Blogs/Recordings

Our jobs are a part of our identity. When we meet someone new the first questions often are: What do you do? And where do you work? After a head injury, staying on your job or gaining substantial employment can be difficult. Unemployment or under-employment not only affects our bank accounts it affects our well-being. Depression and lack of self-esteem are just two of the “side effects” of not being able to do the work that you were capable of doing before a traumatic brain injury. “Employment is inclusion into our society,” said Gayann Brandenburg at the [...]

At the Brain Injury Hope Foundation our intention of the Survivor Series is to introduce TBI survivors and their families to different approaches to healing and adapting to life after at TBI. We do not endorse any of the methods or the healthcare providers that participate in our panels. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Brain injuries are unique in nature. Each injury is as individual as you are, and this makes treating a mild traumatic brain injury exasperating, frustrating and time consuming [...]

Are you craving sugar after your TBI? Is your sense of smell and taste off since the accident? Has your appetite diminished? Are you battling fatigue and mood swings? Well, these are just a few of the changes you may experience after a mild traumatic brain injury. However, eating a balanced diet and taking the right supplements because of your changing nutritional needs after a mTBI are some of the things you can do to combat these and other symptoms as panel members revealed at the June 8, 2018, Brain Injury Survivor Series luncheon at Rocky Mountain Human [...]

We have all hit the wall at some point in our lives where we just can’t keep going. It’s like walking into a plate glass door – it stops you cold. Survivors of traumatic brain injuries experience these moments more frequently, even making it hard for some folks to get out of bed. And there are good reasons for this fatigue and ways to overcome the extreme exhaustion as Mary Ann Keatley explained at the fifth session of the 2018 Survivor Series presented by the Brain Injury Hope Foundation through a grant from the Spalding Hospital Volunteer Foundation. [...]

Navigating the healthcare system is a tough road to travel, add in a head injury and the road becomes filled with potholes and obstacles. Head injuries are called invisible injuries for a reason, as many people, including doctors, do not recognize the symptoms and often dismiss concussions as a bump on the head after brain bleeding is ruled out. To help victims of head injuries become survivors and to instill HOPE into their daily vocabulary, the Brain Injury Hope Foundation put together a panel of doctors, therapists and healers for its fourth installment of the 2018 Survivor Series [...]

Survivor Series #3—Disclosure with Nancy Freeman, Facilitator Disclosure. It’s a touchy subject especially when you have an “invisible injury,” such as a Traumatic Brain Injury. Yes, it can be easier to disclose your injury to friends and family as opposed to an employer or co-workers, but disclosure can work to your benefit in a work environment and at home. Nancy Freeman, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer, presented the topic deftly with humor and breakout groups during the third session of the Brain Injury Survivor Series free (grant-sponsored by Spalding Hospital Volunteer Association) luncheon March 9th, 2018.  The [...]

Keys to Re-empowerment after a Brain Injury Our bodies want to naturally heal and operate at optimal condition. Take that little cut on your finger, for example. You don’t have to do much except keep it clean and covered, and voila! Your body mends itself to create a new barrier between you and the outside world. The same is true for your brain. But just like broken bones, your brain may need a “splint” and/or some prompting to heal and get back to working toward surviving and thriving. In Session II of the Brain Injury Hope Foundation’s [...]

Being part of a community may be just what the doctor ordered. More and more medical research is revealing the health benefits of social connection, which has been proven to have the same benefits as exercising and quitting smoking. Having a sense of belonging is also being touted as aiding in the recovery of physical and mental illness – and is especially beneficial after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Helpful more details by clicking here. With the help of a grant from the Spalding Community Foundation, the Brain Injury Survivor Series (SS) is being revived by the [...]

For me, brain fog was like walking in molasses. That’s how I would describe my mental state after my MTBI, caused by a horse accident in 2001. Before my brain injury, I was high functioning, organized and had a great memory. For example, after the accident, I thought I could work on my Quicken accounting program on my computer. I remember starting to post checks and I couldn’t understand why it took me so long and why I kept making lots of mistakes.  Other things happened like bouncing checks and missing appointments, being there at the right time but the [...]

One of the complications that can show up after your family member has suffered a brain injury, whether it is severe or a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) or a concussion, is called lack of initiation. You will notice that they will get overwhelmed easily, find it difficult to get started on something or may appear lazy. Believe me, there is nothing lazy about this person, especially if they didn’t appear this way before the injury. It is one of the symptoms of a brain injury from which your family member will need time to heal. It is important to [...]

Recently, I watched a YouTube video presentation by Tony Schwartz to a group of Google employees. Tony Schwartz is a best selling author and Peak Performance Expert who helps organizations perform at their best. His message was about managing energy and using it efficiently. The reason I found this so interesting is because he stressed the importance of getting at least 8 hours of sleep at night and taking breaks during the work day. Mr. Schwartz suggests that in order for your mental, physical and emotional capacities to meet your daily demands, your brain requires time out to rest, recharge [...]

1. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep whenever and wherever possible.  When you feel tired, overwhelmed or experience “foggy brain,” take a break.  Rest or take a 10 to 20 walk, do yoga or meditate. I know you don’t want to stop what you’re doing because in the past you probably could overcome the fatigue.  Your brain needs a break.  You will be surprised how refreshed you will feel from a power nap. 2. Protect your next most valuable assets -- your eyes and ears.  Sometimes the natural filters that protect your eyes from the glare of the sun or bright lights can [...]