Tuesday, December 13, 2011

How our Environment Effects Us - Detoxification Part 1

Before we dive into the meat of things, lets take a look at fish.  Yes, fish.  As a child, I begged Mom and Dad for an aquarium because I wanted fish!  I wanted something to take care of and, lets face it, most kids love having something else alive in their room besides themselves.  Little did I realize as a small child the care that it would take to actually keep these fish alive and well.  Fish live in water, therefore the water and what is in the water sustain their life.  Water is the fish's environment.  A fish cannot live out of water and neither can it live in water that is toxic and out of balance.  The same goes for us.  Our environment matters; our bodies do not exist separately from the environment in which they live.  If the air we breathe is toxic, then so are we.  If the water we drink has chemicals, then we now have those chemicals.  If the food we eat has chemicals, now we do too.

Many of us are unaware of what is happening to our bodies.  We’re getting sick and do not understand why.  For now, two causes will be addressed; We are becoming our environment which is toxic and we are also ingesting foods that are toxic.

The ways we are becoming our environment is through our skin, our respiratory system, and our spirits.  The air we breathe is polluted by exhaust from our cars, buses, planes, and by industrial air pollution, etc.  In 1993 alone 1.67 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were released into our air, according to the EPA’s toxic Release Inventory of 1993. 1   We also breathe in toxic chemicals from carpet, paint, wood finishes, and glues. 2   There are even pesticides in some shampoos, disposable diapers, air fresheners, mattresses, and carpet.  As you can begin to see, just like fish swimming around in an aquarium full of algae and “gunk”, so are we.   Even though our body was made to release toxins, the sheer amount that are encountered daily is far more than your body was ever designed to deal with.3   In the same way that we absorb these toxins on a daily basis without even realizing it, so do our spirits.  Day in and day out we interact with other people.  How they feel and what they say do affect you, it has an impact on your spirit.  You may know certain people that you are around and when you leave you feel uplifted and full of joy.  There are other people that you walk away from feeling worn out and down, when you were fine prior to seeing them.  Has anyone walked into a room where there was tension?  Not a word needs to be spoken to know this because your spirit has already picked it up.  We are also carrying toxins in our spirits which are a result toxic emotions and pain on the inside of them, and from our own emotional pain.  This is why it’s so important to set yourself apart for a time of cleansing, not only for your physical body, but for your spirit as well. Your spirit needs to be cleansed, just as your body does.

There is truth to the old adage, “you are what you eat.”  Every year approximately 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on the crops that make up our food supply.These pesticides have been known to cause certain cancers such as brain cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma.Also, many foods we ingest are processed in which “additives” are added to extend shelf life and to add flavor.  However, the added flavor just isn’t worth it.  Food additives are made from petroleum, coal tar products, bleaching agents, and even ethylene gas (sprayed on bananas to ripen faster).6  Our spirit and soul are very much a part of our being and are effected by toxins daily as well.  Our soul is the seat of our emotions.  When we have been bombarded with negativity, either from within or from someone on the outside, oftentimes we run to comfort food to help us feel better.  The comfort foods we run to are typically pizza, burgers, and sweets which are all processed foods that contain the chemicals mentioned above.  Now we have toxicity on all three levels of our being.  This cycle is making us sick and diseased due to the high levels of toxins we are absorbing and ingesting on a daily basis.

There is hope and there are ways to break this cycle.  We will address these in the next blog, Proper Ways to Detoxify – Holistically.

This Article was written by: April Grant

  1. Online Source: EPA Office of Environmental Information, www.epa.gov/triexplorer/chemical.htm.
  2. Dr. Don Colbert, Toxic Relief (Lake Mary, FL: Siloam, 2003), 9
  3. Dr. Don Colbert, Toxic Relief (Lake Mary, FL: Siloam, 2003), 11
  4. Dr. Don Colbert, Toxic Relief (Lake Mary, FL: Siloam, 2003 ), 13
  5. G. T. Sterling, et al, “Health effects of phenoxy herbicides,” Scandinavian Journal of Work Environmental Health 12 (1986): 161-173.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Becoming through Change


"Nothing is stable. Nothing is absolute. All is fluid and changeable. There is an endless “becoming.”"
– Benjamin Cardozon

Change is often uncomfortable and sometimes even dreaded. We all tend to be creatures of habit and get set in our ways. Change is the driving force that pushes us out of our comfort zones and causes us to reach new or different levels in our lives that we otherwise would never have experienced.  Most would agree that as a whole, people tend to avoid pain or suffering if at all possible.  And why wouldn’t one avoid pain and suffering?

If the results of enduring suffering for a set amount of time would result in something far greater, would it then be worth it? The reality is, that although we naturally want to steer away from things that bring us pain, it is those things that we endure that result in something far more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.

