April | 2015 | Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI – Survivors, Caregivers, Family, and Friends

Archive for April, 2015

SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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.)

Category:

Itty-Bitty GIANT Step

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SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guest Blogger: Kristin Olliney . . . My Fight: The Reason to Advocate

My Fight: The Reason to Advocate

Kristin Olliney

(presented by Donna O’Donnell Figurski)

Isabella’s Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is the result of sudden acute encephalitis. However, there was also medical error involved in her care. Given the many factors involved, it is difficult to prove which symptom caused what damage. Due to this, no one will ever be held accountable for what happened. As a result, there are four important reminders that everyone needs to know.

It doesn’t matter where you live. Even in the best city, at the best hospital, with the best doctor, mistakes can happen. I am often told how lucky I am to live in the Boston area because we have access to so many medical facilities. While this is true, not all doctors and care are the same.

Doctors are human. They are people who have studied medicine and, based on their knowledge, give you their opinion. It is not fact. It is opinion. Their opinion is their best guess. This is so important to remember, especially when given a prognosis. Isabella, like many other survivors, was not supposed to make it through the night, and yet she did.
Kristin Olliney with Isabella 2014

Always follow your gut instinct, especially if something doesn’t seem right. Ask questions. When Isabella first got sick, the Emergency Department wanted to discharge her with a stomach bug. I knew that there was something seriously wrong. I can’t explain how I felt – only that I just knew. I fought and advocated to get Isabella admitted into the hospital. One of Isabella’s specialists was on call, and he trusted my gut instinct. Later in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit), as I watched my child fighting for her life, I was told by him and other doctors that my fighting and advocating saved Isabella. If Isabella had been discharged, she would have died. Always fight and advocate for what you feel is right. You know your child/loved one better than anyone.

Get another opinion. When you are in crisis, there isn’t always time. When things stabilize, seek out another opinion should you and the doctor have a difference of opinion. On this journey, things can change. Opinions differ, treatment options vary, and, if there are fundamental differences, another opinion can help.
Kristin Olliney & daughter, Isabella
2015

For me, it is hard knowing that the doctors who cared for my daughter made mistakes. Coming to terms with the fact that no one will ever be held accountable for what happened to Isabella is difficult. I know Isabella is here because I fought and advocated. It is still devastating to know that mistakes could have been prevented. I am sharing this part of our journey in hopes that it will encourage others to continue to fight and advocate for their child/loved one. Against all odds, my amazing miracle is here today, and, for that, I am forever grateful.

To learn more about Kristin and Isabella, please visit Kristin’s website/blog at In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever – Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts Blog

Thank you, Kristin Olliney.

Disclaimer:
Any views and opinions of the Guest Blogger are purely his/her own.

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

(Photos compliments of Kristin Olliney.)

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Guest Bloggers

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TBI Tales . . . Tracking Miles in Electric Blue and Shiny Mango

Tracking Miles in Electric Blue and Shiny Mango

Donna O’Donnell Figurski

Catherine (Cat) Brubaker (TBI survivor) got a black Catrike 700. Dan Zimmerman (Stroke survivor) got a black Catrike 700. They pedaled across America diagonally, 5,300 miles, and it changed each of their lives.

David Figurski (TBI survivor) got a trike, an electric blue Catrike 700, the same model as Cat and Dan’s, but a different color.

Donna O’Donnell Figurski (copycat) got a trike, too. Though to show her independence, she didn’t get a Catrike 700. She went for the Shiny Mango Pocket Trike. It’s cute!

Now David and Donna want to match Cat and Dan’s GOAL! We want to trike 5,300 miles in the desert. I wonder how long it will take us.

LET’S GO!

NAME DATE Total MILES since 4/9/15

David 1/24/16 1,570

NAME DATE Total MILES since 4/9/15

Donna 1/24/16 79

As I say after each post:

Please leave a comment by clicking the blue words “Leave a Comment” below this post.

