Keeping organized is essential to good mental and physical health. Organization conserves Read the rest of this entry »
Category Archives: Rehabilitation
Service dogs and veterans
Short video on service dogs and veterans. Dogs are known to be therapeutic with those suffering physical or mental illness. They also add to pleasurable days for everyone. Having a pet is a healthy choice! All dogs regardless of breed or schooling … are service dogs in their own right!
Service dogs identify a need by the handler, and both need to be respected by the public. People should be cautiously aware the handler is challenged and needs assistance.
Short video on service dogs and veterans
US Navy 101118-F-5586B-144 Marine Sgt. Brian Jarrell pets his dog (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Laughter as brain injury medicine … he seemed so much bigger
We all have special memories of moments. Some are measurable memories and others are not! Precious memories entwined Read the rest of this entry »
Do not get that towel wet
A friend and I went to the local recreation center to try some water exercise. This was her first time following 7 brain surgeries. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips understanding how disorganization can be disruptive: comparing ADD and brain injury
Keeping organized is essential to recovery from brain injury. Clutter overwhelms the brain and may cause Read the rest of this entry »
Both sides to this scenario: physician and receptionist versus patient
Do the physicians really know what’s happening at the front desk? Is it the patient that has the problem? Is it the receptionist’s problem? Usually Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … another day another year
I tried on and off all day to post a simple laughter note. All I wanted to say Read the rest of this entry »
Long-term problems of head-injury
Here is a glimpse into the reality of brain injury. Another TBI patient has shared this clear and concise writing about brain injury. It was stated that the information was written by a physician, but I do not have the author’s name. You will find by reading this that it’s a “snapshot into your troubled reality following brain injury”. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to taking back control and saving relationships after injury Part 2 of 2
It’s never too late to change. If you have a new or old injury make sure you are doing what you can for yourself. You need to focus on the things you can do. Evaluate the things you might be able to do, and try to do these things. Repetition brings success. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … socks hanging on door
Have you laughed today? Oh, how I love helping others and being their advocate … but sometimes Read the rest of this entry »
2007 Christmas family gathering where most people wouldn’t expect
It’s the holiday season and reminders of years past. It’s bad enough that my subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred December 22, 1991 … a date I will never forget and left my life and my immediate family’s altered forever! What comes to mind now is Christmas time 2007! Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to taking back control and saving relationships after injury Part 1 of 2
If you are depending on others to help get you through the early phases after brain injury, illness or other health issues remember to keep these dependencies temporary. Take back control and do all the things you can do for yourself providing you stay safe. Put fear behind you. Don’t let fear control you. Don’t depend, join in and attend life! Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter is the best brain injury medicine … just one childhood moment with friend
With all the sadness in the world, it’s time to laugh again! Have you ever done something as a child you never told your parents about? What was the motivation for doing it? Children are innocent and they have memories their parents Read the rest of this entry »
If I could have, I would have … The Caring Children Program
In 1990 and 1991 two nurses from Cleveland, Ohio health systems founded programs that taught children several levels of health in the elementary school setting. The “Caring Children Program” was taught in the classroom and other community settings as a team effort with nurses and children. Teaching focused on preventive health, education and understanding through hands-on skills and active participation. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … recipe and kitchen disasters
Everyone has experienced some silly things that happen in kitchens. Either we add the wrong ingredients, don’t follow directions, forget something, or simply don’t know what happened! Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … Is there a difference between guardrails and handrails
I was talking with another person recovering from brain injury when she was describing how her shower and home was adapted to meet special needs. She was paralyzed on the right side and could not speak. She knew exactly what Read the rest of this entry »
How it all began 40 years ago … a journey back in time Part 3 of 4
Al got the approval of both my father and mother to marry me. We were engaged April 2, 1972. There was significant turmoil in family Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips understanding injuries are very different … Part 2 of 2
Following the minor accident she sustained many symptoms. Some of the problems she recalls are: memory problems, an inability to focus, poor judgement, poor financial decisions, unable to balance a checkbook, unable to compensate, unable to sleep, increase in pain, extreme fatigue, irritability, unable to be independent because of level of fatigue, required assistance to accomplish activities of daily living, profound confusion, and finally an inability to work at career that was her passion.
