When I woke this morning I heard a faint buzzing or ringing tone. It sounded to me as though Read the rest of this entry »
Loving and living with someone when they have Cerebral Palsy, Seizures, and Brain Dysfunction (Part 3 of Series)
Brain injury, intelligence, rigidity, moving
She is intelligent and has developed many ways to compensate by using the computer. Her physical activity Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips for brain and spinal cord injury, illness, injury, aging, children, adults, everyone … Questions to ask your healthcare professionals
When you come across health issues there are a number of questions you and your advocate need to ask. It’s difficult to know what questions to ask when your world is turned upside down and you are not familiar with healthcare systems. Either the patient or the advocate, or both should ask these questions.
The best outcome to all health issues is dependent on the educated patients and advocates. Asking the following questions will help you take control, eliminate some stress and struggles with healthcare and focus on ones optimal level of functioning. This is a comprehensive but not all inclusive list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … hair spray
I reached for hair spray to spritz a little that maintains some style and eliminates the static hair. Oh, the hair seemed Read the rest of this entry »
Loving and living with someone when they have Cerebral Palsy, Seizures, and Brain Dysfunction (Part 2 of Series)
Healthcare based on education, experience (personal or professional?), perception
A couple examples of how healthcare professionals have responded are quite ignorant. They should be educated, but accusations with children are common and blame parents Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … Did you get your check
Life seems so financially driven. Everything is about profit. What happens if you are concerned about another and want to check on them?
Being concerned about another’s safety and well being it was vital that someone do a welfare check. One made a report to make sure they were safe. They were informed of my concern and they picked up the report.
As they read it they noted that I requested a “welfare check”. Being that this person was a concrete thinker he assumed a “welfare check” meant something far from safety and concern.
English: LOL (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A “check” meant money. His psychologist asked him to explain what they thought a “welfare check” was. His interpretation was a check of “X” number of dollars.
When that person saw their psychologist they stated “they are after my money”. They sent someone to do a “welfare check”. The psychologist informed the person that a “welfare check” was to make sure they were safe and it had nothing to do with “finances or money”.
I can see how “check” could have a double meaning. Sometimes it’s hard for others to believe someone is caring enough to check on safety and well-being. Life really isn’t all about money.
He learned a “welfare check” is a good thing, and others do care. Every time he writes a check he thinks of the “welfare check” that had no monetary value. He wonders if the people who do “welfare checks” also write “checks” to pay his bills? He believes that would also be a form of “welfare check”, as it takes alot of stress off a person! He has a point!
Have you tried to help someone and they totally misinterpreted your good faith?
Related articles
- What laughter can do for you (reflectionswithrhonda.com)
- Laughter perception networks in brain different for mocking, joyful or ticklish laughter (medicalxpress.com)
- Laughter … great article i found (jenniferkswp.wordpress.com)
- Laughter (themotherofnine9.wordpress.com)
- Every physician will admit that laughter is the best medicine for this earth. Laughter yields magical brings about aiding faster cure and in keeping people in good health. There are infinite nutrients that funny jokes is capable of. In an unfamiliar situa (sgblogging.wordpress.com)
- Therapeutic Laughter: Why? What? Who? and How? (laughterlawyerusa.wordpress.com)
- Laugh Yourself Spiritual (mistytolle.wordpress.com)
- Laughter (myeverydaypsychology.com)
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
Loving and living with someone when they have Cerebral Palsy, Seizures, and Brain Dysfunction (Part 1 of Series)
Routine works best with brain injury. Most survivors place things in the same place all the time. Anything out of order, disrupts many aspects of life. Disruption affects everyone in the famil Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips traveling by air with TBI, aging, and other physical and mental challenges
Do not let your physical and mental challenges stop you from traveling when you want or need to. You can get preferential seating by Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … permanent doggie diet
Do you have someone who seems to be feeding your dog table scraps against your wishes? Is your dog hanging around a certain person in the house on a regular basis? Read the rest of this entry »
Tornadoes touchdown in same place as May 3, 1999
We’ve cancelled our plans for the week to gather with sibling in OKC, OK. They survived May 3, 1999 and we believe they are safe. Maybe they are homeless again, but hopefully safe! We will do the Memorial Day Veteran’s parade another year.
Plans can unravel in a split second when catastrophe happens. There are no plans more important than life, health and survival. Our new plan will be the same as it was May 3, 1999 … sending blankets, sheets, and medical supplies. Sometimes things happen on a personal level. This is one of those times! Read the rest of this entry »
Please Help Find Nichole
I’ve received this request for reblog and we need to be pro-active to find our missing children. Click on the link above, be alert regardless of where you live.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
Missing in Cleveland, Ohio Part 2 of 2
Police were at the door of this home. There was “no answer”, but that does not mean suspicion. It’s a right and as much as we know that the police were knocking at the door where these three young women were being held captive they were not there because they knew the women were there.
What If
There will always be those “what if” thoughts. So, what if the police shouted out “Police” we could speculate the women may have started pounding on the walls. On the other hand, they could also believe they were being “tested” and not respond at all.
