Nichole Dee

Pray for regular 2nd & 4th Friday host Isis S-P who lives in Miami area near the water, where Hurricane Irma is due to land this weekend. She and her children will be hunkering down .. We'll be thinking of, and praying them..   Hosted Tonight by Nich Dee - As people and families with TBI know, the survivor (and sometimes family members) tends to be in denial of how bad the deficits are, especially in the early stages of recovery. How do you help the survivor realize things are not like they used to be? Eventually they will catch on, but not before a lot of struggles. I can remember when my light finally dawned and I realized "not the same Nichole." And to this day 30 years later, I still find things that I can't do as well and get frustrated and deny that I can't do it. So I go ahead and do it and end up paying for it later. Is there a way to make us get out of the denial quicker and maybe learn from it?  

Are you playing games?" Because if not, you should be! Tests have proved our brains are sharper with doing puzzles, games and other brain engaging activities. We will get feedback from callers and the host as far as computer games and other games that help. Since seizures can be an issue we have to be careful with graphics if playing certain computer games. Does doing a crossword puzzle help or frustrate more than its worth? My husband and I play games a lot, even something as simple as a card game of rummy. I play games in my head at work, since I am kind of like a detective searching for missing items. Games are challenging- yes, but beneficial in the long run? Lets talk about it.

"Don't just stand there, do something!" FAIRWELL FOR NOW NICH DEE The more we help each other, the more we help ourselves. Wait, maybe I have that backwards. But it is so much easier to help others and ignore our own needs. Even non TBI people do it this way. Especially now during the holidays, it is important to take care of you before taking care of others. We will talk about resources, and advocacy and fighting for what is right and for how long, but you have to be the one to do it. You cannot necessarily count on anyone but yourself to help you. We will not be disabled, we will be enabled! (Yes, Craig you can use that slogan later if you want to).

- "What's in your head?" We know that having a TBI makes us think a little differently than we  used to. Is there a way to adapt and make your new ways of processing help you out?? We will explore topics like perseveration (my personal favorite) and using your memory to your advantage. There are so many ways I am a better person now than before I had the TBI and I have developed amazing skills that make my life easier, it's lot of work and energy, but remember you always get out of it what you put into it. Call in and tell what you have had to change to makes things work now.

- "Swimming in the river of denial." As people and families with TBI know, the survivor (and sometimes family members) tends to be in denial of how bad the deficits are, especially in the early stages of recovery. How do you help the survivor realize things are not like they used to be? Eventually they will catch on, but not before a lot of struggles. I can remember when my light finally dawned and I realized "not the same Nichole." And to this day 30 years later, I still find things that I can't do as well and get frustrated and deny that I can't do it. So I go ahead and do it and end up paying for it later. Is there a way to make us get out of the denial quicker and maybe learn from it? Hosted by Nich Dee

"TBI or Not TBI?" That is the question. Getting a TBI diagnosis can be scary. Lots of tests, exams, questions and you still may not have a brain injury. At least according to the Doctors. Sound familiar? After jumping through all of the hoops because you know something is wrong but not sure exactly what, then to be told "it's all in your head". Of course it's all in your head it's a TBI after all, or is it? We will talk about how many symptoms a TBI has in common with other diagnoses and how and why Doctors can be wrong. I have been there and have had lots of wrong diagnoses before a doctor explained it was definitely TBI. It was like a light finally dawned and everything going on with me medically made sense. Call in and share your story, we all have one.

"I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist" After thinking for a long time I was a glass half empty kind of person, I learned from my Neuropsychologist, I'm actually a realist. What's the difference? Looking at situations and always having a plan or two ready in case something doesn't go according to expectations. And with a brain injury, I can find that happening a lot. Think worst case scenario planning. I think so far ahead and I like to have everything figured out before I can be surprised. Is it unhealthy? Maybe, consuming? It can be, but I am definitely the one you want to go to when things don't go according to plan. We will also talk about negative self talk and how a positive attitude helps to get things done. Call in and tell me how you cope with the reality.

" Managing your TBI" We all know just having a TBI can be a full time venture. The amount of effort everything takes, the concentration and the added stress is it all too much? We will delve into tricks, tips and ideas to make your life easier in spite of the TBI. From organization and nutrition to anger and stress management, it all makes a difference. Have you had to advocate for yourself or someone else? This will be the place to share what you have learned good and bad to make navigating the TBI road a little easier.

"Time heals all wounds (except TBIs)." This is an antiquated phrase, but is it applicable now with the number of TBI survivors and the new medical advancements that are out there? I think it is what you choose to do with that time that makes the difference. Since it never heals entirely, our every day choices can make our TBI easier and seem almost like it has been cured. I have been a survivor for 27 years and I still discover new things almost weekly that are more difficult due to the brain injury. It's time to get rid of the resentment of the brain injury and start adapting because it's not going to go away. Hosted by Nich Dee

"Did I say that out loud?!"   One of the most noticeable changes with TBI survivors and their family and friends is lack of inhibitions. Commonly called "filtering" it helps us decide what is appropriate behavior, language and manners in social situations. What do you do when your filter doesn't signal correctly or is delayed? Almost every brain injury book out there has a chapter on this idea. We will talk about how people can realize when it is happening when it is appropriate to say it out loud and when it should just be kept to yourself. A little awareness goes a long way on this one.

 "Sweet dreams." Getting enough sleep is important to overall health and brain function. But getting quality sleep while brain injured is a trick. A lot of survivors suffer physical injuries along with the TBI,which can make it doubly difficult to go to sleep. Do medicines really work? Counting sheep? Taking an afternoon nap? If you are like me, you would do anything to get a good nights sleep on a consistent basis. (I am hoping to get my sleep neurologist to call in and contribute for this one.)

Are you playing games?" Because if not, you should be! Tests have proved our brains are sharper with doing puzzles, games and other brain engaging activities. We will get feedback from callers and the host as far as computer games and other games that help. Since seizures can be an issue we have to be careful with graphics if playing certain computer games. Does doing a crossword puzzle help or frustrate more than its worth? My husband and I play games a lot, even something as simple as a card game of rummy. I play games in my head at work, since I am kind of like a detective searching for missing items. Games are challenging- yes, but beneficial in the long run? Lets talk about it.

Brain storming accommodations to create and sustain successful employment - Everyone has tricks to share so lets get them on the table so people can see what has worked for others we all have something to share let your voice be heard

I was thinking about how we self- sabotage and give up on personal things, but will fight to death any one else who impedes us because of the TBI. IE- Social Security, housing, relationships, employment etc... I make so many barriers for myself, it is pitiful, but get upset if others make them for me and will fight to the end. Since I just discovered this phenom so I am curious as to why I can't apply the same relentlessness to self made issues, I usually give up fighting on those. I have seen it time and time again with my fellow brain injured souls.   INTRODUCING NICHOLE DEE Nichole is a self advocate for TBI and will fight on every level to get the care and services needed to have a productive, full life. She has suffered multiple TBI’s, the first one due to a fall from a bicycle when she was 18 put her in a coma for about a month. The last one was Sept 11, 2010 resulting from a roll over ATV accident. She currently works part-time due to the limitations of her disability. She was recently married to another brain injured soul that she met through a TBI support group. Sharing that it can be done and we can have healthy relationships in spite of our injuries is a major focus in her life now.