Fear, anger, and guilt no longer have to stop me. Fear, anger, and guilt no longer have to intimidate me. Instead, I can examine how my fear, anger, and guilt impact what I think about myself and my reality. In the process, I am able to stop allowing fear, anger, and guilt to dictate the quality of my life. Through becoming aware of my fear, … [Read More...]
Brain Injury Recovery — An Ongoing Process
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA Rehabilitation Counselor, Brain Injury Recovery Author, Advocate and Keynote Speaker
My name is Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA. I have a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling. I am an author, advocate, and keynote speaker. I sustained an open skull fracture with right frontal lobe damage, a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement. This occurred in a car accident when I … [Read More...]
Although You May Feel Stuck at Times, Don’t Give Up! Video Presentation
Although we may feel stuck at times, because of what does not make sense to us, we may want to give up. Give up on both ourselves and our dreams. In the process, we may be asking, “Why?” “Why” has this happened to me? In the process, we may feel stuck by a set of circumstances. A set of … [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...]
Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury
Check out the New Layout of Second Chance to Live
Several days ago I met with a friend who helped me to move my domain to another hosting company. During our time together he made some wonderful suggestions that would enhance Second Chance to Live. Suggestions that would declutter and aide in easier accessibility of resources and tools … [Read More...]
Brain Injury and Not judging Your Efforts to Anyone else’s Efforts
To watch and listen to the video presentation of the article, click on this link: Brain Injury and Not judging Your Efforts to Anyone else's Efforts Video Presentation As an individual living with a brain injury and an invisible disability who is living on SSDI I feel insecure at … [Read More...]
Brain Injury, Achieving Goals, and What may Be Getting in Your Way Video Presentation
Through my process and journey living with the impact of a brain injury, I discovered something. Something that got in the way of achieving goals. What I discovered may also help you to discover what may be getting in your way. Getting in the way of achieving goals. What I Discovered What I … [Read More...]
Brain Injury, Achieving Goals, and What may Be Getting in Your Way
Through my process and journey living with the impact of a brain injury, I discovered something. Something that got in the way of achieving goals. What I discovered may also help you to discover what may be getting in your way. Getting in the way of achieving goals. What I Discovered What I … [Read More...]
Self-Acceptance after Brain Injury
Experiencing Self-Acceptance after a Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury Video Presentation
Experiencing self-acceptance can be difficult for individuals living with brain injuries. As a result, individuals living with brain injuries may begin to doubt themselves. This doubt can undermine their ability to trust or believe in themselves. Click on this link to read the full article: Experiencing Self-Acceptance after a Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury To access a […]
Experiencing Self-Acceptance after a Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury
Experiencing self-acceptance can be difficult for individuals living with brain injuries. As a result, individuals living with brain injuries may begin to doubt themselves. This doubt can undermine their ability to trust or believe in themselves. Click on this link to watch and listen to the video presentation of the article: Experiencing Self-Acceptance after a […]
“I Feel Normal, You Guys are Weird” Verne Troyer (Mini-Me) Video Presentation
After signing on today, I opened YouTube. After opening the page, I felt led to watch an interview, of Verne Troyer. Verne Troyer played the character”Mini-Me” in the Austin Powers movies. While watching the interview, Verne said something to the interviewer that stood out to me. When asked by the interviewer concerning people looking at […]
Traumatic Brain Injury and a Message of Hope for Parents Video Presentation Episode 355
To offer the information within my articles to individuals who learn through watching and listening I create video presentations of my articles. Below is a brief except from the article, Traumatic Brain Injury and a Message of Hope for Parents To listen to and watch the video presentation of the article, click on this link: […]
Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury
Don’t Let Your Fear, Anger, and Guilt Stop You from Living Your Dreams
Fear, anger, and guilt no longer have to stop me. Fear, anger, and guilt no longer have to intimidate me. Instead, I can examine how my fear, anger, and guilt impact what I think about myself and my reality. In the process, I am able to stop allowing fear, anger, and guilt to dictate the quality … [Read More...]
Resentment, Forgiveness, Letting Go and Singing Our Song
Yesterday, I attended a support group meeting, where the topic of resentment and forgiveness was shared by one member of the group. When the topic was tabled for discussion my initial thought was "letting go". As the discussion moved around the circle, as people shared, I thought about something … [Read More...]
