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Patient Advocacy
Resource ConversationsSupport and Caregiving
August 20, 2026

Navigating TBI Recovery and Patient Advocacy

When a loved one experiences a traumatic brain injury (TBI), families are suddenly expected to understand a world of medical terminology, treatment decisions, and healthcare systems they may have never encountered before.

In our latest Resource Conversation, we sat down with Kathleen Skeins, BCPA, founder of Advocates For Hope, to talk about caregiver education, patient advocacy, and how families can feel more confident navigating TBI recovery.

Kathleen became a patient advocate after her husband sustained a severe TBI. Today, she works with caregivers to help them understand what is happening, know what questions to ask, and navigate the healthcare system with greater confidence.

You Are Allowed to Ask Questions

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was simple: it’s okay to keep asking questions.

When you’re dealing with a TBI, it can sometimes feel like everyone is speaking a different language. Medical terminology, diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans can quickly become overwhelming. Kathleen explained that a patient advocate can help bridge that gap between the medical team and the family.

Families can sometimes accept everything they’re told because they assume the professionals know best or because they don’t know what questions they should be asking. But being curious is an important part of being an advocate.

You don’t have to know the medical terminology. You can ask, “What does that mean?” or “Can you explain that another way?” And if you still don’t understand, ask again.

Kathleen shared that some of the nurses and doctors who cared for her husband actually taught her this. They showed her that it was okay to ask questions and to make sure the doctor answered them.

Another practical tip she shared is to ask, “Who is in charge today?” Hospital teams change, and knowing who is responsible for care that day gives you a clear person to go to when you need an answer.

It can also be helpful to ask that important information be put in writing. Something as simple as, “Can we make sure that’s written down so I can remember it in a few days?” can make a big difference when you’re exhausted and trying to process an overwhelming amount of information.

Find Your Helpers

When you’re in the middle of a medical crisis, finding the people who will truly help you can be difficult.

Kathleen said trust is one of the biggest factors. Pay attention to how people respond to you. Do they listen? Do they stay curious with you? Do they take your questions seriously?

You may not connect with everyone you encounter, and that’s okay. Find the people you connect with and enlist your helpers.

That might be a nurse who takes extra time to explain something, a social worker who helps you understand the next step, a doctor who welcomes your questions, or another professional who makes you feel heard. When you find those people, don’t be afraid to ask them for help advocating for your loved one.

Preparing for Life at Home

Going home after a TBI can feel like a huge milestone—and also a little scary. Before leaving the hospital, Kathleen recommends asking what you should be watching for and what changes should prompt you to call someone.

Know who to contact if something changes, who to call in a hurry, and what information they will need if your loved one requires additional care.

It can also be helpful to create a medical information folder that includes important information such as the initial injury, diagnoses, medications, allergies, and other medical history. Keep a paper copy somewhere accessible. Because TBI can be a hidden disability, having that information available can help EMS and emergency department professionals understand your loved one’s needs.

You can keep a digital backup on your phone, an app, or a thumb drive, but Kathleen emphasized the importance of having information available on paper for EMS and emergency departments.

She also recommends keeping a caregiver go-bag ready and creating one designated place at home for the educational binders, paperwork, and other information you receive throughout recovery. You may not need something right away, but knowing where everything is when you do need it can save a lot of stress.

Another helpful tool can be recording discharge conversations, when permitted, so you can go back and listen to the information later. When you’re overwhelmed, you shouldn’t have to rely on your memory alone to retain every instruction you’re given.

Keep Hope in the Picture

TBI recovery can be unpredictable. You may not be where you hoped you would be, and the road may look very different than you imagined.

Kathleen’s reminder was not to ignore the hard things—but also not to lose sight of hope.

Nobody can predict exactly what is going to happen.

Get to know your loved one again. If they were a strong personality before the injury, that part of them may still be there. If they had challenges before their injury, those challenges may still exist, too. Recovery doesn’t necessarily mean becoming an entirely different person. It can mean learning how to understand and support the person you already love in a new way.

Most importantly, you don’t have to navigate it all alone.

