SPEAK OUT! Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps
presented by
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
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 is this week’s Itty-Bitty GIANT Steps
Barbara Dan (caregiver)…My husband came out of the bedroom with 
his shaving kit and cell phone, and he gave me the biggest smile. He said, “My mind is getting better. Do you know why? I wanted to get my cell phone, but when I went into the bedroom, I couldn’t remember what I went in for. Then I started doing my shaving stuff, and when I saw your cell phone on the night stand, I remembered what I went into the room for – my cell phone.” He was so excited. The little stuff counts so much!
Carmen Gaarder Kumm (survivor)…Yesterday I left to go to the Mall of America, which is about a three-hour drive from my home, with a 16-year-old, a 15-year-old, and a 10-year-old. (My 15-year-old 
drove 80% of the way, and my 16-year-old was a Peruvian exchange student.) Halfway there I realized I forgot my pill for sleeping and my “happy” pill. I was concerned 
because we were spending the night in a hotel, and then the next day would be spent shopping and driving home. Not only was I able to do it all with no anxiety, no bursts of anger, and no frantic rushing, but I also came home and attended my husband’s fire department banquet. (Note: I planned to sleep all the next day if I needed to.) Yay me!
Evan Joseph Powers (survivor)…I just got incredible new
s :), and I have to share the joy. 
I got approval to go to a university – covered (thanks in part to my test scores ;). I get to fulfill my dream of working with TBI survivors. I’ve had this dream since my accident in August 2014. I am beyond happy right now!
YOU did it!
Congratulations to contributors!
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Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury 
Comments on: "SPEAK OUT! . . . . . . . . . . . . Itty-Bitty Giant Steps" (6)
Barbara your story made me chuckle. I am my son’s caregiver, yet I am the one walking around rooms going “why did I cone in here, or where are my keys.”
Worst is when I am holding my keys in my hand saying this 😁
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mek59614, thanks for responding to Barbara’s Itty-Bitty GIANT Step. It’s the little things that are huge after brain injury.
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com
donnaodonnellfigurski.com
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Carmen you did awesome on your trip!!!
That is a busy and big place. Let your body recover…so proud of you ~ 💚 ~
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mek59614,
I’ve never been to the mall of America, but I’ve heard of it. It’s scary enough for anyone. Carmen did a great job and she had fun.
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com
donnaodonnellfigurski.com
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Evan congratulations on all your hard work. That is so wonderful you will be working with other TBI survivors as you have the best experience, one that no amount of books or class time can teach you.
You will be an amazing asset and serve new survivors and their families well. Congratulations again! ~🎓 ~
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mek59614,
You’re right! Evan has the first-hand experience to understand what other survivors are going through.
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com
donnaodonnellfigurski.com
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