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 »
Category Archives: TBI
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 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
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?
Everyday
I was touched to read that some people think brain injury can simply be put aside and life goes on. Life does go on, but in whatever direction the brain takes you. Every day is a challenge and it does not help when others do not understand. I don’t want others to learn either, because it can be torture. Brain injury is not easy, it’s not a choice of how you want your day to unfold, it’s the unpredictable paths a damaged brain takes one on and is not under voluntary control. If it were voluntary, we’d all be better! This young woman clearly helps others along her own difficult journey. She’s an inspiration to so many with traumatic brain injury and also has an on-line support group. Is this something you endure daily or even understand?
Simple tips to help with sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbances with mild, moderate and severe brain injuries are one of the most disturbing symptoms following brain injury and are three times greater than the general population. Are sleep problems taken seriously? Inability to sleep is a severe Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips … Where have all your friends gone Part 3 of 3
Everyone should have a Living Healthcare Will highlighting who is significant and who is not. Does your friend know where you keep it? Make sure Read the rest of this entry »
Lost & Found: What Brain Injury Survivors Want You to Know
I found this information at Broken Brilliant and copied it here so all my readers can print it off and help educate those around you. This is excellent advice for friends and family from a TBI survivor and support group leader. You can also click on the link below to find the original article. 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 tips … Where have all your friends gone Part 1 of 3
You are finally getting your life back in order. You are alert and oriented, don’t feel like much and yet so much has changed. The world Read the rest of this entry »
In Memory of Kate Kelly a pioneer in ADD/ADHD…brain injury
Kate Kelly, a pioneer in ADD/ADHD brain dysfunction passed away. She devoted her life, determined and committed educating with on-line videos, programs and co-authoring a best seller You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy? Read the rest of this entry »
You are not alone…Part 1 of 4
Even after 21 years, I still find plans difficult to make and goals difficult to reach, but it is possible. Daily life remains unpredictable. There are ongoing daily detours, but I challenge myself to find another path. Often this path is not one I would choose, but Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to easiest and most comfortable clothing Part 2 of 2
Many times when you or someone you know feels under the weather and dealing with health issues all you want to do is be comfortable. How can one feel most comfortable when their world is turned upside down? The type of clothing you wear 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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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