Back In The Saddle

Back in the Saddle is a long term residential facility for head-injured adults who are motivated to be as self-reliant and independent as possible. Life skill trainers live here with you and a Case Manager works with you to help you prioritize your goals. Our job is to help you explore the community and to become involved in activities which interest you, challenge you and meet your needs. You might enroll in classes, volunteer in the community, help with meal planning and shopping, become involved in job training or in pre-vocational activities at a work-site. There are also recreational outings of all sorts, including bowling, horseback riding, fishing, movies, swimming and many trips such as to the beach, Catalina, camping, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, museums, concerts, sporting events and cruises. At Back in the Saddle, you could become involved with gardening, animal care, helping with a newsletter or a variety of other activities designed to make your experience as meaningful as possible.

We make sure that medical, dental, counseling and other important appointments are kept and that medications are stored and provided per your doctor's orders. We will respect your privacy and we ask that you respect the privacy of the others who live here. We ask that you keep your room neat and clean and that you help with clean-up in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room and the property as much as you are able.

In 1993, my wife Erika was intent on starting a special residential project for head injured adults. She and I had worked in, and visited many rehabilitation settings and decided we could design a more family style model that would still address clinical priorities. The idea was to create a warm homey environment which could provide challenge and where the resident would be free to explore their interests and goals within a personalized setting. We opened Back In The Saddle in September of 1993 in a rental house in Apple Valley and we soon had to rent a second home. In 1995 we purchased a 4 acre ranch. Erika's father converted a large car showroom into 6 bedrooms and we moved all our residents onto this beautiful property which overlooks pastures and alfalfa fields. Across the valley, we can see the often snow covered Mount Baldy from our ponderosa style porch. We put in a corral, planted trees and a garden and we've been here ever since. In 2004, we sold the program to Isaac Mutabazi, but I stay on as Program Consultant. I have an office on grounds where I see patients two days a week. That way I can advise staff, do in-services and help with policy & clinical issues. Erika has retired to our home so she can have more time with our son, Saunder, who was born 8 months after we opened Back In The Saddle. Indirectly, she still has her hand in because I consult with her when the need arises.

The current staff at Back In The Saddle is quite strong. I am proud of them and I have confidence in their judgment and commitment. The program remains small, by design, but reasonable growth is anticipated. We've always been very selective about admissions. We feel that the chemistry around the dinning room table has to feel right. We want to maintain the family style atmosphere that more closely replicates what our residents might have chosen for themselves had they never been injured in the first place.

Be assured that if you are seeking services for your loved ones, we will be happy to spend time helping you sort out the options as you learn how to ask the right questions and look for the important details. It is difficult terrain and we want to help each family learn how to productively explore or cultivate available resources