Ask questions. Find your helpers. Write things down. Protect your loved one’s dignity. Prepare for the next step. And give yourself permission to ask for help.

You are part of your loved one’s care team, and your questions matter.

Watch the full Resource Conversation with Kathleen Skeins from Advocates for Hope.

By Seantae Jackson
EMDR
Post-Trauma LifeResource ConversationsSupport and Caregiving
July 28, 2026

Understanding EMDR: Helping Your Brain Heal After Trauma

After a traumatic experience, many survivors tell us the same thing:

“I know I’m safe… so why does my body still react like I’m not?”

Maybe your heart races when you hear sirens. Maybe being a passenger makes your stomach tighten. Maybe driving past the intersection where everything changed feels impossible. You may understand logically that the danger has passed, but your nervous system hasn’t fully caught up.

In this Resource Conversation, we sat down with Shelley Freeman, a certified EMDR therapist, to talk about one of the most researched trauma therapies available: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Whether you’re a motor vehicle incident survivor, a caregiver, or someone supporting a loved one through recovery, this conversation offers insight into how trauma affects the brain—and how healing is possible.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

Rather than simply talking about what happened, EMDR helps your brain process experiences that became “stuck” because they overwhelmed your ability to cope at the time.

During EMDR, a therapist uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, alternating taps, or alternating sounds—to engage both sides of the brain while you gently notice thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and memories connected to the traumatic experience.

Shelley explains it as having “one foot in the present and one foot in the memory.”

You’re not being pulled back into the trauma. Instead, you’re staying grounded in the safety of today while allowing your brain to process what happened then.

Trauma Isn’t Just What Happened

One of the most helpful parts of our conversation was Shelley’s reminder that trauma isn’t defined only by the event itself.

Trauma happens when something overwhelms our ability to cope in that moment.

For many motor vehicle incident survivors, that might look like:

  • Feeling anxious before driving.
  • Becoming startled by sirens or screeching brakes.
  • Experiencing panic as a passenger.
  • Feeling tension in your stomach or chest without knowing why.
  • Avoiding certain roads or intersections.
  • Feeling disconnected or “checked out.”

These reactions aren’t signs that you’re weak.

They’re signs that your brain is still trying to protect you.

How is EMDR Different From Traditional Talk Therapy?

Traditional talk therapy often focuses on understanding your thoughts and experiences through conversation.

EMDR includes talking, but it also pays close attention to what your body is experiencing.

Shelley explained that trauma affects multiple parts of the brain:

  • The prefrontal cortex, responsible for reasoning and logical thinking.
  • The limbic system, where emotions are processed.
  • The brainstem, which controls many automatic survival responses.

During a traumatic event, the brain’s logical center often becomes less active while the survival systems take over.

Through bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps these systems begin communicating again so the brain can finally process—or “digest”—what happened instead of remaining stuck in survival mode.

Do You Have to Relive the Trauma?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about EMDR.

The answer is no.

Shelley emphasized that EMDR is intended to be a gentle process.

Clients remain connected to the present while noticing memories, thoughts, emotions, or body sensations that arise. The therapist helps maintain that sense of safety throughout the session.

The goal isn’t to force yourself to relive the worst moment.

The goal is to help your brain process it so it no longer carries the same emotional charge.

It’s Normal to Feel “Stuck”

Many trauma survivors wonder if they’re doing something wrong because they can’t seem to move forward.

Shelley offered an encouraging reminder:

Our brains naturally move toward healing.

During EMDR, therapists don’t force the process. Instead, they help clients notice whatever comes up without judgment.

Sometimes memories unfold gradually—like gently unraveling a ball of yarn. As the brain processes the experience, new insights, emotions, or healthier beliefs often begin to emerge naturally.

When someone reaches a place where processing feels stuck, therapists have additional techniques—called interweaves—to help the brain continue moving forward in a safe, manageable way.

Healing Isn’t Just for Survivors

One message we especially appreciated was that caregivers need support too.

Watching someone you love experience trauma can be traumatic in itself.

