On With Life's History · You are here
This courageous group overcame almost insurmountable challenges and obstacles, but their "never give up" attitude finally paid off. In August of 1991, this unique program proudly began in Ankeny, Iowa, in a $4.3 million building designed to provide brain injury rehabilitation services.
In its brief history, On With Life at Ankeny has served over 1,100 individuals with traumatic or acquired brain injury and complex medical and physical needs. Through the provision of Rehabilitation Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Psychology Services, Therapeutic Recreation, Music Therapy, Medical Nutritional Therapy and Social Work Counseling, our goal is to return persons served to their homes and communities.
As the post-acute rehabilitation program grew, it became evident that a vacuum existed in Iowa for long term skilled care for younger adults with brain injury. In cooperation with the State of Iowa's Glenwood Resource Center and the Glenwood community, On With Life at Glenwood was opened in 1996. It now has 32 beds for extended skilled care for youth and younger adults.
In 1994, On With Life's Community Services entity was created to address the vocational needs of persons with brain injury. In 1995 we began providing Supportive and Selective Job Placement Services in conjunction with the State of Iowa's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Community Services continued to expand its services by becoming a provider under Iowa's Brain Injury Medicare Waiver in 1997 to assist persons with brain injury to live in their communities. We are now the largest provider of Waiver services to persons with brain injury and serve persons throughout Central Iowa.
In 2005, the Apartments of OWL Creek were completed. Located on our campus in Ankeny, this project consists of 14 individual, single-bed apartment units for persons who have experienced a brain injury and are able to live independently. This project was funded by a grant from HUD and participants must meet the financial qualifications. HUD funds are also available to subsidize the rent for individuals who live in this thriving community.
In January 2006, On With Life at Ankeny expanded for the first time by adding seven additional rooms and converting four existing doubles into rehabilitation suites. These suites will be used by families to practice providing care as they prepare to take their loved one home. The On With Life at Ankeny program now has a total of 26 beds.
In 2007, the On With Life at Glenwood program added a family room near the rooms of persons served and a family center off the nursing floor. In 2008, a sensory gym was added to maximize each individual's comfort and ability to respond to external stimuli.
On With Life's mission of "joining hands, hearts, and minds to help persons living with brain injury get ON WITH LIFE" continues to focus our efforts, as does our vision to "passionately serve and relentlessly advocate to create life enriching opportunities for persons impacted by brain injury." As we look to our future we build on our past and the dream of the families and persons who have experienced a brain injury who had the courage and the foresight to create On With Life.
On With Life's History
Our history is rooted in a dedicated, passionate group of individuals who dreamed that some day a program would be born that would provide rehabilitative services to persons who had acquired a brain injury. On With Life, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and named by a survivor who, when asked what he wanted to do, replied, "Just get on with life."This courageous group overcame almost insurmountable challenges and obstacles, but their "never give up" attitude finally paid off. In August of 1991, this unique program proudly began in Ankeny, Iowa, in a $4.3 million building designed to provide brain injury rehabilitation services.
In its brief history, On With Life at Ankeny has served over 1,100 individuals with traumatic or acquired brain injury and complex medical and physical needs. Through the provision of Rehabilitation Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Psychology Services, Therapeutic Recreation, Music Therapy, Medical Nutritional Therapy and Social Work Counseling, our goal is to return persons served to their homes and communities.
As the post-acute rehabilitation program grew, it became evident that a vacuum existed in Iowa for long term skilled care for younger adults with brain injury. In cooperation with the State of Iowa's Glenwood Resource Center and the Glenwood community, On With Life at Glenwood was opened in 1996. It now has 32 beds for extended skilled care for youth and younger adults.
In 1994, On With Life's Community Services entity was created to address the vocational needs of persons with brain injury. In 1995 we began providing Supportive and Selective Job Placement Services in conjunction with the State of Iowa's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Community Services continued to expand its services by becoming a provider under Iowa's Brain Injury Medicare Waiver in 1997 to assist persons with brain injury to live in their communities. We are now the largest provider of Waiver services to persons with brain injury and serve persons throughout Central Iowa.
In 2005, the Apartments of OWL Creek were completed. Located on our campus in Ankeny, this project consists of 14 individual, single-bed apartment units for persons who have experienced a brain injury and are able to live independently. This project was funded by a grant from HUD and participants must meet the financial qualifications. HUD funds are also available to subsidize the rent for individuals who live in this thriving community.
In January 2006, On With Life at Ankeny expanded for the first time by adding seven additional rooms and converting four existing doubles into rehabilitation suites. These suites will be used by families to practice providing care as they prepare to take their loved one home. The On With Life at Ankeny program now has a total of 26 beds.
In 2007, the On With Life at Glenwood program added a family room near the rooms of persons served and a family center off the nursing floor. In 2008, a sensory gym was added to maximize each individual's comfort and ability to respond to external stimuli.
On With Life's mission of "joining hands, hearts, and minds to help persons living with brain injury get ON WITH LIFE" continues to focus our efforts, as does our vision to "passionately serve and relentlessly advocate to create life enriching opportunities for persons impacted by brain injury." As we look to our future we build on our past and the dream of the families and persons who have experienced a brain injury who had the courage and the foresight to create On With Life.
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