BATTLE CRY
2007-10-01 12:29:00
A Poem By Forrest LangleyBy Lew Waters(Lew Waters)When I was discharged from the Army they only gave me a 40% disability rating even though I had Traumatic Brain Injury, ptsd along with many other ailments. That gave us 673.00 dollars a month. My wife had to quit her job to take care ...Right in a Left World - http://rightinaleftworld.blogspot.com/I have invited Forrest to the Arizona Sunshine TBI Blog and the Arizona Room.
bad brain days
2007-09-30 14:16:00
I've been having some bad brain days, that's what I call it and it happens often. About the last 3-4. I get uncontrollably emotional. My feelings go into overdrive. But Yesterday I felt better, and then today is even more so.I'm very excited to be featured as site of the month for October, on the website for The Northeast Center for Special Care. I met Dominick Raffio online, he is the one who wrote about my blog on behalf of The Northeast Center for Special Care and asked me about featuring it. I think its wonderful what he wrote and am really overwhelmed by the whole thing. Anyway - it's very cool.Also, I've made friends online with a really nice gal in South Africa. She has 3 boys like I do and seams to be someone I will enjoy learning more about.All in all I'm trying to start this week off, in a good frame of mind.Until then thats it for this weekend. I'm spending the rest of it...oh I don't know...maybe not doin' a whole lot - Happy Sunday!
Walnut Canyon National Monument
2007-09-30 13:14:00
Walk in the footsteps of people who lived at Walnut
Canyon
more than 700 years ago. Peer into their homes, cliff dwellings built deep within canyon walls. The presence of water in a dry land made the canyon rare and valuable to its early human inhabitants. It remains valuable today as habitat for plants and animals. See for yourself on trails along the canyon rim and into the depths.My family and I visited Walnut National
Mont. about 10 years ago. You can still see finger prints dried in the mud/clay from 700 years ago. It is one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
Read more: Monument
Where'd they get that Name?
2007-09-30 12:11:00
These are bands that I like, I think it's interesting to know how some came up with their names.RUSHThey were rushing to think up a name before their first gig, and John Rustey's older brother yelled, "Why don't you call your band Rush?".AC/DCA band member saw AC/DC on a sewing machine. It stood for 'Alternating Current / Direct Current'. The band didn't realize it was also slang for bi-sexual, which caused a few misunderstandings in their early days. BAD COMPANYTaken from a 1972 movie starring Jeff Bridges. BEATLESOriginal bassist Stuart Sutcliffe came up with the Beetles in 1960, which was a play on Buddy Holly's Crickets. John Lennon is generally credited with combining Beetles and Beat to come up with the Beatles spelling. BLACK SABBATHNamed after a 1963 horror movie starring Boris Karloff. CHEAP TRICKThey claim they asked a Ouija board what they should call their band. CREEDANCE CLEARWATER REVIVALOriginally called The Golliwogs, unconfirmed reports say the band took their n
2007-09-27 13:08:00
When I first found out that today September 27th was the day Bloggers would unite and post their thoughts or otherwise on the subject of abuse. I really had to face it and include myself.I unfortunately know a lot about this subject. I saw my Mother abused by my father. Later I was abused as child. Then by a boyfriend when I was 16,17. I have also know verbal abuse. In any way shape or form abuse is wrong. I have never understood why anyone would think they can accomplish anything through hitting, punching or hurting of any kind another living creature.Whether it's the helpless elderly person that faces the wrath of someone in a terrible mood. My son works in an assisted living home and couldn't imagine any of his residents being harmed.Or a poor animal that can't even understand why the hell he is being beaten.My husband and I breed Miniature Pincshers because we love the breed, I can't fathom one of them being harmed.So this Blogger is United - For those of you who are abusers, p
My Normal Disappeared.
