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 Stroke Presentation
Bio of the Presenter
My name is Craig J. Phillips. I sustained an open skull fracture and a traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident when I was 10 years old in 1967. I remained in a coma for 3 weeks with right frontal lobe damage, a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement. Waking from the coma, I felt like I had a bad dream, but the reality became apparent. I also fractured my left femur and remained in traction for 6-7 weeks to set the femur.
I was then placed in a full body cast (Spica) for 5-6 months. After being taken out of the Spica cast, I learned how to walk, talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences. I also underwent 2 EEG’s and a battery of cognitive and psycho social testing. The results were shared with my parents, but not with me. Once my external wounds healed, the impact of my traumatic brain injury went invisible and was never factored into my struggle.
I was mainstreamed into the 6th grade. I graduated on time with my high school class and then went on to college, although the testing done in 1968 showed that I would probably not succeed beyond high school academically. It took me 10 years to obtain my undergraduate degree (2 universities and one college) and 3 ½ years to obtain my graduate degree (2 graduate schools). I had a long history of getting and losing jobs.
I applied for SSDI 3 times and was a client of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in Florida and North Carolina. After my 2nd DVR evaluation my vocational rehab counselor told me that I was unemployable. Shortly after being told that I was unemployable by DVR I was approved to begin receiving SSDI at the end of 1998. My undergraduate degree is in Theology. My graduate degree is in Rehabilitation Counseling
Although I had diligently applied myself both academically and vocationally, I felt like someone all dressed up with nowhere to go. Nevertheless, I had a desire to use what I had been seeking to do all my life.
Benefits of Not Giving Up on the Process, a Loving God or Myself
On February 6, 2007 I created Second Chance to Live. Since that time, I have written 2020 articles, 12 eBooks, created 446 video presentations, 20 slideshow presentations and 40 inspirational posters, all focusing on holistic recovery.
Since June 2020 and to date I have given 85 keynote presentations, throughout the USA, via Zoom. To see these presentations, locations and to schedule presentations, click on this link. Brain Injury Support through Zoom Keynote Presentations.
To access my resource page, click on this link: Resources for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery Empowering the Individual, not the brain injury. I look forward to being of service to you and your organization through Second Chance to Live.
More Information about Second Chance to Live
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came Video Presentation
Resources to Empower the Individual, not the brain injury
To access the resources that have helped me in the process of finding my purpose, click on this link;
Self-Advocacy Resources for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery to Find Ones Purpose
Below are links to my other 12 presentations, in which I share what helped me to find and live my purpose. I am available to present these programs to your group.
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 Keynote Presentation
Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability –How are You Defining Success?
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 Zoom Presentation
Living with a Brain Injury — I Can Not Do Everything, But Still I Can Do Something Presentation
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