Philip Maestas' Story
On a Friday night in 1994 Philip Maestas' life came to a standstill. He was driving home at the end of regular day, when his car hit some debris and spun out of control. Philip was thrown onto the road and sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Philip was in a coma for more than two months, and he did not recover his memory for four months. After three months at the San Jose Medical Center, he moved to Valley Medical Center's Traumatic Brain Injury Unit. This six month recovery period was long and painful.
When it was time for him to go home, Phil was in a wheelchair with complete loss of sensation on one side of his body and severe memory loss. He was completely dependent on his mother, incapable of working, and consumed with bitterness and anger. When asked to describe his personal state after the accident, Phil's reflections are extremely negative.
Fortunately, Phil learned about SVILC and began therapy in the Counseling Department. The counseling sessions motivated Phil to strive for more independence, and he requested a place at SVILC's Transitional Living Center (TLC). The TLC provided newly disabled individuals with the independent living skills training required to transition from dependence to living on one's own. In 1997, Phil successfully completed the eight-month program at the TLC and moved into his own apartment. With tears in his eyes, Phil recounts the joy he felt at living independently again.
Continued physical therapy and adaptive physical education enabled Phil to gradually start walking again. He enrolled in West Valley College for computer, reading comprehension, and speech classes. Today, Philip wishes to use his prior expertise in landscaping and his newly acquired computer skills to design landscapes. Phil's children spend their weekends with him, and he feels the most fulfilling part of being a father is the feeling of being needed again. Phil says that SVILC has been a major factor in his path toward independence. "I wouldn't be where I am today without SVILC," says Phil. |
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Susan Bower's Story
A serious car accident resulting in traumatic brain injury left Susan Bower in a coma for an entire month. When she regained consciousness she was faced with a dire prognosis. The doctors predicted that she would never walk or speak again.
However, Susan resolved to try and achieve some measure of independence- whatever was possible for her. She wanted to live life to the best of her abilities. Susan started an intensive period of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. A series of operations left her with a metal plate in her leg and four screws in her ankle. Susan was facing another difficult time. "It was hardest for me to deal with the emotional issues that accompanied the entire process," she says as she recalls a long adjustment and reconciliation period.
Susan's Department of Rehabilitation Case Manager recommended that she consider SVILC services to aid her in the process of regaining her independence. "I was determined to try out what I could do on my own," says Susan, speaking of her motivation to enroll in SVILC's Transitional Living Center (TLC). During the eight-week training program at the agency, Susan had the opportunity to move out of her parents' home and explore the possibility of living on her own. The TLC helped Susan explore new ways of accomplishing household tasks, time management skills, and issues of mobility in the community.
The combination of independent living skills classes, the TLC, and exposure to the Vocational Program at SVILC gave Susan the skills she needed to reacquaint herself with the process of living independently. Susan now lives in New Orleans, shares an apartment with a friend, works full-time, and is looking forward to living entirely on her own while training for a better job. |
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In their own words
"My 'thank you' seems so small compared to all you've done but it comes from my heart. Once again you have helped me through this difficult year. Because of Silicon Valley Independent Living Center I have a roof over my head for myself and my son. I will be forever thankful for all you have done for us. Thank you so much." -- Wanda P.
"Thank you so much for all the help the folks at SVILC have given me. This move has been really difficult. Thank you for helping me when I really needed it. I am so grateful." -- Barbara R.
"At a young age, I discovered I could not read due to dyslexia. I did not attend grammar school, nor did I graduate from high school. Looking back I saw my life as one big struggle, one disappointment after another. But I am a determined individual who has the drive to succeed in life. I decided I was going to learn how to read, so I joined Read Santa Clara's Adult Literacy Program. SVILC has helped me move towards my educational goals and towards greater independence in other areas in my life. Now I am looking forward to my future. My plans include getting into school and having a family. I will always emphasize education at home, as it is the ultimate gift in life. I will consider myself 'successful' if I can be the kind of father mine was to me. A good father and a productive citizen, to me, that's the meaning of life!" -- David Lopez
“You can't always depend on other people. It is up to each individual to find strategies around their problems. If you don't try, you aren't going to go anywhere. Set your dreams and then make them come true. You need energy, willingness, and determination, but you come away with a better quality of life," --Carol Picchi
If you would like to share your story, you can email by clicking here or call Jody Yarborough at 408.894.9041 or 866.945.2205 TTY.
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