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 frontal lobe damage, a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement. I fractured my left femur and remained in a coma for 3 weeks.
My Mom and I were not expected to live the night of the accident. We both survived. My Mom is 93 years old and going strong.
By the grace of God, hard work, tenacity and determination I taught myself how to walk, talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences after the accident. Although the test results (2 EEG’s and neuropsychological evaluation) showed that I would probably not succeed beyond high school, I obtained my undergraduate and my graduate degree.
Undergraduate degree after 10 years 2 Universities, 1 Community College: Geology, Physical Education, Nursing/EMT and Theology. Undergraduate degree: Major: Theology, Minor: Physical Education/Recreation (BA)
Graduate Degree after 3 1/2 years, 2 Graduate Schools (1 year in Seminary Asbury Theological Seminary, 2 1/2 years at the University of Kentucky grad school). Graduate degree: Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC).
After 20 years of getting and losing jobs, 3 applications for SSDI, 2 Department of Vocational Rehabilitation evaluations and trying to not be disabled I was declared disabled. After being told I was unemployable by DVR (Department of Vocational Rehabilitation) and my 3rd SSDI application was approved I felt stuck.
I felt stuck because no one seemed to want what I had to give.
I felt stuck although I had worked so hard to overcome what I did not understand. The impact of the traumatic brain injury that I had experienced when I was 10 years old. The impact of an invisible disability that I knew nothing about and that I could not change.
The circumstances over which I could not compensate for, to overcome. Overcome to be employable and not disabled.
Nevertheless, I had a desire to find a way that I could use my passion to encourage people with disabilities to not give up. To not give up on their process, a loving God or themselves. After writing poems, an autobiography and a book (registered with the library of congress) a friend encouraged me to start a blog.
A blog in which I could share with people who wanted what I had to give.
On February 6, 2007, I created Second Chance to Live to share what I discovered that has and continues to help me in my ongoing recovery process. In my interest to share this information, I have created a collection of resources. As these resources help you, please share them with anyone to whom you believe could benefit.
Below are links to these resources. As you read, watch/ listen to these resources and questions come to mind, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions and welcomed.
Resources Available for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery
Over the past 12 1/2 years, I have also written 10 eBooks, created 410 video presentations, 20 slideshow presentations, 17 posters as well as a list of other ongoing brain injury resources. I also created a Facebook community. You are invited to join our community by clicking on the link and ask to join.
Building Your Life After Traumatic Brain Injury Facebook Community
Below are links to the 1800 articles, as well as to the other ongoing brain injury recovery resources.
Easy Translator into Your Language for Second Chance to Live
1800 Article/Video Presentation Links within 12 Peer Support Categories
A List of 410 Video Presentations Created To Empower the Individual, Not the Brain Injury
Second Chance to Live — 20 Brain Injury Recovery Slideshow Presentations
20 Posters to Inspire, Encourage, Motivate, and Empower
Healing — 10 Free eBooks — After Traumatic Life Events and Major Physical Injuries
Limbic System, Fight or Flight Response and Brain Injury Recovery
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury Playlist 49 Video Presentation Series
Stroke, Brain Injury and the Benefits of Neuroplasticity
Nine Habits to Benefit from Using the Principle of Neuroplasticity
How I Use Neuroplasticity to Create Neural Pathways/Brain Reorganization
Childhood Stroke (Brain Injury) and Healing our Brain and Body
Schedule Second Chance to Live as a Keynote Speaker or a Workshop Leader
Testimonies and Endorsements for Second Chance to Live
Below my perspective is a list of article and video presentation titles placed in different categories. Categories designed to encourage and empower individuals in their ongoing brain injury recovery.
By clicking on the titles, the article will open for you. As you read the article (s) and watch the video presentations and questions come to mind, please share them with me. All questions are good questions and welcomed.
Category Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Brain Injury Recovery An Ongoing Process — List of Articles
Category Self-Acceptance after a Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Celebrating Success Following a Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Creating Hope after Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Finding and Knowing Peace after Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Finding Purpose after a Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category My Journey Living with a Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Overcoming Bullying after Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category Peer Support after Brain Injury — We are Not Alone — List of Articles
Category Relationships Following a Brain Injury — List of Articles
The Global Brain Injury Peer Support Network
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. More Information: Copyright 2007 –2019.
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