Woman With Life-Altering Injury 'In Shock' After House Fire

MANORVILLE, NY — A fire ripped through a Manorville home recently, leaving a woman who has a traumatic brain injury with nothing.

According to Allyson Scerri, founder of New Beginnings and the Brendan House, Jennifer Madison is a survivor who lost literally everything in the fire.

"She lost her place to live," Scerri said. Scerri offered Madison a month of free rent at the Brendan House, offering a haven during a time when a lifeline means everything.

"She needs so much," she said.

The Brendan House, a long-term facility for those with traumatic brain injuries and other cognitive and physical disabilities, is located on Sound Avenue in Riverhead.

Madison was injured in a car accident 12 years ago, Scerri said.

According to the Manorville Fire Department, on Sunday, March 13, a structure fire broke out in Pine Hills at 12:12 p.m. And when the flames were extinguished, all of Madison's memories and possessions were lost in the rubble.

Madison, Scerri said, lost her mother five years ago and her father, when she was younger.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, Scerri said — and the fire spotlights the challenges those living with TBI face every day, and even more so, in times of crisis.

Madison, her boyfriend Danny and their dog Elvis were home when the fire broke out, Scerri said. "They ran out with just the clothes on their back," she said. "Jen and Danny have lost everything. Nothing was salvageable."

For anyone, that nightmare would be devastating. But for someone with TBI, finding the strength to move forward is even more challenging, Scerri said.

"Jen has been in shock since the fire," she said. "Having a traumatic brain injury and change is difficult." Jen walks with a cane and suffers from depression, she said.

And yet, Madison is finding strength from her support system at New Beginnings, and her 24-hour-a-day aides, who have become good friends, Scerri said.

Offering her a place to stay at the Brendan House — Scerri said Danny and Elvis are staying there, as well — seemed the perfect solution. Madison has been coming to New Beginnings since the facility first opened 11 years ago, Scerri said. "The Brendan House, which is handicapped accessible, is perfect in every way," she said.

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