Parents, spouses, family members, and close friends may develop their own fears, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions after witnessing or living through someone else’s medical crisis.

Your experience matters.

Taking care of your own mental health isn’t selfish—it’s an important part of healing for everyone involved.

A Grounding Exercise You Can Practice Today

While EMDR should be done with a trained therapist, Shelley shared a simple mindfulness exercise that anyone can practice.

Start by taking a slow breath in.

Then let your exhale be just a little longer than your inhale.

Return to a comfortable breathing rhythm.

Next, gently notice your five senses:

  • What can you see?
  • What can you hear?
  • What can you feel?
  • What can you smell?
  • What can you taste?

There’s nothing to fix.

Nothing to judge.

Simply notice what is true at this moment.

Grounding exercises like this help remind your nervous system that you are here, now, and safe.

Helping Your Brain Notice the Good

Our brains naturally pay attention to danger—that’s how we’re wired for survival.

Shelley encourages intentionally helping your brain notice moments of safety and joy, too.

One simple practice involves slow butterfly taps (alternating taps across each side of your body) while thinking about something that brings you comfort or happiness—a favorite place, someone you love, a meaningful memory, or even something as simple as your favorite dessert.

As you tap slowly, notice what happens in your body.

Do your shoulders soften?

Does your breathing change?

Does your stomach relax?

You can also practice this during everyday moments.

Someone lets you merge in traffic.

You make it through a drive that once felt impossible.

You hear laughter.

You feel the sun on your face.

Pause.

Notice it.

Let your brain experience that moment of safety.

The more we practice recognizing these moments, the more our nervous systems learn that they exist.

Healing Starts with the Basics

Before we ended our conversation, Shelley offered a simple reminder that many of us need to hear.

Healing doesn’t always begin with something complicated.

Sometimes it begins by asking ourselves:

  • Am I getting enough rest?
  • Am I drinking enough water?
  • Am I nourishing my body?
  • Am I allowing myself moments of joy?
  • Am I making space for play, connection, or movement?

These foundational habits won’t erase trauma, but they create a stronger foundation for healing.

Final Thoughts

Healing after trauma isn’t about pretending the hard things didn’t happen.

It’s about helping your brain and body recognize that while the experience was real, it doesn’t have to define every moment that follows.

If you’ve been feeling stuck after a motor vehicle incident—or if you’re supporting someone who is—know that there are effective, evidence-based therapies available.

You don’t have to navigate healing alone.

At Sandal Blue Foundation, we’re committed to connecting survivors and caregivers with trusted professionals, practical tools, and hope for the road ahead. We hope this conversation is one more resource that helps you move forward—one step at a time.

By Seantae Jackson
Brea – Get Support Together
Post-Trauma LifeResource ConversationsSupport and CaregivingYou Are Not Alone
July 8, 2026

Finding the Right Support When You Don’t Know Where to Start

A Resource Conversation with Brea Berman-Black, Founder of Get Support Together

After a motor vehicle incident, it’s common to know that you need help—but have no idea where to begin.

Maybe you’re looking for a counselor who understands trauma. Maybe your loved one is struggling emotionally after the crash. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by the medical system, insurance, appointments, and trying to hold everything together.

When you’re in survival mode, even knowing what questions to ask can feel impossible.

In this Resource Conversation, we sat down with Brea Berman-Black, founder of Get Support Together, to talk about why finding the right support is often one of the hardest parts of recovery—and how she’s working to change that.

Why Get Support Together Was Created

Before surviving a life-threatening motor vehicle incident herself, Brea spent years advocating for one of her children who was experiencing severe mental health challenges.

Throughout that journey, she encountered countless professionals who genuinely wanted to help—hospital staff, school counselors, law enforcement officers, and healthcare providers.

The problem wasn’t a lack of compassion.

The problem was that many of those trusted professionals simply didn’t know what resources existed outside of their own area of expertise.

“They wanted to help,” Brea shared. “They just didn’t know where to send us.”

After spending years navigating a fragmented system, she realized that families needed something different: one place where they could understand the full continuum of available support.

