Scroll down this page below my perspective for a list of links to articles. Click on the article title and the article will open for you.
My Perspective
Self-acceptance may be difficult for an individual living with a brain injury. As a result individuals living with brain injuries may begin to doubt themselves. This doubt can undermine their ability to trust or believe in themselves. Societal labels and stereotypes may lead them to believe that they are their brain injuries. In this belief, individuals living with brain injuries may find themselves angry at themselves. Angry at the “world”. After coming out of my own denial concerning my brain injury, I was angry. I was angry at the impact of my brain injury. I was angry at the labels, stereotypes that society placed on me. I was angry for being minimized and marginalized because of what was out of my control. I was angry at what I was powerless to change.
But, I am grateful for this anger. My anger and frustration motivated me to make changes. Changes that helped me to begin on a journey of self-acceptance.
I am grateful for the anger I experienced. The anger helped me to move through a grieving process. A grieving process that helped me to accept what could not change. I am grateful for the acceptance of what I could not change. The acceptance of what I could not change gave me the ability to change what I could. By changing what I could, I grew in self-acceptance. My self-acceptance gave me the gift to be able to get into action. Action that would prove to me that I was not my brain injury. The action that gave me the ability to create hope in my life. The hope that gave me the ability to grow in self-acceptance. The self-acceptance that helped me to realize that I was not my brain injury. To discover my unique creative capacity to use my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for me.
The self-acceptance that helped me to define my identity as an individual living with a brain injury. To discover my unique creative capacity to use my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for me.
Self-acceptance that gave me the ability to trust myself. The articles in this category can help the individual living with a brain injury to love, accept and approve of themselves. To love, accept and approve of themselves to create. To learn how to trust themselves. To discover their unique capacity as an individual living with a brain injury. To discover that they are not their brain injuries. To discover their identify as an individual living with a brain injury. To discover their own unique creative capacity to use their gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for them. To find the freedom to be themselves.To discover that they are not limited because of their limitations. To discover that they no longer have to allow societal stereotypes or stigmatization to get in the way.
- Second Chance to Live — Celebrating My 2000th Article
- Feeling Rejected, Excluded, Cliques and “The Breakfast Club” Movie
- “Acceptance and Creating Our New Normal after Brain injury and Stroke” Presentation and the Council on Brain Injury CoBI ReDiscover U Sessions
- Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope after Brain Injury Presentation and the North Dakota Brain Injury Network
- Acceptance and Creating Our New Normal after Brain Injury Presentation to the Brain Injury Association of Vermont
- Invisible Disabilities, Creating Our New Normal After Brain Injury and the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee
- Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery and Involving the Whole Person
- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Second Chance to Live and Creating Our New Normal
- Acceptance and Creating a New Normal Zoom Presentation with Rehab Without Walls
- Acceptance and Creating a New Normal Zoom Presentation to Brooks Rehabilitation Clubhouse
- Ingredients to Build a Good Life for Ourselves after Brain Injury
- “I Am More Than My Brain Injury” Zoom Presentation and the Fayetteville Brain Injury Support Group
- Don’t Let Anyone…Because You Already Are More Than Enough Poster
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Bargaining in the Five Stages of Grieving Video Presentation
- Brain Injury, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance, Freedom
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Bargaining in the Five Stages of Grieving
- Increasing the Brain and Bodies Ability to Function after Stroke/Brain Injury
- Grieving the Guilt and Shame of a Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke
- Bullying and Anxiety — So Who Did You Give Your Power Away To?
- March — Brain Injury Awareness Month — Is Our Brain Injury Awareness Enough? Video Presentation
- Brain Injury, New Year’s Resolutions, Resolving to Own Our Power Video Presentation
- Although You May Feel Stuck at Times, Don’t Give Up! Video Presentation
- Finding Freedom From Feelings of Helplessness after Brain Injury Video Presentation
- Finding Freedom From Feelings of Helplessness after Brain Injury
- Experiencing Self-Acceptance after a Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury
- “I Feel Normal, You Guys are Weird” Verne Troyer (Mini-Me) Video Presentation
- Traumatic Brain Injury and a Message of Hope for Parents Video Presentation Episode 355
- How I was Able to Move Forward with My Life
- Brain Injury, and Learning to Manage Anxiety in Social Settings
- Brain Injury — Why do I Feel so Misunderstood and Shunned?
- Brain Injury, Vulnerability, Bullying and Intimidation Part 2
- Brain Injury, Vulnerability, Bullying and Intimidation Part 1
- Moving Forward Following a Brain Injury e Book
- Finding Craig — Making Sense of Brain Injury Part 8
- Finding Craig — Empowering My Life Part 6
- Freedom to Realize Choice in Brain Injury
- Brain Injury and Anger
- Denial and Brain Injury Recovery
- Finding Craig — Telling My Story Part 1
- Finding Craig — Growing Up, continued… Part 2
- Living with Limitations and NOT Giving UP on Ourselves
- What’s Holding You Back? Video Presentation
- Don’t Let Anyone tell You — You Aren’t Enough Because…
- What’s Holding You Back?