2007-09-26 12:41:00
We are now arriving in Arizona. It's been a long drive, but nothing new to us. You see about 10 years ago My husband, our boys and I moved to Indiana. I'll talk about that some other time. But anyway we were no strangers to long drives. In fact I think we all like the "road trip". Right Before my accident we drove from Southern Cal. up the coast to San Francisco for a vacation. We had a great time. I'm glad I remember it.So my husband is driving the U-haul with one of the boys, my Mother is driving me in my car with the other boys. She helped us make the move. We went down the coast through San Diego and then into Arizona through Zuma and that area. I'm not sure of the hwy. Right away though, the scenery changed. It does in all states, but as we got into Tucson you notice right away how different a desert it is from what you expect.I was immediately struck by the mountains that were surrounding us. It was and remains really pretty to me. The city of Tucson is really cool about how
Read more: Normal
Scientists: Brain injuries from war worse than thought
2007-09-26 12:19:00
By Gregg Zoroya,USA TODAYScientists trying to understand traumatic brain injury from bomb blasts are finding the wound more insidious than they once thought
.They find that even when there are no outward signs of injury from the blast, cells deep within the brain can be altered, their metabolism changed, causing them to die, says Geoff Ling, an advance-research scientist with the Pentagon.The new findings are the result of blast experiments in recent years on animals, followed by microscopic examination of brain tissue. The findings could mean that the number of brain-injured soldiers and Marines — many of whom appear unhurt after exposure to a blast — may be far greater than reported, says Ibolja Cernak, a scientist with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.TROOPS AT RISK: USA TODAY'S full coverage on IEDs in IraqThis cellular death leads to symptoms that may not surface for months or years, Cernak says. The symptoms can include memory deficit, headaches, vertig
Read more: Brain
Shine on...
2007-09-22 12:10:00
September 4, 2007I Posted this:Besides my Cockatiel Eddie, named after Eddie Van Halen. And on the bottom is Lucy. All our dogs have rock names. I don't know how it started, but it just ended up that way. We all love music. Besides Eddie, we have 7 dogs. We breed Miniature Pinchers, really great dogs and in addition to that they are - Anthem, Angus, Glory, Lucy, Penny, Floyd, and Layla.Do you know who/or what they are named after?Anyone? Post your answer in the forum!=========================================Ok I will just give the answers since nobody is there to quiz. (from left to right like a book)Eddie is named after Eddie Van Halen.Angus is named after Angus Young from ACDC.Anthem is named for the song Anthem, by RUSH He is "Anthem of the Heart"Glory for another RUSH song called Everyday Glory,Penny is named for the Beatles song, Penny Lane.Lucy is named for another Beatles song, guess, yes, Lucy-in-the-Skyyyy with Diiaaamonds.Floyd of course is named after The Pink F
Read more: Shine
Moving into the Sun
2007-09-21 11:10:00
After dealing with our landlord in California, we had to make tough decisions. We knew that staying where we were was not an option. But where? Where could we go and make it on our new lower-than-it-already-was life style.My sister-in-law who is one of the funniest people I know, is also a surgical nurse. She's been a travel nurse for several years and she happened to be on an assignment here in Arizona and particularly Tucson at that time. She told us all about it here. And we bit.We got rid of what we didn't need, packed up the rest (all my guys did) and said goodbye to Southern California. I was born there, but It really wasn't all that hard for me. After my accident, I was and still am a little sketchy when I am riding in a car or I'm around a lot of people. All the buildings, blacktop, TOO many people everywhere.When we got to Tucson, I was amazed at how green it is here. One of, if not the wettest deserts in the world I've learned. Now I see mountains out my window everyday,
Read more: Moving
Remarkable Account of Brain Injury Experience
2007-09-19 19:05:00
Lara Giddings, MHAMinister for Health and Human ServicesThursday, 20 September 2007 The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, today launched an important new book as part of Brain
Injury
Awareness Week.Ms Giddings said Paul Allen’s book, My Life As A Fish, draws on his memories from the time he spent in a coma.“An accident resulting in brain injury could happen to anyone, and My Life As A Fish will help to enhance the community’s understanding of the experiences of people living with a brain injury,” Ms Giddings said.“Paul Allen’s story is an inspirational one. Following his accident, Paul spent some time in a coma and this is his account of how he grappled with the torment of his tenuous grip on reality both then and over the following years...
