Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

Did you know that healing the gut can be a powerful tool in brain injury recovery? Dr. Meaghan Kirschling is back to explain the way that the brain and gut are connected, including how chronic inflammation can adversely affect healing. There is so much hope in learning things that we can do to take our power back in healing. This is an informative and educational episode that will bring a deeper u...

When you are so overwhelmed that every little thing is causing symptom overload & emotional responses... it may be time to step back and allow your brain and body to rest. This week, Cristabelle shares a personal story and encouragement for the days when everything is all too much. CONNECT Find more resources, podcast episodes, & our monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠h...

After a brain injury, the vestibular system can be impacted and cause symptoms such as feeling off-balance, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, vision, and more. So this week we are discussing all things vestibular recovery with Sonia Vovan, PT! Sonia is here to share her expertise and educate us on all things vestibular rehabilitation, focusing on things we can do to improve recovery. We will also tal...

What does it mean to have a creative mindset - and how can it help recovery? Let’s talk about it! This week Cristabelle is joined by fellow survivor Ali Rheaume to discuss the benefits of creativity, and how having a creative mindset can aid in adaptability. This is an encouraging episode full of practical tips and application points! Ali will also share how incorporating creativity in rehabilitat...

The “loss of identity” can be so hard to describe after a brain injury. On the one hand, you are still “you” - but you also don’t feel like yourself. There is also a grief that comes with losing the life you had before the injuries. This week, Cristabelle dives deep into this struggle that survivors face and provides hope in knowing you are more than your brain injury. Then, Cristabelle’s mother C...

When a brain injury changes your cognitive abilities, your self-worth can be affected. For survivors attending school or in any type of learning environment, it can be hard to keep up because of symptoms and fatigue. Cristabelle knows this firsthand, as she had her first TBI during high school and attended college post-injury. Today we are talking about difficulties with learning after a brain inj...

It is common to develop exercise intolerance while recovering from a brain injury. Today, Dr. Mark Heisig is here to explain why this happens, and give advice for survivors on how to increase movement. Some topics covered: the relationship between symptoms and exercise, autonomic system dysfunction, different types of exercise affect on the brain, suggestions for where to start with increasing mov...

What does it mean to be a brain injury warrior? To kick off the new year, here are some words of hope from 6 incredible survivors. 0:00 Intro 2:21 Cristabelle: Warrior Words of Hope 10:20 Tanya Gauthier: Keep Going 14:02 Jo Ann Glim: Resilience 20:25 Shane Warner: Never Quit 24:07 Ali Rheaume: Combatting Fear 29:34 Rachel Rose Dombeck: Self-Kindness 34:04 Tracy Yatsko Onyekanne: Surviving is Fight...

There is a trend to post highlights of the year on social media. But do you find that actually hard to do, or even see from others? Living with brain injury, it is easy to feel discouraged from setbacks, or a recovery timeline you had in mind, or comparing to the "old you" and grieving the life before, as well as coping with symptoms on a daily basis. Listen as Cristabelle discusses all...

Lisa is a fighter, living with both an invisible injury (TBI) and physical disability. She was born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), contracted spinal meningitis as an infant, and has been an advocate for disabilities her entire life. Then, in 2011 she sustained a traumatic brain injury from an accident playing wheelchair basketball.  This is an episode that is sure to ins...

Did you know that hormones can be affected by a brain injury? Hormonal imbalances can actually be a contributing factor to persistent symptoms, along with affecting sleep, stress response, and reproductive systems. Today, Dr. Meaghan Kirschling is here to talk about some of these potential hormonal changes, and how it could potentially affect a brain injury survivor. We also including variables in...

Emotions after brain injury can come in extremes - highs, lows, outbursts - or you can end up just feeling "blank" or nothing at all. Survivors also could have a hard time expressing their emotions and verbalizing it. Emotions also affect our identity, how we view ourselves, and directly impact our relationships. Today, Cristabelle leads us through all of this, sharing some personal exam...

"A brain injury is the only time that we ask the injured body part to regulate itself..." How do you handle emotions after brain injury? What are some ways to help? Let's talk about it! Today Cristabelle is joined by Rebecca Quinn & Carly Endres from the North Dakota Brain Injury Network for a conversation about emotional dysregulation as it relates to brain injury. We cover some...

