Laughter helps promote healing in so many ways. Life’s challenges with brain injury, dysfunction, chronic illnesses and other injuries are all life altering events. Sometimes it’s very difficult to find humor in the midst of these changes but it’s important to have laughter to remain healthy. Sometimes what one perceives as being humorous is not necessarily funny to another. Enjoy the hot and cold of this week’s laughter time! Read the rest of this entry »
Category Archives: Brain Injury
What is causing an increase in dizziness over the past year…a new revelation!
dizziness (Photo credit: iamnelaas)
I’m still figuring out symptoms and trying to problem solve nearly 21 years later. So what is the cause of dizziness anyway? I’m sharing this level of frustration so others can see how difficult it is with any individual dealing with traumatic brain injury. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to help prepare yourself for returning to work or determine if you should be employed soon Part 1 of 2
Everyone would like to return to a higher level of functioning and feel as though they are contributing to society. Some people more then others, but I doubt most people want to just sit and waste away! Here are some things to consider before returning to work after TBI, chronic illness, mental illness or any other circumstances you’ve endured and are considering a return-to-work status. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine – Dandelions? Black light? Multi-grain?
Sharing humor and laughter experiences from those who deal with thinking, memory, and communication problems. I’ve had some unique stories shared with me after starting the laughter portion on this blog and will share a few of them today. I also will encourage others to send any of their situations and funny stories so we can post them on Wednesdays. Let’s laugh together, it’s so healing and improves ones health. Read the rest of this entry »
Please stop trying to hurry me along
frustration. (Photo credit: nicole.pierce.photography ♥)
No one understands the frustration that hustle and bustle creates in the minds of brain injury, brain dysfunction, chronic illnesses as well as the aging population. In this fast paced society it makes it more difficult for these individuals to do their daily routine without feeling frazzled. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine – Words with double meanings
Laughter is imperative to recover from brain injury and all other issues that affect your health. If it were not for keeping a sense of humor one does not know how one could survive. There have and continue to be plenty of tears shed in the meantime. They aren’t just your tears, but those closest to one’s situation…that care and love one. They also suffer immensely without education or help.
Jazz Has a Sense of Humor (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Most have learned to laugh with me, but they cry with me too. They probably cry because I make them absolutely miserable at times! Read the rest of this entry »
I now know professionals were taken advantage of my situation
Professionals know what they can and cannot do. How can they get away with this? Brain injured and many patients do not know this and depend on the trusted and working relationship with the healthcare professional. I cannot believe I would be so foolish to follow explicit instructions, but I did. Yep, to get a home equity loanand pay $4477.40 was only one situation Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to help you feel better instantly
When you feel as though everything you are doing isn’t helping there is still something you can do to help make yourself feel better. You’re probably tired about hearing you need good nutrition and exercise. This is true, good nutrition and exercise are essential to your optimal level of health. Nutrition and exercise needs to be a lifestyle change and that takes at least 5 weeks of consistent change. What about an instant change that doesn’t include nutrition or exercise? Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine – Where is he?
So many different things happen with brain injuries and brain dysfunction and as sad as so many things are, it’s really important to laugh daily. Laughter is the best medicine. Research proves that laugher helps heal. With brain issues at the moment the incident occurs there really isn’t anything to laugh about because the person is so frustrated with the ignorant things that happen … it takes awhile to step back at that particular situation and laugh. Read the rest of this entry »
Trusting my neuropsychologist after traumatic brain injury 1992-2000
Akron, Ohio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Patients depend on trustworthy healthcare professionals. The majority are trustworthy and understand their limitations and boundaries and others do not. Who else better to trust than an understanding neuropsychologist? This was someone who represented herself as a professional in Akron, Ohio. Read the rest of this entry »
Training the brain could help reduce pain
So many people have chronic pain and it seems like there’s no solution, or very little help. Some things work, some times it works, but in between that time you are still plagued with pain. All people want is for their body to be comfortable…at least some of the time!
