I have also created a video presentation of the article for individuals who learn through watching and listening.
What I need to remember and encourage: “I am (we are) not our brain injury, symptoms, deficits or limitations. They do not define us, because we can create hope beyond symptoms, deficits and limitations.” Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Since 2007 my interest has been to encourage individuals living with the impact of brain injuries. To encourage them to realize and remember that they are not the impact of their brain injury, their symptoms, their deficits or their limitations.
That although I (we) are powerless over the impact of our brain injury, symptoms, deficits and limitations, we can create a good life. Create a good life by engaging in a holistic brain injury recovery process.
Ongoing Holistic Brain Injury Recovery Process
That is why I encourage an ongoing holistic brain injury recovery process. An ongoing holistic recovery process beyond brain injury symptom management. I encourage this approach because I have found that waiting on brain injury symptom management can leave the individual feeling stuck. Stuck by believing that they have to wait until their brain injury symptoms are managed and “fixed” before they can recover.
Waiting for Symptoms to be Managed
In waiting on symptom management the individual may develop a learned helplessness. A learned helplessness and a dependency on the outcome (s) of their brain injury symptom management. As a result the individual living with a brain injury may find that they lose motivation and ambition. Their motivation and ambition to achieve or accomplish anything beyond the outcome (s) of the symptom management.
A Definition of Learned Helplessness
A phenomenon in which repeated exposure to uncontrollable stressors results in individuals failing to use any control options that may later become available. Essentially, individuals are said to learn that they lack behavioral control over environmental events, which, in turn, undermines the motivation to make changes or attempt to alter situations.” The phenomenon was first described in 1967 by U.S. psychologists J. Bruce Overmier (1938–) and Martin E. P. Seligman (1942–). The source of this: APA Dictionary of Psychology
Becomes Our Focus
Living with the impact of a brain injury or a stroke can keep us focused on the symptoms related to the effects of the brain injury and stroke. When things do not change after their brain injury and stroke, the individual may find themselves focused on what can not be done because of the symptoms. Because of the notion that unless the symptom (s) is “fixed” the individual may buy into the belief that there is little hope.
To Move beyond Believing that I was Dependent on the Symptom being Fixed
In my process and journey, I found that I needed to change the way I saw myself. I needed to see myself as an individual living with the impact of a brain injury, instead of as a “brain injury survivor.” I found that by changing the way that I saw myself I was able to stop seeing myself as someone who was/is a victim of my circumstances. Someone who was and is stuck because of symptoms, deficits and limitations.
Removing the Label and the power of Symptoms over Me
Removing the label of being a “brain injury survivor” helped me to stop identifying my self with my set of circumstances. Removing the label of “brain injury survivor” helped me to stop defining myself by symptom, deficits and limitations. Removing the label of being a “brain injury survivor” helped me to take back my power, as I realized that I no longer had to be limited because of my symptoms, limitations and deficits.
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker
Resources that Helped to Empower my Ongoing Holistic Brain Injury Recovery Process beyond Brain Injury Symptom Management
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” Robert Frost
“I am not my brain injury, symptoms, deficits or limitations. They will not define me, because I create hope beyond symptoms, deficits and limitations.” Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Background Information
Second Chance to Live Author’s Autobiography in Bullet Points
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call
Translate Second Chance to Live
To give non-English speaking and reading visitors to Second Chance to Live I have created a tool. A tool to translate into a variety of languages. To translate Second Chance to Live, right click on the below desired language link. Then click on open link in new tab. The select from English to your desired language
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Articles, Video Presentations, eBooks and Slideshow Presentations
2264 Article/Video Presentation Links within 13 Peer Support Categories
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 464 Video Presentations Playlist
30 Power Point Presentations Public Speaking Availability
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 49 Video Presentation Series Playlist
Second Chance to Live — 20 Brain Injury Recovery Slideshow Presentations
Building Your Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury 30 Video Presentation Playlist
See Testimonies and Endorsements for Second Chance to Live
Categories Designed to Encourage and Empower Individuals to Create Hope
Category Building Self-Esteem after Brain Injury — List of Articles
Category How to Stop Feeling Helpless 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
Sharing Hope through Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
How I Use Neuroplasticity to Create Neural Pathways/Brain Reorganization
Nine Habits to Benefit from Using the Principle of Neuroplasticity
Below is a list of Keynote Presentations and Discussion Topics
Discussion Topics to Inspire Purpose and Hope through Zoom
You Are Not Crazy. You have an Invisible Disability Discussion Topic
Yes, I am Disabled, but Don’t Count Me Out because…! Discussion Topic
Learning to Accept Ourselves when Other People Can’t or Won’t Discussion Topic
Nine Habits to Benefit from Using the Principle of Neuroplasticity Discussion Topic
Creating Practical Hope in Our Lives through the Power of Identification Discussion Topic
Navigating Life’s Railroad Switch — Finding Purpose and Passion After Brain Injury Discussion Topic
Living and Thriving Beyond Brain Injury Awareness to Create a Good Life for Ourselves Discussion Topic
Embracing Change A Three-Stage Journey to Journey to Learning and Success Presentation Discussion Topic
Getting Comfortable in Our “Own Skin” Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability Discussion Topic
Don’t Let Anyone tell You, You Aren’t Enough Because…You are Smart, Intuitive and Courageous Discussion Topic
Keynote Presentations Designed to Inspire Purpose and Hope
Finding Purpose and not Giving Up after Brain Injury
Hope and the Progression of Living our Best Life after Brain Injury
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury
Facing Adversity and Having Options When Life Does Not Make Sense
12 Ways to Enhance Our Lives, Well-Beings and Relationships after a Brain Injury
Brain Injury and The Power of “I CAN” in an Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery Process
Living and Thriving Beyond Brain Injury Awareness to Create a Good Life for Ourselves
Some Things to Consider so We Don’t Stay Stuck Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability
Getting Comfortable in Our “Own Skin” Living with a Brain Injury and an Invisible Disability
Believing in Ourselves through Self-Advocacy — A Guide to Owning Our Power after Brain Injury
Don’t Let Anyone tell You, You Aren’t Enough Because…You are Smart, Intuitive and Courageous
Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury: Embracing Reality and the Journey to Acceptance
Celebrating Goals and Dreams in the Now, Overcoming Obstacles, Odds and Impacting Generations
Finding Freedom from Feeling Alone, Isolated, Alienated, Intimidated and Diminished Living with a Brain injury and an Invisible Disability
Zoom Presentations Sharing my Personal Journey and Process
Second Chance to Live and Succeeding Beyond my Special Needs from 10 Years of Age
Comprehensive History of Second Chance to Live — Answering the Call that never Came
Zoom Presentations Empowering Groups and Organizations
Living with Long Covid-19 Invisible Disability — Hope, Encouragement and Support Zoom
Empowering Current and Future Leaders in Brain Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation to Empower Self-advocacy in Individuals Living with Brain Injuries
Encouraging the Creation of Hope through Neuroplasticity
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
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
Developing a Brain-Body Connection — Second Chance to Live — with an Invitation March 2024
Invitation to Join Our Two Communities
Second Chance to Live Community which you are welcome and invited to join. Click on the link below. Once the page has opened, and at the top right of the page, click subscribe. Enter you email. Each time I publish an article on Second Chance to Live that article will be sent to you email inbox.
Second Chance to Live Community
Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury Facebook Community, which you are also welcome and invited to join. Click on the below link and ask to join the community.
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