Almost 3 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year. And most people with brain injuries don’t have any physical signs. When you look normal, people expect you to behave normally. However, TyAnne Crook  and Dr. Judy Gooch from Brainstorm for Brain Injury want you to remember that invisible doesn’t mean imaginary.

There are ways that you can advocate for yourself or someone you are caring for:

* Learn your limits and stick to them. This refers to your personal life.

* Learn how to communicate with your providers.

* Consider recording appointments. Always get permission before doing this.

* Be okay with sticking to your decisions.

* Be willing to walk away from people that aren’t supportive and providers that aren’t listening.

* Find providers that know and understand brain injuries.

* Ask family and friends for help when things get overwhelming.

* Don’t forget to take breaks. You should build these into your schedule. You have to find the number and type of breaks that work for you. You won’t get it on the first try.

* Most importantly, don’t give up. Work everyday to improve.

* Reach out to Brainstorm for Brain Injury to find a people who understand and are going through similar things.

Brainstorm for Brain Injury was born out requests from people with brain injury and their caregivers.  It was founded by a rehabilitation physician and two caregivers of brain injury survivors. The mission is to connect and educate those affected by brain injury in a supportive community.  Our vision is that survivors and caregivers feel understood, have hope and receive optimal care for the longterm

TyAnne Crook was a regular mom doing school runs, helping with homework and folding a never-ending pile of laundry.  On April 10, 2013, all that changed. She became a caregiver to a child with a brain injury. The pile of laundry is still never-ending, and even though her life changed forever that day, she still loves to bake, travel, snow ski, golf and see life through the lens of a camera.

Dr. Judy Gooch is a physician who is board certified in adult and pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Practicing medicine since 1986, she was the medical director at a major children’s hospital and a professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine.  In 2012 Dr. Gooch started Utah Neuro Rehabilitation, a private medical practice focused on improving the lives of children and adults with neurologic conditions.

Listeners, if you would like to see more of what Brainstorm for Brain Injury is up to, check out their website here, or connect with them on social media via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram.

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda B.

This week we are showcasing one of our volunteers who is an MRE (Motivated and Ready to Empower) winners – Amber Peterson, our Social Media Assistant.

Amber is originally from Colony, Kansas, and is currently living in South Korea with her husband, Tyrell, and daughter, Serenity. While living in South Korea, Amber has had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. During that time, she has graduated college, started the Camp Humphreys Mom Meet-Up, and hosted the Camp Humphrey Spouses’ Social.

Amber also has a home-based business that she started after realizing there weren’t many options for the gluten-free community at Camp Humphreys. So Humphreys Gluten Free Treats was born and has now been up and running for a year. While the Peterson family has enjoyed their time in South Korea,