Then, in 2024, Brea survived her own serious motor vehicle incident and spent more than a year recovering from multiple surgeries and a traumatic brain injury.

That experience reinforced what she already knew.

Whether you’re facing physical recovery, emotional healing, or caring for someone you love, finding the right support shouldn’t be another obstacle.

“You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know.”

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Brea described what crisis actually feels like.

“You don’t know what you don’t know. I’ve never been here before.”

Those words resonate deeply with many motor vehicle incident survivors.

Most people have never had to navigate traumatic injuries, post-traumatic stress, brain injuries, caregiver burnout, or complicated recovery.

When everything feels overwhelming, even highly educated, capable people can freeze.

Family members freeze.

Professionals freeze.

Caregivers freeze.

The challenge isn’t intelligence.

It’s that trauma changes how we process information.

During crisis, reading pages of website text, comparing dozens of providers, or trying to understand unfamiliar treatment options can feel impossible.

What Is Get Support Together?

Get Support Together is building a free mental health access platform designed to help people find the right support based on their unique situation.

Rather than sending people down endless internet searches, the goal is to simplify the process.

Instead of wondering where to start, users will be able to search for resources that fit what they actually need.

That includes:

  • Support groups
  • Therapists and counselors
  • Intensive outpatient programs
  • Crisis resources
  • Community organizations
  • Holistic and wellness services
  • Nature programs
  • Sensory-friendly events
  • Recovery-focused organizations
  • And much more

The platform recognizes that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Sometimes someone needs a support group.

Sometimes they need a therapist.

Sometimes they need immediate crisis intervention.

Sometimes they simply need to know they’re not alone.

Meeting Survivors Where They Are

One thing that makes Get Support Together unique is that it recognizes people don’t search the way professionals think.

People search using the words they’re actually thinking during crisis.

The platform is being built around those real-life experiences.

Eventually, users will be able to search by things like:

  • ZIP code
  • Insurance accepted
  • Free services
  • Treatment approach
  • Faith or religion
  • Pronouns
  • Languages spoken
  • Provider specialties
  • Life circumstances
  • Mental health conditions
  • Treatment modalities

Rather than forcing people to figure out the “correct” clinical language, Get Support Together aims to meet people exactly where they are.

More Than Just a Search Engine

Brea explained that many excellent resources already exist online.

The problem is that when you’re overwhelmed, it’s difficult to process all of that information.

Instead of requiring people to decode complicated websites, Get Support Together provides what she calls the “Cliff Notes.”

The goal isn’t simply to list resources.

It’s to help people quickly understand:

  • What does this provider actually do?
  • Is this treatment right for me?
  • What should I expect?
  • Who is this designed to help?

For someone recovering from a motor vehicle incident—or caring for someone who is—having that clarity can make all the difference.

Finding Someone You Connect With

Healing is deeply personal.

Sometimes the right provider isn’t simply the closest one.

It’s someone whose approach feels safe.

Someone you connect with.

Get Support Together allows providers and organizations to share much more than basic contact information.

Many will be able to include:

  • Introduction videos
  • Photos of their office or treatment space
  • Their treatment philosophy
  • Why they entered this work
  • Areas of specialty
  • Modalities they offer
  • Personal values that influence their care

For example, someone interested in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)—a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain and is often used for conditions like depression—will be able to search specifically for providers offering that service.

Others may prefer outdoor therapy, faith-based counseling, peer support groups, or holistic approaches.

The goal is simple:

Find the support that feels right for you.

Building the Continuum of Care

Rather than organizing information only by provider type, Get Support Together is also building “journeys” around specific life experiences and mental health conditions.

For example, someone experiencing a first episode of psychosis could see the full continuum of care—from early intervention and education to treatment programs, support groups, and ongoing recovery resources.

Over time, these pathways will continue expanding to include additional conditions and life circumstances, helping people better understand their options without having to piece everything together themselves.

A National Vision

While the current rollout is focused primarily on Texas, the vision is much bigger.

