Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury

SPEAK OUT! Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps

SPEAK OUT! Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps

SPEAK OUT! Itty-Bitty Giant Steps will provide a venue for brain-injury survivors and caregivers to shout out their accomplishments of the week.

If you have an Itty-Bitty Giant Step and you would like to share it, just send an email to me at donnaodonnellfigurski@gmail.com.

If you are on Facebook, you can simply send a Private Message to me. It need only be a sentence or two. I’ll gather the accomplishments and post them with your name on my blog approximately once a week. (If you do not want your last name to be posted, please tell me in your email or Private Message.)

I hope we have millions of Itty-Bitty Giant Steps.

Here are this week’s Itty-Bitty Giant Steps.

Alicia Gilman (survivor)…Five years out from my stroke, I’m again trying occupational therapy for my hand. The neurologist actually discouraged me from trying and said not to expect any improvement, but I’m trying anyway. I picked up 25 foam balls and put them into a crate with e-stim (electrical muscle stimulation) assistance, but still it’s more than I’ve done in 5 years. Yay, me! I like my neurologist a lot. I’m sure he meant well when he told me that, but I’ve decided that no one will put limits on me – not even an awesome doctor with lots more education than I’ll ever have. I would rather hope for the best, expect the best, and receive what the good Lord decides He wants for me, than not to try and fall victim to apathy – just because my doctor said it’s not worth the effort. It is ALWAYS worth the effort! Thank you for doing what you’re doing here. It is great encouragement.

Debbie Madison (survivor)…I allowed myself a break during the craziness! Took a nap when I became overwhelmed. I think my Itty-Bitty Giant Step is to remember to listen to my body and give it a break. If I don’t, the results can be catastrophic!

Lessia G. Malloy  (survivor)…My new doctor actually added some fish oil to my diet. I do feel better.

Tracy McDonald (caregiver)…I told you all several months ago that my 27-year-old son, Charles, decided to get off the Duragesic pain patches. Well, before he discontinued the patches, he weighed 118 lbs. on his 6 ft. 1 in. frame – very underweight. He just weighed himself before showering and hollered, “Mom! My weight is now 135!” The worry of his low weight had been a great concern of his doctors. To know that Charles made the choice to stop taking that patch and now endures more pain – I am very proud of him. He wears long thermal underwear under his jeans to help with pain. He meditates. He is able to walk for hours out in the woods with his dog Cali. His agitation is less now too! I just wanted to share with my friends here. It has been 5 years since his accident. A big accomplishment – always believe!!

Lc Sossaman  (survivor)…Today I had two things to do – one was for my husband. I didn’t write them down and didn’t take a note, but I remembered them, so it was a good day. I got goat food, but that was an easy one to remember. I could remember goats – it was easy – they are my pets. My husband asked me to get a certain bucket and remember to get the lid. I did. Woo, hoo! I know it sounds so small, but not writing it down and actually doing it was good for me. Just a piddly thing, I know.

Kimberly June West (survivor)…I have been working on the “ab and butt” challenge. One of the exercises is lunges. Two years ago, I could not have done one lunge without losing balance and falling. I did 15!!! Yay, me!!

YOU did it!

Congratulations to all contributors!

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)