I was recently helping someone get a copy of birth certificate. The only way to order the certificate in advance was to pay by credit card. I put Read the rest of this entry »
Category Archives: Support
Laughter as brain injury medicine … Eyes
Time to laugh at our daily frustrations. Laughter helps heal the body and soul. Have you looked throughout your surroundings and couldn’t find what you just had? How Read the rest of this entry »
Slightly dysfunctional circumstances surrounding TBI
How dysfunctional is one’s family? Dysfunctional is a common term in healthcare and the general population. There is NO perfect family. Every family is dysfunctional. It’s just the degree of dysfunction that occurs. Slightly dysfunctional, or slightly in denial? Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as medicine … how loud is too loud
Have you ever sat in the same room with another and they appear to be watching the television? Have you asked questions and they reply “Huh?” Have you noticed Read the rest of this entry »
The hardest work ever
Just a brief over view what happened during the years of recovery. I struggled daily with only energy for 3 to 4 hours every day. All my life before this injury I use to sleep not more than 3 or 4 hours a night. I did not have time to sleep. I was simply too busy. I worked, and I worked hard! Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips understanding brain injury: food for thought
Recovery from brain injury prognosis is better when younger. Prognosis is always best with proper rehabilitation. Is ongoing rehabilitation Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as medicine … where is it
Sometimes life seems so serious and even the most obvious things are hard to provoke a good hearty laugh. Laughing makes you feel better! It takes fewer Read the rest of this entry »
Mother-in-law moves in
Nearly everyone has a mother-in-law story. I encourage everyone to remain independent and in their own homes. This doesn’t mean they can’t participate in outside functions, attend family activities or have special outings with friends. A little help is all others need.
Does aging have to be depressing? Read the rest of this entry »
Is sleep a problem
Sleep is a common problem. Most people dealing with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, ADD-ADHD, chronic medical conditions and injuries and more, have difficulty with sleep. I recommend clicking on the highlighted red link to Sleep Struggles and Disorders for a comprehensive and quick list and easy to navigate.
This site has an extensive list of all types of sleep problems. Additions and deletions of articles will be maintained. Go to the bottom of the page and click and read the links you are interested.
English: Diagram illustrating the influence of dark-light rythms on circadian rythms and related physiology and behavior. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These Links about Sleep, Sleep Struggles & Disorders, ADD, Spectrum & Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Apnea, Insomnia, Narcolepsy, Rarer Sleep Disorders, Other elements impacting sleep, Light, vision, and sleep … and more.
Please leave comments as you explore these links. What is helpful and what is not? How do these sleep disorders apply to your life and situation?
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 … 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
How it all began 40 years ago … a journey back in time Part 4 of 4
It was now Labor Day Weekend and we went on a picnic to Schronbraun in southern Ohio. Picnic in the park was a great summer outing, and long walks. When the weather 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 »
How it all began 40 years ago … a journey back in time Part 2 of 4
A little over a year passed. I didn’t want to attend my high school senior prom. It just wasn’t my thing. My mother wanted me to attend. I told her I would go with another person Read the rest of this entry »
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 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 »
Could This Be The Reason Traumatic Brain Injury Is Misdiagnosed and Untreated?
What is the real reason traumatic brain injury is misdiagnosed, untreated or under treated? Do we have enough rehabilitation centers in America to accommodate 1.7 million people every year? Is this a national problem or local issue? I cannot believe they missed the most obvious of all … brain injury. I was the patient with all the issues…but the healthcare professionals still expect you have it all together to let them know what’s going on. What one does know is most head injuries, strokes, and many diseases of the brain are not classic in any way. The emergency room personnel look for only the classic obvious symptoms: one sided weakness, dropping of the facial muscles, slurred speech, and others. These are not necessarily symptoms that appear with the 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries every year. Read the rest of this entry »
Are You Really A Different Person After Brain Injury?
How often do you heard you are not the same person? In many ways you have changed but the struggle you deal with is partly owing to all the characteristics who made you what you are today. You are still the same person, in the literal sense. And so much of you can not change. You just function differently physically, emotionally and in life itself. It’s this struggle within that is so difficult. I tried to put into encouraging words the easiest way to understand why you are NOT a different person and why you struggle with this every day. Read the rest of this entry »
The Daily, Most-Controlled, and Least Expensive Therapy following Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and Chronic Illnesses
Are you searching out affordable, consistent, reliable family therapy to restore life after traumatic brain injury or chronic illness? Do you feel as though no one is listening? No one cares or understands? Where is that unconditional love?
What is the best therapy that works, stands by you through thick and thin, and does not pass judgment? When you and the family feel things have stabilized after your injury or illness it may be time to consider something you have not considered before injury. Read the rest of this entry »
What do I need? Or where do I go? To relearn my computer or purchase a new computer after brain injury?
My computer is not working like it did before brain injury. I need a computer to help me compensate for my memory and other things. What should I do and where can I go? Read the rest of this entry »
Leaving the Twilight Zone … So I thought! after a closed head injury
If you look okay you are expected to be working!
It was time to get back to work following a closed head injury. I thought everything was going well and my simple concussion was resolved. Oh, if I only knew what was yet to come. So by Monday November 4, 1991 and 5 days later I was ready to return to work. After all a few days have passed since I was hit in the head and certainly there should not be any reason to keep me from working. Read the rest of this entry »
10 Tips in Placing Telephone Calls with Brain Injury
10 tips and highlights to handle telephone calls without distraction and keep focused for those with brain injuries, brain dysfunction, and other chronic illnesses.
So many types of telephones.
Everyone is familiar with the telephone for communication at work, at home or more commonly everywhere one goes with their cell phone. Read the rest of this entry »
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