My name is Craig J. Phillips. In 1967, at the age of 10, I sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in an accident.
A fractured skull with right frontal lobe damage, a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement and a 3 week coma.
Consequently, I grew up with special needs that left me in the “dark”. Left me in the dark’ as I sought to navigate life.
Understanding my Process and Journey with Unbeknownst to me and little direction, special needs.
Open skull fracture with right frontal lobe damage.
Finding Craig — Learning to Walk Again
Learning how to walk again after left femur fracture.
Finding Craig — My Academic Path
Education when there was little assistance known.
Finding Craig — My Brain Injury Awareness
With my experience, I grew in my awareness.
Finding Craig — Empowering My Life
Empowering my life as I grew in awareness
Finding Craig — My Physical Recovery Process
Empowering my physical recovery process.
Finding Craig — Making Sense of Brain Injury
Excelling in my life despite special needs.
For more insight into my process and journey growing up and living with special needs read my eBook by clicking on this Link:
Moving forward following a Brain Injury eBook
And Don’t Give Up!
Although I encountered many disappointments and discouragement along the way due to my special needs, I did not give up. My encouragement to you is to not give up on your process because of your special needs.
Instead, find a way that will work for you beyond your special needs.
On February 6, 2007 I created my website to share what I learned growing up and learning how to both navigate and thrive. Navigate and thrive beyond the “box” of a label, stereotype, or stigmatization.
Navigate and thrive beyond the “box” of a disability, a diagnosis, a prognosis and a set of circumstances.
My website offers hope and encouragement to both teachers and students.
To read a Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that Never Came, click on this link:
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that Never Came
“The three most important ways to lead people are: … By example… By example… By example.” Albert Schweitzer
What I Believe
I believe what I bring to the table is unique in that what I provide is hope to both the brain injury community worldwide, as well as to the special needs community worldwide.
I see my role as 2 pronged.
As an educator, I educate the educators to empower their service providers. As an educator, motivational and inspirational speaker I bring hope and encouragement to individuals, families, friends and caregivers.
Hope and Encouragement
Hope and encouragement to not give up on their process or journey, a loving God or themselves.
More will be revealed with time.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” Albert Einstein
Through Second Chance to Live and my 2026 Articles, 446 Video presentations, 12 eBooks, 20 Slideshow Presentations, 40 Posters, 14 Keynote Presentations my gift is to educate and inspire.
All of what I create and present focuses on and addresses a holistic and an ongoing personal development process and journey in the brain injury community and in the special needs community.
Personal development in mind, body, spirit, soul and emotions.
Below are links to each of these resources to be used to educate, motivate, and inspire.
2026 Article/Video Presentation Links within 12 Peer Support Categories
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 446 Video Presentations Playlist
Second Chance to Live 12 eBooks for Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery
Second Chance to Live — 20 Brain Injury Recovery Slideshow Presentations
40 Posters to Inspire, Encourage, Motivate, and Empower
14 Power Point Presentations Public Speaking Availability
During the past 26 months I have had the opportunity to speak publicly around that country via zoom through the below 14 different presentations.
To date I have spoken 86 times. See this link: Public Speaking; Book Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA — Second Chance to Live
I am available to give one or more of my below presentations to your faculty and staff. At this time, I do not charge a fee to share my presentations through zoom or in person.
Note: Although the titles are specific to brain injury and stroke, the content of the presentations have universal application. Universal application, regardless of specific special needs or circumstances.
Links to the Outlines of My 14 Different Keynote 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 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
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came Presentation
Enhancing My Brain and Body Connection One Skill and One Skill Set at a Time
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 2013–2021 scroll down.
Because of a shoulder injury and Covid I was not able to record a demonstration in 2019 or in 2020.
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
A Selection of 40 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.
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