Caregiver Hero: Marlene Nathans
Offering guidance and hope
When BIRL volunteer and Caregiver Hero, Marlene Nathans speaks with families through the Brain Injury Resource Line (BIRL), she understands their fear and uncertainty in a way few others can. Her compassion is rooted in lived experience — and in a journey that began nearly three decades ago.
In 1998, Marlene’s 15-year-old son, Jason, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in a car accident. Like so many caregivers, she was suddenly thrust into a world she knew nothing about. She remembers feeling “overwhelmed and alone,” filled with anxiety and fear. At the time, she struggled to find support or guidance.
A few years later, Marlene discovered the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) and attended one of its conferences — a turning point for her family. There, she learned about the Pennsylvania Head Injury Program, which ultimately allowed Jason to transition at age 21 into Success Rehabilitation, a residential program that offered independence, specialized therapies, and a supportive community tailored to his unique needs. The impact was life-changing.
Marlene continued attending BIAPA conferences, gaining knowledge, connection, and strength from survivors, families, and professionals. Seven years after Jason’s accident, she felt called to give back.
“Volunteering on the Brain Injury Resource Line has added meaning to my life by connecting me to individuals and families navigating the challenging journey of brain injury,” she shares. “It’s a deeply personal experience founded in my own family’s story.”
Her early experience of helplessness shaped her commitment to service. “When I answer calls, I strive to offer hope and guidance, along with the resources to ensure no one has to navigate this journey alone.”
Finding joy for herself
Today, Jason is 43 years old and living a good, safe life — something Marlene does not take for granted. And while she continues to be a devoted caregiver, she has also found joy for herself: spending time with family, golfing, playing pickleball, and even taking up needlepoint.
Through her volunteerism, Marlene transforms her family’s hardest chapter into hope for others. She is a steady voice on the other end of the phone and a reminder that even in the most overwhelming moments, support is possible and no one has to walk this journey alone.
Your support for BIAPA helps ensure that when another family makes that call, someone like Marlene is there to answer — offering hope, guidance, and connection when it matters most.
