Another Fork in the Road

Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain that causes the brain to atrophy, (shrink.) It kills off brain cells. Ashley Bendiksen knows all too well about Alzheimer’s disease as she was a prominent caregiver for her mother, who had the disease . Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Survivors and caregivers each have specific roles to play in this dance called brain injury. Survivor, what do you want your caregiver to know?  Caregiver, what do you want your survivor to know? Guests Deb Brandon (survivor) and Jamie Crane-Mauzy (survivor) join me (caregiver). Let's talk about it Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Terry Niemann has had three brain injuries. Her husband, Drew Niemann, is not only her spouse and friend, but he's also her caregiver. Drew and Terry join together in their podcast, "A Battle Within" to raise awareness of brain injury. I was a guest on their show on October 12, 2020. Look for 086: Speaking Out with David Figurski Ph.D. and Donna O'Donnell Figurski. (https://abattlewithin.com/category/episodes/page/2/) Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Another year gone–a new one to look forward to. Well, that's what we hope, anyway. We hope the problems of 2020, which will go down in history, will fade away, and the new year will open up to happy haappenings. Crossing fingers and toes.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Dr Alauna, trauma psychiatrist & author of "WAKE UP: To Your Brains, Biology and Behavior," will share her expertise on empathy skills. Dr Alauna's mission is, "... to educate every person on how to heal from and break the trauma cycle ...." Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

The holidays can be stressful for anyone, but throw a brain injury into the mix and that shakes it all up. Holidays usually mean fun–a time to meet up with family and friends, a time to party, a time to be merry. But for those living with a brain injury, it can cause confusion, over-stimulation, and complete anxiety. Add a pandemic and we have a whole new level of stress TUNE IN as we discuss stressful holidays and how to cope with them. Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Caregiver, Advocate & Author, Harriet Hodgson joins me to talk about her long journey as caregiver for her husband, John. Harriet is also the author of many books focusing on caregiveing.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Transitioning from recovery from brain injury to settling into life after brain injury is no doubt difficult. Reshaping and rebuilding a new life to accommodate the changes caused by brain injury can be challenging. Tonight's panel, survivor, Deb Brandon and caregiver, Fruit (Grace) Mauzy join me as we examine this topic.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Craig J. Phillips, survivor of brain injury, (Rehabilitation Counselor, NeuroPlasticity Motivator, Author, Advocate, Keynote Speaker) joins me tonight to tell his story of his journey  and to offer suggestions that worked for him.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com

Mish Mosh with caregiver, Fruit Grace Mauzy and survivor, Deb Brandon - and Me, caregiver, Donna O'Donnell Figurski, author of PRISONERS WITHOUT BARS: A CAREGIVER'S TALE, of course. Tonight we get to talk about anything Deb and Fruit want to. I'll just go along for the ride - I mean the discussion.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a fall from the roof, doing one more chin-up, or a door literally slamming one in the face are just some causes of traumatic brain injury. College plans, walking down the aisle in the perfect dress, or the coveted job quickly slip from reality as dreams turn to struggle. These unexpected life-happenings that divert one from his or her chosen path in life can be devastating. But as Yogi Berra once said, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Life is all about choices! To learn more about me, please visit my blog and website. Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury Blog:                              survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com Author of Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale:      donnafigurski.com  Donna's Blog:                                                                    donnaodonnellfigurski.wordpress.com