By Nicole Lemire
After a difficult year involving the loss of two individuals who lived in her program, Bryce Remillard says that things are looking up at the BCArc home that she manages in Dalton.
Bryce studied adolescent psychology at Liberty University and worked with children with autism for three years before beginning work at BCArc in 2021 as an awake overnight staff. It was an adjustment to make the change from working with children with autism to adults with brain injuries, but Bryce says that she enjoys her current work much more.
“It’s a different type of bond and more of a friendship since we are all adults,” she said. “Working with people with brain injuries requires a different sort of empathy and understanding since they were not born this way and have to adjust to their new normal.”
Less than a year after starting at BCArc, Bryce was promoted to Site Manager. At 23 years old, she is the youngest Brain Injury Site Manager at BCArc and has goals to keep advancing her career further within the agency.
“Working with people with brain injuries requires a different sort of empathy and understanding since they were not born this way and have to adjust to their new normal.”
“I love working with people,” she said. “I love walking into the house and all of the individuals are smiling and happy to see me.”
The Dalton team came together to wear Beatles shirts to honor lifelong fan Genie, an individual in the home who passed away.
The past year has been challenging for the home that she manages. Soon after Bryce returned from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter, two individuals in the home passed away back-to-back. Following this, three new individuals moved into the home, and the staff had to work through their grief while caring for three new people.
“Our new residents all moved in within two weeks of one another, so it was a quick adjustment of getting to know three new personalities,” she said. “They are much more active and independent, so the vibe of the house has changed a lot.”
Despite the challenges that the house has faced, they have managed to come out on the other side and are enjoying happier days. Bryce likes to keep the house active by taking part in group activities such as making lunch together every day, going on trips, and throwing parties with other Brain Injury houses. She says that they are always doing something fun or going somewhere. This summer, several staff members and individuals are planning to walk in the Pittsfield 4th of July Parade with the BCArc float.
“We really are like a family, especially since some of the ladies don’t have a family of their own,” Bryce said. “They trust me, and it is so rewarding.”
