Event: CNS 40th Anniversary

This August, CNS celebrates our 40th anniversary. Over the last four decades, we have focused on our mission to reduce disability and achieve the best possible quality of life for people who’ve experienced a brain injury. Since 1980, CNS has played a vital role in evolving traumatic brain injury rehabilitation and has become highly regarded as a premier provider of clinical treatment, education, and research.

To honor our anniversary milestone, over the month, we will offer patient stories of independence, showcasing some of the many people who have demonstrated that significant rehabilitation is possible after acute care. We will also share videos of longtime staff and recognize our exceptional and dedicated CNS team members. Visit this page often to find new stories and videos added each week.

We give thanks to the compassionate and diligent people who comprise the community of CNS and recognize their invaluable contribution to advancing the best care and helping countless people to overcome adversity.

40 YEARS OF HOPE, HEALING, AND HEART

DR. MATTHEW ASHLEY

40 YEARS OF HOPE, HEALING, AND HEART

Dr. Mark Ashley

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: Kailey

On June 5, 2017, Kailey was on her way to her high school graduation in Burleson, TX. The excited young woman was dressed in her blue graduation gown, ready to join her friends. However, in a cruel twist of fate, she and her sister were struck by another car that had run a stop sign. Kailey was left unconscious and in critical condition.

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

Read Part 3

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: Carla Elliot

Carla Elliott’s family thought she would be bedridden for life when she suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after an accident at work. Not only did Carla defy all odds and achieve an amazing recovery, she successfully returned to work. Carla says the skills she learned at CNS and the support of her family have enabled her to return to a productive life post-injury, “CNS saved my life, and my positive attitude comes from being so grateful to be able to drive a car, walk, talk, and have a job,” she says. "I re-learned all of these skills at CNS.”

Chris Woods

Maureen O'Brien

ROSLYN HART

40 Years of Hope, Healing, and Heart

Valerie Armstrong

Joe Castillo

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: Tim Omundson

Former CNS patient Timothy (Tim) Omundson – a Los Angeles based actor, respected and beloved for his roles in movies and popular television shows, suffered a massive stroke in 2017, which changed his life forever. After many months of post-acute, intensive brain injury rehabilitation at CNS, Tim overcame his physical and cognitive deficits and returned to his successful acting career.

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: Brent Freeman

On the evening of February 14, Valentine's Day, 2017, Brent Freeman was heading home on his motorcycle on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles when he was struck by a car, ejected from his bike, and sent flying headfirst into another vehicle. Brent was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in critical condition. He sustained internal injuries, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and multiple skull fractures, causing brain bleeding and swelling. And he was placed into a medically induced coma for several weeks to help protect his brain from further damage.

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: JD

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury is monumental for anyone. But for CNS patient JD, he had to face another issue while in rehabilitation. JD was addicted to heroin, cocaine, and meth-amphetamine when he came to the Bakersfield facility eight years ago. He’d fallen from a tree while working at a car wash, and his brain injury - coupled with drug dependencies – meant that he had to face two devastating maladies.

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: Casey Dake

Los Angeles-based Casey Dake has worked as a talented film and video editor for his entire career. Video editors are valued for their advanced digital technology skills and personal qualities such as creativity, patience, and attention to detail. But when Casey suffered an acquired brain injury (ABI) in 2018, he was left with severe cognitive impairments that affected his ability to meet the demands of his profession. Not only was Casey able to overcome his deficits, but he also returned to work as a full-time video editor upon completion of his CNS program - which had been his main goal since sustaining a brain injury.

PATIENT STORIES OF INDEPENDENCE: MATTHEW LITTLE

When rock climber Matthew Little came to CNS, he was confined to a wheelchair and wondered if he’d ever scale a mountain again. His life was climbing, taking in the vistas of sky, clouds and pines, and breathing in the crisp air at the top of a peak. Matthew described himself as a weekend warrior, driving to the desert to rock climb routes in Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and the Eastern Sierras. Turns out he was indeed a warrior of determination, with the help of CNS’ therapy team.