Blink of an Eye

#145 - Chronic Pain Management with Dr. Vania Apkarian and Dr. Melissa Farmer   Do you or somebody you know have chronic pain or recurring pain flare-ups? Have you ever wondered if there are techniques that might help rewire brain structure to improve pain outcomes? Join us for this Trauma Healing Learning episode, which features two of the leading researchers on the neurobiology of chronic pain,...

#144 - Margaritas for Trauma Healing   Sometimes blessings and support come in the most unexpected forms, and from the most unlikely sources. A phone call in the middle of the night, or a fast-food frozen margarita with near-strangers – this might be all we need to remember we are not alone in the journey. Join us again while we continue the journey at the Shepherd Center, where you will hear sage...

#143 - Somatic Awareness, Titration and Resourcing for Trauma Healing with Marion Gilbert, R.P.T.   Does your energy follow attention? Maybe you’re not sure, and you want to learn more, as it will prove to be an invaluable phrase while you walk your trauma healing path. In this Trauma Healing Learning, you will gain more insight into somatic healing and awakening than ever before. You may even lea...

#142 - I Want To Breathe On My Own   Trauma stories are full of ups, downs and flashbacks. Today, we want to bring the Blink of an Eye story back to Day 51 at the Shepherd Center. Join us for a moment of rest, as Louise recaps and reminiscences about coming back to the rehabilitation hospital room and the uncertainty which lingered around their stay. Hard realizations of change are accompanied by...

#141 - Blink of an Eye: PSA The Science of Trauma Symposium   Come learn from two of the great brain physicians and researchers in a first of its kind collaboration on November 3: The Science of Trauma Symposium, a powerful three-hour online conference that will illuminate trauma in the brain and body through Brain Mapping and provide new understandings for creating new neural pathways in the mind...

#140 - Birth Memories with James Radde   As humans, we are inherently curious about how we came into this bright and complex world. More often than not, we rely on stories from our family or haphazard, poor-quality videos taken after our births in the delivery room. Occasionally, we are even left wondering with seemingly no information at all. If only there were a way we could remember what it was...

#139 - How Disability Shifts Perspectives   The process of changing your worldview is never easy. Introspection is not often a comfortable process, but then again, change never really is for many of us, and yet it’s change that keeps us growing, keeps us living. If you’ve ever experienced a transformation of perspective, you know what it can be like to reflect, channel empathy and even feel a litt...

#138 -  Nutritional Response Testing for Trauma Healing and SCI with Dr. Mary Ann Ley   What if there were a way to know which healing supplements your body liked and disliked? It would be invaluable for the healing process, as well as overall body health. You could avoid substances that may slow your body’s recovery from trauma. Well, nutritional response testing is a way to bridge this tricky ga...

#137 - Going Home Part 2   The feeling of coming home after you’ve been away at battle is like a warm sensation of solid safety. Coming home is also a reminder of what it is like to be seen, to be known as who you are, and to be reminded of the lives you’ve touched and the lives that touch you back. It can also be a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, as coming home isn’t always stress-free. Join L...

#136 - How Dads Can Support Trauma Healing by Forming a Yard Brigade with Jim Hebert   Most of us have known a family in medical crisis. However, what we don’t always know is how we could possibly help a family experiencing major grief and loss. This Trauma Healing Learning details how to create a network of support for families in need. Learn how to appoint “Quarterbacks” to specific tasks, as we...

#135 - Going Home Part 1   Welcome to Episode 12… and welcome home. This two-part segment of the Blink of an Eye story details the behind-the-scenes fear and insecurity Archer and Louise were facing at the Shepherd Center in more detail than ever before. The foreboding of an overstayed welcome begins to set in, and you’ll experience heartbreaking as well as uplifting wonderings. Most importantly,...

#134 - Conversation 1 on Spinal Cord Injury Crisis with Jessica Jarmer   Welcome, listeners, to the Blink of an Eye Podcast’s new and exciting series, “Ask Louise.” Tune in to these periodic installments for community, support and answers in the face of Spinal Cord Injury crisis. Better yet, ask Louise anything! Post on the wall of the “Ask Louise” Facebook page to have your question answered on t...

#133 - Let’s Take a Summer Pause for SCI Summer is a time of traveling, relaxation and recreational activity. It is also a time for increased Spinal Cord Injury: boating, diving, swimming and motor vehicle accidents. 80% of SCI accidents happen when we are just living our lives, recreating, vacationing and on sports fields. Let’s take a pause to send our love to those whose lives have been impacte...

