I met with a group of friends tonight. During the time together, I felt led to share some of my perspective and struggles as a traumatic brain injury survivor with a friend of mine. A friend of mine who was also impacted by a brain injury.
My Friend’s Girlfriend
My motivation was to provide encouragement and insight from my experience, strength and hope as a traumatic, brain injury survivor. You see, her boyfriend went through a series of treatments several years ago to treat a malignant melanoma. The interferon saved his life, but in the process caused some brain damage.
The damage to his brain has limited his ability to function at the level prior to the cancer treatments.
Once My External Wounds Healed I Looked Normal. You May Also Look Normal once Your External Wounds Healed.
As I have shared in my post, My Journey thus Far (please read for further details) my brain injury occurred in 1967 when I was 10 years old. I was in a coma for 3 weeks and in traction to set my left femur, which was also fractured at the time of the accident. After being placed in a Spica or full body cast (for my left femur after completing traction) I was transferred to another hospital where I underwent brain and skull surgery. Several months after the surgery I went through a battery of cognitive, psychological, and social tests. I also had 2 EEG’s done—the first was done with metal spikes. Thank God technology improved by the time I had the second EEG, which was done with electrodes pasted onto my head and not metal spikes pressed into my skull.
My Denial
The results from these tests were shared with my parents, however they decided to keep the findings from me. I did not find out about those results until after I finished graduate school. My Mom revealed that the test results, done some 30 + years before, showed that due to the extent of my brain injury I was not expected to advance beyond my high school education. Another piece of the puzzle became apparent approximately 3 years after I completed my graduate degree.
While working as a master’s level rehabilitation counselor in a state department of vocational rehabilitation, I began having difficulties performing job duties as well as interacting with other staff.
This experience was not unlike many of my professional and non professional jobs that I had through out my 20 + years in the work force.
After working on the job for several months as a master’s level rehab counselor, I started having difficulties completing some of the job duties, as well as interacting with other staff members. In my frustration, I decide to disclose to my supervisor that I sustained a traumatic brain injury when I was 10 years old. She in turn told her boss, who in turn told the district director, who in turn had a meeting with me. She determined that it was in my best interest to become a client of the department of vocational rehabilitation. I continued to be on probation as a voc rehab counselor, while being a client of the department of vocational rehabilitation. Several months later I was terminated as a counselor, but continued as a client or consumer of services. As you might imagine, this period of time in my life provided confusion and depression.
My 3rd EEG
After being given my own rehabilitation counselor, I was scheduled to undergo another EEG. My counselor also arranged for me to undergo a neuro psyche evaluation. The results from the EEG confirmed that I had some brain damage. I then met with the neuro psychologist to complete the neuro psychological evaluation. Several weeks after I completed the evaluation, I received a detailed report of his findings. The long and the short of the findings showed that I was functioning at a level above my abilities. The second revelation that the neuro psychologist shared in his report raised a key question. He stated that I had somehow had been able to obtain both my undergraduate and graduate degrees despite my cognitive and psycho social deficits. The Dr. went on to say in his report that he attributed my success to sheer persistence and motivation.
Key Question
When I said his report raised a key question, I was not making an understatement. How could I be able to obtain my undergraduate, graduate degree, as well as my national credentials as a certified rehabilitation counselor, but not be able to function at an undergraduate or master’s level in the work force. The conclusions drawn by the neuro psychologist seemed to be in direct contradiction with what I had been able to accomplish. His findings did not make any sense to me. I was both frustrated and bewildered after reading his report.
Results of the Neuropsycholocial Evaluation Shared with my Family
When I shared the results of the tests with my family they all thought the neuro psychologist did not know what he was talking about concerning my level of functioning. For the next 3 to 4 years I continued to work under the assumption that the neuro psychologist findings were rubbish. My parents and brother continued to concur with the assumption that the reason I was having difficulty maintaining employment was because I did not try hard enough. Nevertheless, I continued to get and lose jobs.
Even after I had been declared disabled, part of me continued to believe that my parents and my brother were right and the test results were bogus. What made matters worse for me was that I berated myself for my inability to maintain employment. My Dad also mercilessly criticized my inability to get along with people. His denial crushed my ability to love and accept who I was in the face of what I could not understand. My Dad wanted to believe that if he pushed me hard enough that I would straighten up.
Information Shared with My Friend’s Girlfriend
I share the above information with you, as I shared with my friend’s girlfriend to illustrate a point. Traumatic brain injury in many instances is an invisible disability. Although the individual may appear to be functioning well on some levels, they may still have a brain injury which grossly interferes with their ability to function on other levels.
My interest in sharing my story is to illustrate how a person with a traumatic brain injury can be misunderstood and minimized. What I needed most from people was understanding. I needed support and understanding because I had experienced a significant brain injury. But this understanding did not come for many years. I shared this information with my friend tonight in an attempt to help her understand that her boyfriend’s acquired brain injury should not be denied. I told her that denying the reality of his brain damage would not change that reality.
Denial would only perpetuate his feeling of inadequacy and anguish. I also encouraged her to support her boyfriend and to not place demands on him. I encouraged her to accept his reality and to love the person. As we spoke, I emphasized that he was not his brain injury.
You are Not your brain injury. Please read my article by clicking on this link: Traumatic Brain Injury — Following your bliss…regardless. Thank you.
For My Brothers and Sisters Living with Brain Injuries
For many years, I bought into different denial systems. I believed that I should be able to function as a person with out a brain injury. My denial was encouraged by those who could not or would not accept that I was indeed disabled because of a traumatic brain injury. Consequently, I continued to berate myself until I began questioning my own denial system. When I stopped trying to measure up to or be someone with out a brain injury, I was able to accept myself as a person with a traumatic brain injury.
