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