Read more: Remarkable
, Account
You will be so Welcomed!
2007-09-17 16:56:00
If there is a soldier who has returned and is living with TBI. If you are him/her or know someone. I'd love to hear your story. Either here, through commenting, or in The Arizona Room. Don't worry even though there is a small amount of ads on my blog, for my Arizona Earthshines site and just a small number of other. There is NO advertising in the Arizona Room. So you can meet and talk with other TBI survivors in a kick-back place.You will be so Welcomed!
Traumatic Brain Injury and Comfort
2007-09-17 16:13:00
Posted by secondchancetolive on September 16th, 2007Welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy you decided to stop by and visit with me. In life you and I have experienced circumstances that have been out of our control. You, like myself may have sustained a traumatic brain injury that has presented you with various challenges to overcome. Your brain injury may have led you to develop a learning disability or a mental health challenge. I am also confronted by and challenged with a learning disability as well as other neurological limitations. These obstacles and challenges can leave us feeling very alone and overwhelmed. Consequently, you may be confused, discouraged and despondent by your present circumstances.In our frustration, you and I may want to isolate and cut our selves off from other people, but the good news is that you and I do not have to be alone in our struggle to accept our reality. We can reach out to other people and in the process find strength and comfort...h
Read more: Brain
, Injury
Being Home after the Hospital
2007-09-17 13:10:00
It was really strange the last week I was in the hospital. I was very confused about many things. I kept telling my husband I wanted to go to "his" house. I didn't have any idea about where we lived until we pulled up in front the house. Then it all came rushing back. We had lived there for 4 years.When I first came home everything was strange. I spent most of the time either in bed or on the couch. I had terrible head aches, so bad that I would vomit from the pain and disorientation. I had these very strange "spells" that my husband in his research figured out was seizures. He took me to the neurologist and sure enough we found that I had post traumatic epilepsy. Now I have to take medication called Depakote to keep it under control. Unfortunately one of the side effects is weight gain. And since I have no balance, I can't exercise to make up for it. I use to walk a lot and thought that was my lazy way of getting exercise. Oh how I wish I could just take a walk again. It was really
Kartchner Caverns | An Arizona Treasure
2007-09-12 11:14:00
Kartchner Caverns boasts many world-class features that have been protected since the cave was discovered in 1974. Kartchner Caverns State Park offers visitors to this very popular attraction both a cave tour and an opportunity to experience the site's excellent Discovery Center. All caves tours are guided by a park interpreter. Guests will be taken to the Throne and Rotunda rooms. The tour is one-third of a mile in length and the complete tour will last approximately 60 minutes, 45 minutes of which are in the cave.http://www.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=AZSPKART&CU_ID=1
Read more: Arizona
, Treasure
brain injury is an invisible disability
2007-09-12 10:23:00
When the guys do come back, brain injury is an invisible
disability. No one knows how you feel and it is hard to explain. I don't even remember anything until I woke up in the hospital 6 weeks later. It all really sucks let me tell you.I had a super hard blow to my head. I guess when it happened I went flying and then down, and slid. I had a closed head injury, lucky I was wearing a helmet but it was cracked and destroyed, that tripped me out, I saw it. (I think my husband showed me, or did I just think that is how I saw it?[[See this happens a lot with memories and train of thought.]]Oh and then while I hit and was sliding, I got my TBI, I broke my pelvic bone and had abrasions from the asfault on my knuckles, hip, arms, knee, thats all I can think of. I was pretty jacked up.But I've read that these guys in Iraq are getting TBIs from the bomb going off so close to them. The Blast is that stong. I have the MRI pictures of my brain and can see what my injury looks like. I wonder what
