Team Hilevel

The Layers of Brain Injury – With DJ Asselin  Welcome Back DJ after he finds himself rehabilitating from yet a second brain injury, the hurdles that he has had to go through, the system, the support, the everything.  There is so many layers to brain injury and there seems to be no consistency anywhere.  And as a survivor and their family or supports go through this, things are usually at their worst.  Join Dj as he talks about these layers that will blow your mind.  It will leave you thinking.    

Tonight, I'm going to look back nearly twenty five years ago when I joiined the U.S. Army.  Leaving home, basic training and meeting folks from just about every state in the country.  Call in and lets salute our veterans and tell your story. 424-243-9540

I don't personalliy have a service animal but I have seen one and it amazed me.  I have also come across some pretty disturbing stories about these incredible little helpers, being thrown in the trunk of a taxi.  I'm going to read the what the Americans with Disabilities Act says businesses can and cannot do to and with service animals.  Also, an incredible update from a great advocate, Brent Feuz in New York.  You won't want to miss what Brent is going to tell our community that he accompliished with his Brain Injury Protocol, yesterday. Lots to talk about tonight, please join us and tell us your story about either having or seeing a service animal.   424-243-9540 to call in and listen on your phone or click on this link and scroll down to the bottom of the page after signing in and contribute to the live chat as well as listen on your computer.

Over and over again, I see postings about being tired after brain injury.  Even years later, we seem to never be able to recover after doing almost nothing.  Well, it's been proven over and over again that the Endocrine system takes a beating with brain trauma.  Bleeds, hydrocephalus, car accidents and on and on, the thyroid just does not like changes it seems. I've learned through my own head injury and even after 44 months in brain rehabs, nobody seems to know to check the thyroid after head injury.  I'll talk about this and a few other things maybe you and your doctor should talk about after brain injury. Call in and let me know if you are taking something for either HypOthyroid or HypErthyroid.  I take .112mcg's of Levothyroxine/Synthroid.   424-243-9540

Anniversary's can be tough sometimes.  I'm coming up on eight years since my injury and just wanted to reflect back a bit and glance into the future.  Call in and talk about your anniversaary date.  424-243-9540 is the call in number, I'd like to hear from you.

Mo nday, August 26th we are privledged once again to have back, one of America's finest, most knolwledgeable and caring doctors.  Dr. O'shanick will introduce himself, I could never do it properly.  The subject for this show came to me as I was browsing various sites and have noticed a sudden rise of seizure postings. From the Hydropioneers groups (Hydrocephalus) to brain injury support, children to adults, the seizure postings seem to be popping up all over the place lately.  Please, call in and ask Dr. O'shanick any questions you may have, or just come on and share your experiences with great doctors and how they have helped you or a loved one with seizure disorder.  I will ask doc about medication management, physical therapy options, no question is a bad one.  Call in at 424-243-9540 and press "1" when you are ready to contribute something to this show.  Or, click on the link I've provided, sign in and scroll all the way down and follow the live chat while listening on your computer.

I've been looking forward to hearing what everyone has for an opinion on just how this is going to help anyone with a Brain Injury.  Last year, I interviewed a COO of Neurointernational about why they don't take Medicare or Medicaid.  It's because they will not pay for the services that are provided by a quality brain rehab model.  So, how is the Affordable Care Act going to be different?  No guest's tonight, just my research and your calls.  424-243-9540

Currently, the Neuropsychological Evaluation is the benchmark testing after brain injury.  Before and after functioning should be evaluated.  From this test a firm understanding of current neuropsychological and cognitive deficits should be evaluated.  Next, an  individualized treatment plan dedicated to bringing us back to pre injury functioning. GAF,  IQ, Cognitive deficits should all be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan.  Tonight, I will discuss this process and hopefully help our community understand how it works properly when done right.  Some Neuropsychologists throw the MMPI-2 at us and call it neuropsychological testing, it's not even close.  Call in, ask questions, I've done seven of these test's and would be glad to help folks understand the value and the truth to these test's. 424-243-9540 is the call in number.  Hope everyone is having a "Fantastic" night..

Join DJ tonight as he shares the perils of moving, as well as playing some catch up, on topics discussed in the past. He hopes to have a few surprise visitors, and will be taking your calls tonight, to see what the audience would like to hear about in the future. Tonight is one of those "whatever" shows that Craig likes to boast about. :)

                 It's all around us before before brain injury.  Kids, work, family, friends.  For some reason you can go to bed each night tho' and think "damn what a day" and think that was chaotic.  When we look back, it was 'controlled' chaos.  Now, there are attorney's, doctors you never seen before, nurse case managers, insurance companies, adjustors, then life moves to the bantle of social security,  the list goes on.  Soon, your friends, family and workmates are aliens you don't like to even have around anymore.   It takes many years, some, decades to become someone else again.  Tonight, we discuss the "new me' and how this injury has effected me and my surroundsings.  It's not all bad anymore, but still a daily, weekly, monthly challenge. 424-243-9540 to call in and listen on your phone, press "1" on your phone if you would like to comment at any time.  This is mostly a call in show so let the world know how you changed and what more others can do to make it one step better after a brain boooboo!!