Next time we are faced with a hardship, a trial, an end to a relationship, an end to a job, a change in lifestyle, the loss of a loved one, or a difficult trauma, we must look past the suffering and remain hopeful casting our vision on the end result of the matter. Solomon put it best when he said, “the end of a matter is better than its beginning.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8

This all goes back to the ashes to beauty concept. Like gold, we too have to go through a refining process before we reach our most valuable state. This cannot be done without change. Change is what helps us become.

References: 

Frank, L.R. (2001). Quotationary. New York, NY: Random House Inc.

Article Written By: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW/CBIS

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Rise of Unconventional Approaches for Optimal Health


In an article titled Unconventional Medicine in the United States - Prevalence, Costs, and Patterns of Use, David M. Eisenberg, Ronald C. Kessler, Cindy Foster, Frances E. Norlock, David R. Calkins, and Thomas L. Delbanco define unconventional approaches as medical interventions not taught widely at U.S. medical schools or generally available at U.S. hospitals. Examples include acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage therapy (1993). Many additional unconventional approaches have been identified since this article was written and these approaches include, but are not limited to: reflexology, pastoral counseling, art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, journaling, biofeedback, support groups, homeopathy and much more. All of these approaches are more clearly defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine as mind-body medicine. Mind-body medicine involves behavioral, psychological, social, and spiritual approaches to health. (2004).

David Eisenberg and his colleagues (1993), conducted a national telephone survey focusing on 16 interventions that represented unconventional approaches used commonly in the United States to improve their understanding of the use of unconventional approaches. Their study focused on the following questions: What is the extent of use of unconventional therapy in the United States? How much is spent annually on these therapies, including out-of-pocket and third party payments? What sociodemographic factors distinguish users of unconventional therapy from nonusers? For what medical conditions do people most commonly use unconventional therapy? And to what extent are medical doctors responsible for or informed about the use of unconventional approaches by their patients? 

Through this extensive study David Eisenberg et al. found that unconventional medicine has an enormous presence in the U.S. health care system. An estimated one in three persons in the U.S. adult population used unconventional therapy in 1990. The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical doctors nationwide, and the amount spent out of pocket on unconventional therapy was comparable to the amount spent out of pocket by Americans for all hospitalizations. Roughly 1 in 4 Americans who see their medical doctors for a serious health problem may be using unconventional therapy in addition to conventional medicine for that problem, and 7 of 10 such encounters take place without patients' telling their medical doctors that they use unconventional therapy (1993).

This study not only pointed out the rising use of unconventional approaches and modalities, but it also showed that more people are using them than we are aware of. If conventional medicine met all of the needs of the patient, then unconventional approaches would not be necessary, however, that is not the case. More often than not, the need for unconventional approaches coupled with conventional medicine is exactly what the patient needs to reach optimal recovery.

Living Waters Ministry via the TBI Hope branch of the ministry considers themselves as an unconventional approach for individuals with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and family members. TBI Hope understands the need for alternative, unconventional approaches to fully meet the needs for those in the TBI Community. For this reason TBI Hope is hosting a conference called: Unconventional Approaches- Wellness Focused.  

The purpose of this conference will be to educate providers and survivors alike by introducing them to methods that are available to them outside the basic "medical model' or standard recommended treatments following a traumatic brain injury. Many times survivors will find themselves without services or with limited options due to their insurance coverage or other factors. Due to this overall nutrition and wellness after a TBI tend to be overlooked rather frequently. With the understanding that every brain injury is different, we also understand that sometimes there are different presenting problems that need to be addressed in a more unconventional manner. The purpose of this conference is to provide hope for the survivor and those that provide them with services by demonstrating to them that there are many options out there and that the options are not as unattainable as assumed. The following experienced and credible experts in their field will be speaking on different subject matters pertaining to Wellness, Chiropractic Neurology and other topics: Dr. Greg Goode, Dr. Tom Gross, Kat Spinks and April Grant.


Unconventional approaches are not just a growing trend they are a necessity for overall well being and optimal health. No matter what stage of life or what medical condition one may face, to be educated on what is available for one’s unique condition is part of taking control and ownership of one’s overall well being. To learn more about the upcoming conference scheduled for January 20, 2012 at the Living Waters Retreat facility email: Livingwaters.tbihope@gmail.com or visit our website at: www.tbihope.com

This article was written by: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW/CBIS, and the Program Director of TBI Hope and can also by viewed at: http://nutraspace.com/a/index.php/easyblog/entry/the-rise-of-unconventional-approaches-for-optimal-healt

References

Eisenberg, D.M., Kessler, R.C., Foster, C., Norlock, F.E., Calkins, D.R. & Delbanco,  T.L. (1993). Unconventional medicine in the United States: Prevalence, costs, and patterns of use. New England Journal of Medicine, 328:246-252. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199301283280406#t=articleBackground

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2004). National Institute of Health. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://your-doctor.com/patient_info/alternative_remedies/overview_alternrx.html

Monday, November 14, 2011

Setting Healthy Boundaries

“Let your yes be simply yes, and your no be simply no; anything more than that comes from the evil one." - Matthew 3:7

"But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil" - Proverbs 1:33.

