Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

If you've ever been overwhelmed or overstimulated with brain injury symptoms, you are not alone. Today, Natasha Wilch is here to share some ways to help us calm down symptoms. We discuss some simple strategies along with encouragement for survivors. Season 1 - Episode 16 MEET OUR GUEST: - Natasha Wilch is a Registered Physical Therapist based in Western Canada whom had dedicated her career to...

Resilience: we can come back stronger than we ever realized through brain injury! Today, Cristabelle hosts a delightful conversation with survivors Brad Neufeld and Jo Ann Glim. They share their stories, what resilience means, and encouragement to listeners to never give up. Season 1 - Episode 15 Jo Ann and Brad are the hosts of Don’t Count Me Out : A weekly program that offers stroke survivors to...

How do we keep going on the brain injury journey? Sometimes it can be a struggle just to get through the day. Today Cristabelle keeps it real, sharing that it is not always easy, but we can choose to never give up. Next, Tanya Gauthier, founder of the nonprofit TBIncredible, joins to share her inspirational story through her own traumatic brain injury and encouragement to listeners on how to keep...

Today we are talking about what it means to be determined and stay motivated on our journey through brain injury! First, Cristabelle will share some encouragement from her own journey with brain injury, and how staying determined doesn’t always mean pushing through. It’s so important to be kind to yourself! Next, Steven Thompson will share about his decades long journey through brain injury and ho...

What is dysautonomia? How is it related to brain injury? How do you know if you have it? How is it treated? Today, Dr. Jeremy Schmoe is back for a follow-up on last week’s episode on the vestibular system, to dig even further into some of the ways that autonomics can be affected by brain injury. Season 1 - Episode 12 CONNECT Find more resources, podcast episodes, & our monthly zoom support gro...

What is the vestibular system? How does it affect brain injury survivors? What symptoms can be caused by dysfunction of this system? Today, Dr. Jeremy Schmoe is here to answer these questions and so much more. Next week, Dr. Schmoe will be back to continue this conversation & talk about Dysautonomia. Season 1 - Episode 11 MEET OUR GUEST: Dr. Jeremy Schmoe, DC DACNB FACFN FABBIR, is the founder...

Emotional changes after brain injury are common. The way that the brain is physically affected can cause changes in emotional response. Also, dealing with a major life change can lead to complicated feelings and trauma responses. If you have experienced a wide range of confusing emotions, know that you are not alone! Today, Dr. Ann Marie McLaughlin joins Cristabelle to share her expertise. Let’s t...

The journey of living with brain injury comes with ups and downs. Today, you will hear from two guests: - Survivor Perspective: Ali Rheaume has been living with a TBI for 5 years, and just sustained a re-injury concussion a few months ago. She shares some of her journey and tips for dealing with re-injuries, along with encouragement on how to combat fear. - Professional Perspective: Natasha Wilch...

There are many different options to help survivors to grow in independence. Did you know there are residential programs for brain injury that are different from the inpatient hospital setting? In fact, Success Rehab is just one example of what a community living program can look like. They provide post-acute rehabilitation for both residential and outpatients, but also do so much more to empower b...

Did you know that the foods we eat can have a huge impact on improvement and healing after a brain injury? Today, nutrition expert Brigid Titgemeier (@beingbrigid) is here to share all about the relationship between food and brain health. Specifically, we are going to be talking about the brain/gut connection, how the food we eat can actually help to improve brain injury symptoms, and some simple...

Simply put… life is different after brain injury. So what is it like adjusting and adapting to living with symptoms and everything else that comes with having a brain injury? Today you’ll hear from two survivors sharing their stories, and how they have been learning to live in the “new normal”. My hope is that this episode brings you some encouragement that you are not alone and provides some tips...

How do we approach brain injury anniversaries? That day can bring up a weird feeling, it can be painful, it can be hard to get through. Each of us will have different experiences with it. Today we will have perspectives from survivors as well as family members. Wherever you are on your journey, my hope is that this episode helps you to know know you’re not alone, and gives you tools and practical...

This week we explore the benefits of music therapy and physical therapy in relation to brain injury - along with some great information about Concussion Compass (online membership for post concussion syndrome) and Camp Cranium (summer camp for kids with brain injury). Season 1 - Episode 4 HIGHLIGHTS: -Music Therapy can help with speech, coordination, rhythm, processing trauma, emotions, memory, an...

Ever wanted to learn more of the options out there to help with brain injury? Listen for some great information about clubhouses, camps, speech language pathology, and functional neurology. HIGHLIGHTS: -Brain injury clubhouses help with life skills, independence, community, and readiness for employment. -Brain injury camps empower survivors to be themselves. -Speech Language Pathology is about mor...

Today’s episode is all about common challenges brain injury survivors face! Let’s talk about how survivors are affected every day, strategies and tips to help, and some of the science behind why symptoms happen. Cristabelle is joined today by two special guests, Monica Vaccaro (Director of Programs for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania), and Dr. Jeremy Schmoe (Founder and Director of Th...

Let’s talk about the real-life struggles of this invisible injury, and the reason why hope is so important. On this episode, Cristabelle invites her mother, Cyndie Braden, to join for a conversation sharing some of their family’s journey on finding hope through brain injury,  the symptoms and struggles they have faced, and encouragement to fellow survivors and caregivers. Season 1 - Episode 1 ABOU...

Welcome to Hope Survives, a podcast from the Hope Survives nonprofit supporting individuals & families navigating life with brain injury. On this show, we explore the realities of life with brain injury through encouragement, thoughtful conversations, expert insights, & real stories. Hope Survives also offers virtual support groups, learning sessions (including workshops & webinars) an...