Battling brain injuries

Shalon Schonhardt helps victims rebuild lives

Adult brain injury coordinator Shalon Schonhardt stands in front of the Cole County Health Department. Her program covers 15 counties and provides assistance to people with brain injuries.
Adult brain injury coordinator Shalon Schonhardt stands in front of the Cole County Health Department. Her program covers 15 counties and provides assistance to people with brain injuries.

Never taking hope away.

That's the goal of Shalon Schonhardt as she works with those adults in Mid-Missouri who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

Schonhardt is based at the Cole County Health Department, but serves clients in a 15-county area. She is one of 11 such coordinators in the state.

"It is an adjustment after you've had such an injury to find out what your role is in society, and I try to help my clients with that," she said. "Every brain injury is unique, and everyone deals with them in their own way. Some clients have gone on to get a college degree after their injury. A lot depends on how the health of the client is after they suffered their injury."

Schonhardt has been working with those dealing with brain injuries since 2009. She currently is helping 50 people in her coverage area. They range in age from 21-65.

"I link them to resources after we identify their goals in how they want to recover," she said. "Maintaining and improving their quality of life is what we're looking to do."

Schonhardt works under a Missouri Department of Health and Human Services program, and her clients are referred to her through their family or physicians.

"A lot of them are living at home after they suffered a fall or have been in a motor vehicle accident or have been wounded by a gun," she said. "My goal is to keep them as independent as possible, and that includes helping them at their place of work or finding a new job."

Schonhardt said she fell into this career by accident.

"I always thought I wanted to be in law enforcement, but I found I didn't like it," she said. "I found social services is what I wanted to do, so I've been doing that for 16 years."

Helping people, seeing them succeed and celebrating their successes is what keeps Schonhardt in her field of work.

"I go to the homes and meet and talk with them, and we come up with a plan," she said. "The interaction with the clients is a big reason I like the job."

"If possible, this program will hopefully keep them out of long-term care," Schonhardt added. "There are many families out there that don't know where to start after a loved has suffered a brain injury. That's where we come in and guide them and let them know what resources they have."

For those wanting more information on traumatic brain injury services, call 1-800-451-0069 or call the Cole County Health Department at 636-2181 and ask for Schonhardt.