EUGENE - Wayne is a pretty popular guy. Especially at Albertsons on 18th and Chambers in Eugene, where he's a self-titled celebrity. Wayne's been shopping here every Thursday for the last eight years. But, he can't do it by himself. Wayne was in a motorcycle crash more than ten years ago. He suffered a brain injury which affects his speech, memory and organization.

That's what brought him here, to the Uhlhorn Center, where he lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment. Most of the people who live here are on social security. All of them have an acquired brain injury.

Twice a week, volunteers and staff meet with clients to build a budget and make a grocery list.

"A lot of planning goes into your grocery shopping trip that I think a lot of people just kind of take for granted," said Advocate Counselor Graham Bailey. "You have to plan out a menu for the week. You have to think about how that menu is going to effect your budget for how much you are going to spend each week."

The staff makes sure clients only buy exactly what they need.

"So you don't need any of this," said Graham to Wayne. "I'm just going to cross this off right. You don't need any of that."

At the store, some clients get an extra hand reaching for the orange juice and choosing the best bananas. Others, are fine without help.
After aisle browsing and price comparing, his cart is full, Wayne's all set and ready to fill his fridge while sticking to his budget.

The Uhlhorn Center provides 24-hour care for survivors of brain injuries. The program is run by ShelterCare.