In order to dwell in safety, you must first learn how to live with boundaries. A safe place is established by boundaries. People who have never learned how to set boundaries will find themselves in unsafe places being hurt over and over by unsafe people. You must first learn to identify where the safe boundaries are and live inside them.

Webster’s Dictionary: bound·ary- something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent

Results of a Lack of Boundaries
The most destructive result of a lack of boundaries is physical and emotional abuse. As an adult, a person who has not learned how to set healthy boundaries will be repeatedly controlled and even injured by others. People learn they can take advantage of you if your “no” doesn’t mean “no.”

Establishing Boundaries 
People who grow up in physically or emotionally abusive homes are more likely to fall into abusive relationships as adults. If the “don’t talk” rule was practiced in the home and the abuse was not addressed the child will grow up feeling guilty, (this is false guilt). As an adult they may be drawn to abusive relationships and remain in these relationships out of false guilt or shame. A person with false guilt is always apologizing thinking everything is their fault.

 

When do you set boundaries?

 

·       When another persons actions are hurting you
·       Another person continues to violate you
·       Another person does not respect you
 

Accountability in Setting Healthy Boundaries

A person that has lived with little or no boundaries will need accountability to establish and keep boundaries. When one acquires a TBI, this skill of establishing boundaries often times needs to be re-learned or re-gained and the need for accountability in this area increases as social interactions and knowing how to relate to people can difficult for a TBI Survivor. Having and learning how to set healthy boundaries will help protect your TBI survivor from being taken advantage of and can prevent them from getting into unhealthy relationships. As a family member or caregiver of your TBI Survivor, you can help by setting the example of what a healthy boundary looks like.



This article was written collaboratively by Denise Boggs and Jessica Felix Jager, MSW

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Nutritional Foods and Supplements that Protect Memory Problems


Memory problems are considered the most disabling consequence of brain injury according to The Essential Brain Injury Guide (Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), 2007). Impaired memory affects a person’s ability to learn, retain, and use new information and may significantly affect a person’s ability to live independently (BIAA, 2007). The exact location where the brain was injured plays a significant role on what brain functions were subsequently impaired. If the temporal lobe area was injured, changes will often be seen in the following areas: memory, hearing, receptive language and organization and sequencing.  When one struggles to remember or recall information that is being processed, the every day tasks that need to be accomplished become more difficult. When memory problems are present, one may feel scattered, unsure, not knowing where to begin and overwhelmed.

Conveniently, there are ways one can utilize the kitchen, garden, and dining room to help reduce memory problems. When natural foods and spices supplement one’s medication regiment, optimal results can be reached. Studies have found a variety of foods that aide in preventing memory problems, boost concentration or increase overall brain function. Michael Castleman author of The Healing Herbs recommends using the healing herbs bacopa, eleuthero, ginkgo, and ginseng to help with memory improvement (2009). For the purposes of this article we will focus primarily on the foods that Dr. James Duke author of The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods, found to support in the prevention of memory problems. These foods include, but are not limited to: black-eyed peas, plant oils, citrus fruits, grapes, pomegranates, sage, turmeric, blueberries, celery, garlic and ginger (2008).

Black-eyed peas are rich in B6, B12 and folate. Folate is a B vitamin also known as folic acid. Memory loss has been deemed as one of the earliest symptoms of B12 deficiency. To counter memory loss due to B12 deficiency, one can increase their B12 intake via vitamins or intake of vitamin B12 enriched foods. According to Dr. James Duke, consuming a variety of plant foods rich in folate and B vitamins may offer protection against memory loss (2008). There are other plant foods that can be consumed in addition to black-eyed peas that are rich with folate and B vitamins and these include: lentils, avocados, sunflower seeds, spinach, asparagus, and orange juice. Suggested food sources of B12 include: clams, beef liver, fortified cereal and trout (Duke, 2008).

Research has shown that diets higher in monounsaturated and polysaturated fats and lower saturated fats are linked to improved cognitive performance (Duke, 2008). Improved cognitive performance can help strengthen the presenting memory problems. Unsaturated fats have been found to have a protective effect on memory. Eating healthy fats found in olive, canola, peanut and sunflower oils along with avocados, peanut butter, nuts and seeds, can not only protect one's memory, but also keep cholesterol levels at bay.