Get Support Together is building national partnerships and developing what Brea believes will become the country’s only comprehensive national crisis resource directory—a single place where people can quickly find crisis hotlines and urgent support resources.

Because when someone needs help, they shouldn’t have to spend hours searching for it.

A Message for Survivors

One message from Brea stood out above everything else.

We need you here.

There are people who want to help.

There are resources available.

There is hope.

Whether you’re recovering physically, emotionally, or both, you deserve support that fits your needs.

And you deserve to find it without having to navigate the journey alone.

Learn More

Get Support Together is currently in its launch phase, with new providers, organizations, and resources being added regularly. The platform is expected to become fully searchable as it continues expanding throughout 2026.

Searching the website is completely free, and visitors are encouraged to provide feedback so the platform can continue evolving to better meet the needs of survivors, caregivers, and families.

Learn more at GetSupportTogether.org.

Watch the Full Resource Conversation

To hear Brea’s story and learn more about Get Support Together, watch the full Resource Conversation here and on the Sandal Blue Foundation YouTube channel.

By Seantae Jackson
Trauma Survivors Network
Post-Trauma LifeResource ConversationsSupport and CaregivingYou Are Not Alone
June 10, 2026

Finding Support After Traumatic Injury

You Don’t Have to Recover Alone

One of the biggest misconceptions about traumatic injury is that once someone leaves the hospital, they are “back to normal.”

For many survivors and their loved ones, discharge is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning.

The physical healing process often comes with appointments, rehabilitation plans, and follow-up care. But the emotional and mental recovery that follows an injury can be much harder to navigate. Survivors may feel isolated, overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or unsure how to adapt to a life that suddenly looks different than it did before.

Family members and caregivers often face their own challenges as they support someone they love while processing their own trauma and stress.

The good news is that no one has to walk that journey alone.

The Importance of Connection After Trauma

The American Trauma Society (ATS) works to improve trauma care at every level—from first responders and healthcare professionals to survivors and families. One of the ways they do this is through the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN), a program designed to provide support, community, education, and connection for people impacted by serious physical injuries.

Traumatic injuries can leave people feeling like no one truly understands what they are experiencing. While friends and family may want to help, they may not know what to say or how to provide support.

Connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges can make a significant difference.

Sometimes the most powerful thing a survivor can hear is:

“I’ve been where you are, and there is life after this.”

Seeing someone who has adapted, rebuilt, and found a new path forward can offer hope during a difficult season.

Adapting to a New Reality

Recovery often involves more than healing physically. It may require adapting to changes in mobility, routines, relationships, work, hobbies, or expectations.

Many survivors describe this process as learning how to navigate a “new normal.”

That adaptation can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to figure it out on your own. Connecting with other survivors and caregivers allows people to learn from those who have already faced similar challenges and discovered ways to move forward.

The goal is not to return to who you were before the injury.

The goal is to learn how to live well within your current reality.

The Power of Peer Support

One of the foundations of trauma recovery support is peer connection.

Many trauma centers throughout the Trauma Survivors Network offer peer visitation programs where trained volunteers—often survivors themselves or caregivers who have walked a similar path—visit patients during their hospital stay.

These visits provide more than information.

They provide hope.

When someone sees a survivor who has faced a similar injury and is now living a meaningful life, it can create a powerful mindset shift. It reminds them that recovery is possible and that their story is still being written.

Support Groups for Survivors and Families

Support groups offer another opportunity to connect with people who understand.

The Trauma Survivors Network hosts several virtual support groups each month and also maintains a directory of local support groups throughout its network. Groups are available for a variety of populations, including:

  • Adult survivors
  • Caregivers and family members
  • Teens and young adults
  • Pediatric injury families

Every support group is a little different, but they all share a common purpose: creating a safe space where people can listen, share, ask questions, and learn from one another.

Participation is flexible. Some people feel ready to share their experiences. Others may prefer to simply listen and learn.

Both are welcome.

The important thing is knowing that support is available when you’re ready.

Finding Resources in Your Community

The Trauma Survivors Network includes more than 300 trauma centers across the United States, Canada, and Australia and provides resources to individuals seeking support from anywhere in the world.

