Another Fork in the Road

Dr. David H. Figurski, Professor Emeritus - Department of Microbiology and Immunology - Columbia University talks about corona.virus. Many brain injury survivors were already prepared for the shelter-in-place orders that many states have invoked. Their brain injuries have made it difficult or near impossible for some to leave their homes. So shelter-in-place was no more difficult that their normal days. Now the world gets a taste of this uncomfortable living. 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

Have you ever wondered about why there are so many homeless people? I have! Have you ever wondered if there is a correlation to brain injury and homelessness. I have! So I asked Carrie Collins-Fadell, Executive Director of Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona, (BIAAZ) and Paula Crockett, head of Single Adult Shelter for Central Arizona Shelter Services, (CASSAZ) what they know about this topic. They were eager to share their knowledge with us. 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

Harriet Hodgson is the author of more than 36 books circling around the topics of caregiving, grief, and taking charge again. She was the caregiver for her mother, her grandchildren, and her husband. She knows what she is talking about when she talks caregiving. Please join us. 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

Brain injury cause many issues for its survivors. Two big problem areas are emotional and behavioral changes. It can completely change a survivor's personality so that family and friends no longer recognize the person they love. Often, the survivor can not even recognize him or herself anymore.    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

While serving his country in Iraq, Tommy Hopkin's life was forever changed. So was the life of Tommy's wife Kristina. When Tommy's camp was attacked, his head was injured causing a brain injury that will be with him forever. Kristina feels that folks need to walk a day in Tommy's shoes  or hers to really understand the difficulties that brain injury brings with 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

You have a brain injury. Your whole life has been upended. You want to scream at the world. Go ahead and scream. Scream and yell and stamp your feet and . . . do it again. Then breathe! It seems hard to find anything good about your life being turned upside down. Life as you knew it is gone. A new life has taken its place. Now what? You still have choices - wallow in sadness for a life stripped away or with attitude and gratitude a new life awaits. 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

Ronda Alcorn, caregiver to her son, Austin, is one of three founders of "We're Moving Forward." This non-profit organization was formed to enhance the lives of brain injury survivors, their caregivers, and family and is located in Phoenix, AZ. It organizes social events and activities for everyone. Summer camp, bowling outings, a walk-a-thon, and movie events help to enhance the social lives of its community. 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

365 days pass and a new year begins. It happens every year at this time. It's a new beginning. It feels fresh and you vow to improve your life. You make resolutions or promises to exercise, eat well, write more, finish that project that you started five years ago. You pledge and vow and promise and, if you are like most folks, you follow through for about a week or two - maybe a month. Let's talk resolutions and how we can stay the course. 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

Jeannette Davidson-Mayer has been a guest and a regular panelist on my show for many years. Jeannette’s husband, DeWayne, had 5 brain injuries while serving in Iraq. DeWayne’s brain injuries have not only changed his life forever but also the lives of Jeannette and their family. Jeannette is the author of Our Central Command Post: An Adaptive Military Family Home. 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

Prisoners without Bars Donna is the host of the Podcast “Another Fork in the Road” on the Brain Injury Radio Network. I was interviewing on her show last year which is what developed into me having a show.  Donna is the caregiver of a person who had a brain injury. Donna has a blog called Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury https://survivingtraumaticbraininjury.com and she has just become the author of “Prisoners Without Bar”  A story about a Brain Injury Caregivers experience.   **Prisoners without bars is heart-wrenching and triumphant love story is a tale of advocacy and caregiving. Donna's husband, David, stumbled into their bedroom, his hand covering a blood-filled eye from a brain hemorrhage. Donna called 9-1-1. David slipped into a coma. At that moment, Donna was thrust onto the path of caregiver for her best friend and the love of her life. In her debut memoir, Donna shares how a neurosurgeon said that David would make a "great organ donor." She writes of arrogant doctors, uncaring visitors, insensitive ambulance drivers, and problematic nurses. She also tells of the many compassionate doctors, nurses, therapists, staff, strangers, family members, and friends who helped them on their journey. Donna compellingly describes her ability to appear positive as she experiences the horror of making life-or-death decisions. As her world crashes, she credits laughter as her lifesaver. More than thirteen years later, Donna and David are living a "new normal" together.**