With the help of a friend, I recently completed the move from wordpress.com to a managed wordpress self-hosted web sites on Godaddy, for both secondchancetolive.org and createasparkofhope.com. In today's article I will share a video presentation of the article notifying my readers of the change. Below is the article. To listen to and watch the presentation of the article, you … [Read more...]
My Journey Living with Brain Injury
My journey after brain injury began in August 1967. I sustained my brain injury in a motor vehicle accident with my family. My brain injury resulted from an open skull fracture. The result of fracturing my skull was right frontal lobe damage and a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement. On the way to the back of the windshield I snapped my left femur (thigh bone) on my Dad's bucket seat. I remained in a coma for 3 weeks and in traction to set my left femur fracture for 7-8 weeks. After awakening from the coma I remember touching the front right side of my skull. My skull felt like a shallow depressed bowl.
"Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up. Our circumstances are meant to teach us lessons that prepare you and I for opportunities. These opportunities teach us more lessons. Collectively lessons and opportunities lead us in the direction of our dreams and our destinies. That is why I am encouraged to not give up. To not give up because more will be revealed with and in time." Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
After completing traction to set my left femur, I was placed in a Spica or full body cast for 4-5 months. After undergoing brain surgery I was released from the hospital. After being taken out of the Spica cast, I taught myself how to walk. I walked with a limp for a long time according to my Mom. I was tutored at home for a year and learned how to talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences. In my article, Background Information for a Keynote Presentation; I share from my process and journey living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability. In the articles with in this category, I share what has helped me in my recovery process.
I share what I have learned through my lessons and opportunities. What I have learned and given me the ability to follow my dreams and my destiny. As an individual living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability. I believe in the power of identification. What I share in this article is from my experience, strength and hope living with a brain injury for the past 48 years. What I share in this category is to encourage you to not give up on your process or your journey. To not give up on your process and journey of living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability. More will be revealed.
Second Chance to Live, a Metamorphosis and a New Look
In one of my early articles, The Flight of the Butterfly; I spoke to the principle of metamorphosis and the importance of struggle for the butterfly to be able to fulfill it's purpose. With out struggle the caterpillar could not experience a second chance to live as a butterfly. And so, struggle is an essential part of the process that allows both you and I to experience a … [Read more...]
Second Chance to Live — About Page — Enhanced
My name is Craig J. Phillips. I possess an undergraduate degree in theology and physical education / recreation. I possess a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. I have worked during the past 30 years assisting individuals in various altruistic capacities in their pursuit of their dreams and their destinies. While working through undergraduate and graduate school I … [Read more...]
Second Chance to Live — Why the Brain Injury Industry Should be Asking me for Advice
My name is Craig J. Phillips and I would like o share a little bit about myself with you. I am 58 years old. I sustained an open skull fracture and a traumatic brain injury when I was 10 years old. I remained in a coma for 3 weeks. Brain injury rehabilitation was non-existent in 1967, so was essentially on my own to blaze my own recovery and rehabilitation path. With hard work, … [Read more...]
Second Chance to Live and the North American Brain Injury Society 2015 Conference on Brain Injury Video Presentation
Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live my friend. I am happy to have you around my table. Last month, April 2015 I was invited by David Seaton of Live Oak Living Community in Martindale , Texas to attend the North American Brain Injury Society 2015 Conference on Brain Injury in San Antonio, Texas. David paid for my flight, stay at the Hotel and paid for my food while I … [Read more...]