In his book The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods, Dr. James Duke discusses a study done in Baltimore at the Johns Hopkins University that found that those that took supplements of vitamins C and E were 64 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s (2008). These odds are worth looking into. The study found that if one implements a vitamin-enriched diet into their daily regiment, the odds of combating memory problems specifically found in Alzheimer are increased. Consuming fruits and vegetables such as: papaya, orange juice, cooked broccoli, strawberries, kiwifruit, raisin bran cereal, canned tomato paste, sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach have powerful antioxidant effects is far better than taking only supplements of vitamins C and E. Foods richly filled with vitamins are the better choice when trying to ensure proper vitamin intake in one's diet.

Having increased mental function can help one stay on task, remain focused and have the needed mental capacity to use compensatory skills in the areas where memory is weak. Studies have shown that resveratrol reduces free radicals that result from a buildup of the element that creates cell-killing plaques in the brain (Duke, 2008). Resveratrol is a polyphenol that can be found in grapes. Pomegranites also contain polyphenols along with salicylate, ellagic acid, and many other chemicals that act against inflammation and oxidation. Studies done on mice have demonstrated that drinking pomegranate juice may lead to better mental function (Duke, 2008). These studies suggest that increasing one's intake of juices filled with polyphenols as found in pomegranite juice could essentially produce the same results as found in the studies that were done.

Michael Castleman author of The New Healing Herbs, pointed out that John Gerard may have been on to something when he wrote that sage “quickeneth the memory” (2009). The word sage when translated from Latin means, “to save.” Sage can help save memory! If one is slowly losing their memory, it may be time to look into ways to save what can still be saved. Sage has been found to have an effect by blocking enzymes that break down a particular neurotransmitter in the brain. It may also help protect the brain by discouraging the creation of free radicals and counteracting inflammation (Duke, 2008). Sage can easily be added into one's diet by incorporating it as a seasoning in common daily dishes.

Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice taken from a root and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that may counteract the inflammation and oxidation found in Alzheimer’s disease (Duke, 2008).  Michael Castleman has found from research and evidence, that Turmeric is a powerfully medicinal herb that stimulates the immune system and reduces risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia, ulcers, colitis, arthritis, cataracts, scabies, liver damage, food poisoning, and irritable bowel syndrome (2009). Counteracting inflammation is not only important for those struggling with Alzheimer's, it is also important for prevention for those in the early stages of memory loss. Ginger is another spice taken from a root that can offer helpful ways to protect your memory as it contains two dozen antioxidants and two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds.

According to Joe and Terry Graedon, James Josephs from Tufts University who is a leading neuroscientist and expert on the effects of berries and brain function, found that blueberries produced cognitive benefits in the tests that he ran (2011). Additional studies have shown that blueberry extracts may improve mental performance.  A strong, healthy brain with stable mental performance is essential for overall functioning. If one wants to increase his or her physical strength and overall performance, he or she must invest the time and discipline to train the body to build up the desired level of strength. Likewise, if one wants to increase mental performance and a healthy brain, discipline in one's diet and vitamin intake is needed so that optimal results can be achieved. According to Dr. James Duke, it is possible that the powerful antioxidants in blueberries could help keep your brain healthy (2008).

Prevention is key to most, if not all diseases or health related issues. If a method for prevention is an option for one's condition, it is wise to heed the advice and take preventative measures. Celery and flax seed have both been found to prevent memory loss. Both celery and flax seed contain luteolin, which is a component that lowers levels of plaque-forming proteins in the brain. This counteracts risk factors associated with memory loss and Alzheimer’s by decreasing atherosclerosis, inflammation and oxidative damage (Duke, 2008). Garlic has also been found to be beneficial with preventing memory loss as it works as an antioxidant, reducing inflammation and cholesterol production.

Whether one is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Survivor, battling with dementia, Alzheimer or simply facing early stages of memory loss due to age, there are ways one can utilize the natural resources around to help reduce memory problems. There is no risk involved in bettering one’s overall well-being and health. The fact remains that when natural foods and spices supplement one’s medication regiment, optimal results can be reached. So aim high and reach for optimal change!

This article was written by Jessica Felix Jager, MSW/Program Director of the TBI Hope Department in Living Waters Ministry. This article was also posted on the TBI Hope Nutraspace blog site, a networking site designed to bring nutritional awareness concerning different health issues from leading experts. To see the article or join Nutraspace, visit: www.nutraspace.com

References
Brain Injury Association of America (2007). The Essential Brain Injury Guide (4th ed). Ypsilanti, MI: Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers, Inc.

Castleman, M. (2009). The new healing herbs. New York, NY: Rodale, Inc.

Duke, J.A. (2008). The green pharmacy guide to healing foods. New York, NY: Rodale, Inc.