Please follow my blog. Click on “Follow” on the top right sidebar. (It’s nice to know there are readers out there.)

If you like my blog, share it (intact) with your friends. It’s easy! Click the “Share” buttons below.

If you don’t like my blog, “Share” it (intact) with your enemies. I don’t care!

Feel free to “Like” my post.

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

(Photos compliments of Me.)

Category:

TBI Tales

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TBI Tales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freedom and a Blue, Metallic Trike

FREEDOM and a Blue-Metallic Trike

(presented by Donna O’Donnell Figurski)

April 9, 2015 marks a pretty exciting day for us. It’s the first official day of David’s independence since his brain injury in 2005. David recently bought a Catrike 700 recumbent trike. This sleek, low-to-the-ground, metallic-blue machine will be his wheels and his freedom.

Because of severe balance issues due to his brain injury and the damage to his cerebellum, David has been unable to leave our home unattended for the past ten years. With his Catrike 700, he can hop on and and pedal away for hours and hours. (Well, not really hop on, but that sounded better than crawl or climb on.) Of course, his limitation of getting off the trike because he is unable to walk anywhere on his own remains a problem. But, that won’t deter David.

David’s first excursion was a 5-mile trip around the winding, scenic roads in our neighborhood. Pedaling down streets lined with palm trees and a variety of cacti, many of which are in bloom right now, was liberating and fun, if the grin plastered on his face when he returned was any indication.

Later the same afternoon, David guided me on my first recumbent-trike trip. I have a yellow/mango Pocket Catrike, and I love it.

Today, David is riding with friends in a neighboring community. What fun! This is only the beginning.

As I say after each post:

Please leave a comment by clicking the blue words “Leave a Comment” below this post.

Please follow my blog. Click on “Follow” on the top right sidebar. (It’s nice to know there are readers out there.)

If you like my blog, share it with your friends. It’s easy! Click the “Share” buttons below.

If you don’t like my blog, “Share” it with your enemies. I don’t care!

Feel free to “Like” my post.

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

(Photos compliments of Me.)

Category:

TBI Tales

Tagged with:

SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps

Michelle Lee Bonnenfant (survivor)…With hubby’s help, I made it through a busy grocery store. Ken, my hubby, got me in and out in one piece! He even stood three feet behind me in the check out so that I would not get crowded by people. It was the first time in months that I went through a check out. I was plagued by a lot of sweat and chest pain, but I still did it. I hate my TBI and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), but Ken gave me a big hug and told me that he was proud of me. I’m exhausted, but pleased with myself!

Cara Lauderdale Eberle (caregiver)…The one-year anniversary of my husband’s accident was April 1st. While I was at work sitting at a table of four-year-olds trying to get them to do a project with me, I saw them all stop and look up. Standing next to me was my husband holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I was in complete shock! He hasn’t shown any concern for the feelings of others since the accident. He told me he thought that he should do something to thank me for helping him get through the last year. This was definitely a breakthrough moment for us. 🙂

David Figurski (survivor)…I am excited! I took delivery of a Catrike 700 recumbent trike. It’s the same model that was used by Catherine Brubaker (a two-time TBI survivor) and Dan Zimmerman (a stroke survivor) on their five-month, cross-country ride from Washington State to Florida. Cat and Dan espouse their new-found freedom, and their new physical capabilities are truly amazing. They both believe that riding a recumbent trike is great therapy. Also, my wife, Donna, just took delivery of the Catrike Pocket, a slightly smaller trike. Donna, Cat, Dan, and I plan to ride together.

Corina Mendoza (survivor)…I passed my teaching exam for Special Education! I passed both teaching exams I needed on the first try.

YOU did it!

Congratulations to all contributors!

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

Category:

Itty-Bitty GIANT Step

Tagged with:

Speaking Engagement . . . . . . . “Prisoner Without Bars . . . . . . . . . . . A Caregiver’s Story”

YOU ARE INVITED!