One of the most valuable features available through the network is the ability to search for support close to home.

Visitors can use the TSN website’s map or search function to find participating trauma centers, support groups, educational programs, and local resources available in their area.

Joining a local TSN center can help survivors and families stay informed about support opportunities, educational events, and recovery resources available within their own community.

Resources Beyond Support Groups

In addition to support groups and peer mentoring, the Trauma Survivors Network offers a variety of educational resources designed to help survivors and caregivers navigate recovery.

Resources include:

  • Survivor stories and recovery journeys
  • Educational guides and resource directories
  • The TSN Notebook, a collection of tools and information for recovery
  • Community-led resources developed by survivors for survivors

The network also maintains active social media communities that provide ongoing encouragement, education, and opportunities for engagement.

Programs include:

  • Toolkit Tuesdays, featuring questions and solutions shared by the community
  • Family Fridays, focused on caregiver support and resources
  • Monthly Injury Insights, where survivors answer anonymously submitted questions about recovery

These initiatives help create ongoing opportunities for connection and learning long after someone leaves the hospital.

Recognizing Trauma Survivors

Each May, communities across the country observe National Trauma Awareness Month.

During this month, the Trauma Survivors Network also celebrates National Trauma Survivors Day on the third Wednesday of May.

Events held throughout the country honor survivors, caregivers, first responders, healthcare teams, therapists, home health professionals, and everyone involved in the recovery journey.

These celebrations help raise awareness about the realities of life after injury while recognizing the resilience of those who continue moving forward.

If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone

Sometimes people don’t immediately recognize that they need support.

Instead, they may notice they are more emotional than usual. More anxious. More withdrawn. More frustrated. Less interested in things they once enjoyed.

These changes can be signs that the emotional impact of an injury is still unfolding.

Recovery is not only physical.

It’s emotional, mental, social, and relational as well.

Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, family member, or friend, support is available.

You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out.

You don’t even need to share your story if you’re not ready.

You can simply listen, explore resources, and connect when the time feels right.

Because no one should have to navigate recovery alone.

Watch the Full Resource Conversation

Want to learn more about the resources, support programs, and survivor connections available through the Trauma Survivors Network?

Watch our full conversation with Abby Beerman, National Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator, as we discuss life after traumatic injury, the importance of peer support, resources for survivors and caregivers, and how to find help in your community.

Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, family member, or healthcare professional, this conversation offers valuable insight into the recovery journey and the reminder that no one has to navigate it alone.

Learn More

To explore resources, find support groups, locate a Trauma Survivors Network center near you, or learn more about available programs, visit:

www.TraumaSurvivorsNetwork.org

The website offers a searchable directory of trauma centers, educational resources, survivor tools, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the journey of recovery after injury.

By Seantae Jackson
Resource Conversation YouTube Thumbnails
Post-Trauma LifeResource ConversationsSupport and CaregivingYou Are Not Alone
May 15, 2026

Personalized Recovery Support After Trauma

Resource Conversation with Matt Kalina from TandemStride

Recovery doesn’t end at discharge.

For many survivors and caregivers, that moment—leaving the hospital—is where a new kind of uncertainty begins. There’s often relief, but also hesitation, fear, and a very real question: what happens now?

This resource conversation with Matt Kalina from TandemStride focuses on that exact transition point, and how personalized, trauma-informed support can help people feel less alone in it.

These conversations are designed to give motor vehicle incident survivors and their caregivers practical tools, guidance, and support as they move through recovery—especially in the spaces where systems often fall short.

A Personal Beginning to the Work

Matt’s connection to this work is deeply personal.

His brother was involved in a pedestrian train accident 14 years ago and became a bilateral amputee at age 23. That experience shaped Matt’s understanding of what recovery can feel like when there is no roadmap—when you are trying to rebuild your life while also trying to understand what that life will even look like.

Later, after a decade of building healthcare technology, Matt kept seeing the same gap repeat itself: even with advances in medicine and systems, trauma survivors were still often left feeling alone after discharge, without clear guidance or connection.