Doctors and Soldiers Struggle | TBI Resources
2007-09-09 18:34:00
Soldiers & Doctors
Struggle with Brain InjuryBy editor@truthdig.com Thousands of troops have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, or TBI. These blast-caused head injuries are so different from the ones doctors are used to seeing from falls and car crashes that treating them is as much faith as it ...Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines - http://www.truthdig.com/Taking on the VA For Brain Injury RehabilitationBy Michael KaplenThe Boston Globe in an important article reports on the success and failures of returning veterans and their families in obtaining brain injury rehabilitation services outside of the Veterans Administration network. ...braininjury - http://braininjury.blogs.com/braininjury/How to Live with Traumatic Brain InjuryBy gualtiero piccininiPhillips is a traumatic brain injury survivor and a rehabilitation counselor. He writes: "I sustained an open skull fracture with right frontal lobe damage and remained in a coma for 3 weeks at the age of 10 in August of 1967
Read more: Soldiers
, Resources
Ok, I'm Ready
2007-09-05 14:10:00
I guess today is the day. I'm finished setting up my website, blog and forum, so I'm ready to move on. It's so interesting to me, how different we have all had it, and I'm sure I won't be an exception. First off I want to say I will try to keep my posts fairly brief. Since my accident I have a hard time reading paragraph-after-paragraph of text. So I don't want to do that to anyone else.The first thing I remember in the hospital, is when I started to mix reality with my dreams. (husband has told me)I remember bits and pieces of things. Like I thought I was on an Asian Boat, like a party boat. NO kidding - I guess one of the male nurses was Asian and I saw him and imagined the rest. My husband says they laughed about it, like he said, "Oh because I'm Asian she's on an Asian boat?I didn't believe I was in an accident at first. My husband had me look at my scars and the fact that I hadn't shaved under my arms in a while...jeez! - I don't remember about 8 weeks worth of my life
who/or what they are named after?
2007-09-04 16:52:00
________________________________________________________Besides my Cockatiel Eddie, named
after Eddie Van Halen. And on the bottom is Lucy. All our dogs have rock names. I don't know how it started, but it just ended up that way. We all love music. Besides Eddie, we have 7 dogs. We breed Miniature Pinchers, really great dogs and in addition to that they are - Anthem, Angus, Glory, Lucy, Penny, Floyd, and Layla.Do you know who/or what they are named after?Anyone? Post your answer in the forum!
Hangin' Out with Eddie
2007-09-04 16:15:00
That's what I did today. Yesterday I said I would start on my tale. I changed my mind. I am feeling a little funky today so I have just been re-doing the design for this TBI BLOG. I love it. I think it goes with my website better and that is what I am going for.Well, I guess you can say that this happens often. I mean me changing my mind from one day to the next. In fact I can start off in the morning with a plan to do a certain thing and by the time a few hours pass, It is possible that I may have moved on to something entirely different.Like today. I wandered off, Instead of thinking what I wanted to say, I noticed something visually on the blog that I didn't like and went with it. I am a very creative person so maybe it has a bit to do with that too. I don't know. And I don't say I'm creative as a brag - it's just the only thing I've ever been good at.If you go to the very bottom of this blog, you'll see that I've also added a ForumI hope that this will show that my intenti
Read more: Hangin
, Eddie
Lost Dutchman Mine
2007-09-03 13:58:00
Located just east of Phoenix, Arizona is a rough, mountainous region where people sometimes go... only to never be seen again. It is a place of mystery, of legendand lore and it is called Superstition Mountain. According to history, both hidden and recorded, there exists a fantastic gold mine here like no other that has ever been seen. It has been dubbed the “Lost Dutchman
