Several years ago I wrote an article series. Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years article series I then created a video presentation of the article. Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years video presentation series I wrote the article series and created the video presentation … [Read More...]
How to Stop Feeling Helpless after Brain Injury
Living with a Brain Injury, Holiday Stress and What to Do?
Several years ago I wrote an article series. Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years article series I then created a video presentation of the article. Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years video presentation series I wrote the … [Read More...]
Living with a Brain Injury and Creating a “Holistic Footprint” through Neuroplasticity
Through my process and journey I started creating new neural pathways and brain re-organization before I knew anything about neuroplasticity. I not only began engaging my brain-body connection, but I also began creating my "holistic footprint" through repetitive mirrored movement. … [Read More...]
Living with a Brain Injury, Feeling Rejected, Excluded, Cliques and “The Breakfast Club” Movie Video Presentation
To read the full article, click on this link: Living with a Brain Injury, Feeling Rejected, Excluded, Cliques and “The Breakfast Club” Movie Introduction to the article and video presentation Living with the impact of a brain injury can leave us feeling alone and isolated from ourselves … [Read More...]
Challenged by Family and Friends after Our Brain Injuries Video Presentation
When I began to confront my own denial after my brain injury, I found myself challenged by family and friends with the message of “its”: “It’s just up in your head and if you just…then you would not be impacted by your brain injury”. What was becoming apparent to me, was resisted by what could … [Read More...]
Self-Acceptance after Brain Injury
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation to the University of California at Berkeley
On November 22, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke” to the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California through Zoom. Below is a link to the outline of the presentation. Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke … [Read More...]
Brain Injury — Why Do I Feel So Misunderstood and Shunned? (Article, Video, Slideshow, and Zoom Presentation)
In July 2016 I wrote the article: Brain Injury -- Why do I Feel So Misunderstood and Shunned?. In follow up to this article, I created a video presentation, slideshow presentation and zoom presentation. I created the video, slideshow and zoom presentation to share the information with visual … [Read More...]
Brain Injury — Why Do I Feel so Misunderstood and Shunned Zoom Presentation
Because brain injury survivors often feel misunderstood and shunned I created this Brain Injury -- Why Do I Feel so Misunderstood and Shunned Zoom Presentation. I created this presentation to share to offer hope. Brain Injury Why Do I Feel so Misunderstood and Shunned Zoom Presentation I am … [Read More...]
Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Zoom Presentation
Recently, I received a comment that encouraged me to share the information in this article with all brain injury and stroke survivors. As a result, I decided to create a presentation of the article to share as a keynote presentation through zoom or in conference setting. Below is a link to the … [Read More...]
Celebrating Success Following Brain Injury
Make Your Life Magical after Brain Injury Poster
Click on the poster to ENLARGE Please feel free to share these posters with anyone to whom you believe could benefit. Make your Life Magical One day at a time! To view my 37 posters, click on this link: A Selection of 37 Posters Created to Inspire You and Me with Hope and Empowerment … [Read more]
Living with a Brain Injury and Ingredients for Success
Living with a brain injury changes many things in our lives. The good news is that these changes do not have to limit us. Instead, we can use ingredients to create success. Create success, to create a good life, despite the changes in our lives. Ingredients for Success Hard work or … [Read more]
Looking at Success in a Different Way after a Brain Injury
To watch and listen to a video presentation of the article, click on this link: Looking at Success in a Different Way after a Brain Injury Video Presentation. Succeeding after a brain injury can seem out of reach. But instead of being discouraged we can do something different. We can begin to … [Read more]
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Illusion of Failure Video Presentation
“When progress becomes the goal, failure becomes the illusion.” Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA In June 2007 I wrote an article. Last night I offered the article to different social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Today, I will create a video presentation of the article for individuals who learn … [Read more]
Relationships following a Brain Injury
Having and Maintaining Friendships and Relationships after a Brain Injury
Having and maintaining friendships and relationships after our brain injury can leave us feeling baffled. For some reason friendships and relationships change. These changes leave us frustrated and feeling alone. Because of our frustration and feeling alone, accepting what we don't understand can … [Read More...]
