On Thursday, September 17, 2020 I will be speaking to the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina Support Group meeting via Zoom. On the Topic “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury” Below is an Overview “Purpose is about a process and a journey, not a destination. I can not know until I know and knowing just takes what it takes. There … [Read More...]
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury
Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and Finding Purpose after Brain Injury
On Thursday, September 17, 2020 I will be speaking to the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina Support Group meeting via Zoom. On the Topic “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury” Below is an Overview “Purpose is about a process and a … [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 an Overview “Purpose is about a process and a … [Read More...]
Brain Injury Association of Louisiana and Finding Purpose after Brain Injury
On Wednesday September 2, 2020 I will be speaking to the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana Support Group meeting via Zoom. Topic "Finding Purpose after Brain Injury" Below is an Overview “Purpose is about a process and a journey, not a … [Read More...]
Fayetteville NC Brain Injury Support Group — Finding Purpose after Brain Injury
On Saturday, May 16, 2020, I was asked to speak to the upcoming Fayetteville NC Brain Injury Support Group Zoom meeting on June 9, 2020 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. meeting. Topic: Finding Purpose after Brain Injury Below is what LED me to find purpose after … [Read More...]
Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury
Repetitive Mirrored Movements to Engage Both Sides of Our Brain and Body
In my own ongoing brain injury recovery process I have found tremendous benefit in repetitive mirrored movements. Alternating identical movements on both sides of my body engages both sides of my brain, creating hope in my life. One Skill and One Skill Set at a Time What I do with the right side … [Read More...]
Brain Injury, Frustration, Discouragement, Disappointment and Disillusionment
For many years after my brain injury I experienced frustration, discouragement, disappointment and disillusionment. In January 2015 I wrote an article, and created a video and slideshow presentation to share what helped to change my perspective and give me hope. Below are links to the article, a … [Read More...]
Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Video Presentation
To read the full article, click on this link: Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Scroll down to watch and listen to the video presentation of the article. For many years I had no idea how I had internalized shame and guilt because of my brain injury. In this … [Read More...]
Brain Injury Recovery – An Advantage and a Disadvantage– I need Your Help!
In today's article, I would like to ask a favor of you. I need your help. I need your help because I feel at a disadvantage. What Happened As I have shared in my About Page, my traumatic brain injury occurred in August 1967 when I was 10 years old (open skull fracture, right frontal lobe … [Read More...]
Self-Acceptance after Brain Injury
Increasing the Brain and Bodies Ability to Function after Stroke/Brain Injury
Following a stroke or brain injury the bodies ability to function on both sides can be damaged. This can result in a minimal or decreased ability to engage in activities of daily living. As a result the individual may find themselves frustrated and wanting to give up and isolate. In my experience, I have found […]
Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke
To watch and listen to a video presentation of this article, click on this link: Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Video Presentation For many years after my brain injury I had no idea that I carried a tremendous amount of guilt and shame. Guilt and shame because of […]
Bullying and Anxiety — So Who Did You Give Your Power Away To?
In response to my recent article, Several Ways that Help me to Own my Power, Just for Today, I received a comment/ question. “So who did you give your power away to?” After thinking about this question I decided to write this article, Bullying and Anxiety — So Who Did You Give Your Power Away […]
March — Brain Injury Awareness Month — Is Our Brain Injury Awareness Enough? Video Presentation
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. As I examine my brain injury awareness, I realize that I need to ask myself several questions. Is having the awareness of my brain injury enough or is there more to life? As I examine this question, I become aware of a choice. A choice that determines whether I […]
Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury
If You Feel Like You Don’t Fit Into This World It Is Because You…Video Presentation
Several weeks ago I watched an episode of Got Talent (not sure if it was America’s, Britain’s, or another country) presentation on YouTube. As I watched, a young man with quirky mannerisms walked onto the stage. While introducing himself, the audience and the judges seemed to discount him. After … [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...]
If You Feel Like You Don’t Fit Into This World It Is Because You…
Several weeks ago I watched an episode of Got Talent (not sure if it was America's, Britain's, or another country) presentation on YouTube. As I watched, a young man with quirky mannerisms walked onto the stage. While introducing himself, the audience and the judges seemed to discount him. After … [Read More...]
My Right Shoulder Impingement Syndrome and the Use of Neuroplasticity
In August 2019, I started to have problems with my right shoulder related to my right rotator cuff. After meeting and being examined by my physical therapist he told me that I was experiencing right shoulder impingement syndrome. Improvement with my Right Shoulder Over the past 4 months (after … [Read More...]
Creating Hope after Brain Injury
Brain Injury, Suicide and Wishing We Were Never Born Video Presentation
Brain injury can leave us suicidal and wishing that we had never been born. That people would be better off, if we were no longer alive and in their lives. That our struggle to make sense of our lives and well being seems pointless. But there is hope. Suicide is a Permanent Solution for a […]
Letting Go of Things that I can Not Change, Opens Doors Poster
In my experience, I have found that letting go of things that I can not change, opens doors. Below is a poster that I created today that inspires me, when I forget, to let go. To view 26 other posters that inspire, click on this link: 27 Posters to Inspire Hope in Brain Injury Survivors
Creating a Healthy Relationship with Hope Slideshow Presentation
For many years I had a dysfunctional relationship with hope. In this 4-minute slideshow presentation, Creating a Healthy Relationship with Hope I share what helped me to repair my relationship with hope. I create slideshows to highlight contents from my article, with accompanying pictures. To read the article from which this slide show presentation […]
Brain Injury, Facing Denial and Creating Hope to Have a Good Life Part 2 Video Presentation
Several days ago I wrote the article, To share the information with individuals, who like myself, learn better through watching and listening I create video presentations of my articles. In today’s article, I will share a video presentation of Brain Injury, Facing Denial and Creating Hope to Have a Good Life Part 2. To listen […]
Relationships following a Brain Injury
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...]
Emotional Hangovers and What Helps Me to Avoid Them Slideshow Episode 357
Recently, I wrote and publised the article, Emotional Hangovers and What Helps Me to Avoid Them. To offer the information in a different format I created a slideshow presentation of the article. Below is an introduction to the article "Have you ever come away from a conversation feeling anxious … [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...]
Celebrating Success Following Brain Injury
Why and What Might Have Been because of a Traumatic Brain Injury Video Presentation
Introduction to the Article Recently a friend asked a question that many of us, who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, have asked at some point in time. “Have you ever thought about why and what might have been?” “What might have been if you had not experienced a brain injury?”. I thought … [Continue Reading this article...]
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 … [Continue Reading this article...]
Looking at Success in a Different Way after a Brain Injury Video Presentation
Several days ago I wrote and published the article, Looking at Success in a Different Way after Brain Injury. Today, I created a video presentation of the article to share the information with individuals who learn through watching and listening. Below is a brief introduction to the … [Continue Reading this article...]
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 … [Continue Reading this article...]
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 questioning life itself. Once clear […]
Global Brain Injury Peer Support Network — Empowering the Individual, Not the Brain Injury
Through my 50 years of living with the impact of a brain injury and as an invisible disability I have come to realize that brain injury recovery needs to involve/include the whole person, not just the brain injury. That is why I believe that brain injury recovery and peer support needs to include healing in […]
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 addressing the described […]
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 conference. […]
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...]
My Journey Living with a Brain Injury
Second Chance to Live Author’s Autobiography Video Presentation
This video presentation marks the 400th video presentation that I have created for Second Chance to Live. Yesterday, I was asked, “How did you get all the information regarding your brain injury?”. Earlier this week someone else asked if I had a resume. A resume of information … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live Author’s Autobiography in Bullet Points
I have also created a video presentation of this article. This video presentation marks the 400th video presentation that I have created for Second Chance to Live. To listen to and watch the video presentation of the article, click on this link: Second Chance to Live Author’s Autobiography in … [Read More...]
secondchancetolive.wordpress.com closed and moved to secondchancetolive.org
Hello family and friends of Second Chance to Live. Please share the below news with family and friends of Second Chance to Live. Thank you. secondchancetolive.wordpress.com has been closed and moved to secondchancetolive.org Background On February 6, 2007 I created and launched Second Chance to … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live — Copyright Guidelines 2007–2019
I am writing this article to clarify my Copyright © Guidelines. I am re-posting my Copyright guidelines once again due to information recently received. Please Be Informed. Thank you. Articles, Video Presentations, slideshow presentations, Posters and eBooks from Second Chance to Live are Not to … [Read More...]