Attending College, University and Graduate School after Brain Injury Part 1 Video Presentation
Several days ago I published the article, Attending College, University and Graduate School after a Brain Injury. To offer the information to individuals who learn through watching and listening I am creating a video presentation of the article. https://youtu.be/BMZp51iJJ8Y Below is a brief … [Read More...]
Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury and Asking, “Why Me?” Video Presentation
On June 25, 2017 I published my article, Living with the Impact of a Brain Injury and Asking, "Why Me?. To share this popular article, I am creating a video presentation of this article. I am creating a video presentation of this article to share the contents of the article with individuals who … [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 Purpose after Brain Injury
Attending College, University and Graduate School after a Brain Injury Part 2 Video Presentation
In today's article, I will share a video presentation of the article: Attending College, University and Graduate School after a Brain Injury Part 2. I create video presentations of my articles to share the information with individuals who learn … [Read More...]
Second Chance to Live Keynote Presentation and the 11th Annual NKY TBI Conference Video Presentation
On March 31st I had an awesome opportunity to be a part of the 11th Annual NKY TBI Conference as a keynote speaker. I also had an awesome time the evening before the conference at dinner with staff from Kentucky's NeuroRestorative team. Thank you for … [Read More...]
Moving Beyond a Survivor Mindset to Excel in Life Video Presentation
In August 2015 I wrote and published the article, Moving Beyond a Survivor Mindset to Excel in Life. Today, I wanted to share a video presentation of the article, but I realized that I did not have a video presentation of the … [Read More...]
You Are Not Crazy. You have an Invisible Disability Video Presentation
Several nights ago I shared a link to an article on social media, You Are Not Crazy. You have an Invisible Disability. Today, I created a video presentation of the article to share the information with visual and auditory learners. To watch and … [Read More...]
Creating Hope after Brain Injury
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 […]
Brain Injury, Facing Denial and Creating Hope to Have a Good Life Part 1 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 1. To listen […]
Learning to Live My Life Once Again With Hope Video Presentation
Several days ago I published the article, Learning to Live My Life Once Again With Hope. To offer the information within my articles to individuals, who learn through watching and listening, I create video presentations. Below is an excerpt from the written article: “In today’s article, I would like to share something that I discovered […]
Relationships following a Brain Injury
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...]
A Message for Parents — Whose Shame are you Carrying?
I want to share something with you that has helped me. My motivation is to provide insights to the parents that read my blog. My motive is to provide awareness. No one is to blame. Pointing fingers in anyone's direction does no one any good. I am alone responsible for my choices. The beauty of … [Read More...]
Relationships with Myself and Other People after Brain Injury Video Presentation eBook Download
Following a brain injury, many questions arise. Many of which are very difficult to answer. One of these questions involves having relationships. Relationships with ourselves and with other people. Trying to understand who we are after a brain injury is difficult enough. Then trying to figure out … [Read More...]
Brain Injury, and Learning to Manage Anxiety in Social Settings Video Presentation
Last week I wrote 3 articles to answer a question that I received surrounding social anxiety. To share the information in an alternate format, I created video presentations of the articles. I create video presentations of my articles for individuals who learn through listening and watching. To … [Read More...]
Celebrating Success Following Brain Injury
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...]
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 … [Continue Reading this article...]
Celebrating Success after a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook
Today I would like to introduce my 10th eBook, Celebrating Success after a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook. To read and access the video presentations in the eBook, click on this link: Celebrating Success after a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook To Download the eBook, click on this … [Continue Reading this article...]
Brain Injury, the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and Not Giving Up!
To watch the video presentation of the article, please click on this link: Brain Injury, the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and Not Giving Up! Video Presentation Have you ever struggled with a fear of failure? Do you feel that your efforts are not good enough? I have my friend. But the good new is that … [Continue Reading this article...]
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...]
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
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...]
Finding Craig — My Academic Path Part 4
To read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8 of this article, click on these highlighted links: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8. In today's part of the article, I would like to share more about my academic process and journey with you. My … [Read More...]
Re-Designed Second Chance to Live and Create a Spark of Hope Websites
Over the course of the past week I have been working on several projects. These projects have involved setting up new themes for both Second Chance to Live and Create a Spark of Hope. In preparation to making this change I needed to reduce several hundred categories that I had used multiple times … [Read More...]