Mine” over the years and thanks to its mysterious location, it has been the quest of many an adventurer... and a place of doom to luckless others.What strange energy lingers here? What has caused dozens of people who seek the mine to vanish without a trace? Is the answer really as the Apache Indians say? Does the “Thunder God” protect this mine... bringing death to those who attempt to pillage it? Or can the deaths be linked to other causes? Are they caused, as some have claimed, by the spirits of those who have died seeking the mine before?http://www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org/
Emotional Brain
2007-09-03 12:35:00
By Tom Novack, PhD and Jay Meythaler, JD, MDAll of us have a full range of emotions that we experience and, if we choose, can express to others, including happiness, anger, sadness, etc. The experience or expression of such emotions can be changed by brain injury. The normal control of emotions may be disrupted, resulting in what is called emotional lability. Individuals with this difficulty may experience emotions very quickly and intensely, but with very little lasting effect. Such individuals may be viewed as being "on an emotional roller coaster" in which they are happy one moment, sad the next, and then angry. These emotions may be expressed with minimal, if any, environmental stimulation, meaning that there is no specific event that may cause the emotional expression. This may be very confusing for family members who may think it is something they may have done to generate the emotional swings noted.In many cases, such lability can be attributed to frontal area dysfunction.Click
Read more: Brain
, Emotional
People With Brain Injury To Frontal Lobe Don't Get Punch Lines -- Prefer Slapstick Humor!
2007-08-31 15:09:00
Science Daily — A new study has found that people with damage to the right frontal lobe of the brain (that's me) have trouble getting punch lines and show a preference for slapstick humor.The findings are reported in a Rotman Research Institute/University of Toronto study to be published in the April issue of the international journal Brain
. The Rotman is part of Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care in Toronto and is ranked among the top brain research institutes in the world.The study is the first to show that the frontal lobe plays a pre-eminent role in our ability to appreciate humor and have a good belly laugh. Previous studies have implicated the right hemisphere and frontal lobes in general."We always thought of humor as a defining human attribute, but an intangible part of our personality," says Dr. Prathiba Shammi, a graduate of the University of Toronto's department of psychology. "Now we know humor can be tested and scientifically scrutinized._______________________________
Read more: Injury
, Punch
, Lines
, Prefer
, Humor
Brain Injury Arts | Art Gallery Page
2007-08-31 14:46:00
This art gallery is dedicated to featuring the work of traumatic and acquired brain injury survivors.http://www.geocities.com/braininjuryartsnj/art.html
Read more: Brain
, Injury
, Gallery
, Art Gallery
Saguaro is an Indian word
2007-08-31 10:32:00
A saguaro's arms usually begin to grow only after it is about 15 feet tall and as old as 75 years!Saguaro is an Indian word.The correct pronunciation is "sah-wah-ro". The formal name is Carnegiea gigantea and it is named for Andrew Carnegie. The saguaro is found only in the Sonoran Desert, which includes about 120,000 square miles of California and Arizona. Most of Baja California and half of the state of Sonora, Mexico is also included.You won't find saguaros above an elevation of 3,500 feet since they can't handle much frost.The saguaro cactus blossom is the official state flower. The white flower blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during May and June. The saguaro is the largest American cactus.A saguaro with many holes in it has been visited by the Gila Woodpecker. The bird will drill several holes to get to the water stored inside. The saguaro seals off the hole with scar tissue to prevent water loss.
Petroplyphs in the Nieghborhood
2007-08-31 10:21:00
Visit this wonderful Signal Hill slide show and website.They are really worth your time. You learn all about this fascinating area.
