Jane Nicholson
Public Relations
Major League Baseball
[email protected]
Hello Jane,
I am writing to Major League Baseball with several missions in mind. I will elaborate on these missions in the below paragraphs. Before I do elaborate, please let me introduce myself to Major League Baseball.
My name is Craig J. Phillips and I am a Counselor, Educator, Advocate, Keynote Speaker and Workshop Leader — Sharing Hope in the Face of Adversity. I am the creator and author of Second Chance to Live. I am also a traumatic brain injury survivor. My traumatic brain injury occurred in 1967 when I was 10 years old. Although I was not expected to succeed beyond high school academically, I went on to obtain both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I posses a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.
At the time of the accident, I sustained an open skull fracture and remained in a coma for 3 weeks. I have been living with the impact for 44 years — as of August 11th. On February 6, 2007 I created Second Chance to Live to share what empowered my ability to succeed far beyond all reasonable expectations. To date I have written 1280 articles and created 240 video presentations. During the past 7 ½ years Second Chance to Live has provided significant support for individuals and families impacted by brain injuries.
Nevertheless, the “brain injury industry” has shown little interest in what Second Chance to Live has to offer to the brain injury community. It is as though what I have to offer is of little value or significance. I believe their lack of interest is because what I am providing is hope, instead of a need for continuing and ongoing services – for which they charge exorbitant fees. Instead of being encouraged and included in the process of encouraging, motivating, empowering and giving hope, I have been patronized and ignored.
I share the above you with Jane, not to complain, but to let you know that I, like Ken Collins; have been minimized, marginalized, dismissed and discounted by the “brain injury industry”. Practically speaking for many years, I have felt like many African-Americans, who for many years; were told to keep silent and sit in the back of the bus. In the past several years this has changed for me. Like Rosa Parks, who refused remain silent and sit in the back of the bus, I refuse to remain silent and sit in the back of the “bus”.
In March 2014 I wrote an article in which I presented several questions to the “brain injury industry”. I have yet to hear back from anyone with in the “brain injury industry”. I would invite you to read my article by clicking on this link: Beyond Brain Injury Awareness Month — Why Are Brain Injury Survivors Told to Sit in the Back of the Bus? I believe what I have to offer to individuals, families and the brain injury community goes far beyond what the “brain injury industry” can offer beyond knowledge.
I believe that I have earned the right to be heard and included in the process, however this has not been the case.
Missions
Like myself, Ken Collins has been told to sit in the back of the bus for many years. Nevertheless, he refused and continues to refuse to remain silent in the back of the “bus”. Because of his dedication and commitment to being a strong advocate for brain injury prevention and recovery — since 1983 as well as being a former professional baseball player – I believe that Mr. Ken Collins would be an excellent Ambassador for Major League Baseball’s Brain Injury Prevention and Recovery.
I would also ask Major League Baseball to use Second Chance to Live as a resource for brain injury rehabilitation and recovery. Each of my articles and video presentations are crafted to encourage, motivate, empower and offer hope. To see a library of my articles and video presentations, please click on this link: Libraries of Articles and Video Presentations. During the past 17 years I have trained in different martial art disciplines to enhance my recovery process. To see a demonstration, please click: Here.
In my experience, I have found that there is no such thing as a “silver bullet” or a “magic pill / potion” when it comes to brain injury rehabilitation and recovery. Brain injury rehabilitation and recovery is a process and a journey, not a destination. This has and continues to be my experience, as I have and continue to pursue my dreams and my destiny. I would invite you to read more about my process and journey through visiting my about page by clicking on this link: About Page.
Thank you for your time, kindness and for sharing my letter with Major League Baseball.
I look forward to being of service.
Have a great day Jane.
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.”
I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a great day.
Craig
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