Graedon, J. & Graedon, T. (2011). The people’s pharmacy: Quick and easy home remedies. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Books.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Refined by Circumstances

Throughout history being "weak" or having "weaknesses" was negatively looked at. Even in modern day "weakness" has received a bad connotation.  Lord Chesterfield in a letter to his sons wrote, " Men are much more unwilling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known than their crimes" (Frank, 2001). The French have a saying that goes right along with Chesterfield's mentality and that is, " The greatest weakness of all is the fear of appearing weak" (Frank, 2001). 

Apostle Paul had a different perspective when it came to weakness. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul boasted about his weaknesses. He took the complete opposite spin on the matter. While others boasted on their successes and achievements, Paul boasted and pointed out his weaknesses. Why would one do such a thing? What is the purpose? In his letter Paul answered why as he wrote, "I will boast all the more, gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10).

Apostle Paul saw his weaknesses as an opportunity for God to receive glory! If one is a terrible public speaker for example, and fears speaking in front of others, and he is called to give a message or share his story despite this weakness, when he steps out and does well, God is glorified. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength! If you were given a label, if you were told that you cannot succeed or reach a new level in  your recovery, if you were told that you cant get that job, no matter what the case may be, every area where you feel that you cannot do something, God says, but I can and my grace is sufficient for you. So rejoice in your weakness and allow God to use you through them. Every weakness is an opportunity to overcome. 


Take the opposite spin on negative matters and try to see each obstacle as an opportunity! Your circumstances do not define you, they merely refine you.


Article Written By: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW


References

Bible. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10


Frank, L.R. (2001.) Quotationary.  New York, NY: Random House, Inc

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Brain Injury Nutrition & Wellnes


 
Each year according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) annually (2011). Of the these 1.7 million, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized and 1.364 million are treated and released from an emergency department (CDCP, 2011). TBI Survivors and their family members are often given out patient recommendations upon release that include out patient services such as physical, speech and occupational therapy along with a recommended physician that will prescribe specific medications. TBI Survivors and their families however, are often not provided a guide of some sort for adequate nutrition that could be essential to the recovery process of the TBI Survivor.

Nutrition and proper supplementation may be key to optimal recovery after enduring a Traumatic Brain Injury. According to Joe and Terry Graedon authors of The People’s Pharmacy: Quick and Handy Home Remedies, Doctors have very little to offer for preventing ordinary cognitive decline, but exercise, social interaction, and diet can be very helpful (2011). So what should one eat to keep the brain sharp? According to Joe and Terry Graedon, James Josephs from Tufts University who is a leading neuroscientist and expert on the effects of berries and brain function, found that blueberries produced cognitive benefits in the tests that he ran (2011). Eating fish or taking fish oil has also proven to improve cognitive function. Healthy eating will certainly produce positive results in the recovery process.

Proper supplementation is equally important to proper nutrition as not all foods that are consumed by individuals on a day to day basis contain the full amount of nutrients needed for the body to fully function at its optimal capacity to combat any disease or injury that may have onset. The body simply heals better when it is fueled properly. Omega 3- Fatty Acids have been recommended to help after a TBI as Omega 3- Fatty acids are attributed for being essential for brain growth and development (Nnama, 2010). Other supplements such as N-acetylcysteine and Creatine have also been recommended. In the article Supplements for a Brain Injury, Helen Nnama found that a study from British Journal of Pharmacology published in July 2000 noted that N-acetylcysteine protects brain cells from excessive damage and death (2010). Nnama also points out in another study she found in the “Annals of Neurology”  that Creatine supports the functions of the powerhouse of the brain tissue from traumatic brain damage (2010).

Other supplements have also been found to be helpful to those that have endured a TBI in addition to the ones mentioned, however, each TBI is unique and so the exact supplements needed per individual fully depends on the individual and the nature of the TBI. It is for this reason that it is strongly recommended that if you have endured a TBI that you consult your doctor and inform your doctor of the decision to try supplements to further your recovery. Your doctor may be able to recommend the supplements that you need or may be able to refer you to a Nutritionist or local Naturopathy that can further assist in finding the proper supplementation for your specific case.

Although little information is provided on proper nutrition and supplementation after a TBI, there is information out there, you just have to be willing to look for it . Just like in the overall recovery process, always aim to reach another level of recovery and never give up.

This article was written by Jessica Felix Jager, MSW/Program Director of the TBI Hope Department in Living Waters Ministry. TBI Hope has been designed to reach TBI Survivors and their families to provide them with resources, support services, counseling and TBI Hope Retreats. For more information on TBI Hope check out the website at: www.tbihope.com or you can reach Jessica directly at Jessica.felixjager@gmail.com  

This article was posted yesterday October 3, 2011 on Nutra Space via TBI Hope author Jessica Felix Jager, MSW. To learn more about Nutra Space and how it could connect you to more nutritional information that may assist you in your recovery and further education check out:


http://nutraspace.com:2223/a/index.php/easyblog/entry/brain-injury-nutrition-and-wellness


References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (2011). How many people have TBI?
Retrieved September 20, 2011 from

Graedon, J. & Graedon, T. (2011). The people’s pharmacy: Quick and easy home remedies. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Books.

