To make the information in this article, available to individuals who learn through watching and listening, I created a video presentation of the article. Click on the link.
Living with a Brain Injury — I Can Not Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something Video Presentation
To make this article available as a keynote presentation for groups, I created a presentation of the article. Click on this link to view an outline of the presentation.
Living with a Brain Injury — I Can Not Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something Keynote Presentation
Full Article
Following brain injury or a stroke the way we used to be able to accomplish things in our lives may have changed. Changes that can leave us believing that we are limited.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
Quality, not Quantity of Expression
But there is good news. Although we may not be able to do somethings, we can discover how to do something in a way that will work for us.
So, You Can’t Climb a Tree — No Worries
“Adventure is not outside man, it is within.” George Eliott
For many years I bought into the notion that if I just found the right piece or pieces of information then I would experience life to the fullest. What i discovered was that I needed to work on understanding and keeping the focus on self-discovery.
“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” Peter Hagerty
In the process of self-discovery, my purpose and my passion revealed themselves to me. Through discovering my purpose and passion I began to fall in love with my journey. I began to fall in love with my journey by realizing that I was being led in the direction of my destiny.
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” Albert Einstein
For many years I desperately tried to climb the tree of traditional employment through different educational and vocational pursuits. All my efforts proved to be inadequate. In response, I questioned my worth and value until I realized that I was not meant to climb that tree.
The Process of Discovery
And the good news is that we can take our time to discover. We can do with what we have (our gifts, talents and abilities) where we are in our lives, in ways that work for us.
“Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.” Leonardo da Vinci
After 4 majors, 2 universities, 1 community college and 10 years I obtained my undergraduate degree. After 3 ½ years and 2 graduate schools I obtained my graduate degree. After 20 years of getting and losing jobs, 2 Voc Rehabs, and 3 SSDI applications I was deemed unemployable.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw
But I am glad that I did not give up on the process. The process of finding a way to use what I had to give. What I had to give in a way (s) that would work for me. After writing poems, an autobiography, and a book I was encouraged to start a blog – Second Chance to Live.
“Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add specifically your own creation.” Bruce Lee
In the process of a friend’s encouragement and my taking the risk, I began to research different blog platforms to host Second Chance to Live. I then began to write articles, and later eBooks, Video Presentations, posters and create other resources. In the process, I created my own…
Free to Fly above the Chatter
And the good news is that we do not need anyone’s validation or understanding. We can stay committed to building on our lot in life and cultivating the beauty of our expression.
“Regardless of your lot in life, you can build something beautiful on it.” Zig Ziglar
Through my process of creating, I began building on my “lot in life”. I began to realize that by building I was developing my own genius. No longer did I feel compelled to find my worth and value in an ability to climb the tree of traditional employment. With this freedom, I began to run.
“Create your own visual style…let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” Orson Welles
I began to run my own race as I crafted my gifts talents and abilities. Although other people may not have recognized my worth and value at the time, I did not give up. Over time, people who had eyes to see and ears to hear, began to recognize the value of what I brought to their lives.
“Insist on yourself. Never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation. But of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half-possession… Do that which is assigned to you and you cannot hope too much or dare too much. ” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Although there were people in my life who could not see or hear, I realized what I had to give was of great value. I began to realize that I could begin to celebrate my purpose. The purpose for my life set in motion when I experienced a traumatic brain injury in 1967 when I was 10.
Trusting the Process, a loving God and Ourselves
What’s more, we do not have to wait to be validated by anyone to be of tremendous value and service. Instead, we can just “suit up and show up”, do the footwork and let go of the outcomes.
“Ideas do not always come in a flash but by diligent trial-and-error experiments that take time and thought.” Charles K. Kao
As shared above and through my presentation, Finding Purpose after Brain injury, the birth of Second Chance to Live took 39 ½ years after my traumatic brain injury. Discovering how to create through my gifts, talent and abilities involved many trial-and-error experiments.