Most importantly, she was unable to care for herself and struggled to parent her daughters. She did not qualify for rehabilitation. Now she wonders why her brain didn’t qualify for rehabilitation, but her amputation was covered daily for several months! Was her leg considered more valuable than
Simple tips understanding injuries are very different … Part 1 of 2
How many have been compared to someone who have a visible injury? “Look how much someone can accomplish after they have lost limbs or have some other visible physical injuries.” Is the frustration with brain injury Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips helping others
At times life seems complicated and everything one does just does not make sense. You get up and look in the mirror. You consider yourself fortunate that you’ve survived … sometimes! Because of the superficial society no one understands what life is truly like. You look good, must be nothing wrong! That couldn’t be any further from the truth!
Appearance is the one thing that most those who traumatic brain injury, aging, chronic illness, and mental illness can control. They take pride in their appearance when out in public. Often it is the only thing under one’s control.
How many have been told to look how much someone can accomplish after they have lost limbs or have some other physical injuries? Is the frustration with brain injury justifiable? Is losing a limb comparable to brain injury? Next two “Simple Tip Posts” is a situation from someone who experienced both. Read the rest of this entry »
NHBPM – Doing My Own Prompt Today – Chronic Illness Links
NHBPM – Doing My Own Prompt Today – Chronic Illness Links.
This is an impressive site with well written articles and several links pertaining to chronic illness. Take some time to review the related links on this post. I personally reviewed all the links thoroughly except one, which was not of interest to me but may be to others. These are all educational links and contain well-written materials. Tell me what you think?
Simple tips on decision making when life is so indecisive after brain injury
If you are over 18 there are no safeguards to help with your decision making. If you make the wrong decision you Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … The turkey did it
Laughter makes healing easier. Everyday is an adventure in this home. Which Thanksgiving would you prefer for dinner? This Thanksgiving was likely the first following my injury, November 1992. Dinner was in the oven and smoke filled the house. Read the rest of this entry »
Should one stop and help or keep on going
I passed many accidents over the years as most of us do, Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips … Where have all your friends gone Part 2 of 3
There is so much no one knows about brain injury, but the basics are explained to the family. They always give the worst case scenario! Families are told Read the rest of this entry »
Simple and basic tips for toileting, bathroom use, and restrooms after traumatic brain injury and illness
Have you ever been with someone who simply continues going to the bathroom? Or may never get to the bathroom in time? These are basic functions that nearly everyone takes for granted from a young age, usually around the age of 2. Routine bodily functions are often lost and need to be relearned following a traumatic brain injury and many other illnesses and injuries. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple and basic tips to bathing, showering and washing up
What is important to personal hygiene? It sounds like such an easy question, but when you are dealing with traumatic brain injury and several other issues that deal with thinking problems this is a complex task. Many times this is difficult to figure out, especially in the first year or more following traumatic brain injury. It is something so many people take for granted everyday, until you no longer have that ability to perform the most basic of all functions. Read the rest of this entry »
Loneliness is the Most Terrible Poverty
Loneliness is the Most Terrible Poverty.
This is a well written article that nearly all TBI, brain dysfunctions, chronic illnesses, and an array of health issues deal with. Most readers will certainly understand this this loneliness. This will also offer insight into FM (fibromyalgia), another frequently misdiagnosed, and misunderstood disease. Take the time to read this and leave your comments.
Laughter as brain injury medicine – Self check-out lanes anyone? Unpredictable days?
This is something many individuals go through with chronic medical issues. You ask the question should I leave the house or should I stay home. One is always believing it will be a good day, so you go about the plans for your day. It turns out this is more of a typical day in the life of all the above mentioned individuals. Please laugh along. You may be able to identify these situations with either yourself or a loved one. I welcome any of your personal “laughter moments”! 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 2 of 2
If you’ve been off work for some time and believe you are ready to return how do you handle this? This will take time to figure out: are you ready; how to manage; making a blueprint of the new you; interviewing; and ultimately successful reaching your goals! Read the rest of this entry »
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