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

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

http://www.cdc.gove/traumaticbraininjury/statistics.html

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 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/327226-supplements-for-a-brain-injury/

"Annals of Neurology"; Dietary Supplement Creatine Protects Against Traumatic Brain Injury; Patrick G. Sullivan, Ph.D., et al.; April 2001

"British Journal of Pharmacology"; Beneficial Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Ischemic Brain Injury; Salvatore Cuzzocrea et al.; July 2000

 




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

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

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.

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

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

Rebounding from Loss

A  youth pastor I once knew told a story of how when he was a teenager he and some of his friends would go to super markets and try to race shopping carts by pushing one cart forward while dragging one behind. He shared this story to drive home the point that it is difficult to move forward while looking back. He ended his story by saying that these races never did go well. He would either find himself off course, running into others pushing them off course or feeling torn between looking back and forth the entire time, all the while trying not to crash. It is almost scary how closely this analogy mirrors life situations.

There are many different types of losses that many of will face in this life that we have to chose to rebound from. Some of these include: loss of some physical skill, loss of memory, loss of a vocational opportunity, loss of a partner in your life, loss of financial security, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of who you once were due to a traumatic event and the list can go on and on. With these losses there are two different ways one may respond: Get stuck at the state of which the loss occurred (possibly even digress) or strain toward what is ahead (move on). Granted timing does account differently per individual as grieving a loss of any kind is essential to healing and must occur so that one may properly move towards acceptance and a new season in their life. However, once grieving has taken its course one must acknowledge their current state of being and decide what they will do next: nothing or something.


"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Phillipians 3:13-14

Letting go is probably one of the hardest things we have to do and lessons we have to learn, because it takes surrendering of our will. What was done cannot be changed. Rather than finding where to place the blame, the focus should be on finding the opportunity in what is at hand. A great example of this is Bethany Hamilton the young lady, who the movie Soul Surfer is based on. She through a traumatic event had her entire left arm bitten off up to her shoulder by a shark. Prior to this event she was in surfing competitions and was doing quite well winning first place and headed off to the Nationals. This event could have stopped her in her tracks completely, but through her faith in God and belief that all things things are possible through Him who gives strength (Phillipians 4:13) she pressed on, didnt stop and chose to re-train herself and learn how to surf with her current state of being. As a result, her life and her story has touched thousands among thousands and many have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Would these same results have been possible had she not endured what she had? She was asked once if she would go back the day she lost her arm and not have gone surfing and she said no she wouldn't change it because she wouldn't have been able to do what she has done and helped others as she has had it not happened. We may not know why things happen as they do, for now we know we only know in part, but we do know who can strengthen us through what happens. If we persevere and stay strong, our stories will not only be a real success, but will impact lives giving God all the glory. There is no better ending to a story than that! So be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord (Psalm 31:24)

Rebound and turn your loss into a gain. It can be done in Jesus' name!

Article Written By: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW

New Heights are Merely at Arms Length

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."- James 1:12

Lets face it, in life there are constant ups and downs. One week we may feel that we really got it together, we are making progress in different areas in our lives and things are just lining up. The next week or month we get in a rut and feel like we are stuck. Why is that? Did the progress that we made suddenly disappear? How quickly we forget the work that has been done because we get fixated on what has not yet been accomplished.

This is especially true for those that are suffering from an illness, severe medical condition or are working on recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury. There are always new levels of recovery to reach whether it be on a spiritual, emotional, physical or developmental level. New heights are merely at arms length. Many times we get fixated on the levels that we have not yet reached, or the dreams and goals we have not yet come close to, but what we really should focus on is what we have done so far and allow that to motivate us to press on towards the next phase in our lives.

No one likes to wait. I have yet to meet a person that loves waiting. With our fast paced, one click and bamb you got it society, we have lost the art of waiting, being still and patiently learning the lessons that this life brings.  A wise little old man once told me that everything you go through is a lesson learned or a tool gained that you will need for the next phase of your life. With that being said, we need to shift our way of thinking and embrace the lessons we are learning right now, grasp the tools we are gaining right now and appreciate the people we are meeting and interacting with right now, because all of this is what will prepare us for "later" (whenever that may be).

So press on and persevere through your circumstances, the end result will be just what you needed for whats to come!

Article Written By: Jessica Felix Jager, MSW