“You don’t have to be a ‘person of influence’ to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.” Scott Adams
And, because I was and am minimized, marginalized, dismissed and discounted by the medical model of treatment community, I felt disregarded. But this quote reminded and reminds me that I do not have to be given a stamp of approval by the “professional community” to be influential.
“Don’t quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can’t see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It’s the one that makes the sweetest sound.” Simon Sineck
So, after 15 ½ years I continue to declare the need for a holistic – body, soul, spirit, mind and emotions – approach to ongoing brain injury recovery. Although there has been little validation and including me in the discussion of brain injury recovery, beyond the box, I continue to drum,
Running Our own Race — Staying in Our own Lane
And in the process, we can confidently run our own race, while staying in our own lane. Running our own race and staying in our own lane, when other people do not understand or have our “vision”.
“When setting out on a journey do not seek the advice of someone who never left home.” Rumi
And I am thankful that I did and have not given up on sounding the alarm, that there is ongoing brain injury recovery beyond the “box” of the medical model. And I am glad that I did not give up on encouraging people living with brain injuries to realize that there is hope beyond the ‘box”.
“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” Angela Monet
And although I may be “cancelled”, minimized, marginalized, dismissed and discounted by the medical model of treatment community, I will continue to dance. I will continue to sound the alarm of hope, to the brain injury community, that lies beyond the “box” of symptoms.
“Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s okay. You’re here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.” Banksy
And as a voice in the seeming recovery wilderness, I understand that I am walking a road less traveled. Although, professionals in the medical model of treatment do not understand I will continue to encourage people living with brain injures to live beyond the ‘box’ to create hope.
And, remember that “Slow and Steady wins the Race”
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always to that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain
Don’t Let Hares Discourage You from Running and Winning Your Race
Hares, like the one in this fable, can be friends, family members, caregivers, professionals and even in brain injury associations. With this awareness, don’t be discouraged by these hares.
“You have more ability and capability than you realize. Don’t give up!” Craig J Phillips MRC, BA
Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare
One day a hare was bragging about how fast he could run. He bragged and bragged and even laughed at the tortoise, who was so slow. The tortoise stretched out his long neck and challenged the hare to a race, which, of course, made the hare laugh.
“My, my, what a joke!” thought the hare.
“A race, indeed, a race. Oh! what fun! My, my! a race, of course, Mr. Tortoise, we shall race!” said the hare.
The forest animals met and mapped out the course. The race begun, and the hare, being such a swift runner, soon left the tortoise far behind. About halfway through the course, it occurred to the hare that he had plenty of time to beat the slow trodden tortoise.
“Oh, my!” thought the hare, “I have plenty of time to play in the meadow here.”
And so he did.
After the hare finished playing, he decided that he had time to take a little nap.
“I have plenty of time to beat that tortoise,” he thought. And he cuddled up against a tree and dozed.
The tortoise, in the meantime, continued to plod on, albeit, it ever so slowly. He never stopped, but took one good step after another.
The hare finally woke from his nap. “Time to get going,” he thought. And off he went faster than he had ever run before! He dashed as quickly as anyone ever could up to the finish line, where he met the tortoise, who was patiently awaiting his arrival.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Self-Advocacy and Holistic (body, soul, spirit, mind and emotions) Resources for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery to Empower the Individual, not the brain injury
Below are links to resources that I have created to share what has empowered my ongoing brain injury recovery. Scroll down this page and click on the links.
As you view these resources and questions come to mind, please ask. All questions are good questions and welcomed. I look forward to hearing from you!
My Email Contact
secondchancetolive1@yahoo.com
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 and South Africa.
Translate Second Chance to Live into Your Language
To give non-English speaking and reading visitors to Second Chance to Live I have created a tool. A tool to translate Second Chance to Live into a variety of languages. Below are a series of language links. To translate Second Chance to Live, click on the desired language link.
When the translation page opens click on the small blue box opposite https://secondchancetolive.org/. Doing so will then translate Second Chance to Live.
Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Catalan Chinese Simplified Chinese Traditional Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Lativian Lithuanian Maltese Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish
Second Chance to Live Author’s Autobiography in Bullet Points
Articles, Video Presentations, eBooks, Slideshow Presentations and Posters
2014 Article/Video Presentation Links within 12 Peer Support Categories
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 444 Video Presentations Playlist
12 Power Point Presentations Public Speaking Availability
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 49 Video Presentation Series Playlist
Second Chance to Live 12 eBooks for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery
Second Chance to Live — 20 Brain Injury Recovery Slideshow Presentations
38 Posters to Inspire, Encourage, Motivate, and Empower
Building Your Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 30 Video Presentation Playlist
See Testimonies and Endorsements for Second Chance to Live
Information on the Power of Neuroplasticity
Stroke, Brain Injury and the Benefits of Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, Small Successes and Learning/Relearning Skills/Skill Sets
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
Locations and Presentations
In the past 24 months, I have spoken at 80 events publicly, with upcoming events covering eleven core topics.
Public Speaking; Book Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA — Second Chance to Live
Click on the Below Links to Open and View these Keynote Zoom Presentations
Finding Purpose after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Acceptance and Creating a New Normal after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Believing in Ourselves through Self-Advocacy — A Guide to Owning Our Power after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
12 Ways to Enhance Our Lives, Well-Beings and Relationships after a Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Making Our Lives Magical One Day at a Time after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Cultivating Healthy Relationships after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability –How are You Defining Success? Presentation
Living with a Brain Injury, an Invisible Disability and Change after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Instead, We can Create our Own Genius after Brain Injury and Stroke Presentation
Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Zoom Presentation
Brain Injury — Why Do I Feel so Misunderstood and Shunned? Presentation
Living with a Brain Injury — I Can Not Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something Presentation
I Am More Than My Brain Injury Zoom Presentation (Full Presentation)
I Am More than My Brain Injury Zoom Presentation in 3 Parts
“I Am More Than My Brain Injury – What Led me to this Awareness Part 1” Zoom Presentation
“I Am More than My Brain Injury — Understanding the People we Interact with as Individuals living with Brain Injuries” Part 2 Zoom Presentation
“I Am More than My Brain Injury – Defining and Creating My New Normal” Part 3 Zoom Presentation
Understanding the Impact of Invisible Disabilities (Full Presentation)
Understanding the Impact of Invisible Disabilities in 3 Parts
“Understanding the Impact of Invisible Disabilities — The People We Interact with as Individuals with Invisible Disabilities Part 1” Zoom Presentation
“Understanding the Impact of Invisible Disabilities — Acceptance and Discovering a New Normal Part 2” Zoom Presentation
“Understanding the Impact of Invisible Disabilities — Why do I Feel so Misunderstood and Shunned? Part 3” Zoom Presentation
Categories Designed to Encourage and Empower Individuals in their Recovery Process
Click on the category link. scroll down the page and clink of the desired article or video presentation. As you have questions, please ask.
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
The Goal — Being a Work in Progress
Neuroplasticity, Small Successes and Learning/Relearning Skills/Skill Sets (Article)
Neuroplasticity, Small Successes and Learning/Relearning Skills and Skill Sets Video Presentation
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Zoom Presentation
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Power Point Presentation
My Process and Journey with Neuroplasticity
I have been using different martial art disciplines for the past 26 years to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization (neuroplasticity) through repetitive mirrored movements.
Benefits
To improve and enhance muscle memory, coordination, agility, body awareness, hand/foot/eye coordination, precision, dexterity, spatial orientation and balance on both the right and left side of my body.
Develop Your Own Program
For more information to develop your own programs to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization click on the below link.
Neuroplasticity, Small Successes and Learning/Relearning Skills and Skill Sets
My Program
In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021 I was fortunate to have had several individuals record presentations. To see my progress of development from 2013–2018 click Here.
Because of a shoulder injury and Covid I was not able to record in 2019 and 2020.
Below are recent demonstrations of my using these different disciplines through repetitive mirrored movements to work on small and large muscle groups / gross and fine motor skills.