For those individuals who love people living with brain injuries
In the event that you have someone in your life who has experienced an acquired or traumatic brain injury, please understand we are not faking it. We are not fudging or making excuses. You may have a hard time accepting our reality, but that does not change reality. We are not like people who have not experienced a brain injury. What we need most from you is support and understanding. Don’t make us live in your denial system. Please understand that we are doing the best that we can, just for today.
For my Brother and Sisters living with Brain Injuries
For my brothers and sisters who are traumatic brain injury survivors, do not give up on your selves. Keep the faith and keep trucking. Your brain injury makes you unique and magical. Revel in your position. You are beautiful just as you are. Follow your dreams. Dream big and do the footwork. Live each day with zest and vigor. I guarantee that more will be revealed in time, one day at a time. Most of all please remember that you are undoubtedly a very valuable and special person. You are not your acquired brain injury. You are a bright and shinning star and you are a gift to your world.
Accepting Who We Are as Individuals Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury
So where do I go from here as an individual living with a brain injury?
Please read this article, by clicking on this link: When will I find my Destiny?
For a full list of resources that have empowered me in my ongoing brain injury recovery process, click on this link:
Self-Advocacy Resources for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery Empowering the Individual, not the brain injury
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. More Information: Copyright 2007 -2022.
Megan Federal says
I spent 2 months in a coma, when I was 16y/o, and, like you, I did much more than my brain was able to do (according to the tests, etc. in the hospital). And, I still graduated from a difficult, private high school along with receiving a BS degree in Recreation Management (focused on Gerontology). What is the difference between an acquired brain injury and a traumatic brain injury? And, I am no longer considered disabled by the SSI, because I’ve held a full time job (with a TBI!)for over one year. Since my brain is still injured, shouldn’t I be getting paid from SSI?
secondchancetolive says
Hi Megan,
Thank you for taking the time to write me. Congratulation on overcoming many insurmountable odds and graduating from that prestigious private high school and then by obtaining your BS. I am very proud of you! You are a more than a winner, Megan. You have asked some very good questions. I will answer them to the best of my ability Megan.
From what I understand, an acquired brain injury is the same as a traumatic brain injury. I am not sure what the distinctions are beyond that both are obtained after a person is born.
Per your questions on the SSI, I think it is important to make a distinction. SSI is different than SSDI. I am not sure concerning SSI and their rules and regulations. I know that when a person applies for SSDI and they are making X amount of dollars, Social Security Administration will consider them gainfully employed. When Social Security considers a person as gainfully employed, red flags go up and they begin to whether the person is disabled. Because you have been working full time, you would be consider gainfully employed and therefore be ineligible for SSDI benefits. You may want to ask around and find a good Social Security Disability Attorney is in your area and consult with him / her. They will know the Social Security Law and therefore be able to assist and answer your practical questions. As I mentioned earlier, I am not familiar with how SSI works or their specific criteria.
Brain injury, as in my case and it sounds like in yours, is an invisible disability. Many people do not seem to be able to connect the dots when they interact with people like you and me they expect more of us than is feasible. That is a double edged sword for people who have an invisible disability. We look physically capable, but our brains are damaged.
Social Security Administration seems to be driven by income levels and their definition of gainful employment. Your best strategy would be to contact an attorney that is client centered. The sooner you get the process started with an attorney who could represent your interests, the better. A lawyer could also help to motivate the process along for you. I am encouraging a friend of mine to pursue that same strategy. Actually, I spoke with him ealier today. The squeaky wheel gets the grease too. You are worth the effort Megan.
I hope my answers have helped you Megan. If I can shed some more light on these subjects, please let me know.
Have a pleasant day my friend.
Craig
Mackenzie T. says
I came across your amazing story after doing a google search about becoming a counselor for traumatic brain injury survivors and their families. More people experience TBI than known, not to mention the number of veterans of the Iraq war that are coming home with TBI and mental health issues caused by the things they have experienced in the war. I have a BS in social work and have been contemplating graduate school. I have developed a passionate interest in TBI and it’s psychosocial impact on survivors and their families since completing an internship at a medical center where they had TBI patients that they were not equipped to care for, medically or otherwise. As a social worker, I am also interested in being an advocate, too. Yet, I am not sure what avenue is best a master’s in social work, community counseling, rehabiliation counseling, or psychology.
Any advice you could offer would be appreciated. Best wishes to you now and always.
Mackenzie T.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Mackenzie,
Thank you so very much for your time and kindness in leaving a comment. God bless you. As to your interest in working in the field with TBI survivors and their families, your presence will most definitely be appreciated. I am not sure which master’s program I would recommend, however I would strongly recommend that you do informational interviews with people who are actually doing what you want to do after graduate school. Conducting those interview with people working in the field could save you alot of time an money. I had the misconception after completing graduate school that merely having a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and obtaining my national credentials as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor would open a myriad of doors employment wise. I found that my master’s limited me to work in the field of either private or public rehabilitation working with people with various types of disabilities with the aim of helping them return to work or find suitable employment. My credentials only worked in states that were rehab friendly (ie my specialty and credentials sought after), but when I moved to a different state, I found that my degree and credentials would not allow me to work in settings other than those that used rehabilitation counselors. I found that in order to work in the state I moved into I would have to go back to graduate school and then sit under another professional for 2-3 more years before I could work on my own. Please make sure you check into various state requirements / expectations to do the type of work you have in mind with TBI survivors and their families before you start a graduate program that will be of little use to accomplish the goals you have after graduate school Mackenzie. Please let me know what you discover through your informational interviews with people working in the positions you believe you would like to serve. I hope this information proves to be helpful for you as you seek to be of maximum service to God and those individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
Godspeed to you Mackenzie.
