TBI – Survivors, Caregivers, Family, and Friends

Archive for the ‘On the Air!’ Category

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road” . . . Panel Discussion – “All Disabilities Are Not Visible”

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road”

Panel Discussion – “All Disabilities Are Not Visible”

Panel Members – Catherine (Cat) Brubaker, Julie Kintz, and Juliet Madsen

with Host, Donna O’Donnell Figurski

presented

by

Donna O’Donnell Figurski

images-1Brain Injury survivors, Catherine (Cat) Brubaker, Julie Kintz, and Juliet Madsen discussed many issues that surround their lives as brain injury survivors who look “normal.”

Cat Brubaker Survivor Panel 070515Cat Brubaker is a two-time traumatic brain injury survivor and the founder of “Hope For Trauma.” Also, in the summer of 2014, Cat rode her recumbent trike Across America (diagonally) to raise awareness for brain injury.

Julie Kintz Survivor Panel 070515When Julie Kintz‘s car went off a cliff in California in 1991, she got a brain injury. Julie is a former Brain Injury Radio Network host.

Juliet Madsen UniformTroop, Juliet Madsen, got her brain injury while serving her country in Iraq. Juliet is a member of the Board of Directors of R4 Alliance and is a master quilter. You can see some of her work at “Stroke of Luck Quilting.”

If you missed this panel discussion about “invisible” brain injury on “Another Fork in the Road” on July 5th, you can listen to the archived show here. Click the link below to listen to Cat, Julie, Juliet, and me.

See you “On the Air!”

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road” Panel Discussion – “All Disabilities Are Not Visible”

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road” Interview with TBI Survivor & Cross-Country Cyclist, Daniel Mollino

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road”

Interview with TBI Survivor & Cross-Country Cyclist, Daniel Mollino

presented

by

Donna O’Donnell Figurski

images-1Daniel talks about how he was working at the top of a telephone pole for a cable company in northern New Jersey when he fell more that 25 feet causing his brain injury. 11427224_10153095515624215_7323889775533761154_nHe shared some of his adventures of his journey from New Jersey to California and his goals for raising awareness for TBI Survivors everywhere.

If you missed his interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on June 21st, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here. Click the link below to listen to Daniel Mollino and me.18 Daniel Mollino 060615 copy

See you “On the Air!”

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio – “Another Fork in the Road”

Daniel Mollino, Survivor Cycles Coast to Coast

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road” with Juliet Madsen, TBI Survivor, US Troop, Quilter, Author

On The Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road”

with

Juliet Madsen, TBI Survivor, US Troop, Quilter, Author

presented by

Donna O’Donnell Figurski

Juliet Madsen UniformJuliet Madsen has served in the US Army since she was 17-years old. She was involved in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. While serving her country, Juliet suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, at least one stroke, and numerous other medical issues, which changed her life #7 10610754_10203491518354714_4796635925244510505_nforever. On “Another Fork in the Road,” Juliet talked about how she copes with her new life and how she and her family make this new life work for them. I hope you won’t miss her show.

You can learn more about Juliet and read her book at Veterans Book Project. Scroll down the page to find Juliet’s book.

You can also see her collections of more than 50 quilts at Stroke of Luck Quilting.

Here are two of my favorites.

6Madsen092011

If you missed her interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on May 17th, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here.

Click the link below to listen to Juliet Madsen and me.

See you “On the Air!”

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio – Another Fork in the Road”

with Juliet Madsen – TBI Survivor, US Troop, Quilter, Author

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road” with Lisabeth Mackall, Caregiver, Therapist, Author

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio
“Another Fork in the Road”
with Lisabeth Mackall, Caregiver, Therapist, Author

presented by Donna O’Donnell Figurski

images-1When Lisabeth Mackall opened her front door at 2:30am on January 2, 2012, it changed her life forever. She learned that her husband, Police Officer Frank Mackall, had been in a serious motor vehicle accident while on duty, and had been airlifted to a hospital. When Lisabeth opened her front door, she unknowingly entered the world of brain injury. She had to follow “Another Fork in the Road.” Lisabeth will share how she and her family picked up the remnants, pieced them together with patience, persistence, and love, and forged a new life.

Lisabeth’s book, “27 Miles: A Tank’s Journey Home

Lisabeth’s Blog

If you missed Lisabeth’s interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on May 3, 2015, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here.

Click the link below to listen to Lisabeth Mackall and me.

See you “On the Air!”