Nnama, H.  (2010). Supplements for a brain injury. Retrieved October 3, 2011, from 


 




This article was posted yesterday October 3, 2011 on Nutra Space via TBI Hope author Jessica Felix Jager, MSW. To learn more about Nutra Space and how it could connect you to more nutritional informatio that may assist you in your recovery and further education check out:
http://nutraspace.com:2223/a/index.php/easyblog/entry/brain-injury-nutrition-and-wellness

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Rise Above

Individuals with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or any other disability for that matter need others to encourage them to press on and rise above their limitations. The best thing one can do for a loved one that has suffered a TBI or has any other form of disability, is to never let them stay stuck where they are, but rather encourage them to aim higher. We at TBI Hope attempted to do so on September 23, 2011 by creating a special day called Survivor Day in which we gave 10 TBI Survivor's the platform to share their story of recovery and encourage others in similar situations to persevere and never give up!

There were many wonderful things said on Survivor Day by our featured guests that I would now like to share with you all:

Debbie Leonhardt a TBI Survivor and Licensed Counselor along with her client, also a TBI Survivor Stacey McKinney stated that a method that worked for them was to break down a large task into small manageable pieces and then complete them in order until the large task is complete. Debbie stated that, "It all comes down to quality of life and to live in the present-appreciate today." A line that Debbie shared that I will never forget is, " You are not just a Survivor and therefore that should not be your focus in life. You need to move from a Survivor mentality to Thriver and move to what you can fully be."

After Debbie and Stacey finished sharing, TBI Thriver Doreen Carson shared her story with Pat Benfield her Neurofeedback Provider and Clinician.  Doreen shared that the journey of healing comes from every direction and that determination is the key to recovery. Doreen pointed out, "we all need help with the new stuff so we can let go of the old stuff." Pat Benfield pointed out that a TBI can leave an individual emotionally stunted in different developmental areas for this reason Doreen's method of taking everything one step at a time is the way to go.

Pat Benfield also shared along with TBI Thriver Michael Dedmon who lost a son to an accident and then received a TBI from a different car accident himself. It was a pleasure seeing Michael share his heart and passion and how he feels the need to create a sense of awareness. Michael stated that for him what helped in his recovery was "accepting the new challenges and the change that came with them." Michael now has a foundation that bring awareness to helmet safety to protect others from receiving a TBI.


William Boggs really drove the point home during his time of sharing when he encouraged the audience to "always reach for another level in your recovery." William encouraged the audience through his recovery story to find their purpose after a TBI. William pointed out that acquiring a TBI does not take away your purpose....it simply redefines it." After William shared, Anthony Zordano shared his Survivor story that occurred while he was still in high school. He encouraged others to also keep pressing on and to remember to laugh despite your circumstance.  Anthony shared his ups and downs on trying to get accepted into school or simply passing a class, but decided to never give up! Anthony is now working on his degree to become a Substance Abuse Counselor. Anthony stated, "This is your recovery process, take ownership of it."

Kirk Wilder inspired us all when he shared his story four words at a time. Kirk survived a stab wound to the head when he attempted to be a peacemaker at a frat party and went in to break up a fight. Many years later Kirk now attends a day program at Hinds Feet in Asheville and makes beautiful wooden bowls. He along with his Provider, the Day Program Director at Hinds Feet Erica Engelsman shared how in a split second life can change completely. Kirk truly was an inspiration to press on your limitations as he demonstrated a device that was created for him to better make wooden bowls and go turkey hunting. Kirk being able to only speak in 4 -5 word sentences at a time shared his story in front of an audience that attentively listened to every word he spoke. Kirk ended his story with a thank you for such a "Special Day."

It truly was a special day! Kirk found the perfect words to describe our Survivor Day. Another Hinds Feet Day program attendee and Thriver Drew Carter shared with us his story. After dropping some rhymes and sharing his heart to dance and work with children Drew left us with the charge to be persistent and always aim up. This charge may seem so simple, yet its profound. So long as you aim up, you don't look down and you are pressing on to new levels in your life.

Following Drew's charge to aim up, Joe Barrett who is on staff at Hinds Feet in Asheville and works as the Day Program Coordinator shared with us his story of receiving a mild TBI after a biking accident. Joe's story was uniquely presented as he shared his story through the eyes of his friends who were there throughout the accident and initial stages of recovery. Joe pointed out that there were incredible people along the way that did not even know him that advocated on his behalf. He pointed out that the human heart that is driven by compassion is truly beautiful and beyond comprehension. Joe stated that after he received his mild TBI he felt an urgency, a desire to live more because life clearly was not over for him. His charge to the TBI Thriver was to "live more because it isn't over!"

