Train Your Brain, Claim Your Power

Laura Brunetti is an art therapist.  She helps individuals with a wide range of conditions:  Alzheimers, seniors, brain trauma, vets, PTSD, depression, at risk kids and alcoholics among them.  For her, it is like magic to see the improvements people make through art.  She makes herself available through [email protected] and will send free copies of her book to those who reach out to her.  These are books people use.  She speaks at universities, nursing homes, and wherever there is a need.  

C. J. Teahan has been her children' best support system after each of them experienced traumatic brain injuries on separate occasions.  Her daughter Caron was in an accident that took one year to learn to talk again.  Returning to school posed a monumental problem, but, with the help of her teachers, Caron surmounted those issues and graduated summa cum laude.   Years later, C. J.'s son Todd was trapped in a back seat and in a coma for 5-6 months.  Her first book, "Caron: Awakening" tells Caron's story.  The second book, "The ABCs of TBI" came much later.   The books are available on Amazon and the author's website: www.cjteahan.com 

There is something wonderful about a story written for a high school assignment takes on a life of its own to become a book.  That's what happened with The Last Crusader.  All the time he was in college, Jeff Loefer was working to bring this book to reality.  He is currently writing his second book and would enjoy continuing.  You can keep track of his writing endeavors at booksbyJeffreyLoefer.com.  

Rev. Eric Redic has spent a lifetime of travelling the world through the ministry.  Before he became a minister, Rev. Redic had a TV ministry in Las Vegas.  Now retired, he shares his observations that the image of God and the covenant did not match.  The Old Testament is all about Jesus.  God knows the end from the beginning. All of our problems come humanity trying to be their own God.  The new earth that is prophesied is God getting back to original state: love for God and for one another.  

When Don Walker's wife passed away, he was left the single dad of a 4 week old daughter.  His journal became his therapy, and ultimately the source for his first book, "Notes from a Black Child's Father."  Writing remains an outlet for him.  Other titles include:  "Consumed by One Another," "Just Us," "The Locust," "Hearing Voices," "Get Up God's Child, Don't Beg," "White Flight, Black Butterfly," "Why Can't You Mind Your Own Business," and "What Are You Looking For?"

In the midst of world situations and racial issues, Don learned to "sweep around your back door before the front door."  Yes, racism is real.  Jim Crow was real, but stop focusing on the outside.  Be the best we can be - spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally.  Look for the opportunities that come your way and remember, our children are always watching us.  It's important to look around and see who is following you.  

Erika Rhodes tucked years of abuse out of mind, but there was an emotional price to pay.  She never learned to trust anyone, always assuming the worst, and being sarcastic.  But by the grace of God, she became aware and began to grow.  Her book is her journey to freedom.  

David Fredette went through a personal phase change over a one year period.  He expressed this through poetry.  Today, you may find him performing some of these poems at coffee shops, bars, restaurants and other open mic events.  He appears regularly in a variety of locales. 

There is a path between teenager and young adult that is not always clearly defined in the education system.  Dan Toogood is correcting that gap in his new book and course "Delta U: The Changes Starts with You."

Melinda Summers is an example of someone who was aware of not being comfortable in her body when only 5 years old.  She has been going through the very physical process of gender change in a 10 year program.  The topic is highly controversial, yet she will keep on talking about it until the social stigma ends.  

Known as Salt, Abimbola Essien-Nelson wrote her book "Oluwashola the Story of Us" as a tribute to her younger sister who unfortunately died at 36 under mysterious circumstances.  Also, growing out of her feelings for her sister, Salt founded Sholly's Serenity Place, a ten bed facility for abused women under the auspices of the Shola Adefolalu Gaska Foundation.   The Ladies of Africa named Salt in their 100 Most Inspiring Women 2022 in Nigeria.  The foundation feeds the poor, provides some financial support, and works to prevent sugar diabetes.  Nigeria has no government programs and fewer than 30 shelters in the whole country, so Salt has had to self-fund through grants.  Salt speaks publicly and maintains a strong presence on social media.