Ten years ago Diana Tafur was ejected from a New York City taxi in an accident involving a drunk driver and landed on her head.<\/p>\n
The impact left the then 22-year-old woman with a traumatic brain injury that completely changed her life and that of her family\u2019s.<\/p>\n
After surviving four and half months in a coma, she began rehabilitation therapy that continues today. Her Lake Mary family rallied to support her recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe provide whatever she needs to help her 24\/7,\u201d said Ivan Tafur, her father and primary caregiver.<\/p>\n
Over the years Ivan Tafur and his daughter have learned there are few opportunities for TBI survivors to be active and interact with different people. But that could change thanks to a special harness system that offers just those opportunities.<\/p>\n
Today 麻豆原创 and partner Aramark launched the Knights on the Go Caf\u00e9 in Health and Public Affairs I as the first site to demonstrate the harness system\u00a0in Florida.<\/p>\n
Behind the cafe’s\u00a0counter was Diana Tafur.<\/p>\n
She wore a harness suspended from the top of a customized metal frame. The harness provided her with a safe, active experience outside a traditional physical therapy session. A 麻豆原创 physical therapy faculty member stood nearby to assist her as needed.<\/p>\n
The harness system was developed by Professor Cole Galloway, brothers Ralph and Steve Cope, and a team at the University of Delaware in Newark. The university opened the only other caf\u00e9 with the harness system in the nation on its campus in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a big day for all of us,\u201d said Jennifer Tucker, a member of 麻豆原创\u2019s physical therapy faculty who is leading the project in collaboration with Galloway. \u201cWe\u2019re very excited to offer TBI survivors the next step in their journey of recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tucker said people with TBI are challenged with doing two things at the same time \u2015 walking and talking for example. The caf\u00e9 and harness create an opportunity for individuals with motor and cognitive impairments to have an immersive experience to work on vocation and rehabilitation skills. The harness provides the safety net needed in case they lose their balance as they work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt places them in the real world and that can\u2019t be created in a health care setting,\u201d Tucker said. \u201cIt\u2019s safe and comes with clinical supervision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tucker hopes other organizations will implement the harness system to help more TBI survivors. She also sees the possibility of expanding its use to benefit people with a wide variety of motor disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis experience should be made available to more people with disabilities,\u201d said Ivan Tafur. \u201cThey will greatly benefit from the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knights on the Go Caf\u00e9 is located in the HPA I atrium and sells fresh fruit, packaged sandwiches and salads, and drinks. This spring the caf\u00e9 is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Diana Tafur and another TBI survivor will work twice a week on\u00a0Mondays, Wednesdays\u00a0and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., although their schedule may vary. Aramark is employing 麻豆原创 physical therapy students to work alongside them and other 麻豆原创 students to work the other days and times the caf\u00e9 is open.<\/p>\n
\u201cAramark is honored to partner with 麻豆原创 on this extraordinary and innovative program,\u201d said Stephen Corren, marketing manager for Aramark\u2019s dining services at 麻豆原创. \u201cThis wonderful opportunity truly expresses our mission of enriching and nourishing lives daily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before her accident Diana Tafur was a vital young woman who worked in television advertising. Although she is not getting paid for her shifts at the Knights on the Go Caf\u00e9, it offers her an opportunity to reclaim more of the life she once knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt allows me freedom to get out in the world,\u201d said Diana Tafur. \u201cIt gives me purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
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