Another Fork in the Road

I t took two brain tumors to make a love story. It was unlikely that Jaime and Crystal would have met had they not each suffered a brain tumor. But they did have brain tumors and they did meet . . . with a little help from their friends. An email relationship began, which eventually led to their engagement and some years later Jaime and Crystal were married. They now walk the road of brain injury...

Survivor, Meghan Beaudry and Caregiver, Jeannette Davidson-Mayer discuss the needs and expectations of both survivors and caregivers. Though many expectations overlap, some are specific to each person. 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...

So many brain injury survivors suffer from PTSD-related issues after their event. Survivor, Laura Miller, PTSD & Yoga Instructor, will discuss how the practice of yoga can help with PTSD symptoms.   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 slammin...

You  never know when you might become unable to cope with normal living because of a disability. It's best to be prepared. Knowing your partner's jobs and being able to execute them will relieve some stress from an unexpected event. Caregiver, Bob Millsap, and brain injury survivor, Juliet Madsen, discuss the importance of role changes after brain injury. Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encou...

If you are a caregiver, you know how all-consuming that job can be. You're not only guiding your life, but also that of a loved one. Kate Washington, who is the caregiver for her seriously-ill spouse, tells all in her book, Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America. Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car accident, a...

To Support Group or NOT Support Group. That is the question! Many folks, both survivors and caregivers depend on the help of support groups. But many folks prefer to go it alone. What is your choice? Tune in to hear me and my panel, Deb Brabdon and Meghan Beaudry talk about the pros and cons of support groups.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted...

Survivor & Author of A CROWN OF HORNETS, Marcia Pelletiere, joins me to talk about her brain injury and how she is moving forward. 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. Co...

Caregivers are a special class of people. They are folks who give up their lives to help others. Somerimes it's by choice. Most times it's by circumstances. My guests this evening, Lisabeth Evans & Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, were thrust into their caregiver roles when their spouses had a brain injury. Harriet Hodgson was the caregiver for her husband after a long illness. They NEED to take care...

Danielle will talk about her road from trying to make her life better, joining the military, getting a brain injury, and reaching her current goals. Danielle says. "How you start isn’t how you have to end. We all have struggles and difficulties; but do not dwell on them. Use them as fuel to keep going until you get to where you want to be." Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork i...

Brain injury is hard to take. It comes with various hardships. So how do survivors and their caregivers get by? I learned that having a good attitude and being grateful has helped David and me through the past 16+ years. Join me tonight to hear how survivors, Jamie Crane-Mauzy and Barbara Abby, forge ahead with their brain injuries with a good attitude and gratitude.   Every TBI survivor and careg...

Annie Ricketts is a survivor of brain injury, but she does not let that stop her. Annie is the founder of Brain Injury Global Picnic and GBIA. Her mission is to bring awareness about brain injury to everyone. 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 s...

Please come join me, Lisa Dryer, and my friends on "Another Fork In The Road!" I am a guest on this show, and I think that you will agree that my friend Donna (the host) is excellent at her craft! She is my Arizona neighbor, she trained me as a host, and she is just an excellent person!  You can find the show on https://www.blogtalkradio.com/braininjuryradio at 5:30 PM Pacific, 7:30 PM Mountain, a...

Heather Sivori Floyd was already a mother, which means she was a automatic caregiver. But when one of her children had a brain injury, her caregiving skills rose to a higher level. Hear Heather talk about how to juggle caring for her son with brain injury with the rest of her family.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A car...

Guest ~ Survivor, Meghan Beaudry 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...

So many caregiers step up to care for their loved ones. They give their all - even putting their needs on the back burner. It's human nature, I think. BUT...Caregivers have needs too! Caregiver and author, Jeannette Davidson-Mayer joins me to talk about the needs that caregivers have.   Every TBI survivor and caregiver has encountered a fork in the road that has diverted his or her life-plan. A ca...

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 mor...

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 lif...

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/cate...

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 mor...

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 on...

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 stre...

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...

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 h...

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-u...

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 l...