Observing Brain Injury Awareness with Darian Rivera

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Join us on March 2 at our Little Falls location from 1:00PM to 2:00PM for a coffeehouse acoustic set with advocate and musician, Darian Rivera.

Here is Darian’s story:

I love music and coffee shops! I managed 5 employees with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) for event preparation, execution, and clean-up at the FDR National Historic Site Visitors Center for 8 years. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had at work or in a community. The people I worked with were the most hard working and the best workers whom I’ve ever worked with in my 18 year career in the events field.  Additionally, I worked alongside persons with IDD when I worked for the Navy as a civilian. I appreciate and recognize persons with IDD as highly talented and are among the best colleagues I have ever known in a workplace, and in life. 

In 2020, I was in a car crash and suffered a (TBI) Traumatic Brain Injury. I had to relearn things like how to put on my work cloths again, be able to organize my thoughts, and even use a computer. I knew these things before the crash. During this journey, I failed multiple times, lived a hard life, but somehow did not give up and never stopped working despite facing constant pressure from my past employer to quit. Today, I have regained much of my cognitive function and can once again manage a sustainable life with some lingering challenges. I maintained my career with a lot of hard work and perseverance. 

I am back to playing my original songs at my favorite setting — the coffeehouse. I look forward to playing for you! It will be an honor… and lots of fun! 

Learn more about Darian: www.reverbnation.com/darianrivera