They were at this house because of an unrelated incident that happened during the employment as a school bus driver. Yes, it was a missed opportunity but it’s unlikely they would have detected anything unusual. If the suspect’s own brothers did not know anything he obviously figured out how to cover every thing up, until he made this one mistake a week ago.
Teen & early adulthood vulnerable
We’ve all been through those teen years and I’m fairly certain that everyone has experienced at least one situation in their years that could have ended very differently if another took advantage of vulnerable days.
This sparked another memory with my childhood best friend. If we were ever missing I’m sure others would have said, “They would never go anywhere with a stranger”!
I’d love for others to take a moment to think back to those vulnerable years and share one experience that could have had a very different outcome if another took advantage of the situation. These young women need to know that they did nothing wrong. The person that did wrong was the criminal!
An ordinary teen another example
Cleveland, Ohio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In my example of one situation it highlights how easily anyone could fall prey to criminal behaviors because of perceived trusting relationships. At the age of 17 and 16 respectively, myself and my childhood best friend put ourselves in an unknowingly vulnerable situation. Was it ignorance? Naive? Trusting? It likely was a combination of naïvety, trust, and ignorance.
We never even thought that anything could happen. It simply never crossed our minds. Now, that isn’t to say things didn’t happen years ago. Many things did, and we both had many areas of violence in our life. Media attention was not what it is today.
We went to see the movie “Love Story” at Parmatown mall. We took a bus home, but it was the wrong bus line. Instead of getting home we were lost in a dark area we did not know. Neither one of us would have been likely to take a ride from a stranger, or from anyone we knew. We did just what no one else would believe.
The bus driver offered to drive us to our home. We took that ride and fortunately we arrived safely! This also points out that many people are trustworthy individuals, and simply trying to help.
Had anything gone array everyone would have said, “They’d never go anywhere voluntarily”, and you never know what you would do unless you are in that situation. One of these teens knew the perpetrator, it was her best friend’s father. I’m pretty certain most of us have taken rides from people related to our best friend. That’s why we call them our “best friend”, we trust them and their relationships…until they no longer are trustworthy or we take different paths in life.
To sum up this sad situation with these lovely young women and a child. I believe in them, and know they will become happy adults and child. They were assessed at the hospital where my nursing career as I once knew it, ended. It’s the best place to be with a complicated situation. Besides, this decade of torture for these young women happened less then one mile of MetroHealth Systems.
Neighbors
The neighbors had no reason to be suspicious. If they were, they would have reported it. Everyone has met strange people, but strange doesn’t equal criminal! The suspects deception was incredible. He deceived many adults, including his own siblings so it’s no wonder he was able to deceive inexperienced teens.
Many people don’t know what is happening within their own home, their own family, so to expect neighbors to know what is happening is outrageous. Neighbors are not to blame. Even the most astute neighbor would not be able to detect this level of deception. The emotional trauma these neighbors are feeling must be insurmountable. Neighbors reacted when they had the opportunity and they rescued the women when they heard the calls for help.
The slogan “If you see something, say something.” This has very literal meaning. If you only suspect something, it’s unlikely police would investigate. They usually never do anything unless something drastic happens. Hence, this is a primary reason for so many deaths from domestic violence.
Police respond … a fragmented system
Police officers respond to things witnessed, but in a large city prioritizing calls may put your concern at the bottom of the list. Even when they do respond it may be minimized. A call here and there of concern may not put the entire picture together.
If different officers respond, it’s less likely anyone will put the pieces of the puzzle together. (Similar to a fragmented health care system issues when one has a complex case and specialists are involved or one seeks another opinion) This is another fragmented system where no one links the problems together until disaster, terrorism, violence becomes insurmountable.
Healing
It is time for this entire community to begin healing. Their healing will help these young women, child, families and friends to recover. Pray for the three young women and child found alive in Cleveland, Ohio. May all their emotional needs be supported.
What type of situation have you been in that no one else would suspect?
If anyone is interested in donations to these young women there is only one legal fund at this time. Cleveland Courage Fund has been set up to help. Click on the link below:
Related articles
- Video of the Day – Give ‘The Key to the City’ to resident Charles Ramsey for rescuing of three young women kidnapped in Cleveland, OH (reachoutjobsearch.com)
- Cleveland Women Held Captive Will Suffer Long-Term Damage: Sources (huffingtonpost.com)
- Heroes, heartbreak and the human spirit in Cleveland, Ohio (dailykos.com)
- Cleveland Kidnapping Victims Endured Decade Of Isolation, Rape, Beatings (huffingtonpost.com)
- URGENT – Ohio Cleveland Abductions (wdsu.com)
- $480,000 raised for kidnapping victims (newsnet5.com)
- Fund Established for Knight, Berry, DeJesus (fox8.com)
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
Laughter as brain injury medicine … you don’t understand
Communication is unpredictable, just as other symptoms of TBI. Some symptoms are invisible and others are incomprehensible! As I met up with someone while working out in the pool I asked “How are you doing today?” her facial expressions of shock Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … reading
How many romance novels can one read? It’s reading that kept mother-in-law’s 96 year old mind and memory remain clear. Who cares what type of reading? She handled finances, checkbook, and all her affairs until the day she died. She learned so much from reading and learning is something that’s important throughout the lifespan.