Craig
Rachel says
Just wanted to thank you for your thoughts and info. My father, who has parkinson’s disease, suffered a “moderate to severe” traumatic brain injury several weeks ago. He has been responsive from the beginning, which we are grateful for, but we don’t know yet the extent of the brain injury. He was beginning to communicate after they took him off the respirator and then he developed pneumonia. After taking him on and off the respirator a few times, they have now given him a trache and a peg feeding tube. He motions a lot and his definitely trying to tell us something, but we don’t always know what. He’s also often agitated and pulling out tubes and wires. It’s so scary to see him like this and we are just praying that he will be able to recover. Any words of encouragement?
Tracie D says
I was glad to read your story. I too suffered a severe head injury 7 years ago. I thought the first year that I would just “shake it off” and get over it. I have struggled ever since with relationships, education, rehab and any type of employment. I am virtually alone because my family refuses to get educated on my condition. My nine year relationship dissolved because they wanted to be with the old person I was before I was hurt. Employers see disability as a liability and treat you like you have the plague or something. I was so glad to see that someone sees this injury like I do and has the guts to come right out and talk about it like you do. I too am tired of living in everyone elses denial and unrealistic expectations for my life so they can be comfortable. I work hard at hiding my injury and try to appear normal just to avoid the inevidable pain of rejection if they find out. It gets exhausting. I grapple with the idea that I should just be the TBI I am and hang with other TBI’s, but to be honest I don’t want to just settle for that life. And yet, trying to function in the able bodied world has been down right frustrating and I wonder every day where I should belong. I’d like to see the able bodied community taking responsibility for how they treat TBI’s and not always heaping the responsibility on us when we can’t always help what happened to us. I know I certainly didn’t ask for this injury and I’m not real thrilled that the hopes and dreams that I had for myself have been destroyed because I can’t get my brain to cooperate with my desire to live the life I looked forward to as a young adult.
If anyone has any thoughts, please write me at (email removed to protect the commenter)
I am pushing forward but I want people to know the reality of brain injury and not the sugar coated stories that hide the difficult day to day reality that we have to face every day…Tracie
secondchancetolive says
Hi Tracie,
Wow. Thank you for your courage in sharing so honestly below. You are a champion! Please read my post, The Power of Idenification. I have had similiar experiences throughout my lifetime and even still remained in denial until after I had been on SSDI for several years, which was about 4-5 years ago. I turned 50 last May and my brother who is 5 years younger than I and choses to believe that I throw the disability card when I am unable to do something he thinks I should be able to do. My Dad, who passed away last January 10 at the age of 93, chided me for many years because of his unwillingness to accept that I have an invisible disablity. I have a good relationship with my Mom. She supports and encourages what I do and applaudes what I am doing through the use of my gift of writing to encourage, motivate and empower people around the world. She is very proud of me and her validation encourages me in my process. My brother does not want to talk about my blog or hear about what I am doing on my blog because of his mindset concerning what I shared above.
I have found that ultimately I am an enigma on many fronts Tracie. I have come to accept my reality –slowly and not always–that I am a traumatic brain injury survivor. I live with an invisible disability and because I have been able to overcome beyond all reasonable expectations many people just do not “get it”. I have come to realize that my destiny is not dependent on whether anyone “get’s it” or not. I am walking in the direction of my dreams and trusting the process.
I have also struggled with the whole issue of societal stigma myself and for a long time did not want to be associated with the brain injury community because of my own denial and ignorance. As I have learned to accept myself — my reality as a traumatic brain injury survivor — I am proud the be apart of the TBI community at large. We are not our disabilites, our limitations or deficits. Please read my post, Following your bliss…regardless. I have come to realize what I have encountered and experienced throughout my lifetime, has empowered my ability to embrace both myself and other individuals within the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury community. I have learned to grow where I am planted.
For many years I believed that, like you I should have been able to do more and be more regardless of being a traumatic brain injury survivor. I can identify with your struggle and frustration my friend. Through out Second Chance to Live, I share my experience, strength and hope on many levels. I have written a 4 part series on, My Struggle Living with and Invisible Disability and then a 2 part series, Having an Invisible Disability–The Consequence of Denial. Please spend time going through my Site Map, which is located on Second Chance to Live and read through my posts Tracie. Although not all of the titles of my posts have Traumatic Brain Injury or Disability in the title, I share principles through the now 199 entries in my site map. Each of the titles are links to the post in Second Chance to Live.Please spend time reading my posts because you will learn things about yourself that may still be hidden to your eyes. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Please read my post, Traumatic Brain Injury and the Elephant. More is yet to be revealed my friend. I believe in you Tracie. Don’t give up on yourself. You are not alone!
More will be revealed my friend. Please stay in touch with me. Thank you.
Craig
Lauren Clark says
Hello, my name is Lauren, I am an occupational therapist student and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your personal stories with the world. These tales have taught me volumes about TBI and the human element behind them. Textbooks describe the physical changes, the complications, the medical treatments, but they can not teach us ‘understanding’ the way that a personal account can.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Lauren,
Thank you so very much for your time and kindness. You are a blessing to me. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer those for you. Please feel free to share Second Chance to Live with your fellow students and your teachers. If they have any questions please encourage them to leave a comment.
I will say so long for now. Thank you again for your comment Lauren.
God bless you!
Craig
Kelly says
Hi. I just found this site and have to admit, at first glance, it’s very overwhelming. Lots of information.I suffered severe head injury 18 years ago and was (and in some cases, still am) in denial. My mother told me while still in rehab center as inpatient, I went to my neuropsychologist and informed him I wanted nothing to do with this head injury stuff. She said I told him I was nothing like the other people on my floor and I didn’t need help. I’m afraid that was the defining moment for the next several years. Anytime I had trouble doing something, a normal everyday task, I would internatlize it as my being dumb and helpless. Luckily, through my own intelligence and persistence, I have come to realize I’m not dumb and even today, I use many of the techiques I learned in therapy! There are a lot of lost years but I truly feel I’m back!!!!