The Process and Goal
The goal has been to improve my ability to mirror the same abilities on both the non-dominant side (left side) of my body with the dominant side (right side) of my body. As in the below demonstrations, I engage both sides of my body (my hands, arms, elbows, legs, knees, and feet).
I engage both sides of my body to improve my gross, fine motor skills and muscle memory. I engage both sides of my body to improve my dexterity, hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, stamina, precision, focus and awareness. I engage both sides of my body to improve my skills and abilities.
I engage both sides of my body to improve and enhance the quality of my life and well-being. I engage both sides of my brain and body to create.
Create Your Own Program
In the event that you have not begun, I would encourage you to create a program. Create a program that will empower you to create neural pathways and brain reorganization. Brain reorganization through repetitive mirrored movements on your dominant and non-dominant sides of your body. Brain reorganization to improve and enhance your quality of life and well-being.
Neuroplasticity through Martial Arts 2013
Neuroplasticity Demonstration August 2014
Brain Injury, Neuroplasticity and Personal Gains August 2015
Balance and Coordination through Repetitive Mirrored Movement 2016
Brain Injury Recovery and Repetitive Mirrored Movements 2017
Improving Our Brain and Body’s Ability to Excel after Brain Injury 2018
Due to a shoulder injury I was unable to create a video presentation in 2019. Due to Covid I was unable to create a video presentation in 2020.
Stick Fighting, Knife, Western Boxing &Wing Chun Drills
Created September 2, 2021
Transition Drills to Improve Agility, Focus, Speed & Coordination
Created September 6, 2021
Hand Eye Coordination and Precision Drills using Fine Motor Skills
Created September 12, 2021
Using upper and lower body coordination and movement to improve focus, agility and balance of upper body and lower body martial art skills. Created February 14, 2022
Below are 12 eBooks (PDF files to Read) and Download Links for Each of the 12 eBooks
Living with a Brain Injury eBook Putting the Pieces in Place 60 Video Presentations (PDF file)
Being Your own Hero through Overcoming Adversity – Tool for Rebuilding Your Life eBook
Living with a brain injury and Building Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance eBook
Living with a Brain Injury, Making Sense of Why and What is my Destiny? eBook
Living with a Brain Injury, What Helped Me to Stop being my Enemy and Create a life for Myself eBook
It’s Never too Late to Create Hope eBook
Moving Forward Following a Brain Injury eBook
Living with a Brain Injury and Taking Care of Ourselves eBook
Having a Relationship with Myself and Other People after a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook
Celebrating Success after a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook
Don’t Let Anyone Tell You (Including Yourself) that… Video Presentation e Book
In my desire to be of service and make the information available, I decided to offer my 12 eBooks as a free download.
Living with a Brain Injury eBook Putting the Pieces in Place 60 Video Presentations
Living with a brain injury and Building Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance eBook
Living with a Brain Injury, What Helped Me to Stop Being my Enemy and Create a Life for Myself eBook
Living with a Brain Injury, Making Sense of Why and What is my Destiny? eBook
Being Your own Hero through Overcoming Adversity — Tools for Rebuilding Your Life eBook
It’s Never too Late to Create Hope eBook
Moving Forward Following a Brain Injury eBook
Living with a Brain Injury and Learning to Take Care of Ourselves
Having a Relationship with Myself and Other People After a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook
Celebrating Success after a Brain Injury Video Presentations eBook
Introducing the “Avoiding the Trap of Our Brain Injury e Book
Don’t Let Anyone tell You (Including Yourself) that…Video Presentation e Book Download
A Selection of 38 Posters Created to Inspire You and Me with Hope and Empowerment
Our Facebook Community — You are Welcome to Join
Several years ago I created a Face Book Community, The Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury Community. I would invite you to join our community by clicking on this link and asking to join.
The Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury Community
Past and Present Organizations Using Second Chance to Live as a Useful Resource
Publications and Radio Programs hosting Second Chance to Live to Empower Members
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 – 2022.
Leave a Reply