Creating New Neural Pathways, Brain Reorganization and INOVA Loudoun Hospital Outpatient Specialty Rehabilitation

On September 1, 2026 I will be giving my presentation, “Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury and Stroke” to the INOVA Loudoun Hospital Outpatient Specialty Rehabilitation in Lansdowne, Virginia.

“Through perseverance, many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.” Benjamin Disraeli

“Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.” Dale Carnegie

“Research your own experience; absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add what is essentially your own. ” Bruce Lee

 Introduction 

Following a brain injury and or a stroke changes occur in each individual’s physical and cognitive abilities. Neuroplasticity is a way the brain heals and each individual learns or re-learns skills and skill sets. Learns or re-learns skills and skill sets through repetitive mirrored movements on both sides of the body. Engaging both sides of the brain and body through the corpus callosum (bundle of nerve cells between the right and left sides of the brain). In this presentation I will share what has helped me in my ongoing brain injury recovery process to develop new neural pathways and brain reorganization to learn skills and skill sets. What may help you, too, in your ongoing brain injury recovery process through neuroplasticity.

Basis of Creating New Neural Pathways and Brain Reorganization

Neuroplasticity — MedicineNet.com –“Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment. Brain reorganization takes place by mechanisms such as “axonal sprouting” in which undamaged axons grow new nerve endings to reconnect neurons whose links were injured or severed. Undamaged axons can also sprout nerve endings and connect with other undamaged nerve cells, forming new neural pathways to accomplish a needed function.” Mine: A needed function by learning or re-learning.

The outline of the presentation:

Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation

Neuroplasticity, Setting, Goals, Creating, Hope after Brain Injury and Stroke LARGE PRINT Presentation Titled

Using the Principles of Neuroplasticity in my Mind, Body, Spirit, Soul and Emotions

Since my open skull fracture, right frontal lobe damage, severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement and a 3-week coma 59 years ago I have been using the principles of neuroplasticity. Using the principles of neuroplasticity in my ongoing brain injury recovery process in my mind, body, spirit, soul and emotions. I have been using 9 habits to build new neural pathways and brain reorganization through the principle of neuroplasticity. The habits: Hard work, Commitment, Determination, Drive, Discipline, Fortitude, Persistence, Tenacity and Courage a little at a time.

Nine Habits to Benefit from Using the Principle of Neuroplasticity

Over the Course of 28 years

Over the course of the past 28 years I have been using western boxing, kali, wing chun, modern arnis, jeet kune do and Filipino stick fighting to accelerate this process in my mind, body, spirit, soul and emotions. Boxing and martial art disciplines drill practices to increase my range of motion, gross and fine motor skills, balance, agility, hand-eye coordination and general body coordination, gait, stamina and focus.

Below are demonstrations of how I have used the 9 habits to create and develop new neural pathways and brain reorganization. Develop new neural pathways and brain reorganization in my brain to execute abilities in the left and right sides of my body. Demonstrations that friends have captured for me through videos.  The first in 2013 for a keynote presentation given at the Southwest Conference on Disability. 

Shared to Encourage you to Create your Own Program to Create Hope in Your Life

Each year showing the advancement of my skills and skill sets, using both the right and left sides of my brain and body. Each year showing the hope that I created in my mind, body, spirit, soul and emotions a little at a time, by not giving up. Hope created in anyone’s mind, body, spirit, soul and emotions, as new neural pathways and brain reorganization benefits each individual’s mind, body, spirit, soul and emotions.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

Neuroplasticity through Martial Arts Disciplines August 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 and then Covid, I was unable to create a demonstration in 2019 and in 2020.

Stick Fighting, Knife, Western Boxing muay Thai &Wing Chun Drills Created September 2, 2021

Hand Eye Coordination and Precision Drills using Fine Motor Drills Created September 12, 2021

Upper/Lower Body Coordination Drills to Improve Focus, Balance and Agility Created February 14, 2022

Brain-Body Connection –Craig J Phillips MRC, BA, Second Chance to Live March 2024

Neuroplasticity, Corpus Callosum, Crossing the Center line and Changing the Way Demonstration April 17, 2026

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Please Note: This page and all content are the original work of Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA Second Chance to Live and The Second Chance to Live Trauma-Informed Care AI Collaboration Model™. They are protected under my Copyright & Use Policy, Use and Sharing Policy, and Creative Commons License (BY-NC-ND). Permanent Declaration of Authorship and Mission Stewardship