Muskego Farm Offers Support, Understanding for Brain Injured

Every person is just one accident away from a brain injury, according to Lisa Alberte, who founded Acres of Hope & Aspirations in Muskego. The non-profit organization works to increase awareness and prevention of traumatic brain injuries, and gives people with brain injuries inspirational experiences for nurturing and healing, Alberte says.  

“Brain injury happens every 19 seconds somewhere in America,” said Alberte, a registered nurse and certified forklift safety instructor. “The only thing for brain injury is prevention.”

So Alberte visits schools, churches and nursing homes to share tips on safety, and welcomes individuals and groups to visit Acres of Hope & Aspirations, at W147S7138 Durham Place in Muskego.  More than a dozen animals - some with special needs, themselves - interact with visitors.

A fountain, gardens, and oak tree centered inside the building are all part of the environment. The center, opened in May 2010, provides assisted living and works with clients to improve their vocational and daily living skills.

“We help kids with special needs and it’s a way of helping them gain self esteem or vocational rehab, so that they have an increased functionality,” she said. One way of helping children relate to various conditions and situations associated with a brain injury is to introduce them to the animals with disabilities, Alberte said.

“We have a blind pony. Her other senses have learned to compensate, so she can smell very, very well and she is good with her hearing,” Alberte said. “Our pot bellied pig will listen for her, and the pony neighs when she wants to get water, and he guides her.” Listening to the pig's snorts, the pony follows along.

Acres of Hope & Aspirations also is home to an arthritic deer that plays tag with two sheepdogs.

“It is so incredible to see that even though she is disabled, they all play together,” she said. “I am privileged to point out to my patients that even though this animal is struggling, these animals are making her happy.”

Alberte works with some U.S. veterans who sustained brain injuries in the Iraq war. One client has lived with a bullet in his brain for five years.

“I have rescued people from really awful conditions,” she said. “Some with the inability to remember, work, live by themselves…sometimes it’s environmental risks, medical complications.  Just for them to stay safe in an environment they need lifelong support, case management support.”

The struggles cause many patients to turn to alcoholism, and some experience depression, Alberte said. Others go to the emergency department every day because they don’t have any other support.

To avoid brain injury, Alberte provides key reminders:

1. With any kind of contact sport that requires any
   risk to the head, make sure you are protecting your head.
2. Avoid excessive use of alcohol and excessive use
   of prescription drugs. These cause damage to the brain as well.
3. Eat healthy foods.
4. Avoid distractions, like texting, while driving,
   to reduce the risk of vehicular accidents.
5. Have effective coping mechanisms for stress.

With management of brain injury, Alberte said while there are limitations to medically impacting the outcome, each person’s potential should still be embraced.

Acres of Hope & Aspirations has a pony, two donkeys, two deer, three large tortoises, three Russian tortoises, a talking parrot, five doves, three bunnies, one kitten, six cats, three roosters, two hens, four ducks and geese, five ducklings, nine peacocks, a little dragon, little lizard, two sheepdogs, two toy poodles and two pot bellied pigs.

“My goal is to conceptualize hope,” Albert said. “by showing people that if we work together we can grow amazing things.”

The organization welcomes volunteers and donations.