A Recovery Now

Growing up, Mark Elswick had only one plan for his life. He was determined to be the next, great sportscaster on ESPN. Things were going just as scheduled for the college junior. That was, until, a life-threatening automobile accident derailed his plans. The crash left him on death’s doorstep with no chance of survival when his parents arrived at the hospital. They were greeted with his fate, bein...

Join 4th Wednesday of every month Co-Host Simon Lewis, author of Rise and Shine & I .. Discussing Civilian PTSD. We typically think of PTSD as a Military acquired condition, and certainly it is. There is however, a large portion of the civilian population who struggles with the same mantle. We Warrior/Survivors may not have been down range, but we've experienced our own battlefields and strugg...

Josh W - Professor of Blastology and the resulting (previously unnamed) “Blast Wave Stupidity” from using  explosives to open doors like you use your phone to order coffee.  Received his training in blast wave consequences in the US and Middle East, as well as  hospitals, brain treatment programs, hyperbaric oxygen chambers and doctors offices across the country. High Consequence Athlete. Plays fo...

In Dr Maria Romana's Series on Relational Skills, tonight we discuss the third! Dr Maria is a Brain Injury Survivor who has worked extensively in Brain Injury Recovery protocols. She has become a regular Co-Host sharing what she has learned in her journey. Dr Maria is employed at the VA as a Pathologist. Number 1 we discussed was: Can you see me? (Are they really paying focused attention) Number 2...

Has Independence Day backfired for our country with all of the divisiveness? The first Independence Day we were UNITED. Now, not so much. The 4th of July is ONE day. Why do people with PTS, people with jobs, pets, wildlife and others made to suffer in places like the town I live in for 10 Days, from 9am to 11pm .. Which never quite stops at the 11pm cut off. What are we celebrating on July 4th? No...

Author and 4th Wednesday of each month Co-Host, Simon Lewis and I will be discussing "Happy". We all had things that defined our sense of happiness before our injuries. Post injury, we have to redefine our perception of what "Happiness" is for us. Happiness provides us a life worth living. If we hang on to our old ideas of happiness, we are apt to be sorely disappointed. Some may wondr if happines...

Robert Fraser, Ph. D is a professor in the University of Washington's Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine, jointly with the Departments of Neuro Surgery, Neurology, and consultant to the Social Security Admin. Dr. Fraser is a certified rehab counselor & life care planner. He directs Neurological Vocational Services within Rehab Medicine, specializing in brain injury, epilepsy and MS. He has co-aut...

Dr. Stuart Silberman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Oregon having earned his doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology. He has worked in private practice in Eugene since 2013, and was employed with the Colorado Department of Corrections where he completed his Doctoral Internship. In 2007 Dr. Silberman was rear ended in a motor vehicle acci...

Nancy Weckwerth has been the sole Caregiver for her husband, John Swan, since his stroke in February of 1991. She and John were both professional musicians prior to that event. Nancy's book, "Don't Stop the Music: Finding the Joy in Caregiving" is a survive and thrive guide for Caregivers. Nancy and John have both come to live in Joy in spite of the enormity of their life change. The book is an in...

Simon Lewis once again joins Kim as Co-Host on a discussion about Sensory Overload. After a brain injury we need to chart a whole new course of boundaries, as to what we can comfortably handle. We learn if we don't accept our new limitations, the consequences can really slow us up. Crowds, Lights, Noise, Touch, Smells .. Can all get to us in a way they never did before. We adapt by learning to be...

Join my guests Greg Costa (handlewithlovetbi.com), Alisa Marie (alisastruecolors.com) and I as we discuss healing art. Feel free to join us in the conversation, if YOU have found art that's helping you heal, or tried to earn a living by promoting it!! This show is a gathering place for anyone seeking recovery from the challenges of life on life's terms. We discuss useful tools that have helped us...

We just finished recognizing Mother's Day. For Rae Hart, her role as a Mother has taken horrific turns, that no mom should ever have to face. Her role as a mother has stretched the endurance of any mom. Join as we discuss one of the Ultimate Mom's .. Willing to give all for her son, Joey. This show is a gathering place for anyone seeking recovery from the challenges of life on life's terms. We dis...