Last year we did a show and invited six mom's on.  We ran out of time so I wanted to bring back the mothers and caregivers and their little wonders.  I have the deepest respect for what these incredible mothers go through on a daily basis. Home health care turns you down for services, or cuts the hours down, you have to keep feeding tubes up, deal with insurance or Medicaid.  Lets call in and offer support.  We will discuss how things can be better, who to call and how to win your battles with agencies.  We will talk about school systems, IEP and 504 plans.  So, have a great Memorial day and see ya at 10pm Eastern, 7pm Pacific..

Currently, the most comprehensive study of neurological functioning, seems to be the "full" neuropsychological testing.  Some doctors push just the MMPI-2 at our community and call it and accurate test of cortical and neurological functioning.  It's not a full test and it's often used in the wrong way to make it seem like someone is malingering. Tonight, I'll go over what malingering stands for and why this test is more harmful than helpful in litigation after a brain injury.  We will go over the many test's that should be done to consider testing "complete" and accurate.  I will discuss "GAF" scores and their meaning.  There will also be updates from the Teamhilevel from the Teamhilevel group as well as the new 4peer11 hotline.  424-243-9540 to listen in on your phone, press "1" to ask a question.  www.braininjuryradio.com to join in on the live chat during the show.

This is going to be a very eye opening event for anyone that chooses to listen.  I've dealt with Travelers Insurance for years now and still cannot believe how little they actually care about breathing, fellow Americans.  My guest host tonight has been doing medical billing of some sort of capacity for a dozen years.  I will ask her about how we can get our records, proper billing.  The records of you medical history are yours, get them, read them, understand the terms used in them. Do you really know what type of coverage you even have?  My guest host told me tonight "I don't think of Brain Injury as a category".  What do medical billing folks think brain injury is?  In the case of workers compensation, why is there such a tough time getting proper coverage?  My case is proof, even with coverage it's confusing and mostly worthless. How is the "Affordable" Care Act going to effect getting good and helpful treatment after a TBI?  Who's going to pay for proper care after catastrophic injury?  Did you know there is "Grant Money" available for medical care?  I didn't!!  Medicare and Medicaid, the big time "Cadilac"  insurance packages, it's all on the table for this show.  Did you know that your medical records are yours?  I'll tell you the most important things to say to doctors to turn their brain around real fast in relation to releasing medical records to you, FAST!!  Who's my guest host?  Stay tuned!!

Soon, the survivor community will come together to start taking calls live on the peer support 211 call center line.  Brain Injury survivors all over the country and other countries as well will volunteer their time and lend a compassionate ear to those that need accurate information after a brain injury happens. There will also be a call in update from Brent Feuz and his great protocol. We will enlist the greatest survivor minds in the country to help with the toughest to answer questions about rehab, hospitals, life after tbi in general.  Join us tonight and call in and tell us what agencies you have called and what their replies were?  Did they help you? How could they have handled your call better?

Today is a sad day.  We have lost our dear friend Charlie Larson.  Charlie was born with down syndrome but was never treated any other way than normal by us.  Charlie was always up beat, happy and a very easy person to like.  Charlie always was a leader.  He wanted to be a part of everything and in a big way.   He was a part of Durham's oustanding volunteer fire department.  He contributed his time to our amazing high school basketball team.  Charlie participated in Special Olympics and won dozens of medals.  I only remember Charlie's warm smile, intelligence and hugs.  I cannot even remember one time where Charlie even got mad at anyone.  Tonight we remember Charlie as "Mr. Durham", our friend, classmate and dedicated volunteer.  Please call in and tell us your favorite moments involving Charlie Larson. Call in at 10pm ESTime, 7pm Pacific and listen on your phone at 424-243-9540 and press "1" when you want to join the host's cue and I will open up your mic.  Or, click on the link to the show and sign in.  If you are on Facebook just click on the blue icon and you will automatically be signed in.  I will have a guest on the show with us that is knowledgeable in the area of Down Syndrome.  Charlie would love it that we are learning and teaching others, it's the Coginchaug way.  I am proud and happy to have this opportunity to memorialize our friend this way.

Join Gordon and Dj on Monday for what should be a very educational episode on the law, personal injury and brain injuries.  Mr. Johnson has litigated brain injury cases in many states as lead and co councel.  He is the creator of tbivoices, waiting.com and has a very informational site, tbilaw.com.  He's past president of a legal litigation organization and contributes to dozens of sites throughout the internet. Mr. Johnson has appeared in Court/taken depositions personally in the following states: California, Washington, North Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, New York, Connecticut and Virginia. There are many ways that folks get hurt and even more ways these injuries are litigated.  The Longshore harbor workers compensation laws are not the same as getting into a slip and fall at work, or even contruction law injuries.  You need to know what laws you fall under, then find a board certified trial attorney.  Mr. Johnson will give some great support on this show and will stay the full hour and a half to take calls.  This show is not paying Mr. Johnson to be on here, he's not replacing your current attorney, so please just take this advice and use it to the best of your needs.  424-243-9540 is the call in number.  Press 1 to put your hand up and go into the caller cue and I will bring you on. 

