“Without OPTIONS and staff, my life would be a very sheltered one,” Dan said. “But with them my life has no known boundaries.”
Dan Bunker led a very typical life for 18 years. Then, in one split second, his whole life changed. Dan was in a car accident and thrown from his vehicle, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In a coma for months and then in an intense rehab program for two years, Dan received treatment, but his family’s savings was systematically depleted and he required 24-hour care.
Dan suffered from a TBI that affected his memory, his physical capabilities and his personality. The damage from the injury left Dan with virtually no short-term memory and affected his abilities to monitor his actions or comments. The lack of short-term memory means that Dan needs frequent reminders and assistance to complete many tasks and follow new directions. In addition, Dan’s motor skills were impaired including his ability to balance, he lost sight in one eye, and his movements are hampered by a fused right ankle.
The Bunkers can all tell you what day Dan’s accident happened, September 20, 1980, because it is a day that not only changed Dan’s lives, but changed his family’s life as well. “We have spent every day since Dan was injured hoping for a miracle that would return our smart, funny, handsome young man to us,” said his mother Joyce.
At the time of Dan’s injury there were not many programs to offer community reintegration, support, or daily care. He did attend several day treatment centers, but none that met Dan’s unique needs. The Bunkers also felt the frustration of not being able to afford the treatment centers that could help him.
So Joyce Bunker began to search for a program for her son. And after many letters and phone calls she finally found OPTIONS in Morro Bay, California. “Although it was far from our where we lived in Long Beach, we decided to give it a try. Dan was welcomed with open arms and we finally had our miracle.”
Dan lives in a house in San Luis Obispo which is an OPTIONS-run home. There, Dan spends time with his OPTIONS’ staff and friends. With the focus of helping Dan to become as independent as possible within a positive environment, Dan works on improving his memory. For years Dan used a daily planner for note taking to remind him of where he was, who he was with and what activity he was participating in. With the advent of the Personal Data Assistant (PDA), and intensive training with his staff, Dan has learned how to use these devices as a form of surrogate memory.
“Without OPTIONS and staff, my life would be a very sheltered one,” Dan said. “But with them my life has no known boundaries.”
His parents are thankful for OPTIONS as well. “By now we realize that Dan would never come back as he was before, but he now has a chance to become the best he can be.” They still hold a dream for Dan that includes the ability to live on his own with a job and a place in the community. They believe that OPTIONS has given Dan the hope and opportunity needed to help him reach his potential within a caring and safe environment.