Thanks.
Kelly
secondchancetolive says
Hi Kelly,
Thank you so very much for taking the time and energy to write your comment. I understand how you might feel overwhelmed my friend. That is OK. Take baby steps and let that be OK too. I have experienced similiar stuggles during my life time and have been overwhelmed too. I want to point you to several of my published articles that you may find to be helpful Kelly. Please take a look at each of these posts and let me know what you think and if you are able to resonate with my experience.
I have lived with an invisible disability for nearly 41 years and I speak from my experience, strength and hope through out Second Chance to Live Kelly. In my experience, I had to learn how to accept my reality of traumatic brain injury. I had to break free from a denial system that wanted me to own my deficits and limitation as character defects that I could get over if I just tried hard enough. I have learned through experience that I need to guard against being pulled back into that denial system lest I begin to internalize my deficits and limitations and in the process condemn myself for matters that are out of my control.
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/02/18/my-journey-thus-far/ 3 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/ 4 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%e2%80%94part-1/ 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/05/24/don%e2%80%99t-talk-don%e2%80%99t-trust-and-don%e2%80%99t-feel/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/18/the-power-of-identification/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/30/passion/
Please stay in touch with me and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will do my best to answer those questions Kelly.
Have a pleasant rest of your day.
Craig
Anonymous says
Hi Craig,
I just came across your site the other day. Love it!
I’m amazed at how little help there is for parents of TBI survivors. 3 years ago my 18 yr. old son was in a car accident and sustained many injuries, one of them a TBI. He has come a very long way since then but I don’t know how to deal with his total denial of having a TBI. He admits that he HAD one but now everything’s fine when it’s not by any means FINE. Any suggestions on how to deal with this. Thanks
secondchancetolive says
Hi Anonymous,
I am glad that you stopped by to visit with me. You are always welcome my friend. I have heard it said that denial can be like a warm blanket that protects the individual from having to deal with reality. I lived in both my own and my families denial system — for me — for many years. In my experience I had to become sick and tired or being sick and tired before I was willing to move through the stages of grief. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, in her book on Death and Dying she outlines the five stages that people go through when they are grieving. You may be familiar with the five stages, but I will share them with you. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Grieving is not limited to when we lose a loved one or a pet, but involves all loss’s — I in my opinion my friend.
Your son may not want to deal with his reality because to do so may be too painful for him — thus he continues to deny that he is a traumatic brain injury survivor — at this time. I would encourage you to have your son read — if he is willing — several of my posts. I will include links to those posts below. I have lived with an invisible disability for 41 years.
As your son reads material from Second Chance to Live he may find the courage to begin to accept his reality. I believe a disability — via an acquired or traumatic brain injury — is merely a switch on the railroad of life that directs us down another track which in turn directs us to out destinies. I address that reality in my post, Following your bliss…regardless which is listed below in the link that has passion as the title my friend.
I hope the above has been helpful. In the event that your son would like to email me, I will do my best to help him, by sharing my experience, strength and hope as a traumatic brain injury survivor. If he is currently not willing don’t force him to read my material. When he gets tired of denying his reality, because of his circumstances he may then be more interested in material from Second Chance to Live my friend.
You may like to read through my site map https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/ to gain further insights into what your son may be experiencing. Not all of the titles have traumatic brain injury or living with a disability in the title however the information that I present through my post are designed to encourage, motivate and empower the reader to live life on life’s terms because I believe our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up.
I will say so long for now. Have a wonderful Thursday and God bless you.
Craig
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/02/18/my-journey-thus-far/ 3 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/ 4 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%e2%80%94part-1/ 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/05/24/don%e2%80%99t-talk-don%e2%80%99t-trust-and-don%e2%80%99t-feel/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/18/the-power-of-identification/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/30/passion/
roni says
Craig,
Thanks so much for you site. My son recently suffered a tbi when he was on a climbing rope at school that came loose from the ceiling. I’ve been struggling with the whole deal. My therapy has been to start my own blog. I’ve been frustrated with the medical system and trying to find the next step. Taking it one day at a time has been difficult.
If it’s ok, I’m adding your site to my blog list so that others might find it as well.
Thanks again
Roni
secondchancetolive says
Hi Roni,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave a comment. I am sorry about what happened to your son. Please do keep me posted as to your process. I can understand how you would be frustrated with the process. My encouragement to you as I need to encourage myself — stay in today and take the process one day at a time.
My experience has taught me that worrying is not in my or anyone’s best interest. I have learned and continue to learn that I can trust the process, and most of all a loving God to help me through the process. I believe — as with my experience — God will use your son’s experience to be a blessing to others through out his life time.
I have had to come to terms with my own reality. I have written several posts on that matter that you may find to be helpful. Thank you for including Second Chance to Live in your blog list. I am honored by your kindness Roni.
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/ 4 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%e2%80%94part-1/ 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
Please do stay in touch with me. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Please do say hello to your son for me. Thank you Roni.
I will say so long for now. Have a pleasant evening.
Craig
Amy Zierenberg says
In reading your article it gives me strength and understanding that even if you have a TBI you can achieve great things. I am a TBI survivor. I was in a motorcycle accident in 1998 and my speech and cognitive ability was affected. I did graduate from college and have a career. It has not been easy, but it has really made me determined to succeed. The problems that I face is the support and resources for ten years I have look for services but have not found any in our area. I would love to help people with TBI’s in looking for services and talking to them about options. IF you have any ideas in helping people with TBI, in the UTah area that would be great. I have tried to contact the head injury association of Utah for help, and they tell me there is nothing I can do to help people who have just sustained a TBI. I would love to go into the hospitals and talk to families about TBI’s. When I came out of the hospital there was no support for us. TBI is a long recovery road, and it is a lifetime condition. Thanks
secondchancetolive says
Hi Amy,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave a comment. Thank you for your encouragement also Amy. You are a blessing to me. I am proud of you. I understand the struggle of living with an invisible disability. I have written about my experience living with an invisible disability and a traumatic brain injury in several posts. I will include those articles here Amy.
