For your information, the blue links with in this article are links to previous articles that I have written. The articles will give further insight into what I discuss in the below article. Click on the blue links to open and read the article. Any questions, please ask.
Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy to have you around my table. Over the weekend I engaged myself in a discussion that opened a door that I had kept closed. As the door opened, I realized that I needed to further engage myself in the discussion. As with each article that I write and publish on Second Chance to Live, my motivation is to share my experience, strength and hope from the power of identification. I believe that identification empowers each individual to come out of shadows of isolation, by realizing that they are not alone in the struggle to understand and live their lives as an individual who experienced an injury to their brain.
A question was posited concerning the experience of individuals regarding neuropsychological evaluations. In 1968 I underwent 2 EEG’s and a neuropyschological exam. The results were shared with my parent, who decided not disclose the results with me. Some 29 years later I found out the results, which showed that I would probably not be able to succeed beyond high school academically. In 1993 I underwent another EEG and a neuropsychological evaluation. The results were shared with me that showed that I had succeeded far beyond all reasonable expectations through sheer persistence and motivation. I was later deemed to be unemployable by a DVR evaluation.
For those individuals who are not familiar with my process and journey, I obtained my undergraduate degree in 10 years and my graduate degree in 3 1/2 years. I have a masters degree in rehabilitation counseling.
In preparation for a keynote presentation, I wrote an article to share some back ground information with individuals attending the presentation, being that I would only have 25 – 30 minutes to present. In this article, I share what I experienced since the 1st 2 EEG’s, a neuropsychological evaluation, through my 3rd EEG, 2nd neuropsychological evaluation and up to the date of writing the article in preparation to the keynote presentation that I gave at the 2013 Southwest Conference on Disability. I would invite you to read the article that I wrote in preparation by clicking on this link: Article.
The reason why I share the above information with you is encourage you to live your life to the full, regardless of what the results / findings may show from an EEG (s) or a neuropsychological evaluation (s) that you may undergo as a result of your traumatic brain injury.
Lessons Learned from my undergoing 3 EEG’s and 2 Neuropsychological Evaluations
An EEG (s) and a neuropsychological exam (s) can give us insight into how our brain and personality have been affected by the brain injury, but they do not have to define who we are my friend. We can live outside and beyond of the box that an EEG (s), neuropsyhological evaluation (s) and reports may communication to us. We can succeed far beyond all reasonable expectations, through sheer persistence and motivation; by not giving up on our process, a loving God or ourselves. Move will be revealed to us in time. We can learn to use our passions — through our gifts, talents and abilities — in ways that will work for us, for people who want what we have to give. Consequently my friend:
We can run our own race, at our own pace. We can celebrate our efforts. We can map our own course, and be ourselves. We can live in hope and we can live our dreams.
As you listen to, watch or read my articles and questions come to mind, please send those questions to mind. All questions are good questions. In the event that you would like to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.To do so, please use the below contact form. I will respond to your comments and questions.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Craig
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