My Professional History

"In 1992, Mrs. Doswell sustained a severe brain injury in a head-on collision. She spent the next 17 years learning as much as possible about brain injury and sharing her knowledge, skills and experience with others. In 1996, she earned the Outstanding Consumer Award from the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts and was named to BIAMA’s Board of Directors in 1997, where she served until 2006." That same year she was appointed to the Massachusetts ABI Advisory Board where she served as a board member until 2012 and as chairperson from 2000-2006.

"In 1999, she was elected Vice President of the Western Regional Consumer Council of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and became an ex-officio member of her state’s Rehabilitation Council. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts honored Doswell for her work with the Citizen Advocate Award in 2000. Additionally, she served on the Consumer Planning and Implementation Work Group for her state’s Real Choice Systems Change Grant.

At the start of the millennium, Doswell turned her attention to federal level advocacy. She served on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal TBI Program Multicultural Grant Committee from 2001 to 2003 and as the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators’ Advisory Council Learning Community facilitator from 2004 to 2006. In 2003, Doswell earned the designation of Certified Brain Injury Specialist from the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists and was elected to BIAA’s Board of Directors, where she served two 3-year terms, including an appointment to the Association’s Executive Committee from 2004 to 2006.

In 2006, Doswell represented BIAA as an expert for the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention’s Summit, where she lent her unique personal insights, creativity and artistic talent to the nationwide effort to increase awareness and understanding of brain injury. That year, Doswell joined the staff of the BIAMA as the Western Regional Manager where she provided information, resources, support groups, and informal counseling to individuals with brain injuries, families, and professionals." 

-- "The Challenge: Love After Brain Injury" Winter 2010: Vol 3, Issue 4

**Currently residing in Palm Beach County, Florida Suzanne is continuing her efforts to provide resources and support to those who have sustained brain injuries and their families and plans to establish a new regional support group and resource center.

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries: 101 Stories of Hope, Healing and Hard Work.

My short story was selected for inclusion in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul (CSS) that hit bookstores nationwide on June 24, 2014.  

This is the quintessential book for those who want to step into the world of brain injury and is now a primary resource in the BIA-MA Western Regional office library.  It is easy to read, full of dynamic personal stories and exactly what we have needed as we attempt to explain brain injury to the medical world and general public.  Some readers will shed a few tears as they realize the life altering significance of TBI and others may finally be able to address their patient and client needs with a clearer sense of this silent epidemic from the voices of those who know.