Being Mistreated by Someone Close to Us after a Brain Injury
Several days ago I received a comment in response to my article, Discovering Our Super Power after a Traumatic Brain Injury. The individual shared that they were frustrated with being shamed and blamed by someone close to them after their brain injury. Someone who is close to them who shames and … [Read More...]
Strategies that Help when Dealing with Difficult People
In life interacting with people is unavoidable. Along the way, we may encounter difficult people. In today's article, I would like to share several strategies. Strategies that I have learned to use when dealing with difficult people. Strategies that help me to find serenity in the midst of … [Read More...]
Traumatic Brain Injury, Invisible Disabilities and Abandonment
Living with the impact of a traumatic brain injury and an invisible disability can leave us feeling abandoned. Abandoned from our hopes and dreams. Abandoned by other people. Abandoned by ourselves. I also created a video presentation of this article. You may watch and listen to this … [Read More...]
Overcoming Bullying after Brain Injury
Solutions When Dealing with Difficult People and Bullies
In my experience living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability I needed to develop solutions when dealing with difficult people and bullies. Over the past several days I wrote and published a 2 Part article. Brain Injury, Vulnerabilities, Bullying and Intimidation. Here … [Read More...]
Freedom From Feeling Excluded Part 2 Video Presentation
Several days ago I created the video presentation of Freedom From Feeling Excluded Part 1. In today's article I will offer Part 2 of the video presentation of Freedom from Feeling Excluded. In the event that the information that I share in this 2 part video presentation helps you, please let me … [Read More...]
Freedom From Feeling Excluded Part 1 Video Presentation
Several days ago I wrote and published a 2 part article, Freedom From Feeling Excluded. I published this article in 2 parts to make reading the article more manageable. In today's article, I am going to present Part 1 of the article in video format. I create video presentations of my articles to … [Read More...]
Beyond Feeling Excluded — Are You Being Bullied by a Individual or Group?
Recently I wrote a 2 part article series, Freedom from Feeling Excluded. I would invite you to read both parts of this article as I explain how to exclusion takes place, through the use of labels, stereotypes and stigmatization and "boxes". If you have not already read the 2 Part articles, I would … [Read More...]
Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury
How families and friends can best support individuals with brain injuries?
On November 19 I gave my presentation, "Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke" to a peer support group at Harvard University. At the end of my presentation I was asked several questions. What is the role of social support forums? How can families and friends best support individuals … [Read More...]
Empowering Our Definition of Normal after Brain Injury
Recently an individual asked to join our Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury Facebook Community. The individual asked to join our community to find out how to experience normal after their brain injury. Experiencing normal after a brain injury can be both baffling and confusing. … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live — The Journey began 55 years ago, today
Don't Give Up on Your Process and Journey. Stay committed to running your own race. More will be revealed with time. Slow and Steady wins the Race. On this date. August 11, 55 years ago, my unknown journey began. The journey that would bring a light into the brain injury community. Bring a … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live and Succeeding Beyond my Special Needs from 10 Years of Age
My name is Craig J. Phillips. In 1967, at the age of 10, I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in an accident. A fractured skull with right frontal lobe damage, a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement and a 3 week coma. Consequently, I grew up with special needs that left me in … [Read More...]
Creating Hope after Brain Injury
Brain Injury Recovery: How long will it take until I am able to get back to being able to do…?
Living with a brain injury and wanting things to be different is a recipe for frustration and bewilderment. A recipe leaving us asking "Why?" and "What Now?". Yesterday, October 11th I gave my presentation, "Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain injury and Stroke" to … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live added to Brain Injury of America’s National Speakers Bureau
I wanted to share some good news with the Second Chance to Live community, as we as with the Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury Facebook community. Today, September 29, 2022 Second Chance to Live was added to the Brain Injury of America's Speakers Bureau. Below is a link to the … [Read More...]
