Matt Duffin Show

Boo.  Halloween arives by Witches broom this Friday.  And I've caught a beautiful swamp mistess to join us. Amy Swift. Certainly no monster, unless you read her work.  The Downtown Milton Studio tonight?.  Boo.  Let's have a discussion on past and present Halloween preparations or avoidance.  Boo.  Let's let the Not-So- Wicked Witch from the East haunt us as best she can, Miss Melissa Meep.  Sam Way, he's simply just 'scary' but he's our 'driver' - now thats scary!  We'll touch on being Hollow with a brain injury, and about being Weened by therapists.  Now THAT can be scary. Eureeka!  I found my tumbling head!  Amy is a remarkable lady from Mississippi (no making light of her sweet, southern draw folks) who finds time to Horror Write scripts.  More sweet (or horror), Amy is a mother of 7 yet looks like not a one.  She may not endulge, but much more sweets in her house.   But there is also eerie readings along those walls.  Amy Swift joins us, a prospering Horror Writier who has been witness to many (most) Horror films out side her own readable tales of mystery.  Meeps, watch the studio incase I disappear. Sam, hope you feel better because Herman Munster, Goblins, Ghost and LesPaul are anticipated - quite a scary lineup - Boo.  It's Halloween, let's play, have some fun, some horror (besides me) and BRING YOUR OWN CANDY (BYOC) to our Milton Party.  Danged Kids are grabbing handful after handful of the cookies I baked.  Talk about scary!  Boo...

Joining Melissa and myself, is of course Sam Way, and latter on Deborah Berry.  God, don't let me burn this night up!  It get's better.  Jeff Gabbard stops by LIVE! from the Downtown Milton Studio.  Jeff is the Fire Chief of the Cambridge City Fire Department by 24/7, and Indiana Deputy Fire Marshall by 7 days a week.  Oh, EMS, Nurse, Master Firefighter, even a drag car racer.  Let's talk about Fire Safety and prevention.  Jeff and both his 'staffs' did just that this past week, going into the schools and addressing citizens about 'blazing hell' - which turns into trauma for someone.  We learned not to play with matches, and graduated to smoke alarms and personal fire extengushers.  But, MR and MRS TBI (or Miss), do you know when to use, HOW to use, or properly checked the fighting apperatice?   Need help?  Take notes.  This is a fantastic opportunity to discus fire, EMT and first-respoce questions.  Have any?  Ever been on the other side, where you was the FIRST needing response, but was, uh, knocked out or something? More first responce of the lawful side is expected.  Milton Police Chief Josh Russell may stop by, time permitting (busy schedule that EVER changes, he has) and discuss house and home safety, neighborhood watch programs and just what to do if that weird looking goblin' hangs around your house too long during Halloween.  Josh is also an emergency responder, thank you God - he's done it at my house a FEW times.  My version of C.O.P.S. - Concerned, Offering Police Service.  Talk to an officer, share and trade TBI concerns of living alone, confussion and efforts by both us, and them.  Register. Yep, Sting said I could, so I'm playing The Police during breaks tonight....

Nope, not a Comedy Club where folks make fun of TBI, in fact let US TBI Survivors enjoy a night on the "town" (well, Connersville anyway)!  Draining, a bit, sure.  But smiled, laughed, observed, enjoyed, visited and certanly, was ready to go home.  But after the show, which was over by 'funtastic' 10 p.m.  Yes, in time for meds and beds. Can you go out on the town?  Make sure friends and trusted folks are around, if need be.  But only if need be.  Enjoy the moment, and most importantly - allow your 'date' or 'sidetripper' to enjoy the night too?  Well, it takes practice to be social.  So well discuss a few SOCIAL SKILLS tonight, which doesn't mean buying the next drink, or flirting beyond control.   I personally spent the evening with TMDS Medical Director Kevin Butterfild and crew on Saturday in his "comedian" role, which is every day, all day long.  A survivor of a TBI at a young age, Kevin enjoys the moments of the day, well, usually that is.  HA!!!  He, funny man (and he is!) Jimmy Roberson open the nights parade of humor, ADULT HUMOR, Closed by Headliner Comic Matt Holt.  Guess who recorded the show, for you to here.  So, send the kids to bed in about an hour, and we'll listen in for an hour or so.  Funny, with the normal comedy club routines of relationships, sex, gender, race if not creed.  AND of course make fun of themselves too!  Its a COMEDY SHOW.  No pure predjudices or direct offensive remarks intended directly towards any one.   So, as we laugh and try to "enjoy" our brain injuries on TMDS every Sunday, enjoy with a toungue in cheek.  Or what ever that is in your mouth....