It was our pride that at 96 years old weekly library trips to checkout books and keep the brain and mind functioning were a priority. She was an avid reader sparked by the sensational sexual romance books. She told us the books have gotten better over time!
When asked if they ever bore her, she said they never do … “it keeps one’s imagination very much alive when the rest of the body is nearly dead!”
Have you laughed today? What made you break out in laughter?
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
Expectations set by appearance
Since TBI and Chronic Illness are invisible, appearances mean more than we think. How we dress, our attitude, and self-esteem make a difference of how people treat you. It seems as though when “appearance” is the only thing you can “control” when everything and in everyway your body worked is unpredictable you resort to doing what you can to feel your best. Read this article on how “appearance can be deceptive” and try to be congruent with feelings.
There are many articles at addandsomuch.com that are helpful to TBI. Take some time to enjoy the articles and leave comments.
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
The comments to this post add content – don’t miss ’em!
Getting PAST the Visual?
by Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, CTP, CMC, ACT, MCC, SCAC
A Walking a Mile in Another’s Shoes PostA recent conversation on a TBI article, Laughter is Brain Injury Medicine – Relieved it’s not me … new what? launches a conversation that deserves an exploration here — thus, the article below.
(Regular readers have probably noted that Edie, a TBIadvocate, frequently comments on the articles I put together to help, primarily, a readership that has attentional struggles and challenges. I comment on her blog as well.)
I hope you will take the time to investigate Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation,the blog sustained by the life experiences and research of former nurse Edie Flickinger.
MUCH of the information that she shares about Traumatic Brain Injury is also relevant to the rest of what…
View original post 1,756 more words
Does your healthcare professional listen to you? Lost and found!
Have you ever found something and you tried to enlist others to help, but no one did? Just the thought that no one can be bothered is heartbreaking. Certainly, if most people were missing Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips … reminders of additional paperwork
There is plenty of paperwork and financial obligations that continue while dealing with devastating injuries and illnesses. Do you and/or spouse or significant other own property? Are you paying life insurance premiums? Have you been paying cash for health care providers before insurance pays?
Expenses for your medical care and other expenses incurred from injury and illness are devastating. At a time when things are already difficult, you and your family are supposed to know all the ins-and-outs of a foreign concept …. Disability alone is difficult! Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine …. Where did that hour go?
Weeks ago we changed the clocks. Clocks were turned ahead by one hour. Atomic clocks automatically reset. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips for brain injury … exercise Part 2 of 2
Exercise, that seems like work! Even if you think you aren’t exercising, it’s likely you are. Are you doing any of the following? Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … cold feet
It’s been a rainy spring 2013! Walking through the puddles reminds one during childhood when we’d run and jump in the fresh puddles on a warm spring day. It’s not been warm but Read the rest of this entry »
It’s okay to feel Sad sometimes!
Nearly everyone with brain injury, depression, PTSD, chronic illness and other situations have experienced sadness regardless of how positive they are daily. This clear and concisely identifies a situation when approached by another’s rude comment with their lack-of-understanding or compassion for another human being. Sadness is a normal feeling, as many feelings are. Don’t stuff feelings, they are a part of life! Read on and enjoy this post.
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.”
~ Carl Jung
Yesterday someone well known in American ‘New Age’ circles told me something that I found quite preposterous. In fact, I found it a little dangerous…
They said that if I was ‘truly enlightened’ and ‘living from my heart’ I would be 100% positive and happy all the time. From that place of 100% positivity I would heal, but if I still had even one ‘negative’ thought, felt one shred of sadness, or doubt, or depression, then I was destined to remain sick, miserable and ‘enmeshed in my pain body’.
Really? I’m sorry, that just doesn’t wash with me. With my thinking I am 100% responsible for my…
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In the aftermath of terrorism … Who gets rehabilitation
In the aftermath of terrorism many questions remain. Many people have lost what was “normal”. They will be searching for a new normal. Most will find that balance with help. Are we ready to help in all the ways they need? Who will get rehabilitation and what type of rehabilitation? Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips for brain injury … exercise Part 1 of 2
Are you struggling to get on track to feeling your best? What is your best? Are you interested in becoming your healthiest and prefer avoiding the gym? Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as Brain Injury Medicine … Silly comments or questions
Have you laughed today? Many times we say things that are innocent but Read the rest of this entry »
Medications that help but what it takes to get them Part 2 of 2
Some problems that are happening inside our healthcare system are due to Read the rest of this entry »
Medications that help but what it takes to get them Part 1 of 2
The roles everyone plays in helping patients get their medications can mean the difference Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … ending another’s phobia quickly
My mother-in-law did not drive and when she moved in with us at 93 she went everywhere I needed to go. That was limited to medical appointments, aquatic therapy and grocery store. Many people have phobias
braininjuryselfrehabilitation 