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/ 4 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%e2%80%94part-1/ 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
My experience with the state brain injury associations has been similar to your experience. When I started coming out of my own denial I contacted the brain injury association of the state where I was living in at the time. The association told me that they could send me some information, but did little to assist me through my journey. Since that time I have been in contact with both the state and and the national brain injury association. In my experience both the Brain Injury Association of America and the Brain Injury Associations on the State level have been little more than clearinghouses of information. I am told that the brain injury associations are under staffed and under funded.
Once I created Second Chance to Live I contacted the brain injury associations with in each of the 50 states — on multiple occasions — however I have only received responses from 2 or 3 of those associations. My experience has shown me that in essence the brain injury associations through out the United States are not interested in what Second Chance to Live has to offer to the national brain injury community. I live with in North Carolina Amy. I do not know of any organizations that you could contact there in Utah. Although I am internationally published and widely read throughout the world, neither the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina nor the local brain injury support groups have shown an interest in what I have to offer to the traumatic brain injury community here in North Carolina.
Through my combined experience — both before and since creating Second Chance to Live — I have since decided that the brain injury associations through out the United States of America are not really interested in providing solution based information. As a master’s level rehabilitation counselor and a person with a traumatic brain injury survivor I have had to interact with many bureaucracies. Through my experience I have found that many bureaucracies appear to be more interested in keeping the agency afloat instead of meeting the needs of the individuals for which the agency was established to serve. The bureaucracy in essence becomes more important than meeting the needs of the individuals that the bureaucracy was created to serve. Service incidentally become secondary to meeting the needs of the agency / bureaucracy. My experiences with many brain injury associations through out the United States have proved to persuade me that the associations are more interested in the health of their bureaucracy / association than meeting the needs of traumatic / acquired brain injury community.
With my understanding I came to the conclusion that I needed to provide a solution based venue where traumatic / acquired brain injury survivors, their families and friends could come to receive hope. I have a site map https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/ that includes 299 titles of articles that both hope and inspiration. Although I would also like to go into hospitals to share with families, there are policies that prohibit you and I from going into hospitals. That is why I am doing what I am doing with Second Chance to Live.
I would encourage you to start a blog and share from your experience strength and hope. You may very well be the answer to someone’s prayers Amy through what you share in your blog. My hope is that individuals that do not receive the help they need through associations and agencies will come to my blog to receive hope and inspiration to dream again. Please read my post, https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/12/traumatic-brain-injury-following-your-bliss%e2%80%a6regardless/‘ I commend your desire to help survivors and their families. Use what you have, where you are in ways that work for you Amy.
I hope the above has been helpful. Please do stay in touch with me. Thank you and God bless you!
Craig
B-Anonymous says
Dear Craig,
After having read your articles I must thank you for being so brave as to write exactly how you have felt in different situations, having a TBI for the biggest part of your life!! I also understand all the things you refer to, the daily struggle and the zest to go on and never to give up. I am also a BTI I have understood. I also have lived in denial since 1982, when I was 22 years old I had a car accident and had a severe brain concussion, was in coma for a week and then in posttraumatic coma another few weeks. In Sweden. I live here since the age of five.
I lost all my friends after the accident and tried new ways iin life and I went through a complete change of personality – became more outgoing and really celebrated my second chance in life for many years. People just sighed at me, beacuse I was still young. I spoke many languages; my maternal language is Hungarian and I was born in Ex Yugoslavia. My highest interest was learning and using foreign languages. ( I talk and read about 8-9 languages) In the years after the accident I did everything to come back to the same level of knowledge that I was before the accident. I also went to University and got the highest grades possible, but I had also difficulties in my social life but didn’t quite understand that. Everyone around me told me the opposite – that there was absolutely nothing wrong with me… noone except my parents knew. I went on looking for jobs and changing jobs more and more often, tried different professions and never managed to stay at one job or even in one place. I even went train-hiking in Europe all by myself!! Learned some Italian and improved my English…My parents were dying from anxiety… They never knew where I was. I did a lot of things no one had done before – no one that I knew. I excelled in doing things as good as possible and overdid things just to show myself that I was alright. Not to others, only to myself.
During the years I also tried to have relationships and partners but that never worked out at all… I couldn’t trust anyone or I trusted the completely wrong persons and got afraid of committing myself. Then I just decided to go on with my knowledges in languages and after some studies in Internatioanl Administration with French and studies in International politics I searched for a job in the European Parliament in Brussels and got it!! So I had worked there for 4 years when my mother got ill and so I decided to go back to Sweden ( I am the only child in the family) and have now lived in Sweden for about 9 years. “But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…” meaning that I still haven’t been able to keep a job, I am on my 17th or 18th job now and my daughter is getting ashamed of me, she is 11 years old. I try to live in a “normal way” but then the subtle little things in the social life prevents me from the common feelings of togetherness and in the end I lose my job. It happened to me recently; at the end of July. I thought I had made it this time – we had even moved from the inner country to the coast where the bigger cities are situated to get a job. I even commuted 100 km every day, just to get accepted and to get a job!!! And then in the end ofcourse it was too much and they kindly offered me another job in another department, but for me it was degrading and I rather left them… my excuse was true, I need to be with my daughter at least until we get to know the city. She was alone for many months in the evening and waited for me to come home late in the evening…a total stranger in a new city. I feel guilty of what I have made her go through…
Just about today I was wondering if I could find anything to read about brain concussions and after surfing on the web in Sweden I gave up and searched for some info on Google. That’s where I found you and your articles. Exactly what I was looking for!!!
