Don’t Give Up on Your Process and Journey. Stay committed to running your own race. More will be revealed with time. Slow and Steady wins the Race.
On this date. August 11, 55 years ago, my unknown journey began. The journey that would bring a light into the brain injury community. Bring a light that would change the course of brain injury recovery and brain injury community history.
Starting Line
On August 11, 1967 I sustained an open skull fracture in an automobile accident that resulted in right frontal lobe damage, a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement. I remained in a coma for 3 weeks and in traction for 6-7 weeks to set my fractured left femur.
Although’s in My Life, But for the Grace of God and Not Giving Up
Although I was not expected to live the night of the accident I survived. After the accident, I re-learned how to walk, talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences.
Although not expected to succeed beyond high school academically, I obtained my undergraduate, graduate degrees and my national credentials as a Certified Rehab Counselor.
Although I was told that I was unemployable and unable to work in gainful employment, I created a vibrant and influential website on February 6, 2007 — Second Chance to Live.
Although I have been minimized, marginalized, dismissed and discounted by many with in the brain injury industry, my audience has grown and I have become a national speaker.
Yes, I am Disabled, but Don’t Count me Out
In October 2014 I wrote the article, Yes I am Disabled, but Don’t Count Me Out because…!. In this article I share how I had a conversation with an individual who I had not seen in 6-7 years that challenged me.
A brief except from that article.
“When she asked me if I was working, I told her that I was still disabled and receiving assistance. When I said that I was not working, I got the feeling from her that being disabled, receiving assistance and not being able to work in traditional settings made me less of a person. I got a feeling that as a result of being disabled and receiving assistance, I could not really have a place of significance in the world. A feeling of “Yes, but…”coming from her.”
Don’t Be discouraged or Disheartened
Although the attitude could have caused me to be discouraged and disheartened, I am glad that I did not give up. Give up on the process of running my race. I am glad that I continued to run my race, like the tortoise in Aesop’s “Fable of the Tortoise the Hare”.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Although you may have hares in your life who seek to discourage you from running your race, don’t give up. Stay committed to the process, the journey and run your own race. Stay in your own lane. And, remember that more will be revealed with time. Slow and Steady wins the Race.
Starting Gate
Second Chance to Live Author’s Autobiography in Bullet Points
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came
Articles, Video Presentations, eBooks, Slideshow Presentations and Posters
2024 Article/Video Presentation Links within 12 Peer Support Categories
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 446 Video Presentations Playlist
13 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
40 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 26 months, I have spoken at 85 events publicly, with upcoming events covering thirteen 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 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.
RSS - Posts
Leave a Reply