Episode 35. A Retrospective Perspective On Brain Injury and Improvement

Maria is a severe TBI survivor that works as a therapist to help other brain injured people. She is also the co-host of the brain injury podcast called TBI TMI. Check out her podcast with Zach here:https://www.youtube.com/@TBITMIpodcastMaria has had a long recovery from a horrible accident and shares a great deal in this discussion, ways to think about unique to brain injury problems including how hard it is to function in the early years, the value of routine, the value of doing 50% of what you plan (to avoid fatigue and over-exertion). We discuss her internal emotional state, feelings like her mind was not her mind, and her body was not her body, and so many other brain injury problems that are truly hard to imagine.Maria's story emphasizes the importance of support and how seemingly small efforts in the beginning of one's journey can grow into larger abilities. Also the importance of breath work, working towards independence, and just getting a few things done each day. These efforts are immensely challenging after a brain injury. We also discuss the progression and perspective changes that come with years of work to improve and make sense of one's own problems.Maria did a great talk in my Building Brain Awareness talk series about sensory issues and how they interact with other brain injury problems like interaction with other people, and advocacy for brain injury. The interaction of brain injury problems is something that often goes unnoticed. Check that talk out here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhbPRxF76ig&t=3212s- - -Experiencing My Brain is a podcast devoted to detailed discussion with brain injury survivors about their experiences, problems, and ways that they have found to navigate their lives. These stories are important to help the non brain injured world make sense of the problems that come with brain injury.- - -Disclaimer:The views and opinions shared in this podcast should be looked at as the views of brain injury survivors and not as medical or clinical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care professional with any brain injury problem.