My question to you: Is there any piece of advice you could give me, of where I shall surch for help in Sweden, for example? I tried on a doctors’ homepage, but I don’t know if I will get any answers…
I feel relieved to read that there are many others like me and happy to see that we will all push through, no matter what happens.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with so many people. When I was younger I was thinking about publishing a book and writing down all my memories from the hard days and how I have overcome them… That day is getting closer now…
Cordially
B — Annonymous
laureen says
Hi,
I read your message and couldnot help to answer back because it was very touching.
After having TBI you should really care about not having wrong relationship with some partners otherwise you could get more in troubles.
I had TBI myself.I have been with a man that was married, he was not happy in marriage then i though it could be the way to sort out my own problems because he was so romantic with me and caring and was promising everythings. At the end what is the more important than just to be in love. That is the best medecine.
Now everythings is over and i am more sad than ever. More trauma than ever.
A friend
Laureen from Croatia
secondchancetolive says
Hi Anonymous,
Wow. Thank you for sharing all that you have with me. I am honored. I can identify with your struggles to fit in and maintain employment. I do not have any children, but I believe I can identify with your conflict. I have written a series of articles that may be helpful to you my friend. I hope that I am not overwhelming you or giving you something that you are not asking for by providing the information. My motive is to share my experience, strength and hope on these matters.
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/18/the-power-of-identification/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/ a 4 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%e2%80%94part-1/ 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/04/12/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-square-peg/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/07/07/traumatic-brain-injury-self-esteem-and-significance/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/14/second-chance-to-live-and-letting-go-of-unrealistic-expectations/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/05/17/traumatic-brain-injury-and-energy/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/05/19/traumatic-brain-injury-denial-and-limiting-scripts/ a 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/05/21/traumatic-brain-injury-and-overcoming-denial-%e2%80%93-part-1/ 2 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/05/25/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-grieving-process-%e2%80%93-part-1/ a 7 part series
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/06/traumatic-brain-injury-%e2%80%93-moving-beyond-the-grieving-process/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/04/07/traumatic-brain-injury-%e2%80%93-freedom-from-isolation-%e2%80%93-part-1/
a 2 part series
I struggle with the similar issues on the relationship front my friend. You are not alone. I am involved with support groups to improve my relationship skills, which I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
As to your question concerning where to obtain help concerning Dr.’s in Sweden, I am not aware of any my friend. I live in the North Carolina in the States. What you might do is contact a neuro psychologist in your area and they may be able to direct you to what you are seeking Berta. You also may want to contact the hospital in your area that takes care of traumatic / acquired brain injury trauma care, as they may be able to direct you to the sources that you are seeking my friend.
I am not at all familiar with Sweden, so I am not able to offer more help than offering these suggestions.
I hope the above has been helpful my friend. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer those questions.
Thank you again for writing and sharing your journey with me.
Have a pleasant day and God bless you my friend.
Craig
ResilientHeart says
Thank you for your post.
I can certainly relate to being minimized and misunderstood as a person with TBI.
It is interesting how as human beings we try to change what we cannot otherwise accept.
Blessings,
RH
kazzles says
Hi, I just found your blog… it’s fantastic to see things written from your perspective. I have a MTBI and my father a TBI. It is so misunderstood! Good on you for writing about your experiences.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Kazzles,
You are the best. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I greatly appreciate your time, kindness and encouragement. You are a blessing to me. Pray that God will bring more TBI folks and their families to Second Chance to Live. Also please tell your friends and family about Second Chance to Live my friend.
Thank you so very much and have a simply amazing day!
God bless you!
Craig
Sarah Redden says
Hello, Craig,
I am only out of a TBI for 4 months. I am nowable to hear and see, thanks to glasses and a hearing aid. Four months ago, I was on a bicycle doing a bike ride, when I got my injury. I am doing rehab. and studying a bunch of articles to go back to work. Believe it on not, I am a registered nurse, wife and a mother of 3 boys. Without all the support and encouragement from them, I would not be where I am. I am interested in going back to school to become a nurse practitioner, but I am afraid that I will not be able to because of my injuries. Thank you for your blog.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to write and leave a comment. Thank you for sharing a little with me about your process and for your encouragement per my blog.
I am proud of you and I believe you. Sounds like you have full life indeed. I am happy to hear that you are receiving fantastic support and encouragement Sarah. Please say hello to your husband and three boys for me. I know that such support and encouragement is invaluable.
My encouragement to you would be to take your process one day, one step at a time. My experience has revealed that more is revealed as I go through my process, one day and one step at a time. I need to remember to practice first things first and not to get ahead of myself.
I do not know if you have spent much time reading through the articles that are on Second Chance to Live. I have a Site Map which is located at this address: https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/. Currently I have 362 articles that can be found with in my site map. I believe you will find encouragement through my experience, strength and hope.
If you click on the link of the article in my Site Map, you will be able to read that article. Not all of the articles with in my Site Map have Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury or Living with a Disability in their titles, however each of the articles contain principles and strategies that I have learned to use and live by over the past 41 years — since becoming a brain injury survivor. These strategies and principles have helped me to achieve far beyond all reasonable expectations. Please read my post, The Power of Identification which is located at https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/18/the-power-of-identification/
I believe that as you read through my articles you will gain a fresh perspective and a hope that will encourage you to keep on keeping on in the days, weeks, months and years to come my friend. One particular article that I would encourage you to read is Acquired Brain Injury and Very Good News, https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/12/30/acquired-brain-injury-and-very-good-news/ if you have not already read the article.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions Sarah. If your family has questions please have them contact me. Through my process I have learned to live and thrive with my brain injury and an invisible disability for 41 years now. I am not saying that the 41 years have been easy because they have not, however I have learned invaluable lessons through my process Sarah. These lessons may help both you and your family immeasurably.
