All Kinds of Good People

One of the things that's challenging for with a brain injury is to stay updated about current events and issues.  It is difficult for me to retain what I read and then connect it to something for it to make sense and remember it.  I can read articles about local college football players and games and I can identify specific plays. I have attended games at the stadium, I have watched games on TV, talked to other people about it.  All of these things make it easier for me to connect and retain the info. However, current events or issues are much more difficult for me to understand and apply unless I can connect it to something familiar to me.

Upon the brain injury diagnosis at 21, I developed a desire to watch what other people said and did and to learn from their examples to try to fill in gaps in my own development that had been halted by the injury. I wanted to soak in as much as I possibly could.  Many years later when social media was and is prevalent  I would see many people sharing articles, information, opinions, etc. about current local and world issues.  I have great respect for those who are able and willing to share information and opinions like that. I saw and still see them as being willing to share and stand up for their beliefs and do good in the world.

However, it was sometimes difficult for me that I did share information and opinions like that and do good in the world. (Let me be clear, my perception of actions and self did not come from anything or anyone that was said or unsaid. Sometimes our brains, especially mine, does not always understand something and so our brains will try to make sense of it but it's not always accurate). I struggled at times with wondering if I was a "good person" because I did not go the route of current and politically informed and it seemed like such an important thing to do. I hesitated about posting things like having fun at the water park or new hairstyles I'd found because was that silly when there were much bigger problems going on in the world?

However, one day I realized that the world needs all kinds of good people and it brings peace to accept and embrace that. Pictures of latest hairstyles will not change the world but sometimes we need to see or look at things that don't require a lot of brain power. A picture about a game I played with my nieces could give someone an idea for what to do with their kids. Sharing a beloved scripture could help someone else find peace on a hard day. Bottom line, there is not one definition for a good person and the world needs all kinds of good.  Also, in referencing the struggle I had about discovering to define myself as a good person; I would not trade any of the struggles I've had in my life as that would mean giving up lessons I have learned.

Comments? Questions? Please read and share if you can!

A Successful Day with Brain Injury

First of all, thank you so much to each and all of you who read the last blog post. Your page views and support are much appreciated!

The other day I was thinking about when living with a brain injury, what helps me to be successful during the day? Thus, the inspiration for this blog post was born.  It's not a comprehensive or a compulsive list; they are not all things that need to be done every day.  Rather, it's things that when there is a need and I can do these things, it helps me to be successful. And while everybody's journey with brain injury is different, I expect that most of them would help others with brain injury to be successful, or anybody for that matter!

The night before I go to bed I like to and/or try to do the following:

• Quick and basic clean up of my bedroom and bathroom. This entails hanging up clothes, putting my makeup away in the drawer, etc.  I do this so that when I wake up I will see clean surroundings. When you live with a brain injury, clutter can quickly distract your brain; making it more difficult to focus on what needs to be done.
• Place anything I will need for the next day into my bag and place it by the door so that I will not forget it the next day.  

When I wake up in the morning I like to do the following:

• Simplify! My main goal is to get out the door on time to work as together as I can be. With a brain injury it becomes difficult to quickly process and respond to more than one thing at a time and as a result things can take more time and energy.  Some of the ways I simplify are:
• Eat school lunch. When I do not have to pack a lunch or remember to bring one, it makes my morning easier and more productive. 
• Keep extras of what I might need at work. For example, some mornings are just rough and I get behind. It happens! Since I need to leave on time for work, I keep items such as mascara, mini containers of cereal, etc. at work to use as needed. If I am checking emails, I can eat my cereal at the same time.

During the day I like to do the following:

• If I am going to run an errand to someplace new, directions are a must. My brain does not naturally retain remembering how to get from point a to point b. I need the added support. Also, if I get lost, I am more likely to get anxious, lost, etc. 
• Make a "to do" list in my phone. The "to do" list is different things. It may be a list of groceries that I need or a list of people I need to call when I get home. For me, putting a list in my phone is the best way to go because it's usually always on me and I don't have to worry about reading my handwriting! Also, when I am typing something and then looking at it, it is easier to remember.

If I am going out late I like to:

• I am a big believer in the "prep nap." This is for several reasons.  Due to the brain injury, I tend to get tired earlier than many people and once I am tired, I often fade quickly and I want to be in my own bed. Also, I do not do well staying awake in the evening if I am in a dark setting (movie theatre, concert, etc) My brain senses the darkness and it often lulls me to sleep. Also, if the activity is a guest speaker, a lecture I am more likely to nod off. A prep nap can be as short as 20 minutes but I have found that when body gets a chance to really rest I can function better and enjoy the evening much more. Granted, this is not an everyday day activity, just as needed!

What has worked for you in being successful during the day? Brain injury or not.... Questions and/or comments are welcome!

Keep Stepping to the Other Side

We are all subject to ups and downs in our lives, no one is exempt! I also wouldn't trade any of those downs in my life because it was all worth it when I arrived at the other side. 

 Two years ago, I was entering my 8th year of teaching and having both successes and learning experiences!  I also  had a new coworker. She asked me, "How do I get to where you are now,  doing what  you do?" I advised her, "You just keep stepping. Keep going. And one day, you'll be on the other side. You'll just be doing it naturally." And a few months into the year she reported to me, "Hey, you were right! I'm doing it!" 

An example of "stepping to the other side" in my own life. Several years ago the man I was dating wanted to take advantage of me and hurt me. It was truly awful and the brain injury didn't help (enough said) but over time I learned to keep stepping and then I'd wake up and find myself closer to the other side. 

The final big step surprised me. For a few years, I'd kept the dress I wore that night. At the time it was intended as a positive reminder to me that I was strong, that I could do hard things, etc. However, one day I woke up and knew that aside from lessons learned; I no longer had any connection to the dress or that night. So, that night the dress was cut up into tiny pieces. And I welcomed the fact that I had kept stepping and come out on the other side.  

Whatever big or small challenge you may face; whether it just involves you or another person. Whether it was a "whoops" moment or you were hurt from another's poor choices. Truly, keep stepping. There is another side and it is glorious.