When Donna’s spouse, David, did one chin-up too many, he had a brain injury (BI), and Donna became a caregiver. David had three brain surgeries within two weeks. Donna signed on the dotted line for each of them – probably the hardest thing she has ever done in her life. Donna will share her story, “Prisoner Without Bars: A Caregiver’s Story” about David’s unexpected recovery and how she and David are making this “new normal” work for them. She will also share tips and offer suggestions from what she learned along the way.

It’s been a long, bumpy road for both David and Donna, but they travel that road together.

Come One! Come ALL!

Post-Brain Injury 2010

What: Donna will share her experiences with caregiving and will offer tips based on what worked for her. Donna will also share snippets of her book, “Prisoners Without Bars: A Caregiver’s Memoir,” which is searching for a publisher.

Why: Hopefully, Donna’s experiences with caregiving will help others who might find themselves in this position

When: Monday, April 6, 2015

Time: 1:00 to 2:30pm

Where: Desert Palms Presbyterian Church
13459 W. Stardust Boulevard
Sun City West, Arizona 85375-2548

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

(Photos compliments of Donna)

Category:

Events Calendar

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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 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

Cat Brubaker with Congresswoman Krysten Sinema

Catherine (Cat) Brubaker (survivor)…I’m very excited to have gone all the way to Washington, DC, all by myself.

I planned it, and I got to my appointments on time. I still used a wheelchair at the airport because of overstimulation, shaky balance, and the possibility of getting lost. I met with my congresswoman about brain injury and about helping me with my new foundation, Hope for Trauma. I can’t believe how far I’ve come in a year. I feel very excited.

Jonathan Curtis (survivor)…Today I had an amazing day at my volunteer job at a nursing home. I went with a difficult resident to an eye clinic appointment, and I organized a movie in the nursing home coffee shop. I felt so able and competent!

Keri Giacomini (caregiver)…My husband, John, had a very severe TBI almost twelve years ago. While he was at college, he fell out of a third floor window. The only residual problems are from aphasia. But, he does really well. Also, he is so sweet and thoughtful. A few days ago, we were talking about my care bear, which I’ve had since I was four (that is, for 27 years). He is a secret bear. He is now brown, has no eyes, and doesn’t talk. John knows how much my care bear means to me. He’s been with me through the toughest of times – surgery, hospitalizations, etc. I have Crohn’s Disease, and my care bear has always been my comfort. Well after we were talking, John went on eBay and ordered me an original secret care bear that still talks. He knows how much it means to me. It was probably the sweetest thing he’s done. I just thought I’d share what he did because, while John is always caring and sweet, sometimes it’s hard for him to initiate things.

Timothy Guetling (survivor)…Swaim Guetling is soon to graduate from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). He is a Communications major with a 3.5 GPA. Swaim is my 21-year-old son. I’m thankful that he is where he can do best for himself and that he took the love, respect, and guidance from his parents to assist him in his future, wherever it takes him. Swaim speaks four languages. He has been around the US, India, and China with his fellow students. I am stoked to the max. He’s a chip off the old block, except he has hair!

YOU did it!

Congratulations to all contributors!

(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)

Category:

Itty-Bitty GIANT Step

Tagged with:

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	petespringerauthor on Survivors SPEAK OUT! Rob …
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Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI – Survivors, Caregivers, Family, and Friends

Archive for April, 2015

SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps

SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guest Blogger: Kristin Olliney . . . My Fight: The Reason to Advocate

TBI Tales . . . Tracking Miles in Electric Blue and Shiny Mango

TBI Tales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freedom and a Blue, Metallic Trike

SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps

Speaking Engagement . . . . . . . “Prisoner Without Bars . . . . . . . . . . . A Caregiver’s Story”

SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps

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TBI – Survivors, Caregivers, Family, and Friends

Archive for April, 2015

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Top 30 Brain Injury Blog Award

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Donna O’Donnell Figurski