Thank you again for writing to me Sarah.
I will say so long for now. Have a great day and God bless you and your family.
Craig
Diane says
Hi Craig, Wow! I’m sooooo happy to have found your site today. Ever since my TBI three and a half years ago I’ve wanted to read about and share information and experiences with others who had TBIs but was unsuccessful whenever I tried. Then today when I wasn’t trying it happened. I didn’t know how to offer my help to others by relating how I overcame/dealt with some obstacles and struggles along the way. I’m quite “low tech” but daydreamed today that if I could ever open a site it may be tbisurvivor.com. When I checked to see if there was a site like this the search lead me to you. After my MVA I couldn’t drive or work for a year. I’m only working part time now but even that is a struggle sometimes. I had to persevere on my own, although definitely with God’s help, to find help with my difficulties. I received speech therapy, vision therapy and acupuncture which all helped. Some of my greatest frustrations have been with No Fault Insurance. I’ve also felt “isolated” because most people have no idea what you are going through. Thank you for reaching out to others. So happy to have found you. Diane
secondchancetolive says
Hello Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I am happy to hear that Second Chance to Live has been a blessing to you. Thank you also for sharing a little about your experience with me. I have found that life is a journey not a destination.
If I may suggest, I have a Site Map https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/ where I have listed the articles that I have written for Second Chance to Live during the past 3 years. I have written 547 articles thus far for Second Chance to Live. My 3 year Anniversary is coming up on February 6, 2010.
Many of my articles do not have Traumatic Brain Injury or Living with a Disability in their titles, however many other articles do have Traumatic Brain Injury and Living with a Disability in their titles. A common theme can be found in all of the articles that I write Diane.
My articles are all written to encourage, motivate, empower and provide hope.
May you be inspired to be fully you as you walk with me on my journey — through the articles that I written for and will continue to write for Second Chance to Live. May you be encouraged to follow your creative capacity through the gifts, talents and abilities that God has given to you.
Below are links to several articles that you may find to be particularly encouraging Diane.
Traumatic Brain Injury — Following your bliss…Regardless https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/12/traumatic-brain-injury-following-your-bliss%E2%80%A6regardless/
The Power of Identification https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/18/the-power-of-identification/
Traumatic Brain Injury and Isolation https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/03/25/traumatic-brain-injury-and-isolation/
Traumatic Brain Injury — Freedom From Isolation Part 1 https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/04/07/traumatic-brain-injury-%E2%80%93-freedom-from-isolation-%E2%80%93-part-1/ A 2 Part series
One way that you may reach out to help other brain injury survivors would be to share what you learn through reading the articles that I have written. If you think Second Chance to Live would help brain injury survivors that you know tell those individuals how to find and read articles from Second Chance to Live.
I like quotes Diane. I want to leave you with several quotes that have been an encouragement to me.
“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” Mother Teresa
“I am only one; but still I am one. I can not do everything, but still I can do something.” Helen Keller
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
I hope the above has been helpful Diane. Be encouraged my friend. You are a blessing by being you.
Have a pleasant week and God bless you and your family Diane.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
https://secondchancetolive.org/
Chris B. says
Hi Craig. I have completely identified & enjoyed all of the testimonials on your website. I became a TBI survivor 20 years ago when I was assaulted by a gang. I was discharged from the hospital three weeks later after I arrived there D.O.A. I suffered a Contre-Coup type injury. Now, 20 years later, after I’ve tackled several careers with a Bachelor’s degree and a professional license in massage therapy, my life still has no purpose or fulfillment. I must add, it is a lonely solitary life where I feel more safe and secure by myself.However, with the recent death of my mother as I approach 40, another part of my life is over (my father died 12 years ago). Emotionally, this is a major crossroad in my life and I feel that I should devote my time and career to TBI survivors like myself. I stuggle with denial all the time but right now I’m trying to be honest about myself and, God willing, travel in the right direction for my life. Thanks, Chris.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Chris,
I can definitely identify with you. For many years — and during my 40’s I was frustrated because I felt like a man all dressed up with no where to go. Through my process, prayer and my struggle. I learned some very valuable lessons. I have written several articles that you may find to be both encouraging and empowering. I will include links to those articles below. Give them a read a let me know if you can identify with me. You are not alone Chris.
Have a pleasant evening and God bless both you and your family.
Craig
https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/18/the-power-of-identification/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/07/07/traumatic-brain-injury-self-esteem-and-significance/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2009/02/03/brain-injury-self-esteem-self-respect-and-significance/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/12/traumatic-brain-injury-following-your-bliss%E2%80%A6regardless/
Diane says
Hi Craig,
Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. Your saying that “life is a journey not a destination” reminds me of one similar one I heard that God puts more importance on the process of our experiences than our outcome. I think it means we are learning and growing spiritually.
Your Site Map has been encouraging and informative. It helps me to feel less isolated when I know someone has similar experiences and understands. Your gift for counseling is apparent and you give hope and make people feel better. I tend to get depressed because life is more of a struggle when my brain doesn’t work as well as it did before. I still often wish I had “my old brain” back again. I don’t know whether to even try to get any other type of medical help and it’s hard to know where that would be.
Thanks for sending the quotes. I enjoyed them. Take care and may God continue to give you his strength and comfort. Diane
secondchancetolive says
Hi Diane,
You are welcome. I am happy to hear that what I shared with you proved to be encouraging and empowering. Indeed. We do not have the big picture. I like the illustration of the tapestry. On one side there are many jumbled multicolored threads that seem to make little sense — at times. On the other side a design is being created by a loving God — a master tapestry. That is what I believe is occurring when what is happening in our lives makes little sense. We a clay, He is the Potter. Check out this article I wrote some time ago. Hope, Encouragement and the Parable of the Cracked Pot Diane. https://secondchancetolive.org/2009/07/16/hope-encouragement-and-the-parable-of-the-cracked-pot-part-1/.
