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Prevailing Contributions of Former Staff During the 30 year history of the Center, although turnover has been remarkably low, there have been inevitable changes. Many former staff spent long tenures at the Center, and their notable contributions remain in place today. Directors The Center has had three Directors in its 30-year history. The first two directors, Edith Forsythe Nelson, the founding director, and Caroline Bliss-Isberg, director from 1989-2006, are retired.
Edie was very politically astute. She engaged the full community and expecially elected officials at all stages of the development and growth of the Center. Even though the power of the model and its effectiveness in meeting the needs of families in the community was often enough to sustain the program, sometimes it wasn't! At times when the program was threatened by lack of funds, or events beyond anyone's control, Edi knew how to activate the community to come to the rescue. She paved the way for the directors that followed. Edie was a visionary and as early as 1975, she saw the Center as a model that should be replicated throughout the country.
During her tenure, the Center came under several potentially devastating attacks. Three times, there was a concerted effort on the part of the college to close the center as a cost-saving measure, and once the building was almost lost to the community’s need to establish a consolidated 911 facility. Caroline worked successfully to increase the funding base by assuming leadership in the Human Care Alliance. She trained and empowered students to advocate politically for themselves and for the Center. This website is an example of student activism. When Caroline asked for help contacting Congress regarding assistance in spreading the word about the Center’s model nationally, student, Leo Greenberg stepped forward. He had worked for years with the local Congressman, Sam Farr. As a direct result of a meeting with Congressman Farr at Leo’s house, congressionally appropriated funding was found and the Center was designated as a Federal Demonstration Project. Caroline spent her last two years at the Center, creating materials to assist others in replicating the Center. She wrote the content for this website as part of that task. Her major contribution was to share the Center’s model with others and to protect the program until the present time. With the commitment to building a new facility, it is clear that the college finally has fully realized the Center’s potential as a “live teaching laboratory.” College leaders recognize that the Center will become increasingly valuable for health maintenance and wellness as the Boomers reach retirement. Edie's and Caroline's determination and tireless promotion of the Center helped to make it an irreplaceable asset to the community. Founding Former Therapy Staff The Center was founded with a multi-disciplinary professional staff. This was in direct response to the Stroke Club members' request for expert guidance in their long-term rehabiliitatation journey. These staff members created the original classes and developed and expanded their individual discipline’s offerings as the program grew. They also established close ties to their fellow professionals in the community and in their professional societies.
Sue Kesterson (Insert Photo:Sue Kesterson) was the founding speech/language specialist. Sue developed the Speech, Language, Communication department and created many of the classes taught today. She ws a staff leader and served as Interim Director of the Center when Caroline Bliss-Isberg was on medical leave. She currently serves on the Center's Auxiliary, and provides sage guidance to other members on how best to allocate donor funds. Nora Weavers(Insert Photo:Nora Weavers) was the founding physical therapist at the Center and she along with current instructor, Rhodna Simoni Brown, developed most of the classes still offered today. Nora was born in the Netherlands and trained in Europe. She brought not only a firm commitment to Center values, but also an expertise in the Bobath method. Many of the techniques and strategies she incorporated into the curriculum are still in place today.
Originating Program Coordinator
Other Former Staff Contributions
Physical therapist, Jennifer Goldbeck and two occupational therapists, Marti Southam and Susie Wood were at the Center for several years. During their time at the Center their individual skills and talents made new and lasting contributions to the curriculum.
Marti, who now chairs the OT department at San Jose State University, brought special awareness of the importance of leisure skill adaptations and training. She originated the Humor Heals curriculum at the Center and now writes prolifically on the subject in professional journals. |
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In 1970, Edie Nelson, MA, OTR participated in the local federally sponsored Regional Medical Program Stroke Project. Her professional training as an occupational therapist and her sensitivity to the needsexpressed by concerned citizens who were interviewed during this period led to the establishment of a Stroke Advisory Committee, the Stroke Club, and finally in 1974 the Stroke Activity Center that is now known as the Cabrillo College Stroke and Acquired Disability Center. Edie hired a gifted and committed part time staff and together they created a model program that has withstood the test of time. Her dedication to the principles of student self-determination and group orientation have been present since the program first opened. She fervently believed, as do those that followed that rehabilitation should be available locally and financial ability should never be a barrier to access.
Caroline Bliss-Isberg, PhD came to the Center in 1989. Caroline’s professional background as a speech/language therapist, who had founded and administered a large, multi-site special educational program in Santa Clara County, provided her with an understanding and passion for the uniqueness and power of the Center’s model. Under her leadership, the originating structure and philosophy of the Center prevailed and was actually extended. She led the way to soften the reminders of the Center’s clinical and medical heritage. Staff uniforms were eliminated and hierarchical staff structures were blurred, as gifted instructional assistants took on more responsibility. Destruction from the 1989 earthquake provided the opportunity to remodel and upgrade the facility, creating a more nurturing environment.
Lois Widom founded the counseling department. She created most of the classes that are still offered and established the precedent of fierce advocacy for Center students both within the Center and in the community at large. Lois designed and taught a full compliment of classes, and set in place a process of case management that remains today.
Dana Gibson was originally hired as an assistant in the Independent Living Skills department. She brought a serious interest and experience in gardening, seniors and an outrageous sense of fun to the Center. In the hopes of establishing a full-fledged recreational therapy program at the Center, Dana returned to graduate school obtaining her MA in Recreational Therapy. Her dream evolved into the VIVA program, and Recreational Therapy, as part of the Counseling Department has become an important program element. 
When Judy Gho came to the center in 1991, she was hired as the Center’s secretary. Throughout the 15 years she was with the Center, newtechnologies, the program and the demands of the college on an off-site program became increasingly complex. Judy grew with the position and the lead front office clerical position is now that of Program Coordinator. Judy made many contributions to the Center, and chief among them was a warm, compassionate, and friendly competence that made her a favorite with staff and students. In her words, “It is a privilege to come to work each day with such a highly skilled and dedicated staff who work hard to help our students improve their lives.”
Counselors, Bob Stahl and Casey Shannan made notable contributions to the counseling services offered at the Center and to the program as a whole. Bob, who is now a nationally recognized instructor of 
Casey Shannon, is a remarkable woman who is a counselor on Cabrillo’s main campus. She suffered a massive brain stem stroke at age 36. Although she was told by doctors that she would never walk, talk or teach again, she proved them all to be wrong! Her MA in counseling was earned after her stroke. Her life experience brought something to the students at the Center, that they could never get from those who have not “spent time in their shoes.” Casey’s powerful advocacy for students, has influenced all Center staff. Now, she continues that advocacy in the wider arena of the main campus. She will be an unparalled asset to the Center after the move on campus.
Jennifer documented the Mobility and Fitness department protocols and added instructional activities that emphasized the significance of the interaction between diabetes and stroke. Susie is fluent in
Spanish and lived in Mexico for extended periods. She brought a new level and sensitivity to cultural competencies to the staff.
