David Krempels Brain Injury Center

David Krempels Brain Injury Center

The mission of the David Krempels Brain Injury Center (KBIC) is to improve the quality of life of people living with brain injury through evidence-based programming, shared experiences, and support in a welcoming community.

KBIC’s vision is brain injury survivors are included, empowered, and inspired to participate in their communities.

An acquired brain injury is damage to the brain that occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease.  In other words, brain injuries that often occur unexpectedly and bring about dramatic, and often life-long, change and challenge to people living with them.  Some of the more common causes of acquired brain injury include traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxia and hypoxia (loss of oxygen), brain tumor, infections of the brain, and post-concussion syndrome

Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects over 3.6 million Americans each year. According to the Brain injury Association, at least 2.8 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury, while nearly 1 million experience a stroke each year.   Brain injury survivors face unique challenges that go beyond the loss of physical and cognitive ability. Once discharged from hospitals and rehabilitation, most go home to a compromised life, including impaired relationships, loss of independence, dramatic role changes, and isolation.

KBIC, located in Portsmouth New Hampshire, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with brain injury.

KBIC provides members opportunities to engage in meaningful, therapeutic programming and provides ongoing support and resources to survivors and their families.  Classes and support groups are provided in a community setting with ample opportunity for peer-to-peer support and building social connections.

In addition, the organization’s community outreach initiative provides education to the public about brain injury and brain injury prevention.