Hi Brainstemmed,

I'm sorry, but I take issue with Mark's comment. It's laden with pessimism that I totally get, but isn't encouraging or helpful for your situation. We need to know places to avoid, if nothing else, and personal experience of other's is enlightening in our decision making process - iit need not be case specific. My 6 years of mtbi/pcs experience (many of them horrendous btw) mainly in the Denver/Boulder area insists that looking to others experience of a doctor or institute to know if they really get tbi and/or pcs (not just think they do - rampant arrogance is a common affliction) is not only time/cost saving, but invaluable regarding frustration levels. I hope my experience can be of service.

I do have experience with Craig's outpatient director AND have links to other options for you - because my experience was NOT as positive as I had hoped.

Since I moved close to Craig last year I contacted the outpatient program director via email - since talking is a chore - inquiring about their outpatient services and application process. The reply was not prompt and her news a bit disheartening as she said the outpatient program and other offered services are mainly for their inpatient "clients" extended recovery. Your injury is much more recent than mine which might benefit you. I just celebrated my 6th year post injury - big difference. I've heard from other's personal experience that Craig is worthy of the high praise (each were inpatients - one had an open head tbi, another a spinal cord injury).

However, after explaining I've fallen through the medical cracks of MTBI/PCS and had horrible experiences with neurologists she did recommend a physiatrist (Dr. Reinhard, 3rd from bottom - http://coloradorehabilitation.com/physicians.html). I've worked with him now for 6 months and have not been disappointed - which is saying something.

Visiting my doc (I see him in Littleton, but also practices out of his office near Spaulding Rehab hospital in Aurora - which also has therapy for mtbi) last week I asked about group therapy (would love to talk to others in person! ) and he said unfortunately there is a deficit in Metro Denver for those living with MTBI/PCS post-injury and progressed to discussing Craig.

Considering I was referred to him by Craig he was rather candid in his experience and observation of the institution. Reminding him of their referral to him he nodded thoughtfully saying "it's a real shame they don't reach out to a broader tbi community that could really use their level of expertise. Sadly, they're a bit elitist and selective usually only taking severely injured patients, but not others that suffer as much, if not more, from seemingly insignificant injuries like yours that project into the future. I will say what they do, they do well. They follow their patients all the way through even to resident housing helping them learn how to live alone again. They do have group therapy, but only for their own patients."

I certainly don't want to discourage you because your injury is so much newer than mine and if accepted - I'll share your joy. If they do not accept you, ask for doctor and therapist referrals. Many of their doctors only work out of Craig and cannot be seen outside of their setting - I asked. Take heart if they cannot accept you into their program, below are links to referrals Dr. Reinhard gave me:

Colorado Neurological Institute (CNI) - They are supposed to have a whole compliment of treatment/therapies and is near Craig - http://www.thecni.org/

Spaulding Rehab - TBI specific link -

Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, Brain Injury Program - I was accepted into this program in 2010, but moved out of state before I could take advantage of their services, which are extensive. http://biacolorado.org/support/cbip/

I wish you LUCK and send please message me if you have further questions. I'd love to know how things work out with Craig so please update when you hear from them! (My fingers are crossed!)

Kris