I have heard a quote that I like Diane. Goes something like this: Some men succeed because they do not know when to quit. In my experience I have found that tenacity has been my ally. Many times I have succeeded because I did not give up on the process. My encouragement to you is to celebrate the small success that you are making. I wrote and article a little over 3 years ago. Small Successes. https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/02/13/small-sucesses/. I need to remember this too.
Speak with your psychologist — if you have one — and explore what options you may have that you are not aware of Diane. Brain storming always helps me. Your psychologist or other related professional may point you in the direction that will help you gain clarity. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Don’t ask, don’t get. Those are several realities to consider.
I will say so long for now. Have a pleasant evening and God bless you and your family Diane.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
https://secondchancetolive.org/
kevan says
As you know from a previous letter,I suffered a tbi when I fell while mountain climbing in colorado in April of 1969.I have a wealth of knowledge as to how to deal with depression,anxiety,frustration,and anger in general.While I still suffer from these problems,I have learned how to trust in Jesus Christ and how to turn these problems over to him.I would like to become a counselar to people who have suffered tbi’s and their families;so if anyone is interested my e-mail address is [email protected]. Please write and we candiscuss a plan of action for you.
Kevan
secondchancetolive says
Hi Kevan,
Thank you for writing to me Kevan. I can appreciate your passion to want to share your experience, strength and hope — as I have a similar passion. My suggestion is to start a web log and begin to share your passion — to encourage, motivate, empower and provide hope — with individuals who visit your web log. That is what I am doing through Second Chance to Live — using my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for me. You may also want to attend brain injury support groups and share your experience, strength and hope with other individuals who are living with brain injuries.
I like quotes Kevan. Here are several of those quotes:
” “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” Mother Teresa
“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” Booker T. Washington
”Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.” Albert Schweitzer
Be encouraged my friend. Please read 1 Corinthians 15:58 New American Standard Version
Have a great day and God bless both you and your family Kevan.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
https://secondchancetolive.org/
Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up!
Anonymous says
I have the long list of educational accomplishments also. I also mirror the difficulties and feel that the scar on my forehead is a target for employers to push me harder than my coworkers. This has lead to severe anxiety and depression.
Thanks for all the posts, everyone, reminding me that I’m not alone.
secondchancetolive says
You are welcome Anonymous. I look forward to being of service to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. All questions are good questions.
Have a pleasant and rewarding day and God bless both you and your family Nate.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
http://www.secondchancetolive.wordpress.com
Follow Second Chance to Live on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/secondchancetol
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/SecondChancetoLive
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SecondChancetoLive
Because our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up!
“If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
“Insist on yourself, never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another, you only have an extemporaneous half-possession…Do that which is assigned to you and you can not hope too much or dare too much.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“You don’t have to be a person of influence to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things that they have taught me.” Scott Adams — American Cartoonist
know your difficulties says
Hello Greg
I know what you went through and knowing about the struggles. I had my head injury when I was about a year and half old. My parents were told I was supposed to be a vegetable state and don’t expect much. Now it has been about 40 yrs later. My whole mind went on reset. I went from crawling to speech training through out elementary school. I went through high school. I have some problems remembering stuff and being disorganized. I went through jobs left and right. I was in the EMS system to give back what they gave me. I gave it up for the struggles that I was dealt.
I was employed for 11 years. The company that I was with didn’t want to deal with my problems. The only thing companies want is the bottom line. Work and productivity they don’t want as they view as slackers. We aren’t slackers we need a little more time to achieve what they want.
Because we deal with the disability for so long. We tend to overlook it and deal with it. Day in and out we seem to provide and to achieve what we want. Daily life we seem to be normal with this disability. When companies push and push they seem to turn a blind eye. Then they don’t learn about the disability.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Erik,
Thank you for writing to me. I appreciate you taking the time to do so my friend. I empathize with you as our disability is an invisible one. My understanding as a rehabilitation counselor is that employers — have to make reasonable accommodations to enable us to the job they require. You might check into that — if you have not already done so — with vocational rehabilitation in your area or with an attorney. Food for thought Erik.
The good thing is that we know longer have to be alone or compare ourselves to anyone. Please read my article, My Focus Erick. Here is the link to that article https://secondchancetolive.org/my-focus/
Because I, like you, have been able to achieve far beyond all reasonable expectations and because our brain injuries are invisible people expect us to not have deficits or limitations. The lack of acceptance and empathy puts you and I in a conundrum. I have written several articles that have explain what I have learned through my experience. I will provide links to those articles below Erik.
What is keep you stuck? https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/03/21/did-you-see-that/
Whose shame are you carrying? https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/05/25/whose-shame-are-you-carrying/
Displaced Sadness https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/05/26/displaced-sadness/
My Struggle Living with an Invisible Disability? https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/ A 4 part article
The Consequences of Denying my Reality https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%E2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%E2%80%94part-1/ A 2 part series
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Double Bind https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Identified Patient https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/11/16/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-identified-patient-%E2%80%93-part-1/ a 2 part series
I also have a Site Map https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/ that lists all of the articles that I have written for Second Chance to Live. Each title is an active link that will take you to the article.
I will say so long for now. Have a pleasant rest of your day and God bless both you and your family Erik.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
http://www.secondchancetolive.wordpress.com
Follow Second Chance to Live on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/secondchancetol
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/SecondChancetoLive
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SecondChancetoLive
Because our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up!
“If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
“Insist on yourself, never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another, you only have an extemporaneous half-possession…Do that which is assigned to you and you can not hope too much or dare too much.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“You don’t have to be a person of influence to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things that they have taught me.” Scott Adams — American Cartoonist