We’re going at a higher rate of speed tonight from the downtown Milton studio, for this weekend TBI Awareness race car driver Ernie Francis Jr. took a whole world of survivors to the top.  Co-hosts 'Meeps' will Peep in, and Sam has his Way.  TMDS Medical Director Kevin Butterfield is watching his coffee perk, he'll be here.  My buddy Matthew Olsen will contact us from Michigan in the second hour, let's advise him of what we know.  AND, the third hour by Skype if not Stealth is our lovely, er, professional TBI Correspondent from South Africa, Gina Gee.    Not only winning the annual Virginia International Speedway Trans American TA3 race today, but becoming the youngest driver EVER to win a Trans American championship was Ernie Francis Jr. in the TA3 Division Series.  Yep, our MAN is 16.  Not sure he owns a razor yet.  With his season’s fifth overall win in TransAm this afternoon, his #98, or #9 (even #86 if it worked for you), Junior runs also for YOU, TBI Survivors.  In fact, several of us passed away or still kickin’ had our names wrtitten right on top of the camaro this weekend, for the entire racing world to see.  He has NOT been influenced by a survivor in his life, nor really knew any, until this summer.  His primary infuence comes from God, and his dad.  Junior simply wishes to promote what he KNOWS can happen anytime they buckle up on the track, or you do on the highway.  Ask my friend John Mills.  Young but a senior in high school is well grounded, having met and stayed with his crew and dad at Mid-Ohio.   His father Ernie owns and operates (works so hard too) Breathless Performance Racing.  He’s driving the beautiful hauler down the road to Miami now.  Let’s see if we can reach the Champs…

Led Zepplin, and Roy  Orbison as well found Communication Breakdown so important to share - they played songs about it!  And, you listened!!  Now, what was the song about?  I thought you was listening!  Did you not understand the song?  Did you not understand what I just said?  Hey - Do you ever listen to me! Listen tonight, lets share a very frustrating situation between TBI and 'normal' society (yes, family counts too).  In fact, we all have communication breakdowns, be it social, relationship, work or 'just hanging around' with the fella's.  And though many of us Survivors are open ended, the closed mind of others occasionally break us down so, it's time to walk away or worse yet - argue.  Let me share some ideas from a recent "Help Me Help You" education conference I atttended.  Let you share some ideas of a recent communication breakdown, and let's work on it.  I got a world full of interested brain injury survivors and caregivers to offer a hand.  Let's talk.  (424) 243-9540.   Melissa Meeps will stop by, and introduce a new segment on TMDS called "Meep's Peeps" and co-host Sam Way will drift in to explain his new segent "Sam's Way".  Dr. Kevin Butterfield will drive in and out as well.  We're talking about 'whatever' and of course, racing (gonna like this info).  However, his agent didn't care for the name of his segment - "Butt's Nuts".

Officially unofficial (but real close) TMDS begins its 3rd season this week.  See?  Unrealilstic Belief is still dominating my life!!! Such as a TBI, where has the time flown by?  Wasn't it just last week we started this show?  Over 100 episodes, 109 at last count.   Thank you all, for allowing me into your life.  I mean, I look to do well, and do mean well - always.  Get confused still?  God, I HOPE that's the TBI problem - for if it isn't, now I'm really confused!!! As in the past opening acts of a new season on BIRN, we'll start by visiting the Annual TBI Suvivors Education Conference presented by the Indiana Brain Injury Association.  Lora Miller has provided a wonderful effort towards education for and of brain injury's with Education in the forefront.  Social moments, perhaps not the gathering of old, but available and will be worked on.  Trust me, she's on my speed dial!!!  But,  hosted on the campus of Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolils is an elaborate and one of 18-model Neuroscience Research Buildings nation-wide, the focus was indeed on BI's and information.  National speakers was of the best of their trades.  Listen in tonight, we'll play an offering or three.  OUR TBI Race team that wasn't in Utah for the World Championships also attended, with John MIlls stealing the show (he looks like Richard Gere) and hearts of insperation, and TMDS Medical Director Kevin Butterfield greeting, and surely I did something our presentations kicked off in a big way.   I indeed talked to Olivia Keith, daughter of TBI Survivor Darcy Keith and now Miss PreTeen Indiana.  More too.  We'll touch on what we have time for, and welcome back Sam Way.  But what I'd rather take the time for is you, your thoughts, your aspirations of a greater TBI world in which we live...

