On December 5, 2023 I will be speaking on the topic of “Celebrating Goals and Dreams in the Now, Overcoming Obstacles, Odds and Impacting Generations Presentation” to the Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association state wide brain injury support group in Chattanooga, Tennessee through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on this … [Read More...]
Most Recent Blog Article
Self-Acceptance after Brain Injury

Living Life with a Brain Injury and Finding Freedom From Shame and Guilt
I realize this article is long, however I would encourage you to read through the entire article. Please do so at your own rate and pace, a little at a time, if that is what you decide. That is good enough. I want to share what I learned through my study of family systems theory. Family … [Read More]

A Question to Ask: Will Your Brain Injury Awareness Make You Bitter or Better?
Several days ago, I wrote an article, Why I Needed to Challenge My Brain Injury Awareness. I shared in the article that brain injury awareness is good, however awareness changes nothing. And as I have heard said: "If nothing changes, it will remain the same". Remain the Same Awareness, in and of … [Read More]

Living and Thriving Beyond Brain Injury Awareness to Create a Good Life for Ourselves Zoom Presentation
Until I was able to move beyond my brain injury awareness, I had no idea how to live or thrive. I had no idea how to thrive because of my brain injury awareness. Did not know how to thrive because I saw brain injury awareness as a “stop sign”, not as a “yield sign”. Yesterday, I published my … [Read More]
Living and Thriving Beyond Brain Injury Awareness to Create a Good Life for Ourselves
I have also created a zoom presentation of this article to share with your group, organization or as an in service to your clinical staff: Living and Thriving Beyond Brain Injury Awareness to Create a Good Life for Ourselves Zoom Presentation Below are several quotes that encourage me to … [Read More]
Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury

Understanding the Identity of “Who I Am?” after my Brain Injury
To read about my process and journey to understanding my identity and who I am after my brain injury, click here: Identity In my experience I needed to gain the clarity that I share in the below article. I needed to gain the clarity to be able to move forward with my life after I became aware of my … [Read More...]

Why I Needed to Challenge My Brain Injury Awareness Revisited Video Presentation
To read the full article, click on this link: Why I Needed to Challenge My Brain Injury Awareness Revisited To watch and listen to the video presentation of this article, scroll down this page. In September 2015 I wrote the article, Why I Needed to Challenge My Brain Injury Awareness. In … [Read More...]

Why I Needed to Challenge My Brain Injury Awareness Revisited
Background Information To read about my process and journey living with right frontal lobe damage recovery after a automobile accident in 1967 at age 10, click on this link: My Auto Biography in Bullet Points I wrote this article Why I Needed to Challenge My Brain Injury Awareness to … [Read More...]

Loss of Friends and Family Resulting from Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injuries by Teah Beglau-Davis
This morning I felt led to write this article to share a video presentation shared with me several weeks ago. A video presentation created by Teah Beglau-Davis. I would invite you to watch this short video presentation and share the presentation with family and friends of individuals living with … [Read More...]
Creating Hope after Brain Injury

Some Things to Consider so We Don’t Stay Stuck Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability
I also created a zoom presentation of this article, which I am available to give to your group or organization. Click here to Schedule. To view the outline of the zoom presentation, click on this link: Somethings to Consider so We Don’t Stay Stuck Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury and an … [Read More...]

Second Chance to Live Resources to Create Hope Lost after Brain Injury
After a brain injury many things seem lost. Hope seems lost. For 39 of nearly 56 years, I lived my life not knowing how the impact of my brain injury and an invisible disability affected. Affected my life and well-being. Consequently, I lived my life trying to not be impacted my brain injury and … [Read More...]

Facing Adversity and Having Options when Life Does Not Make Sense
I have been thinking about my life and adversity. I have been thinking about my relationship with the God of my understanding. Through my recovery process, I have come to realize that at times I was angry at God. I was angry at God because I was unable to see beyond my perspective of life and … [Read More...]

Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury Power Point Presentation and Rehabilitation Hospitals
On February 15, 2023 I have been asked to give my presentation, "Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury and Stroke" with the Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC through the zoom platform. Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After … [Read More...]
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury

TBI Brain Injury Recovery and What is my Destiny, Now?
Several years ago, the movie, Forrest Gump was applauded by those who watched Forrest’s determination. Several lines from that movie stood out to me: “What is my destiny, Mama?” Forrest Gump “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get”. Forrest Gump TBI … [Read More...]
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
My name is Craig J. Phillips. I am a rehabilitation counselor, a nationally known speaker, an author, advocate and creator of Second Chance to Live. I encourage brain injury recovery by involving the whole person in their ongoing recovery process To read my Bio, click on this link: Biographical … [Read More...]
Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury

Learning to Trust the Process that More will Be Revealed in Time
Several days ago I wrote the article, I Don’t Have to Wait to Live My Dreams. Yesterday, I wrote the article, Famous People who Failed Many Times before they Succeeded and Changed their “World”. In the first article, I spoke about experiencing our dreams in the now, instead of waiting for their … [Read More...]