Coloring Outside the Lines of Our Brain Injuries and Invisible Disabilities
In my experience and for many years I struggled to color my life beyond my brain injury and invisible disability. Color my life because I kept running into many proverbial 'walls". "Walls" that I kept running into because of what I could not understand at the time. Walls that I ran into an … [Read More...]
Living with a Brain Injury, an Invisible Disability and Change after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Several days ago I wrote an article, Living with a Brain Injury, an Invisible Disability and Change. After thinking about what I shared in this article, I decided to create a presentation of the content (for Zoom or in person). To view the presentation, click on this link: Living with a Brain … [Read More...]
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came Zoom Presentation
Several weeks ago I wrote the article, Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live -- Answering the Call that Never Came. To make the information available to individuals who learn better through watching and listening, I created a video presentation of the article. Yesterday, I put the … [Read More...]
Living with Right Frontal Lobe Damage and a Guide to Living Our Purpose
Yesterday I published the article, Living with Right Frontal Lobe Damage and a Decision that Changed my Life. In today's article I will share what I discovered that helped to guide me to living my purpose. Living my purpose as an individual living with the impact of right frontal lobe … [Read More...]
Public Speaking; Book Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA — Second Chance to Live
Welcome, my name is Craig Phillips. I am a public speaker, author and founder of Second Chance to Live. In the past 15 months, I have spoken at 43 events publicly, covering three core topics: Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Acceptance and Creating our New Normal after Brain … [Read More...]
Brain Injury Association of Mississippi and Finding Purpose after Brain Injury
On Monday, September 28, 2020 I will be speaking to the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi Support Group meeting via Zoom. On the Topic “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury” Below is a Link to the Power Point Presentation of the below article: “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury” I … [Read More...]
Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury
Second Chance to Live Video Playlist and the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association Video Resources
Second Chance to Live 429 Video Presentations Playlist and the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association video resources Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association Videos Click on the link and scroll down. Second Chance to Live Video Presentation Playlist Click on the desired video … [Read More...]
Consider the Spark of Your Greatness after Experiencing a Brain Injury
Living with a brain injury and an invisible disability can leave us feeling stuck. Stuck like a mouse in a box. Consider the Spark It only takes one thought to spark a fire to set us free from the "box". Living with a brain Injury and an invisible disability can lead us to believe that we are … [Read More...]
Living with a Brain Injury,The Wizard of Oz and Looking Behind the Curtain Video Presentation Series
Last night while surfing through television channels I came across a classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. The movie reminded me of my experience of living with a brain Injury and an invisible disability and wanting to find answers. When I saw the movie title, I was reminded of an article that I had … [Read More...]
Celebrating Second Chance to Live 13th Anniversary February 6, 2020
Today, February 6, 2020, is the 13th anniversary of Second Chance to Live. In October 2009, I wrote the article, Answering the Call that Never Came. Below is a copy of the article. As you read the article, may you be encouraged to follow your heart and vision regardless of your disability or … [Read More...]
Brain Injury Recovery — An Ongoing Process
Empowering Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery Process Poster
This is the 20th Poster that I have created for Second Chance to Live, Empowering Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery Process Poster. I thought I would share the poster with you. What I need to remember is that I have more power than I may realize. More power to succeed in my life. By using our … [Read More...]
Although You May Feel Stuck at Times, Don’t Give Up!
To listen to and watch the video presentation of the article, click on this link: Although You May Feel Stuck at Times, Don’t Give Up! Video Presentation In life, my friend, we may feel stuck. We may feel stuck because of what does not make sense. Make sense to us. Consequently, we may want … [Read More...]
Brain Injury Recovery, Second Chance to Live, and Celebrating 1800 Articles
This article marks the 1800th article that I have written for Second Chance to Live since February 6, 2007. Back Story My name is Craig J. Phillips. I was in an automobile accident with my Dad, Mom and Brother when I was 10 years old in 1967. I sustained an open skull fracture with right … [Read More...]