Traumatic brain injury is the signature war ill
2007-10-11 15:03:00
JENNIFER HLADOctober 7, 2007 - 12:54AMDAILY NEWS STAFFDuring his time in Iraq with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 1st Sgt. G. Russell Hill was exposed to multiple explosions. The most damaging was when a rocket-propelled grenade landed about 3 feet away from him - throwing him 8 to 10 feet and injuring both his legs.Hill knew his legs were hurt. But he didn't realize that - although he had no visible scars above his waist, except for some shrapnel in his hands - the blast may also have injured his brain.Traumatic brain injuries are "really as old as human history," said Capt. Tom Johnson, Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital's neurologist. "Blast-related TBIs have been around since the invention of gunpowder."But until recent years, many did not realize a person could sustain a traumatic brain injury without any visible damage to the skull... ___________________________________________________________________
Legend: The Lost Dutchman Mine
2007-10-09 16:05:00
Of all the argonaut tales of lost mines and buried treasure in the old west, the story of Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman
Mine has become a classic, perhaps even the greatest of American treasure stories.The story started with Waltz, an aged German immigrant who died in Phoenix, Arizona October 25, 1891. It was common knowledge that Waltz left town during the cooler winter months, but whether he went prospecting or mining was the question. For years there had been rumors by many Phoenix residents that he had some sort of secret supply of very rich gold ore. He was known occasionally to pay for goods with such ore, and others told that he sent money orders to his sister for several thousands of dollars, paid for with gold ore. Yet, he lived very modestly, almost to the point of impecunity.In February of 1891 Phoenix suffered a serious flood and one of the homesteads flooded was that Waltz. Waltz, an octogenarian, was stranded for two days. After his rescue he was never to recover his
Read more: Legend
I have a brain inury...not a hole in my head
2007-10-09 14:51:00
Today I want to talk about right now. I will stray from my "how I got here story" Because I want to say the following - Because I lived through a TBI, doesn't mean I'm incompetent now. I wonder how many TBI survivors have this same feeling at times. As well meaning as others can be.I do forget, and I am not as clear about some things like I was. But I can still make educated choices. I can find out information and decide for myself, certain things. I don't need everything decided for me. Just like before my accident, I have to learn from mistakes, right?It is very frustrating. I understand that loved ones can worry about me. Worry that I might put myself in danger etc. But there are some things that are common sense, and I haven't lost that. I already can't drive myself anywhere. I can't go to Target, or the mall or even just for a drive. All things I used to be very independent about. I can't walk my dogs. I can't stand up long enough to cook. I can't work. I can't a lot of
Attacker who caused brain injury jailed
2007-10-05 15:09:00
By Gordon McCullyA man responsible for an attack which left the victim with a brain injury has been sent to prison for four years and eight months.Ian Mellor, 28, of Cowling Brow, Chorley, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on 18-year-old Damien Withers.Preston Crown Court heard that he had no recollection of the attack and woke up in hospital where he spent ten days.Two others, Luke Walker, 18, of Epping Place, who is Mellor's half brother, and Michael Edwards, 19, of Bolton Road, both in Chorley, admitted assaulting a 16-year-old who was with Mr Withers at the time.They were given 40 week sentences, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 80 hours community work.The victims had been watching TV and listening to music at Mr Withers' home in Temperance Street, Chorley, on January 13.The court heard that it followed a previous incident when the 16-year-old allegedly made threats in the street and was charged with affray and possession of a weapon.The three defenda
Read more: jailed
Living Ghost Town - Burros and Gunfights
2007-10-05 13:55:00
Oatman, Arizona at the turn of the century, photo courtesy Arizona Images,Phoenix Public LibraryOatman MovieOatman Gold RoadOatman Ghost
ownLegends of America Just across the Colorado River and up the hill from Laughlin, Nevada is the historic town of Oatman, Arizona. Often described as a ghost town, it doesn’t quite fit the category, but close enough, considering that it once boasted almost 4,000 people and now supports just a little over 100 people year-round.Though Oatman is only a shadow of it’s former self, it is well worth a visit to this lively “ghost town” that provides, not only a number of historic buildings and photograph opportunities, but the sights of burros walking the streets, as well as costumed gunfighters and 1890s style ladies strolling.In its heyday, from the early 1900s to the 1940s, Oatman and the nearby town of Gold Road were the largest producers of gold in Arizona.Gold was first discovered in Oatman in 1902 by a man named Ben Taddock who, while riding
Read more: Living
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