The core of this project is the set of case studies listed below. Each character is based on interviews with a real person, and each has a very different history. If you are taking the Orientation Course, you should start with Karen's Story.

If you are just browsing through this site, you can choose, based on the character descriptions, which character you'd like to follow through the rehabilitation process as they meet with service providers, deal with regulations, and try to find employment. Each case will probably take you more than an hour to read through.

Farther down the page, you will find links to descriptions of some staff characters. These are also based on real people, often ones who are working with the primary characters. The material on the staff characters is not a story format like the others but a summary of interviews on their views of working in the rehabilitation system. Reading one of these may take half an hour.

Karen

Karen is 23. Nine years ago she sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury. She recently lost her job and is looking for a new one. Here is Karen's story.

Juan is a 33 year old man. He sustained a C5-6 Spinal Cord Injury two years ago. Juan is working part time now but he wants to go to college. Here is Juan's Story.

Marion

Marion is 39 years old and has lived with major depression for most of her life. 5 years ago she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. She is employed, has a grown daughter, and is engaged to be married. Here is Marion's Story

Tony

Rich

Darren Howard VR Counselor (Marion)

Lillian Thoms VR Counselor (Tony)

Laura Hayes Job Coach (Tony)

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