Baffled, Puzzled and Confused in Relationships after Brain Injury
Understanding relationships after brain injury can be baffling and confusing. What once seemed understandable now has missing pieces. Missing pieces that leave us feeling puzzled in our interactions with other people and ourselves. Missing pieces that leave us feeling alone. Alone, isolated and … [Read More...]
Peer Support after Brain Injury — We Are Not Alone
Empowering the Individual, Not the Brain Injury
Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live my friend. I am happy to have you around my table. Thank you. Following a brain injury, once external wounds have healed; individuals can feel helpless. What was once familiar becomes foreign. Living with what is foreign can leave the individual … [Read More...]
Global Brain Injury Peer Support Network — Empowering the Individual, Not the Brain Injury
The Global Brain Injury Peer Support Network serves individuals globally. Serving Individuals in the United States, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia, China, Hong Kong, India, France, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands … [Read More...]
Article Resources for Living after a Brain Injury
As I have shared in a recent article, I redesigned Second Chance to Live in my desire to make information more accessible to my readers. In working this re-design I made the titles of my article categories more descriptive. The below category titles, when clicked upon will open a list of articles … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live and the North American Brain Injury Society 2015 Conference on Brain Injury
In April 2015 I had the privilege and honor of being invited to attend the 12th Annual NABIS Conference on Brain Injury to be held in San Antonio, Texas by David Seaton of LiveOak Living Community. Chas Haynes of NABIS was kind enough to waive the conference fee so that I could attend the … [Read More...]
Finding and Knowing Peace After Brain Injury
Do I want to be right or Do I want to be happy? Video Presentation
Several days ago I wrote Do I want to be right or Do I want to be happy? Today I would like to share the article with you in video format. I create video presentations of my articles to make the information available to individuals who learn through listening and watching. I wrote this article to … [Read More...]
Moving From Fear to Faith — Solutions
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a day of workshops. One of the workshops title was, Moving from Fear to Faith. During the introduction by the work shop leader and in subsequent discussion some great points were shared. Several of the ones that stood out to me were: Faith is a … [Read More...]
What Helps me to Overcome Anxiety
When I am anxious about some thing I have found that it helps me to write it down. Once I have written on a piece of paper what I an anxious about, I need to ask myself several questions. Am I powerless over the issue that I am feeling anxious about at the present time? If the answer is yes, I … [Read More...]
Trading Frustration for Serenity Video Presentation
Yesterday, I published this article. Today I will make a video presentation of the article for individuals who learn through watching and listening. Below is a brief excerpt from the article. I would encourage you to listen to the complete article, as I share some awareness’s. Here is the … [Read More...]
Past Presentations (Zoom Presentations)
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation and Harvard University
On November 19, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke” to Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Below is a link to the outline of the presentation. Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation For Information on the … [Read More...]
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury and Stroke Zoom Presentation to the Seminole Spirit Brain Injury Support Group
On October 28, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of "Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury and Stroke" to the Seminole Spirit Brain Injury Support Group in Woodstock, Georgia, through Zoom. Click on the below link to see the outline of the … [Read More...]
12 Ways to Enhance Our Lives, Well-Beings and Relationships after a Brain Injury Zoom Presentation
Link to the Full Power Point Presentation 12 Ways to Enhance Our Lives, Well-Beings and Relationships after a Brain Injury Power Point Presentation Contents of the Power Point Presentation In my experience and through my process I discovered a set of ways. A set of ways that helped me in … [Read More...]
12 Ways to enhance our Lives, Well-beings and Relationships after Brain Injury Video Presentation (Revised)
In my experience and through my process I discovered a set of ways. A set of ways that have helped me in my ongoing brain injury recovery process, one day at a time. These set of ways may also help you in your ongoing brain injury recovery process, one day at a time. Inch by inch, life’s a … [Read More...]
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