this inspiring conversation:
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8h6xv-1afe8f2?utm_campaign=w_share_ep&utm_source=w_share_pb&utm_medium=dlink

Thank you to the hosts of F # It, I Have A Brain Injury for providing such an authentic and impactful platform for the brain injury community.

Introduced by our last guest, Jamie Arber from The Supported Living Group, Ken and Jesse talk with artist and stroke survivor LeRay Pablo and Senior Art Program Manager Rebecca Maloney from Inspire Arts about how creative, person-driven programming supports rehabilitation, and provides meaningful op...

06/29/2026

🧠 Understanding Why Some Individuals Can Become “Lost” Even in Familiar Spaces

A recent article from The Conversation highlights an often misunderstood condition where individuals may become disoriented or “lost” even within their own home environment.

For families and providers supporting individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI), dementia, or other neurological conditions, this experience is not uncommon, but it is frequently misunderstood as confusion, inattention, or “noncompliance,” when in reality it reflects underlying changes in brain function related to memory, perception, and spatial awareness.

At The Supported Living Group, we see firsthand how these cognitive and neurological changes can significantly impact a person’s safety, independence, and confidence in their own environment. Simple daily tasks; moving from room to room, locating items, or navigating familiar spaces, can become overwhelming without the right supports in place.

This is why individualized, community-based supports matter. Through structured assistance, environmental adaptations, and consistent staffing, individuals living with brain injury and related conditions can maintain safety while continuing to live meaningful, community-connected lives.

Our work is grounded in one core belief: people thrive when supports are designed around how their brain works, not around assumptions of how a person “should” function.

📖 Read the article here: https://theconversation.com/the-condition-that-causes-people-to-get-lost-in-their-own-home-284617

The condition is more than merely being bad with directions.

06/26/2026

Recently, we came across the incredible work of brain injury survivor and artist Trevor Small from Submit to Love Studios in the UK. Trevor's artistic journey reminds us of something we witness every day at Inspire Arts: creativity has the power to restore identity, rebuild confidence, and tell stories that words often cannot. https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/trevor-small-submit-to-love-art-discover-280526

His work immediately brought to mind one of our own remarkable artists, Grace Miller-Kaggwa (GMK).

Like Trevor, Grace transforms lived experience into vibrant, expressive artwork that invites us to see the world through a different lens. Her paintings are filled with emotion, movement, and hope, demonstrating that a brain injury or neurological disability does not diminish creativity. If anything, it can unlock entirely new ways of seeing and expressing the world.

At SLG's Inspire Arts program, we believe art is far more than a hobby. It is a pathway to healing, self-discovery, community, and purpose. Every brushstroke represents resilience. Every finished piece tells a story. Every artist reminds us that ability should never be defined by disability.

Although separated by thousands of miles, Trevor and Grace share something profound: they demonstrate that creativity transcends diagnosis, culture, and geography. Their work challenges perceptions and celebrates the extraordinary potential that exists within every individual.

We're incredibly proud of Grace and all of the artists at Inspire Arts who continue to inspire us each day through their courage, imagination, and talent.

💙 Because every story deserves to be seen.
🎨 Because every artist deserves to be celebrated.
🧠 Because recovery can be beautiful.

06/24/2026

This month's Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) Support Group welcomed several new faces, making it the perfect opportunity to build connections while getting creative together.

Participants worked collaboratively on a mystery mosaic project using a limited color palette. Each person received 2–3 squares to color however they wished, adding their own unique touch to the larger piece. As each square was completed, participants placed it in its designated spot and answered a fun "get to know you" question, sparking meaningful conversations and plenty of laughter.

What began as a quiet, reflective activity quickly transformed into a lively discussion filled with shared experiences, new friendships, and community spirit. And when the final pieces came together, the mystery image was revealed—Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night!

At SLG, we love creating opportunities for brain injury survivors to connect, express themselves creatively, and strengthen their support networks in a welcoming environment.

06/19/2026

At The Supported Living Group's Inspire Arts Program, every brushstroke is about more than creating art; it's about rebuilding confidence, strengthening cognitive skills, and supporting recovery after brain injury.

Today's color mixing exercises challenged participants to explore color temperature (warm vs. cool) and value (lightness vs. darkness), while also enhancing attention, problem-solving, memory, and observational skills. Activities like these help brain injury survivors develop greater confidence in their abilities, express themselves creatively, and experience the therapeutic benefits of the artistic process.

Recovery is not just about regaining lost skills; it's about discovering new ways to grow, create, and thrive. We are proud of the dedication and talent our Inspire Arts participants demonstrate every day.

06/18/2026

⚾️ Play Ball with BIAC and the Hartford Yard Goats! ⚾️

Looking for a fun night out at the ballpark? Thanks to the generosity of NJM Insurance Group, the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) has 20 FREE tickets available for the Hartford Yard Goats game on Saturday, June 27!

🎟️ The first 20 people to respond will receive a FREE ticket
👥 Limit of 2 tickets per person
⚾ One lucky attendee will even have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch!

To claim your tickets:
📧 Email [email protected]
📝 Subject Line: Yard Goats Tickets

Join fellow members of Connecticut’s brain injury community for an exciting evening of baseball, connection, and fun at the ballpark. Don’t wait—tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis!

⚾️🧠💜