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road”

with Lisabeth Mackall, Caregiver, Therapist, Author

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio “Another Fork in the Road” with Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, Caregiver – Military Spouse

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio

“Another Fork in the Road”

with Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, Caregiver – Military Spouse

presented by Donna O’Donnell Figurski

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When Jeannette Davidson-Mayer’s husband, DeWayne, had five brain injuries – the result of his active duty in Iraq – Jeannette became his caregiver. To combat this 24-hour job, Jeannette redesigned her kitchen to become the family’s “Central Command Post.”  Jeannette will discuss how she, DeWayne, and their daughter make11023816_10204963754366844_8119135603280691384_n this system work for them.

If you missed her interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on April 19th, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here.

Click the link below to listen to Jeannette Davidson-Mayer and me.

See you “On the Air!”

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio – Another Fork in the Road”

with Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, Caregiver – Military Spouse

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Another Fork in the Road . . . . . Joshua Puckett and wife, Tatiana

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio

Another Fork in the Road

with Brain Injury Survivor, Joshua Puckett and his wife, Tatiana

images-1

Joshua Puckett was just minding his business in his own front yard when he was attacked by a “random
drunk person” causing his brain injury. Now he says he has a “memory of a fish.”Joshua Puckett - TBI Survivor 2013
Memory problems combined with balance issues, anger, and confusion have become the “new norm” in his new life.

But, Joshua is overcoming his deficits by directing his attentions to his art and his music. Both are opening new doors in this talented young man’s life.

If you missed his interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on March 15th, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here.Joshua Puckett & Tatiana Puckett

Click the link below to listen to Joshua Puckett, his wife, Tatiana, and me.

See you “On the Air!”

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio – Another Fork in the Road

with Brain Injury Survivor, Joshua Puckett and his wife, Tatiana

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Another Fork in the Road . . . . . . Deb Angus – Survivor & Author

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio

Another Fork in the Road

with Mild Brain Injury Survivor & Author, Deb Angus

images-1Most rear-end collisions are caused by distracted drivers or drivers following too closely to the car ahead. In either case, it is the unsuspecting driver in the car ahead who may suffer whiplash, which may result in a variety of injuries such as problems with light sensitivity, depth-perception problems, tinnitus, memory problems, concentration, and balance.

The list goes on and on and on.Deb Angus

Deb Angus, brain injury survivor and author of “Regaining Consciousness: My Encounter with Mild Brain Injury–the Silent Epidemic,” will share her story about how she and her husband were sitting at a stoplight and how a distracted driver changed her life forever.

Deb Angus 2If you missed her interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on March 1st, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here.

Click the link below to listen to Deb Angus, and me.Book Cover-FINAL-6x9-web3

See you “On the Air!”

Survivor & Author of “Regaining Consciousness: My Encounter with Mild Brain Injury–the Silent Epidemic”

(Photos compliments of Deb Angus.)

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Another Fork in the Road . . . . . . Jamie & Crystal Fairles – Survivors

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio

Another Fork in the Road

Brain Tumors and a Love Story

with Jamie & Crystal Fairles

images-1It took two brain tumors to make a love story. What an appropriate interview for this Valentine’s Day weekend! It was unlikely that Jamie and Crystal would have met had they not each suffered a brain tumor. But they did have brain tumors and they did meet . . . with a little help from their friends. An email relationship began, which eventually led to their engagement and some years later Jamie and Crystal were married. They now share their love with their toddler as they walk the road of brain injury hand-in-hand.

08 Jamie Fairles 10966701_785893851446166_2004498939_nJamie was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1998. That surgery lasted 13 ½ hours. He had 3 more surgeries before he was released, but he was not able to walk or talk and had to relearn those skills again. By 2005 Jamie had undergone 7 brain surgeries.

05 Crystal Fairles 10967058_785893721446179_257216402_nCrystal’s brain tumor was diagnosed in 2008 when she suffered a gran mal seizure. After her brain surgery, she was released from the hospital with little direction and permission to return to work. But the stress of her job was the catalyst for additional seizures.

If Jamie and Crystal hadn’t each had a brain tumor they would never have met. They are glad that they met and are happy to share their “love” story.

If you missed their interview on “Another Fork in the Road” on February 15th, you are in luck. You can listen to the archived show here.heart animated -beat

Click the link below to listen to Jamie, Crystal, and me.

See you “On the Air!”

Brain Tumors and a Love Story with Jamie & Crystal Fairles

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Another Fork in the Road . . . . . . Bob Calvert, Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, and Juliet Madsen

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio

Another Fork in the Road

Helping Veterans & Troops Return From War

with

Bob Calvert, Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, and Juliet Madsen

images-1Meet my guests.

Bob Calvert, host of “Talking With Heroes” on Blogtalk Radio, will be my guest this evening. Bob has made numerous trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he talks with and brings hope to the troops serving in our military. As some of you know, TBI (traumatic brain injury) is the signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Bob Calvert - Host of

Bob Calvert –
Host of “Talking with Heroes”

It is estimated that there are more than 11,000 troops who are affected with brain injury because of explosions from IEDs (improvised explosive devices), and many more troops experience concussions from the blasts. Often troops exhibit no obvious effects of brain injury until much later. So what happens to those troops while in the field? How can a commanding officer identify a troop who has a concussion? What happens to troops when they come home with these injuries? Those are a bunch of questions that I have. Bob and I will talk about how his show helps troops in the field and at home. We’ll also discuss the kinds of problems troops face when they return. Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, caregiver of her husband, a returned troop, and retired troop and brain injury survivor, Juliet Madsen will be joining Bob and me.

Jeannette Davidson-Mayer

Jeannette Davidson-Mayer Caregiver

Wife, mother, and caregiver, Jeannette Davidson-Mayer’s life took a new turn when her husband, DeWayne had his 5th accident in the service of the US Military. When in 2006, DeWayne was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, spinal injuries, as well as other medical problems, Jeannette stood up to help him. She became his advocate. Jeannette believes that both love and humor are vital to strengthening family relationships. I agree with her.

Juliet Madsen copy

Juliet Madsen TBI Survivor & USA Veteran

Juliet Madsen was a member of the United States Army for more than 17 years before she was retired from the Army due to medical conditions. Juliet is not only actively involved in her own recovery, but she is an advocate for other veterans. Juliet strongly believes in helping brain-injured troops and their families have a better quality of life and she tries to make a difference in the lives of those who were injured in the line of duty while serving our country.

Jeannette and Juliet both hold positions on the Board of Directors for R4Alliance. R4Alliance is an organization whose goal is to support military families through therapeutic and recreational activities. I love that concept. As a teacher of young children I believe that learning through play is key to success. So why wouldn’t fun through therapeutic and recreational activities also be a good way to approach healing with brain injury survivors? Sounds good to me.

Thank you, Bob, Jeannette, and Juliet, for sharing such wonderful information about what you each do to help veterans, troops, and their families cope with returning home from the wars with me and my listeners on “Another Fork in the Road” on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

Click the link below to listen to Bob, Jeannette, Juliet, and me.

See you “On the Air!”

Helping Veterans & Troops Return From War

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Another Fork in the Road . . . . . . Rosemary Rawlins, Author & Caregiver

On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Interview –

Another Fork in the Road

with

 Rosemary Rawlins, Author & Caregiver

images-1

When I closed down the studio last night after spending 90 minutes talking to Rosemary Rawlins about her life as a caregiver, I popped into my husband’s office. He had listened to the interview on his computer. He smiled and said, “Great interview! I wish it wasn’t over. I could have listened for another hour.” I knew exactly what he meant. I could have talked with Rosemary forever. Our stories, though different, run parallel to each other.

david-running-in-hall

David Figurski 3 weeks before his TBI

Both of our husbands were in the prime of their careers – doing what they loved best in their office/lab and after hours too. Hugh loved to ride his bicycle. David loved to run and exercise. Both Hugh and David exercised to relieve their daily stress. It was that exercise that caused their brain injuries.

Hugh Rawlins - racing

Hugh Rawlins – racing

Talking with Rosemary was refreshing. She really KNOWS what I went through, and I REALLY know what she went through. We GET IT!

Anyone who has “lost” a spouse to brain injury will totally understand and completely relate to Rosemary’s and my conversation. Please, go ahead! Eavesdrop on our tête-à-tête. We’d love you to.

 

Thank you, Rosemary, for sharing your story with me and my listeners on “Another Fork in the Road” on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

Rosemary & Hugh Rawlins 2

Rosemary & Hugh Rawlins – after TBI

 

 

Click the link below to listen to caregiver, Rosemary Rawlins (author of “Learning by Accident: A Caregiver’s True Story of Fear, Family, and Hope”), share her story of how she and Hugh pulled the pieces of their lives together.

 

See you “On the Air!”

 Rosemary Rawlins, Author & Caregiver

Click here for a list of all “Another Fork in the Road” shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.

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