Achieving Our Dreams, One Skill and One Skill Set at a Time, One day at a Time
This morning I was thinking about some thing that my martial arts instructor encouraged students to do at the beginning of each class. Work on one skill during each class. To not be overwhelmed by trying to learn too much, too quickly. What my martial arts instructor shared before class has … [Read More...]

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...]
How to Stop Feeling Helpless after Brain Injury

How to Stop Feeling Helpless after Brain Injury — List of Articles
In my experience, I needed to make changes to stop feeling helpless. Stop feeling helpless after my brain injury. Changes that helped me to create hope in my life after brain injury. In my experience, I stopped feeling helpless after my traumatic brain injury when I became willing. Willing to … [Read More...]

Creating a New History after Experiencing a Brain Injury or Stroke
Below article is in follow up to my zoom presentation. Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Presentation As I have shared, I believe that an ongoing brain injury recovery process needs to involve the whole person. What makes the person who they are through … [Read More...]

Schedule the Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Zoom Presentation
Several days ago I wrote and published an article, Living with a Brain Injury, Holiday Stress and What to Do? in the article I shared an article and a video presentation series that I wrote and created in November 2014, Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New … [Read More...]

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...]
Celebrating Success Following Brain Injury

I Don’t Have to Wait to Live My Dreams
In Part 3 of my article series, Traumatic / Acquired Brain Injury — Do Not Give Up on Your Dreams! I shared with you a milestone that I accomplished on November 8, 2008. Accomplished on my way to realizing a dream that I had for many years. But; on the way to that milestone, I experienced … [Read more]

Living with Disabilities, Limitations and Deficits on the Railroad of Life
In life, events, circumstances, experiences, discouragement and disappointments may redirect our experience. In an instant, like a switch on a railroad, life events can set us off. Set us off in the opposite direction of our hopes and dreams. In the process our hopes and dreams may be dashed. We … [Read more]

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]
Relationships following a Brain Injury

Brain injury and Learning How to Connect with Ourselves and Other People
After our brain injuries, we may have a difficult time connecting with ourselves and with other people. As a result, we may find ourselves isolating from both ourselves and other people. Isolating from Ourselves Several days ago, a reader sent me a comment with several questions. I thought … [Read More...]

Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Zoom Presentation
Several days ago I wrote and published an article, Living with a Brain Injury, Holiday Stress and What to Do? in the article I shared an article and a video presentation series that I wrote and created in November 2014, Brain Injury, Stress, Anxiety, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Shortly … [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...]

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...]
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...]
Brain Injury Recovery — An Ongoing Process

Achieving My Brown Belt in International Martial Arts and Boxing after my Brain Injury
I share the below with you to encourage you to not give up on your plans and dreams, even when circumstances change your plans and dreams. Adjust, adapt, improvise and overcome. Read to the end of the article and you will understand. “When one door closes, another opens. But we often look … [Read More...]

Second Chance to Live 16th Anniversary and A Guide to Navigating the Resources
On February 6, 2007, after 7 years of searching to find a way to use my gifts, talents and abilities; at the encouragement of a friend, I created Second Chance to Live. You may read the complete back story of Second Chance to Live by clicking on this link: Comprehensive History of Second Chance to … [Read More...]

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...]
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...]
Future Presentations (Zoom Presentations)

Celebrating Goals and Dreams in the Now, Overcoming Obstacles, Odds and Impacting Generations Presentation to the Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association
On December 5, 2023 I will be speaking on the topic of “Celebrating Goals and Dreams in the Now, Overcoming Obstacles, Odds and Impacting Generations Presentation” to the Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association state wide brain injury support group in Chattanooga, Tennessee through Zoom. To … [Read More...]
Past Presentations (Zoom Presentations)

Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope Presentation to the Inova Loudon Outpatient Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital
On November 7, 2023 I will be speaking on the topic of “Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation” to the Inova Loudon Outpatient Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on … [Read More...]

Empowering Current and Future Professionals in Brain Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation Summary Presentation and Harvard University
On October 7, 2023 I will be speaking on the topic of “Empowering Current and Future Professionals in Brain Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation Presentation” to students from Harvard University and other Universities that are part of Synapse National. To view an outline of the presentation, click … [Read More...]

Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury Presentation to the Brain Injury Association of Virginia
On September 26, 2023 I will be speaking on the topic of “Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury” to the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. Brain Injury Association of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia through the WebEx Platform. To view an outline of the presentation, … [Read More...]
Some Things to Consider so We Don’t Stay Stuck Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability Zoom Presentation and Fayetteville, NC Brain Injury Support Group
On September 12, 2023 I will be speaking on the topic of “Some Things to Consider so We Don’t Stay Stuck Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability Zoom Presentation” to the Fayetteville, North Carolina Brain Injury Support Group, in Fayetteville, North Carolina through … [Read More...]