Our special Survivor Day came to a conclusion as our last featured guest Jashun Gaddy-Gaskin shared his story of pressing on despite his limitations. Jashun was in college when he had a brain aneurysm. Jashun shared that is was by the grace of God that his room mate was still there to find him after it occurred and to help him rush to the hospital. After Jashun endured his TBI he found himself limited, but chose to press on. He desired greatly to go back to ECU where he received the TBI to finish his degree that he began. After a lot of hard work and never giving up Jashun went back to ECU, graduated and found a job in his field. His face radiated the joy that his accomplishments and his faith brought forth.

One thing that each Thriver had in common other than a life changing traumatic event, was that each never gave up and refused to accept the limits that were placed upon them. These powerful stories were tremendously encouraging. Allow the success of others to motivate and grow a desire for success in your own circumstances no matter how great or how small. In the words of these great motivators, own your story,  never give up, press on, persevere, aim up, reach to the next level, move from Survivor to Thriver and share your story with others because everytime you encourage others with your story, it truly becomes a special day!

Written By: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW



Monday, September 19, 2011

Grieving Losses Due to a TBI

 
A person with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) faces many challenges and losses. Grieving is the process of facing the pain and sorrow of the losses, releasing them and moving on to embrace life. Grieving is the process of both releasing the loss and receiving the comfort and encouragement to move forward.

Comfort comes as we receive love from God, family and friends. "We are mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each others' faith...." Romans 1:12

With every TBI there is some degree of loss. Each injury is different, but they all have one thing in common: loss. Whatever the loss may be, recognizing the stages of grieving will help you process the loss.

Your loved one could experience losses in:
  • Physical Strength
  • Emotional Connections
  • Cognitive Abilities
  • Reasoning and Memory

Never grieve these losses alone.....
  • Find someone who will listen
  • Find someone who understands
  • Find someone who cares

Grieving should not be done alone, everyone needs someone who knows how to listen. There are nine stages of grieving that take you down into a valley. The goal is to keep moving through the valley of grieving until you are on the other side. Having someone walk with you through this process will keep you from getting stuck along the way.

Stages of Grieving
  1. Shock- This stage should last just a few days or weeks.

The Characteristics of Shock:
  • Numbness
  • No feeling
  • No Emotion
  • Lack of Energy
  • Denial
  • Withdrawal
  • Isolation

People who are in shock do not exhibit feelings of grief and mourning over loss. If you are in shock you will feel numb like your living in a fog. Life will be meaningless and empty. You may even act as though the loss never occurred. This is a form of denial, denying the reality of what has happened to you or your family member.

Symptoms of Denial:
  • Do you minimize what has happened?
  • Do you recognize the feelings of grief but minimize those feelings and try to hide them?
  • Do you try to convince yourself, “Everything is fine,” “Nothing has really changed in my life!”

Keys to Recovery
  • Share your feelings with a family member or a friend.
  • Talk about how the loss or changes are affecting you.

  1. Anger

Anger is a legitimate response to your loss. This stage can also last for several years if misunderstood or not ministered through. If you stay in this stage for a long period of time your anger begins to be projected towards others.

Types of anger:
  • Directed towards others; blames others
  • Directed toward self; guilt for what you feel you did or did not do, or should or should not have done. Excessive guilt actually blocks the grieving process.
  • Anger at God- How could He let it happen?
  1. Sadness

Sadness is a natural and healthy emotional response to loss, but it is an emotion most people try to avoid. Therefore they take on physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches or loss of energy. Unfortunately, many grieving individuals get stuck and unconsciously adapt the “sick person” role in an effort to get their emotional need for comfort met.

When you face what you have lost, great sadness is felt. A time of sadness is part of the grieving process that must be embraced to move to the next stage. God has promised in Psalm 30:5 that sadness will end soon and joy will come in the morning.
  1. Face the Loss

The next stage is facing the loss, “This really did happen. I really have lost something or someone that was very precious to me.” This is a major key in the grieving process.

Keys to Recovery
Make a list of losses due to your injury….
  • Personality
  • Clear Thinking
  • Friends
  • Mobility
  • Job


Facing the reality of what has been lost is hard as you notice on the grieving chart you are almost at the bottom and that is how it feels, you feel like you are hitting bottom. You finally realize that everything has changed and everything will be different.
  1. Forgiveness

Forgiving others is the next stage of grieving. This is the turning point, when you pass through this stage you will begin to go up hill from this point on. Who do you forgive?
-        Forgive the one you are blaming for the loss
-        Forgive yourself if you still blame yourself
-        Forgive God if you are blaming Him

Forgiveness is a major part of grieving because you can't fully grieve what you have lost until you have forgiven the one or ones you are blaming for this loss.