- Challenges to Overcome — Facing and Confronting Denial
- Create a Spark of Hope Website
- How I Am Able to Stop Beating Up on Myself
- Traumatic Brain Injury, “Groundhog Day” and Defining “Why?” Video Presentation
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Defining Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance Video Presentation
- Surviving a Brain Injury — Will I ever Feel Normal Again? Video Presentation
- Surviving a Brain Injury — Will I ever Feel Normal Again?
- Living with a Disability, Feeling Excluded and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Living with a brain injury — Overwhelmed and Over Reacting — Taking Back my Power
- Living with an Invisible Disability — Accepting Ourselves when Other People Can’t Video Presentation
- Living with a Brain Injury — it’s all up in your head — Lest I be lulled back into Denial
- The Benefits of Telling One’s Story as a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Video Presentation
- The Benefits of Telling One's Story as a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor
- Finding Freedom to Love and Accept Our self as an Individual
- Getting Comfortable in Our Own Skin Being Outside of the “Box”
- Thoughts and Quotes that Inspire Confidence
- What Helped Me to Stop Fighting Against Myself as a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Part 2 Video Presentation
- What Helped Me to Stop Fighting Against Myself as a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Part 1 Video Presentation
- What Helped me to Accept Myself as a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Video Presentation
- What Helped me to Accept Myself as a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor
- Will We See Dark Clouds or Silver Linings — The Choice, Ours Video Presentation
- Will We See Dark Clouds or Silver Linings — The Choice, Ours
- Celebrate What Makes You Different and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Video Presentation
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and the Process of Grieving — Action — Part 7 Video Presentation
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Grieving Process — Acceptance — Part 6 Video Presentation
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Grieving Process — Awareness — Part 5 Video Presentation
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Grieving Process — Anger and Resentment — Part 4 Video Presentation
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and the Process of Grieving — Part 3 Video Presentation
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and the Grieving Process — Part 2 Video Presentation
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and the Grieving Process — Part 1 Video Presentation
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and the Grieving Process — Part 1 and Part 2 Revisited
- Learning How to Be at Peace with Ourselves Video Presentation
- Learning How to Be at Peace with Ourselves
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — More Insights Gained Part 8 Video Presentation
- Living in Peace — One day at a Time
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — More Insights Gained Part 8
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Insights Gained Part 7
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Learning to Love and Accept Myself Part 6
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Finding Myself Part 5
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Finding Freedom Part 4
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Awareness Part 2 Video Presentation
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Awareness Part 2
- Second Chance to Live — Lessons from my Journey — Awakening Part 1
- How to Love and Accept Myself as a Traumatic / Acquired Brain Injury Survivor
- Living with an Invisible Disability — Taking Back my Power Video Presentation
- Why am I Stuck? Video Presentation
- Why Am I Stuck?
- Slogans for Living Life Video Presentation
- Slogans For Living Life
- Gary Busey, A Mechanical Barking Dog and Creative Brilliance
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — On the Road to Healing Part 1 Revisited
- What was under your Christmas Tree?
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer — A Change of Perspective — Empowerment Part 2
- Rudolph the Re Nosed Reindeer — A Change of Perspective — Empowerment Part 1
- Learning to Accept and Thrive in Our Reality Part 1
- Living with a Disability — The Measure of a Champion Recaptured Part 2 Video Presentation
- Living with a Disability — The Measure of a Champion Recaptured Part 1 Video Presentation
- Accepting Myself when Family and Friends Can Not Part 2 Video Presentation
- Accepting Myself when Family and Friends Can Not Part 1 Video Presentation
- Empowering Your Life — The Difference between Humility and Humiliation Part 2
- Empowering Your Life — The Difference between Humility and Humiliation Part 1
- How to Heal Spiritually, Emotionally and Physically – Break the Three Unspoken Rules Part 2
- How to Heal Spiritually, Emotionally and Physically — Break the Three Unspoken Rules Part 1
- Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury and Beginning to Heal
- Living with a brain injury and The Principle of Awareness, Acceptance and Action
- Living with a Disability, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Courage
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Having an Invisible Disability — The Consequences of Denying Reality Revisited Part 1
- Living with a brain injury and Learning to Put the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
- Who Am I?–Video Presentation
- Adversity and The Perception of Losing
- Second Chance to Live, Steve Jobs and the Crazy Ones
- YouTube video presentation–The Principle of Progress Not Perfection Part 4
- YouTube video presentation — The Principle of Progress Not Perfection Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Living with Dignity Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury – What is defining your Worth, Value and Significance? Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury – What is defining your Worth, Value and Significance? Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury — A Bird, A Window and A Spiritual Axiom Part 3
- Brain Injury Awareness Month 2011 and Self-Awareness Part 1
- Feeling like a Square Peg in a World of Round Holes
- Living with a disability and Feeling Different Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Feeling Different Part 2
- Living with a disability and Feeling Different Part 1
- Living with a brain injury and being Misunderstood, Maligned and Manipulated Part 7
- Living with a brain injury and Making Decisions Part 7