I’ve discovered this scientific news May 17, 2012 about the most recent findings of why there is chronic pain and what is happening in the brain. This article really spells that out and also offers much hope.
If you suffer from any sort of pain, take the time to read this brief article from Science News. It offers better understanding into pain.
Training the brain could help reduce pain.
Simple tips if you are getting ready for that special occasion
Attending all the family gatherings and events this time of year can be extremely difficult for those with injuries, chronic illnesses, and brain injuries or dysfunction. Here are a few tips that are helpful to get through these events and yet enjoy the people who are present. It exhausts those dealing with the above-mentioned issues, so planning and organization is the key. Read the rest of this entry »
This is a big reason we can’t get health care
I found one of the real reasons why I couldn’t get medical care. Healthcare professionals are not doing their jobs as I have repeatedly written about. Please take a look at the following news clip. I was contacted by someone close to my situation and was advised of news release today. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine – Permanent Hairdo?
A Day in My Life. Keep Smiling!
Brain injury survivors need to laugh at the things that happen. Even some of the most difficult times can be funny…at least when you reflect on what happened. Communication difficulty of various degrees occur with brain injury. This situation is an unfortunate communication barrier. I give details surrounding the situation so others can better understand what happens in the lives of brain injured survivors. Read the rest of this entry »
Trust who with your life and healthcare? Why?
Trust is a basic need. When your life and health is jeopardized because those who you trust do not help where can you turn and what happens? I was initially injured October 30, 1991 and a subarachnoid hemorrhage in December 22, 1991. I was not treated or diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage until 2000 after gathering my medical records and having them reviewed as well as an excellent medical doctor who listened. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to help deal with memory problems
Digital Camera Magazine (August 2011) (Photo credit: midlander1231)
Are you having difficulty with your memory and want to know how you can help yourself. Here are some tips to help compensate for memory problems. There are a list of ways to cope with these deficits. The first way you can begin to help yourself is by keeping a journal and documenting. Immediately following an injury or dealing with brain dysfunction you may need a friend, spouse, or significant other to help document in a journal. Have you tried using a camera to record everything in your life? One will give suggestions of how this works. Read the rest of this entry »
Laugher as brain injury medicine – Surprise party?
Laugh with us. Brain injury survivors struggle with difficult times day in and day out. Some of the crazy things that happens appear quite comical in retrospect. The series of Laugher will help others understand that life is very different on a daily basis. Read the rest of this entry »
School-Age Children’s Responses to Parents with Disabilities
This rehabilitation nursing journal article School-Age Children’s Responses to Parents with Disabilities was written and completed just one week prior to the assault of traumatic brain injury. It was not published until 2 years later after having a colleague co-author and help submit the manuscript for publishing. Read the rest of this entry »
When your doctor won’t listen
O. M. Lanstrum, Physician, Helena, Montana. (1911) (Photo credit: Butte-Silver Bow Public Library)
Many patients go to the doctor with complaints only to feel they have never been heard. You know when there is something wrong. You know all the struggles in your life. You are your best advocate, unless you are fortunate to have someone help you out. The question is what do you do “When your doctor won’t listen?” Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine – Telephone?
It’s something new for everyone on this website. LAUGHTER! Everyone with brain injury or brain dysfunction of any sort have some silly things they do periodically, but some of us more frequently than others…like several times a day!
Laughter… (Photo credit: leodelrosa…)
At the time we do these goofy things we are frustrated with ourselves we either cry or think of ourselves as “plain stupid.” It really doesn’t seem funny at the time, because we just simply can’t figure out what is wrong and don’t notice. In retrospect, when we realize what we did we can laugh! It’s truly difficult to understand this, until you’ve been there. Read the rest of this entry »
To my last patient…and the last of my patience! Part 4 of 4
This is the final pages of my letter to my last patient part 4 of 4. This letter in its entirety has clearly identified numerous safety issues without our healthcare system and specifically rehabilitation for neurology and traumatic brain injury patients. Safety is ultimately the concern for all patients and staff. Do healthcare professional overlook obvious symptoms because it is just a “job”? Are patients truly safe?