Types of anger:
  • Directed towards others, blame others 
  •  Anger at God- How could He let it happen?
  • Directed toward self; guilt for what you feel you did or did not do, or should or should not have done. Excessive guilt actually blocks the grieving process.
  1. Release

Once you have forgiven, then you can begin releasing what or who you have lost. To release means you let them go, you are no longer trying to hold on to them and control the outcome.
  1. Facing Reality of the Loss

Many people get confused when they face the loss again, they may feel some of the same emotions as before such as sadness, or anger. But if forgiveness has been accomplished you will pass through this stage very quickly.

Every time you face the loss you must make the choice to grieve and release it again. When you do not have the opportunity to grieve losses, they will begin to pile up, one on top of the other. Instead of processing each loss as it comes, piling them up will cause depression, hopelessness and despair and may even lead to mental and physical problems. In this state even small losses will seem monumental. This is why it is vitally important to deal with and grieve each loss as it occurs.
  • Don’t let things pile up
  • Deco pressurize- talk things out daily
  • If you feel sad, talk about it

When you do no have the opportunity to grieve losses, they will begin to pile up, one on top of the other.
  1. Final Release

At some point in time it is important that a final release takes place. When this happens you will actually feel as if a heavy weight has been removed. This bring you to a place of accepting that life will be different. You will feel lighter, more at peace, and begin to have an increased hope and expectation of what God is going to do in the future.
  1. Acceptance

Full acceptance will come in time. The reality is that life is different. As you have gone through the grieving process you have gained strength to be able to accept your new life with the changes. Acceptance brings a lasting peace to your heart and mind.

Keys to Recovery:
  • In time…and in every situation, when we put our faith in God, He will work all things together for good.
  • Make a list of things and people you are thankful for.
  • If you practice having a thankful heart each day, with God’s help you can overcome the difficulties of each day.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Article Written By: Denise Boggs

Friday, September 9, 2011

In Remembrance


 The after math, the shock, the impact, the loss, the pain, the forever changed Nation will once again come to a pause on September 11, 2011, when we all stop and take a moment to reflect and remember those that were lost and wounded a decade ago. Many of us can still remember where we were when we heard of the terrorist attacks on our Nation. I recall sitting in my first period class my senior year in High School. The rest of the day all of my teachers did nothing but watch the news as we all sat in awe and fear. This event that went down in history stays with us because of how it impacted us. Those that were impacted in severe ways who were there on the scene or survived the attack carry this impact with them in far greater ways that we may never fully understand.

Statistics from an article titled “Traumatic Brain Injuries after Mass-Casualty Incidents: Lessons from the 11 September 2001 World Trade Center Attacks,” show that from the 282 records that were abstracted from those that were hospitalized in New York City, found 14 cases of diagnosed Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) victims and 21 cases of undiagnosed TBI victims, making a total of 35 cases. This study showed that one-third of these cases consisted of rescue workers and that these cases resulted primarily from the falling debris. (Rutland-Brown et. al, 2007). There were probably many more that survived that resulted with some level of a TBI that went undiagnosed for sometime after this traumatic event. The reality here is that this attack on our Nation not only caused irreversible emotional wounds for left behind family members that lost their loved one, but it also caused irreversible physical wounds for those that survived.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention, severe head trauma is the most common cause of death in terrorist bombings and has been identified as a major injury in over half of those critically injured in such incidents (2009).  Traumatic Brain Injuries, whether mild, moderate or severe, can happen to anyone, at any time and is becoming one of the leading causes of death and disability among young people. The cases of diagnosed TBI’s and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have increased significantly after the tragic event of September 11, 2001.


In an effort to defend our Nation against future attacks of this caliber, many have sacrificed who they once were. Many survivors of September 11, 2001, rescue workers and our troops now live lives re-learning how to once again be and function in the land that they fought to keep free. Let us never forget all that was lost for the freedoms we have today. Let us in honor of these selfless and heroic individuals live a life in remembrance and gratitude. This will bring far greater honor than a yearly moment of silence.




                                                                         References

Rutland-Brown, W., Langlois, J.A., Nicaj, L., Thomas, R.B., Wilt, S.A., & Razarian, J.J.
(2007). Traumatic brain injuries after mass-casualty incidents: Lessons from the 11 September 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 22, Vo.l. 3. Abstract retrieved September 8, 2011, from http://pdm.medicine.wise.edu

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and
Prevention. (2009). Blast Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, June 2009. Available
from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site, www.emergency.cdc.gov/Blastinjuries 

Article Written By: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW