On August 19, 2022, I will be speaking the members and staff of the Brooks Rehabilitation Brain Injury Clubhouse in Jacksonville, Florida. I will be speaking on the topic of “Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came Presentation” through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click … [Read More...]
Most Recent Blog Article
Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury

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...]

Living with a Brain injury — I Can Not Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something Presentation to the Fayetteville Brain Injury Support Group
On August 9, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Living with a Brain injury — I Can Not Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something” to the Fayetteville Brain Injury Support Group in Fayetteville, North Carolina through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on this … [Read More...]

Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came Video Presentation
Several days ago I wrote and published "Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live -- Answering the Call that Never Came". To share the information in this article with individuals who learn through watching and listening, today I am creating a video presentation of the … [Read More...]

Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came
For Individuals who Learn through Watching and Listening, I have created a video presentation of this article. Click on this link to listen to and watch the presentation. Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live -- Answering the Call that never Came Video Presentation Below is the … [Read More...]
Self-Acceptance after Brain Injury

Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation to the Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association
On August 9, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke” to the Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on this link; Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and … [Read More...]

Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation to the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana
On August 3, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of "Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke" to the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana in Mandeville, Louisiana through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on this link; Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and … [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...]

Acceptance and Creating Our New Normal after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation and the Alamo Head Injury Association
On June 22, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of, “Acceptance and Creating Our New Normal after Brain Injury and Stroke” to the Alamo Head Injury Association in San Antonio, Texas through Zoom. To view an outline of this presentation, click on this link: Acceptance and Creating a New Normal … [Read More...]
Creating Hope after Brain Injury

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...]

Creating Hope in Our Lives after Brain Injury with Scrabble Letters
Having Hope after Brain Injury Having hope or believing that we can have a part in the process of creating hope can be very difficult for individuals living with the impact of a brain injury. Through my recovery process, I discovered that my definition and expectations of hope clouded my ability … [Read More...]

Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury Presentation and Stroke and the Seminole Spirit Brain Injury Support Group
On March 4, 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 /Aphasia Support Group in Woodstock, Georgia via Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on this … [Read More...]
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury

Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live–Answering the Call that Never Came Presentation and Brooks Rehabilitation Clubhouse
On August 19, 2022, I will be speaking the members and staff of the Brooks Rehabilitation Brain Injury Clubhouse in Jacksonville, Florida. I will be speaking on the topic of “Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came Presentation” through Zoom. To view … [Read More...]

Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came 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...]

Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation and BIND: Brain Injury Network of Dallas
On June 29, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of, "Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke" to the BIND: Brain Injury Network of Dallas in Plano, Texas through Zoom. To View an Outline of this Presentation, click on this link: Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke … [Read More...]

Living with a Brain Injury, Invisible Disability — How are You Defining Success Presentation and Adapt Clubhouse
On June 15, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability — How are You Defining Success? Presentation” to the Brain Injury Services Adapt Clubhouse in Alexandria, Virginia through Zoom. To view an outline of this presentation, you may click on … [Read More...]
Celebrating Success Following Brain Injury

Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability — How are You Defining Success? Presentation and the BIA of Massachusetts
"We Do Not Have to Do Things Perfectly" On July 15, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of, “Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability — How are You Defining Success?” to the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts in Pittsfield, Mass via Zoom. To view an outline of the … [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]

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 … [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]
Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury

Making Our Lives Magical One Day at a Time after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation and Encompass Impatient Rehabilitation Hospital
On February 16, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Making Our Lives Magical One Day at a Time after Brain Injury and Stroke” to the Encompass Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital “Aim High Group” in York, Pennsylvania through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation: Making Our … [Read More...]

Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts and “The Journey, Healing Through Self Expression”
On Monday, September 20th I gave a presentation to the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts program, "The Journey, Healing Through Self Expression". The request was not to share this presentation with anyone until after the presentation. Tonight, I received the go ahead. To view the … [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...]
Relationships following a Brain Injury

Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain injury and Stroke Presentation and Brooks Rehabilitation Clubhouse
On June 30, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of, “Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke” to Brooks Rehabilitation Brain Injury Clubhouse in Jacksonville, Florida through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on this link: Cultivating Healthy … [Read More...]

Feeling Rejected, Excluded, Cliques and “The Breakfast Club” Movie
In 1985 I watched a movie, while at graduate school, The Breakfast Club. The movie was set as a comedy, however as I watched the movie the plot opened my eyes. Opened my Eyes to What I Experienced Opened my eyes to what I experienced while in high school. A "social" structure that identified … [Read More...]

Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation to the Head Injury Association of Northern Nevada
On March 28, 2022, I will be speaking on the topic of “Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation” to the Head Injury Association of Northern Nevada, in Reno, Nevada. through Zoom. To view an outline of the presentation, click on: Cultivating Healthy … [Read More...]

Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
I am available to give this presentation to your group, association, hospital, clubhouse or in any other venue. Click on link to view outline. Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke present a set of … [Read More...]
How to Stop Feeling Helpless after Brain Injury

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...]

“I Am More than My Brain Injury” Zoom Presentation and the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
On May 27, 2021 I have been asked to offer my Zoom Presentation, "I am More than My Brain Injury" to the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina. To view an outline of the presentation, please click on the below link. "I Am More than My Brain Injury" Zoom Presentation and the Brain Injury … [Read More...]

Challenged by Family and Friends after Our Brain Injuries
To watch and listen to a video presentation of this article, click on this link. 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 … [Read More...]

Finding a Way that Worked for Me after My Traumatic Brain Injury Video Presentation
In my experience, finding my way after my traumatic brain injury took a lot of time, trial and error. Nevertheless, I am thankful for the grace of God on my life and that I did not give up on my search. My name is Craig J. Phillips and I sustained an open skull fracture in 1967, at the age of … [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

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...]