TandemStride was built from that gap.

The Space After the Hospital

One of the most consistent challenges in trauma recovery is the transition from acute care to home.

Hospital discharge is often treated as an endpoint, but for survivors and caregivers, it can feel like the beginning of the hardest part. There is often hesitation, resistance, and uncertainty about what recovery actually looks like day to day.

TandemStride was designed to support that exact transition—helping people move from structured hospital care back into everyday life with more guidance, connection, and support.

The platform is used primarily by survivors with physical traumatic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, amputations, polytrauma, major fractures, burns, gunshot wounds, and violent crimes. Most users join within 7–14 days of discharge, though support is available at any point in recovery.

A Different Kind of Recovery Support

At the core of TandemStride is a simple idea: recovery shouldn’t be something you navigate alone.

The platform uses insights from thousands of trauma survivor journeys to better understand when challenges typically arise—such as mental health changes, substance use risk, or other barriers that can show up later in recovery.

Instead of waiting for those challenges to become crises, TandemStride works to identify patterns early and offer support proactively.

That includes:

  • Connecting survivors with peer mentors (often matched by injury type or age at injury)
  • Helping users find local resources through guided navigation
  • Offering caregiver and survivor-facing tools inside a single platform
  • Supporting both passive and active engagement, depending on what feels manageable

Get the App

TandemStride is available on the App Store and Google Play.

It is free to download and use, with some features varying depending on regional partnerships or programs (such as certain state-based initiatives).

Meeting People Where They Are

When users first open the TandemStride app, they are met with a simple question: What is your biggest challenge right now?

From there, the experience is personalized. The app guides users toward resources based on what they need most in that moment, rather than forcing them through a one-size-fits-all system.

This “choose your own adventure” approach allows survivors to engage in a way that feels right for them—whether that’s actively exploring resources or simply having support available in the background.

Community, Connection, and Not Feeling Alone

A major focus of TandemStride is building connections between survivors who understand what each other is going through.

On May 20th, 2026 – the platform is launching a new Communities feature designed specifically for trauma survivors.

Inside these communities, users can:

  • Check in daily or share updates and milestones
  • Connect with others going through similar experiences
  • Engage through likes, comments, or quiet observation
  • Use AI-supported tools to find local resources
  • Complete optional mental health screeners with guidance

Importantly, users can choose how they engage—there is no pressure to share more than they want to.

Trauma-Informed by Design

A key part of TandemStride’s approach is making sure the platform is safe and adaptable for people in different stages of recovery.

That includes features such as:

  • Content moderation to reduce exposure to triggering material
  • Options to label posts as “high intensity,” with user-controlled viewing
  • The ability to share without receiving advice or feedback
  • Topic filtering so users can control what they see

This design acknowledges something important: recovery is not just physical. Emotional safety matters too.

Small Steps Forward

TandemStride also includes a milestones feature that visually reflects progress over time.

As users engage, their milestone image gradually fills in—starting blank and slowly becoming more complete. It’s a simple but meaningful way to reflect growth, effort, and consistency in recovery.

It also serves as a reminder that progress is often made in small, quiet steps—not just big moments.

A Platform Built by Survivors, for Survivors

At its core, TandemStride is built around lived experience.

It is not just a technology platform—it is an attempt to create something that understands what it feels like to go through a life-altering injury and try to rebuild from there.

The intention is not to replace care teams or support systems, but to extend them—especially into the space where people often feel the most alone.

Why Social Support is Important in Trauma Recovery

A Closing Note

This conversation highlights something that is often overlooked in trauma recovery: the space between hospital and home matters just as much as what happens inside the hospital.

We are grateful to Matt Kalina and the TandemStride team for the work they are doing to bring more structure, connection, and humanity into that space.

A sincere thank you to TandemStride for sponsoring this episode and supporting efforts to make recovery more accessible and less isolating for survivors and caregivers.

Watch our full resource conversation with Matt Kalina from TandemStride about navigating recovery after traumatic injury, finding support after hospital discharge, and building connection through survivor-centered care.

