shira

Hi Shira,
I am so happy to be reading your web site. This is a wonderful achievement! I look forward to watching your site grow and be the great support and gift to many people.
Mazel Tov………Peter

I was put on to your site by Averheart Van den Huvel and he thought that we may be able to work together? We will see?

My new life started with a traumatic brain injury in 1989 involving coma and having to relearn life from walking and talking on up to thinking. I have since evolved to be physically and mentally adroit with a sense of mission to help my piers on their recovery trail.

The medical and legal system saved me and stabilized me but I was only left with a sense of barriers limitations and a real profound sense of what I am unable to do! My real progress started once I was left to my own devices.

After many years I have identified three important avenues to lead towards improving ones lot in life. No matter what road you are traveling on. I can personally tell on a daily basses, how well my brain is able to function depends on three main factors ; !/ Nutrition- is of prim importance! The fuel that allows our biochemical machine to function is prim to our state of wellness and is critical to our brains ability to function. 2/ Exercise- ( aerobic exercise) increases oxygen circulation, flushes out toxins, restores a sense of vitality and elasticity to tissues, all while inspiring neurogaenesis in the brain, for a stronger and clearer mental state etc.
3/ Thought patterning- we are clinically starting to learn of the incredible plasticity of our brains. We are starting to see the importance of proactive thinking with goals which can inspire neurogenesis and the creation of new neural maps. Much can be achieved when one is inspired with a sense of vision for possibilities. Neural degradation occurs during depression, with no vision for the future with only seeing barriers in your future. Advantages can come from laughter, spirituality,and from just having a sense of control over your life. Being self determined as much as you can in your life is psychologically constructive and strengthens the brain and the mind.

As I understand “choosingjoy.com” is a fairly new endeavor however you do seem to be making some good headway with good connections. I would like to find out more about your goals and actions to possibly provide my input if it seems to be compatible.

From my experience with the hospital system nutrition exercise and thought patterning are crucial avenues which at best are just barley being utilized, if recognized at all. The only thing you learn to recognize are barriers.

I have been living with an impaired brain for over 18 years and in that time I have had the most difficult and perilous struggles of my life but I have also found the most awinspiring sense of joy and empowerment. I have since cycled to all five land continents and seen many interesting cultures. I have observed all of this with a wider more introspective view than most due to the unusual road my life has taken.

I first started to volunteer for my other brain injured survivors when I was still an patient myself. This allows me to comfort others who are strugling and can’t articulate their world. I have tried to make subjections at times, but who is going to listen to someone outside the system let alone a brain injured guy.

I am the Ottawa representative for OBIA (Ontario Brain Injury Association) and I am slowly trying to put a book together. I don’t know if we can find common ground to work together in some way but maybe we should talk?

The power of positive thinking and empowerment should never be underestimated.

T.T.F.N. Tim Slykhuis

http://disability411.jinkle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5262