'TMDS' tonight will be hosted by Professional Challenge Coach Deborah Berry.  This special BrainInjuryRadio telecast will also see Matt Duffin, sitting on the 'other' side of his desk, as Ms. Berry "interviews the interviewer" as the former BIRN host will straighten Matt's act up with her skillful approach in the often overlooked TBI thoughts of: "The Secrets Behind Closed Doors" - There is no Taboo... The secrets we keep locked up behind doors, which have NOT been discussed before on BIRN.   Deb digs deep into Matt's untold story and opens some hidden truths about his life, and indeed, Deborah's own life and survival.   Shhhhh!!  This is sacred.  Hush-hush subjects most people keep quiet, when, in fact, most TBI Survivors have alike situations and thoughts.   Want Deborah to answer a Taboo question you have?  E-mail her prior to Sunday at [email protected].  Ask her to share a taboo story you are dying to understand better, or would like to see Matt squirm - have her ask him!  You do not have to talk On Air, and you will remain anonymous.    TUNE IN AND HEAR THE LINE UP, as Matt will return to his desk in the later hours.  Traumatic Brain Injury = TBI.  TBI = To Be Informed.  www.deborahberry.com and www.survivorspayitforward.com.  Ah, vacation.  Reservations again this year at the Milton Hilton, close to the corn waves.  For the next few weeks (5-ish) TMDS will offer replays of "The Best of Duffin" (quit laughing).  Not going to do nothing, except recover at ease, ride my bike, mow, have a yard sale, play Miracle Baseball, Coach Miracle Baseball, join Racer's for TBI Awareness, go Back-to-BICS-Basics, write, & celebrate my 6th re-birthday!

Stress Management.  That's a thought.  Uh, so is owning the private, secluded (but replenished) island the S,S Minnow crashed on, now that Gilligan and crew are done with it.  With a better hut, of course.  But Stress is so hard to manage.  The frustration from stress mounts into an explosion at times, from yelling to screaming to spinning around (I get so dizzy anymore).  Lost focus, destruction of plans and its simply not a good 'copinng skill' to have.  This is, its called "The 5 R's of Stress Management" by the originator, Brain Injury Coping  Skills at RHI Neuro Center, or the Doc Lisa School of TBI & Family Center.  Call, join us and share ideas and thoughts or TBI Stress Recognition, Relaxation, Reassuring, Relating and Recovery Do's and Don't.  (424) 243-9540.  Uh, sometimes an Activating Event through your Beliefs may see your Consequences requiring and solid Defense Attorney, which can be you, once learned to defend againnst your own alarming thoughts. Race4Time (Race4Time.org) is next Saturday, all in one day now.  Whoa, that's a bunch of racing, car showing, draging and 'funning'.  Dr. Kevin Butterfield should call in, if done racing in Michigan today, however the lovely Susan Hancock will join us for what updated inforrmation needed.  Susan, as I've talked, may be the MOST concenernd if not interested 'civilian' in the brain injury world I've met.  But she's race track fast, call, give her information.  And surely, Susan is tired of talking to me this week...

Back to basics.  I find our TBI-selves "too smart" at times, to directional, to advanced, to authoritive on what we "assume" we know.  Uh, in 2008, for several months - I did not even know my name (other than Matt).  So, I can only assume, I really didn't, or don't, know much.  With as much time I've been spending learning to live again?  How could I?   But I have learned an avenue of  TBI Recovery, and study TBI Awareness.  OK, promote TBI Awareness.  Why?  From any angle of a brain injury, if you don't at least understand why this world needs awareness, then you must be greatly lost.  Help us save the world tonight.  Explain just WHAT your TBI is Aware of... I hope to bring God into the picture tonight as well.  Afterall, its Sunday, plus I met a new friend this week.  Plus, baseball and racinig IS God's way.  TBI Survival?  YOU tell me...  Now then, is it August yet?  Has anyone seen my vacation?  **whistle**  "here boy" (424) 243-9540 and press #1 upon recorded answer.  I have a habit of making everyone 'share'; 'hand up' or not...

America's 4th of July Day, or as fellow Hoosier John Mellencamp called it - Justice and Independence - is before us.  Let's talk about Holiday gatherings, the sparkles, booms and fireworks, the children laughing, people talking while we sit in a stimulied stare.  After a hotdog of course.  Or having a beer with folks over the traditional hot weathered holiday.  Is it ok?  What about lighting the fuses on the works?  Cooking a dish for the picnic?  Just simply avoiding the day, after all, what is more joyous than being alive AND UNDERSTANDING THAT JOY! That's a topic.  Me?  I'm simply at a TBI loss, currently.  Too much has 'dumbfounded' my craziness as of late.  Call, straighten ME out.  Just don;t yell, or tell me what else I'm doing wrong.  Enough of that this week.   Personnally, I'm in a droll. My father has been deathly ill, and as his "Caregiver" (and he mine) its just tough to take.  Be aware, my plate is never full enough, pile it, let's have some fun.  But its awful heavy right now, and with this 1/3 of a stomach, I'm full.  Yes, I'm always 'full', at least of myself, but there isn't much to spill over this week.  Let's try.  I don't miss Sunday's; I could use a laugh too....