How do you realistically implement medical recommendations into your lifestyle? Let's talk about it. Today Cristabelle is joined by Marlene Rivera, CBIS, to learn about how to develop a balanced life post-injury. We discuss some of the barriers that people might encounter, and also strategies such as how to communicate with medical professionals, the importance of a routine, prioritizing, and...

The Holidays are upon us - and that can be overwhelming for brain injury survivors! For the first shorter "minisode" (mini+episode!) of Season 2, Cristabelle will walk us through some strategies and practical tips to manage symptoms and get the most out of your holiday gatherings. CONNECT Find more resources, podcast episodes, & our monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today we're kicking off Season 2 with five time concussion survivor and Miss Oregon USA, Allison Cook, on finding confidence and knowing your worth. We talk about coping with symptoms, overcoming imposter syndrome, the invisible injury, and more! NOTES 0:00 Intro 1:41 Welcome to Season 2 9:24 Introducing Allison 12:39 Allison’s Concussion Journey 15:59 Coping with Symptoms 19:18 Invisible Inju...

Today is an inspiring episode all about finding hope, featuring survivor and Emmy Award winning host Tracy Yatsko. In 2005, she sustained a serious traumatic brain injury from playing basketball that completely derailed her life. From dealing with the invisible injury, grieving the old self, debilitating symptoms, and deep depression, she candidly shares her story. This episode is all about encour...

After a brain injury, fatigue can become one of the most draining and difficult parts of getting through the day or week. Today we going to talk about some strategies and tips on how to manage that fatigue with Natalie Mackenzie, who has worked in the field of Neuro Rehabilitation for 20 years. Part of this is learning about what Natalie calls the 3 P’s: Planning, Prioritization, and Pacing. Seaso...

Let’s talk about brain health after sustaining a brain injury with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe. These are some simple strategies that you can begin to incorporate into your routine to help optimize your brain for healing. Season 1 - Episode 23 Mentioned by Dr. Schmoe: Brain Exercises in Experience Life Article: https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/the-neurobic-workout/ ProloGel: prologel.com The Bra...

What does it mean to “not give up” on the brain injury? Let’s talk about it. Cristabelle shares encouragement for survivors and her mother Cyndie Braden offers support for caregivers and families. We talk about different aspects of choosing to not give up, including family dynamics, the day-to-day things, and how to give yourself grace for the hard days. Season 1 - Episode 22 *Check out the "...

Hands down, one of the questions I am asked most frequently is something like, “how do I become a brain injury advocate” or “how do you get started sharing your story?” On today’s episode, I’m sharing a lot of what I have learned about advocacy through the years - joined by Monica Vaccaro, director of programs at the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, to share her perspective and insight! W...

Bringing a fresh perspective to sports concussions, Tracey Suggs and Foster Wilkins are the founders of Protect Your Skull - the world’s first and only concussion awareness brand creating quality performance apparel for today’s athlete. They are amazing advocates as they work hard to educate for safety in sports- today’s conversation is one you don’t want to miss! Season 1 - Episode 20 March is Br...

Susan H. Connors, president and CEO of the Brain Injury Association of America, is here today for a special Brain Injury Awareness Month Episode. Listen as she shares about what the BIAA does, including help and resources that are available to survivors. Susan is a champion for brain injury, and today she also shares some of her personal journey as to how she got involved in the BIAA and what she...

How is female brain injury different? Today we are talking about awareness centered on female brain injury and concussions. Cristabelle is joined by Katherine Snedaker, founder of PINK Concussions. She offers some insight into the gaps in research when it comes to brain injury in women for this episode for Brain Injury Awareness Month. Season 1 - Episode 18 MEET OUR GUEST: Katherine Snedaker is th...

Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. For the first week of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we are discussing how brain injury is an invisible injury, and how this affects survivors and families on a daily basis. Today, Cristabelle is joined once again by her mother, Cyndie Braden, for this special awareness month episode of Hope Survives! Season 1 - Episode 17 CONN...