Neither myself or immediate family ever sought legal action against this facility. I was trying to get well and had no energy to do anything else. In retrospect, if we only knew the long-term consequences and had the proper legal advice with authorities looking out for the innocent the outcome would have been totally different. Maybe, it’s what nurses are expected to put up with and the facility is always right.
Read the rest of this entry »
General and simple tips for handling and taking medications Part 4 of 4
It is your life and medications can help you with specific problems, but you need to be cautious and know what is working for you and what is not. It is up to you to report exactly how you are feeling.
Keep a medication journal, especially when Read the rest of this entry »
Who Are We
On June 30, 2012 we are asking all those to sign-up to register as a picnic day to bring Awareness of Brain Injury to family and friends. There is an estimated 1 billions people in the world with brain injuries of varying degrees, neurological disorders and brain dysfunction and yet education and understanding is lacking. This is considered the first global picnic.
Click on the link below for the details. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
To my last patient…and the last of my patience! Part 3 of 4
To my last patient part 3 of 4 poses a number of problems that cause further psychological harm to inpatient on this rehabilitation unit. The fear they demonstrated throughout this lengthy stay was insurmountable. It’s sad that these patients were more concerned about my well-being following the assault they witnessed than staff themselves. Safety is always a priority. How safe can anyone feel while being hospitalized? Read the rest of this entry »
To my last patient…and the last of my patience! Part 2 of 4
This is part 2 of 4 on the letter I wrote to my last patient after the assault as a Registered Nurse on a Neurology-Head Injury Rehabilitation Unit in Northeast Ohio October 30, 1991. In part 1 of 4 I included the table of contents for this letter. This letter was retyped March, 2008 but otherwise has never had revisions. It gives good insight into what was happening inside the healthcare system, and how I perceived the individual who assaulted myself and other healthcare professionals. Read the rest of this entry »
General and simple tips for handling and taking medications Part 2 of 4
Allergies-Make a list of all your allergies. The list of allergies should include both medication allergies and food allergies. DO NOT take any medications you are allergic to. Usually the most serious allergic reaction occurs when you take the medication for the second time. This can be life threatening. Read the rest of this entry »
To my last patient…and the last of my patience! Part 1 of 4
This letter was written in 1993, a little over a year after my injury. This letter details not only what was happening to me shortly after brain injury, but what was happening inside the healthcare system. The information is accurate and correct as supported by documentation. It has been retyped, but no other revisions exist. Read the rest of this entry »
Were you lead to believe you have a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury mTBI? Maybe or maybe not?
Too often we hear about the term Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and wonder why it is called “mild” because those struggling with it find it’s not “mild” at all. However, those individuals that are plagued by ongoing symptoms and regardless how hard they try seem unable to overcome them. Is this because they really don’t have mTBI and have the other diagnosis that is linked with mTBI and ongoing symptoms that is not publicized? Would it help if you knew it had a different name and work in a different manner to overcome all the issues at hand? Read the rest of this entry »
Need help? Simple tips: Where do I go? When? How can I ask for help?
So many might think asking for help comes naturally. Millions of individuals never need to ask for help, hence they do not know how. Of all these people life goes on without great difficulty because they easily deal well with daily living…until that event occurs that changes their lives forever. Until that time you probably were independent with everything in your life organized and successful. Most likely, you put others first and everyone seemed to look to you for answers. Unfortunately asking for help following a brain injury sometimes seems impossible simply because all the other consequences of this devastating injury. It’s a travesty that with all the recent media attention so many are struggling with life altering changes that fluctuate from day-to-day and year-to-year without rehabilitation or help. Others simply do not understand.
The first key to getting help is to find someone who listens! After getting someone to listen I have included several different ideas to ask for help and receive it for traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other chronic illnesses as well as any life problems to reach your highest level of functioning. Read the rest of this entry »
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