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Being Labeled Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury, the Bully and Carrying Shame Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Creating Community Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Seeing Myself in a Mirror Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Seeing Myself in a Mirror Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Seeing Myself in a Mirror Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Seeing Myself in a Mirror Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Facing Denial Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Facing Denial Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Facing Denial Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Facing Denial Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Facing Denial Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of “Queue” Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of “Queue” Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Feeling Broken Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Learning how to Love and Accept Myself Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Learning how to Love and Accept Myself Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Learning how to Love and Accept Myself Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Learning how to Love and Accept Myself Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Learning how to Love and Accept Myself
- Traumatic Brain Injury — How am I seeing Myself? Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Facing Alienation and Isolation – From Confusion to Clarity Part 6
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Facing Alienation and Isolation – From Confusion to Clarity Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Facing Alienation and Isolation – From Confusion to Clarity Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Facing Alienation and Isolation — Turning Confusion into Clarity Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Facing Alienation and Isolation — Turning Confusion into Clarity Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Facing Alienation and Isolation — Turning Confusion into Clarity Part 1
- Who Am I? Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Fatigue, Anxiety, Anguish and Depression Part 3
- Acquired Brain Injury — In Pursuit of Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance Part 3 of 3
- Acquired Brain Injury — In Pursuit of Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance Part 2 of 3
- Acquired Brain Injury — In Pursuit of Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury — I began to heal when… Epiloque
- Traumatic Brain Injury — I began to heal when… Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury — I began to heal when… Part 4 of 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury — I began to heal when… Part 3 of 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury — I began to heal when… Part 2 of 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury — I began to heal when… Part 1 of 4
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Empowerment Part 10
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Learning to Trust Part 9
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Exchanging a Lie for the Truth Part 8
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — No Longer in the Shadows Part 7
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Breaking Free Part 6
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Coming Out of Isolation Part 5
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Action Part 4
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Acceptance Part 3
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Awareness Part 2
- Empowering a Relationship with Myself and with Other People — Awakening Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — How Shame set Me up for Failure — Part 8
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Under a Mountain of Shame Part 7
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Anger and Resentments Part 6
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury — What Empowers me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Part 2
- What Empowers Me to Go and Make it a Good Day — Part 1
- Living with a Disability — Go and Make it a Good Day
- Living with a Disability — How I Got out of a Funk Part 2 of 2
- Living with a Disability — How I Got out of a Funk Part 1 of 2
- Living with a Invisible Disability — A Lesson Learned Part 2
- Living with a Invisible Disability — A Lesson Learned Part 1
- Developing Self-Respect — Part 2 of 2
- Developing Self-Respect — Part 1 of 2
- Traumatic / Acquired Brain Injury and Anger
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the LittleThings
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Black and White / All or None Thinking — Part 2 of 2
- Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations — Part 4 of 4
- Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations — Part 3
- Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations — Part 2
- Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations — Part 1
- A Very Powerful Principle — Keeping my Acceptance High and my Expectations Low Part 2
- A Very Powerful Principle — Keeping my Acceptance High and my Expectations Low Part 1
- Second Chance to Live – A Precious Truth
- Second Chance to Live and Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations
- Traumatic Brain Injury – Moving beyond the Grieving Process
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance – Action – Part 7
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance — Acceptance – Part 6
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance — Awareness – Part 5
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance – Anger and Resentment – Part 4
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance – Denial Systems — Part 3
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance – Owning Sadness — Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance – Facing Denial — Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Overcoming Denial
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Denial and Limiting Scripts — Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Denial and Limiting Scripts — Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Acceptance
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Square Peg
- Traumatic Brain Injury – Freedom from Isolation – Part 2
- Traumatic Brain Injury – Freedom from Isolation – Part 1
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Why
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Anguish
- Traumatic Brain Injury and the Identified Patient – Part 1
- Good Morning – Progress not Perfection
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Ripples
- Grappling and Spiritual Awakenings
- Traumatic Brain Injury and You – Part 2
- My Struggle living with an Invisible Disability – Part 3
- Welcome Home
- Wonderfully You
- On the Road to Healing – Part 2
- On the Road to Healing — Part 1
- Strategies for Living—What has worked for me—Part 2
- Acceptance
- Are you hiding?
- The Power of Identification = Freedom From Isolation and Feelings of Alienation
- The Power of Compassion
- The Truth about Acceptance
- Why can’t you be more like…
- I can see clearly now
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