Tonight is STEP 2 in Our Series of 19 Relational Skills!! Dr Mara Romanas is a staff pathologist at a Veterans' Administration hospital, where she practices general surgical pathology. She is f ellowship-trained in cytopathology. Dr Maria especially enjoys teaching and training pathology residents. Dr Maria's professional and personal life was limited by a severe traumatic brain injury suffered du...

My guest tonight is Ian (Powell) McCullum, author of From Grave to Cradle to Now -The Health Care Professional Edition. The book is a father’s account of his families journey with a traumatically brain injured son, who they were told would die imminently.  Written by a health care neophyte, with the assistance of health care professionals, the book addresses—separately and together—both families a...

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Author Simon Lewis and Kim Justus discuss the manifestations and causal factors of life altering Brain Injury as a result. Goal of Awareness Month as stated - "Strong, nurturing communities that are supportive of families can get involved and play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect and promoting child and family well-being." April is also Parkinson's...

Raine Turner is my guest tonight on this Special Edition Program. She is Author of My Son .. Only Son  which chronicles a true story, that will leave you in disbelief.  This raw, tragic story holds many powerful insights, and the reminder that things are not always as they appear. Join us for this revealing look into the journey of a devoted Mother and her son, with turns that demonstrate a family...

More will be revealed!! Open Mic Night ;) This show is a gathering place for anyone seeking recovery from the challenges of life on life's terms. We discuss useful tools that have helped us lighten the load, of our journey through recovery. This is a "we" recovery program, because it is in the "we," that we find the new "me." We focus on the four A's of Recovery: Awareness, Acceptance, Action and...

From Corporal To Higher Consciousness; Dr. Marcus Hart is a military veteran who proudly served 5 years in the Army National Guard, and 18 months deployed in support of the Iraq war. The U.S. military taught him invaluable life lessons, but also brought unexpected and profound supernatural events. These personal accounts ushered in a new direction and life path to becoming a Spiritual Advisor, Tra...

Dr Maria Romanas is back to discuss 19 Relational Skills! Who among those of us with Brain Injury can say that our conditions haven't effected our relationships? How to stay positive and feel empowered by learning skills that polish the rough edges. Hopefully we'll enhance our communication in order to maintain and improve our existing relationships, and those to come. Bring your kit, and be prepa...

As we near the end of Brain Injury Awareness Month, Kim and Simon will discuss how we best s"Spring Ahead" with the cards we've been dealth with brain Injury. Our attitudes, tools to adapt, support, and knowledge (among other things), will remind us with the season, that we are NOT invisible. We are still very much here, and want to move ahead, not stay stuck or go backwards. his show is a gatheri...

My guest tonight is Barbara Castlow. She enjoyed a busy life, which included a desire to expand her education. Her Mom used to call her a “Professional Student!” Her desire was to continue into the field of Clinical Psychology, and then the unthinkable changed her plans. Never Give Up...Prove Them Wrong were words that constantly went through my head while in the hospital and in rehab. She had bee...

Rebecca Kozowyk says, “I believe that the loved ones of TBI survivors are survivors too because TBI affects not only the survivor but those who love that person as well. And there is not one aspect of our lives that it does not have an impact on. It is important for the TBI survivor and loved ones to grieve what was lost. I lost count of how many people said to me, “You should just be glad your so...

My guest tonight is Oliver Ellison. His team is building a team to launch research and development of a prototype diagnostic tool, Aurelius, composed of various brain games to help measure an array of cognitive skills.  This application uses deep learning, neural networks and other artificial intelligence technology to tailor each user experience and reward participation. This optimal tool will pr...

On the cusp of Brain Injury Awareness Month, Kim and Simon discuss what we can do to raise awareness to the public of this vast epidemic, as well as how we can incorporate BI Awareness into our own lives as survivors, to enhance the quality of our lives moving forward.  This show is a gathering place for anyone seeking recovery from the challenges of life on life's terms. We discuss useful tools t...

Dr Maria Romanas and Kim discuss a thought provoking article by Katherine Schafler, a psychotherapist in NY, who opines on four critical questions posed by Maya Angelou. The thought suggests these questions are ones we’re all unconsciously asking each other all the time. The nature of our answers effect the quality of our lives at any given time, and by being mindful we can improve the quality of...