The Protocol for Brain Injury in New York State was the idea of Brent Feuz.  Brent is a TBI survivor, former professional firefighter and paramedic.  Brent and I have discussed the fact that I was sent to a hospital after my work related head injury that did not have neurosurgical services.  This could have been a catastrophic mistake and should have been handled much differently.  Only level I trauma centers are equipped to handle such sudden and complicated emergencies yet many people presenting with sudden brain bleeds and pain in their head are taken to ilprepared hospitals and  many just die.  Brent will discuss what brought him to want to do this for our community and how it's being designed to help us right away.  Please listen, call in and ask Brent and I questions about this protocol.  His protocols are important to every type of injury to the body.  Once implemented by ambulance and other first responders, the mortality rate of sudden injuries will go up substantially. Brent will thoroughly go through his protocol for first responder’s right through the emergency room.  I would like to take it all the way through the steps of rehab.  Acute, sub acute and post acute care is every bit as important as the initial surgery.  Why buy a Mercedes and not keep it waxed!!  Let's support Brent by calling in and asking questions and commending him on this fine idea.  True advocates are those that really want to see changes in systems that are mostly broken.  Brent Feuz is just such a person.  Monday, January 28th we will talk with a person that may have just come up with ways to save many lives.

TEAMHILEVEL presents A evenning with Brain Injury Super Hero - David McQuire 'a run to remember" David ran across North America to promote brain injury awareness his 8 month 350 city  journey and thousands of miles, enjoy a evenning with a brain injury hero http://tbisurvivorsnetwork.ning.com/group/aruntoremember

HydroPioneer Teamhilevel host by DJ - special guest Ron Kelleher the hydropioneer Hydrocephalus with the Hydropioneer Ron Patrick Kelleher born with Hydrocephalus 1962 & I am currently a happily married man to my shunted Love Beth Ann (Lush)Kelleher sharing my experiences as well as finding a shunteer very close to where you live as you are not the only one with hydrocephalu Ron KelleherHydroPioneer I am the hydropioneer from facebook who can lead you through hydrocephalus with 48 years of experience Canada http://www.mdjunction.com  

The Morning After Loss A Teamhilevel Special Edition This special edition is about recocvery after a catastrophic loss, brain injury, through we heal up quite fine and look very typical to most people and we so want to be back where we were that even survivors try to be this typical this normal.  Until everything falls apart and no one wants to believe this because you look typical or normal.  With brain injury normal is a mistake in the eyes of the looker.  Tune in as we continue trying to bring awareness to the hidden epidemic that no one can see, even those who live with it want to forget, but yet we are left with a life of trying to discover this new person. Hosted By Dj Asselin founder of Teamhilevel

Mothers of Special Needs - TeamHiLevel "The Mothers of Special Needs" with Sue, Dolly, Amanda, Melissa, Kimberly Overman is going to talk special needs trust's...... Parents with children that have special needs face a variety of challenges and obstacles along their educational, social and adult living, every parent wants the best for their child, we end up advocating all the way through their school years to adulthood and residential and employment.  We are going to hear form just those mothers, we will hear their victories and frustrations during their journey.  You won't want to miss this one.

TEAM HI LEVEL Hosted by DJ as he and his guests take on todays important brain injury issues facing survivors and their families.  Join DJ and company as they take on each issue.

BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION - RISE OR FALL Lots of activity around the country, groups leaving the BIAA and the BIAA forcing groups out, Who will be the new affiliates in the different states, tonight is an open forum to talk about where the BIAA is good and where it is not. looking to have representives from the national  BIAA tell us its vision for a better tomorrow, the sad truth is that some states have broken off from the national breaking up the network which in any circumstances hurts the concept of a connected community, So we as survivors have to figure out how to keep everyone connected and playing in the sand box.  Understanding the needs and real missions of organizations will help us, I believe any support is good, we just need to figure out how to make it good in the over all community we are creating.

Currently if you get a brain injury depending where you are your care will look very different., most mid brain injury go undiagnosed or under diagnosed, and insurance runs out or as its lost rehabilitation is hard to get.  .  and not know what hit you and your family devastated from thinking you did everything deliberately.  It is a mess for many, but times are changing and the care is getting better, but we have a long way to go., and a lot of corruption from those who say they are there to help us and really want to control the money, big big industry billions from our pain DJ's premeir show will address just that the journey that is tbi,  hope you learn a lot you could be that resource that someone will need, you may even be the resource you need Episode Guests  Sr. Vice Presiden Neal Flannery is a leader and business development specialist in the post-acute brain injury rehabilitation industry.Neal holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and has an MBA. He has multiple certificates and significant experiential and educational accolades. In the past 17 years he has developed and managed several successful residential brain injury rehab facilities. He is the previous founder/CEO of BayView Neuro ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pam Hayes (founder and director) of The Arms Forces is a nonprofit organization that embraces the unique needs of veterans who have a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. We develop and maintain a network of trained volunteer Life Navigation Coaches who give individual assistance to our wounded warriors who have the invisible wounds of war, at no cost to the veteran. We provide support to families and loved ones through our LEEF support experience.