By Seantae Jackson
Communication Specialist
Resource ConversationsSupport and Caregiving
April 23, 2026

The Power of a Communication Specialist

When Everything Feels Overwhelming: The Power of a Communication Specialist

In the middle of a medical crisis, information moves fast… and emotions move even faster.

People care deeply and want updates. Phones are buzzing. Questions are coming in. And for the survivor (and their closest family), even answering a simple “How are things?” can feel like too much.

This is where having a communication specialist can make a meaningful difference.

Not someone to manage the situation — but someone to hold the flow of communication with care, clarity, and consistency.

Why One Point of Contact Matters

When multiple people are sharing updates, even with the best intentions, things can quickly become confusing or miscommunicated.

Having one person responsible for updates:

  • Keeps information consistent and accurate
  • Reduces the risk of details getting unintentionally changed
  • Creates a predictable rhythm for sharing
  • Protects the survivor from having to repeat their story over and over

It becomes a simple, steady system in the middle of uncertainty.

Often, updates are shared through a group text thread or a central platform — making it easier for people to stay informed without overwhelming the survivor.

For the Survivor: Setting the Tone

One of the most important (and empowering) things a survivor can do is set expectations for how updates are shared.

In a situation that can feel completely out of control, this is one way to regain a sense of ownership.

You might consider:

  • What do you want included in updates?
  • What do you want left out?
  • What tone feels right for you? (For example: focusing on progress or positives)
  • Who should receive updates — and who shouldn’t?

It’s okay to be specific.
 It’s okay to change your mind.
 And it’s okay to ask for things to be shared in a way that feels aligned with you.

For the Helper: What This Role Really Means

Being the communication specialist is not about having the right words.

It’s about respecting the survivor’s voice and reflecting it back to others.

A few guiding principles:

  • Share, don’t interpret. Avoid adding opinions, assumptions, or extra meaning.
  • Follow their lead. Share what they want shared — nothing more, nothing less.
  • Limit questions. Your role isn’t to gather information, but to pass along what’s given.
  • Honor the vulnerability. This information is deeply personal. Be mindful of who it’s shared with.
  • Let it be simple. Updates don’t need to be perfect. People just want to know what’s going on.

Most importantly:
 Your job is not to fix, advise, or manage. Your job is to love them — and communicate for them.

When Should Updates Be Shared?

As soon as information is available.

People who care are often waiting and checking in, hoping for news. Sharing updates in real-time (or as close to it as possible) helps ease that uncertainty.

Some people choose to:

  • Share updates as they come
  • Transition to daily summaries once things stabilize
  • Organize updates by individual if multiple people are involved

There’s no one “right” way — just what works best for the situation.

A Helpful Tool to Consider

One platform that many families find helpful is CaringBridge.

It’s a free site designed specifically for sharing updates during medical journeys. Some features include:

  • Time-stamped updates
  • The ability to post photos and videos
  • A space for others to leave comments and encouragement
  • Options to keep the page public or private

A quick note: the platform is donation-based. If you’re hoping to financially support the survivor, double-check that your donation is going directly to them — not just the platform

A Meaningful Idea to Hold Onto

In the middle of hard days, there are often small moments of light — encouraging messages, thoughtful texts, reminders of hope.

One beautiful way to preserve that:

  • Have the survivor send you meaningful messages, quotes, or images they receive
  • Save and compile them over time
  • Turn them into a printed book or keepsake

It becomes something they can return to — a reminder of how supported and loved they were through it all.

Final Thought

Communication might seem like a small piece of the puzzle… but in moments of crisis, it carries so much weight.

When done with intention, it:

  • Protects the survivor’s energy
  • Keeps loved ones connected
  • Creates clarity in the chaos

And most importantly — it reminds everyone involved that even in the hardest moments, no one is walking through it alone.

In this conversation, we explore how having a designated communication specialist can help protect a survivor’s energy, bring clarity to loved ones, and create a more thoughtful and consistent way of sharing updates during a medical crisis.

By Seantae Jackson