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 neelyf@aol.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
Lisa Marie Cohen (survivor)…I hiked a mountain! It was Mount Beacon on the Hudson River.
Bonita Gibb (caregiver)…I was reflecting on how I came to be the person I am today. One of the moments in my life 
that showed me my true colors was sitting in the ICU (intensive care unit) and praying for a miracle. It was during that dark time that I realized just how strong I am. While I would do anything to give my husband, Brian, back his independence, I also am thankful for that moment and all it had to teach me.
Sarah Klingler (survivor)…
I learned that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. I got my TBI when I was eight. I started having seizures the next week, and they haven’t stopped. As a result, I’ve never driven. But, I graduated from high school with honors, and I am two semesters from getting my Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education.
Pamela Miceli (caregiver)…
My son came home for good last week after fifteen months of rehab! Can we say that this is a Great Big Giant Step?
Tina Thorne (caregiver)…My son, Jordan, is a two-time brain-cancer survivor and has had an ABI (acquired brain injury) since the age of twelve. He is eighteen now. He received a very nice message from a lady representing the Brain Tumour Foundation of London, Ontario, Canada. The foundation wanted Jordan to attend a special dinner for an event on the foundation’s behalf. 
“Docs on Ice” is an annual event that travels from community to community. Nine hundred doctors from across Ontario come to a city and raise money for an individual charity every year. This year the city is London and the charity is the Brain Tumour Foundation. Darryl Sittler, a retired National Hockey League player who was elected to the Hall of Fame and who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was the guest speaker. Jordan was an ideal choice. He is a brain-injury survivor and a hockey buff. He thanked Darryl Sittler for helping to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation and for raising awareness of brain injury. Jordan also met Master of Ceremonies Joe Bowen, “The Voice of the Leafs.” The mayor of London was also in attendance. I am super proud of Jordan!
Kimberly June West (survivor)…I am a consultant for a therapeutic oils company! YAY! These oils are awesome. I was getting sad from all my pain. 
They have given me a love for life and a passion for living. These are products that people love – bath infusions for pain, migraines, eczema, difficulty sleeping, etc. The awesome thing is that I made the leadership team and VIP consultant two months in a row!
YOU did it!
Congratulations to all contributors!
(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)
Raising Awareness of Traumatic Brain Injury - one view at a time. Thanks for visiting my blog
Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury 
Comments on: "SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps" (2)
I’m in tears right now cause these guys make me so proud!!!! People don’t realize how much HARDER we have to work to get some place. Thanks Donna for giving us a place that we can share our progress. ❤ Lee
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Lee, I know what you mean. Someone sent a story to me the other day and the tears welled right up. That’s a common occurrence for me. But I am also overjoyed and get all tingly when I read the wonderful accomplishments folks send to me. I am glad I am able to provide a platform for people, survivors and caregivers alike, to share their stories. We MUST be heard!
Thanks so much for reading my blog and for your contributions.
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com
donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com
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