#132 - An Inside Look at Cardiac Complications in Spinal Cord Injury and Bedside Consultations with Dr. Mohamed Elnahal In this Trauma Healing Learning, we welcome back Dr. Mohamed Elnahal from Episode 10 of Blink of an Eye. His insights on doctor-patient connection worked wonders for our understanding of how the medical system can improve its support of SCI patients and families. Listen in for ho...

#131 - Frequent Fliers, Jump Hugs and Doctor Connections for Powerful SCI Rehab   Episode 10 gives you a close up look at medical interactions both raw and heartwarming and their impact on quality medical care. You’ll also hear a surprising cardiac benefit of the feeling of connection. Join Louise in learning about how to set up a frequent flier system to bring far away loved ones to the hospital...

#130 - Affirmations for Nurses with Riley Thacker   Listen along as Louise chats with Riley Thacker, a good friend of Archer and a Nurse at the renowned Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. In Episode 9, we heard about Riley’s visit to the Shepherd Center to see Archer when she was a high-schooler, as well as her nerves and trepidation beforehand. Bodily awareness can sometimes precede...

#129 -  The Highs and Lows of Spinal Cord Injury Rehab   Louise takes us on the highs and lows of SCI rehab including her own internal tightrope walk and emotional balancing act as she wavered from the weight of worries that Archer was not seen as good enough in the eyes of the Shepherd Center.  You’ll hear her practical preparations for high school kids making their first visit to see Archer in r...

#128 - Zen for Surgeons (with Dr. Phillip Pierorazio)   This week, join Louise in speaking with Dr. Phillip Pierorazio, Chief of Urology and Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical System, formerly Assistant Professor of Urology and Oncology in the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He is a surgeon that proudly operates with mindfulness, and he even has a podcast ti...

#127 - The Ability to Know Certain Things   This episode holds a much-awaited update from Louise to her family and friends. After not writing for a little over a week, there was a great deal of news to share. Archer encounters more medical challenges, including effects of the ventilator and mindfulness in the medical sphere. Listen in for the ups and downs of Archer’s journey, as well as some new...

#126 - Healing Trauma through Acupuncture (with Dr. Janice Campbell, DOM, LAC, ADS)   Last week, we joined trained acupuncturist and healer Dr. Janice Campbell on a journey through the many facets of somatic touch. In this episode, we plunge into the themes of the power of intention and attention for healing the body. We learn that when a strong mind-body connection is achieved, our life possibili...

#125 - Patience, Jedi Master   Another series of medical twists and turns sends Archer into surgery. This time, due to a serious sinus infection. As Louise prays the rosary, she contemplates miracles, the potential for transformational healing and the spiritual holy water from Lourdes, France. In this episode of Blink of an Eye, join Louise in exploring the paradoxes of crisis, the brain’s reactio...

#124 - Healing Trauma Through Somatic Touch (with Dr. Janice Campbell, DOM, LAC, ADS)   At some point in life, many of us are tasked with the personal journey of addressing past trauma. We often find that the road to mental wellness is paved with roadblocks, as the body physically holds onto previous life experiences and traumas. In this Trauma Healing Learning, hear how a form of gentle touch gre...

#123 - Like An Archer And His Arrow   As Louise and her friend Dede sat in the waiting room while Archer was in surgery, the two prayed the rosary. Looking into each other’s eyes, they focused and imagined Archer’s healing.  All of these setbacks were just bumps along the way, Louise reminded herself. In this episode of Blink of an Eye, spend some time with Louise as she ponders with a young medic...

#122 - Healing Somatically Through Food (with Tracy Brown, RD)   Trauma is connected in many ways to how we nurture ourselves and how we were nurtured when we were young. And for some people, that may influence their relationship with food. In today’s Trauma Healing Learning, Louise talks to Tracy Brown, a registered dietitian and somatic coach, about the intersection and connected relationship be...

#121 - Sweet Savorings   Orange juice, sweet, sweet Simply Orange, finally. But just one drop. Archer passed his swallow test and for the first time in over a month, he could savor flavors he loved. Join Louise in this episode of Blink of an Eye as she celebrates and looks back at the first big milestone of Archer’s time at the Shepherd Center: his swallow test and the glorious moments after, and,...