Empowerment Zone

Join Constance Miller, Ken Collins, and Les Paul Morgan this evening for an exciting evening of discussion on brain injury topics in the Empowerment Zone. Thanks to our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, your mobile device, wherever you are all around the world. Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about domestic violence, football players and Post Concussion Syndrome, PCS. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be. Nor do they understand the relationship between a history of concussion and domestic violence. One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences.

Jodi Lyons is an eldercare expert who helps older adults and those with special needs find the care they need throughout the country. An ardent patient advocate, Ms. Lyons helps people navigate the complicated, often convoluted system, identify what they need, and learn how to create an action plan. With more than twenty years' experience in the nonprofit health-care arena, she has been a leader in national and international organizations representing health-care and long-term care service providers. She was on the Executive Committee of the Alzheimer's Association/National Capital Area and an Alzheimer's Association Ambassador to Capitol Hill. Lyons is a writer for and industry advisor to Telemedicine Magazine. She also wrote the award-winning book The Smart Person's Guide to Eldercare to empower and educate consumers, to make sense of a complex system, and to highlight some of the humor that can be found even in the most challenging times as we grow older. Jodi also co-authored the book Brain Health As You Age-A Practical Guide to Maintenance and Prevention  See More at:   brainhealthasyouage.com This show is a gathering place for anyone seeking recovery from the challenges of life on life's terms. We discuss useful tools that have helped us lighten the load, of our journey through recovery. This is a "we" recovery program, because it is in the "we," that we find the new "me." We focus on the four A's of Recovery: Awareness, Acceptance, Action and Adaptation. This is a place for survivor's striving to become thrivers, which takes a large Warrior spirit! Host is Kim Justus, author of In a Flash: Miracles Here and Beyond found at inaflash.org & "Like" at facebook.com/inaflash.org

EMPOWERMENT ZONE LesPaul & Brandon Charles, Arlington Independent Media Host Tonight I have a very empowering and exiting guest, Brandon Charles. He is the host of an FM radio show called Breaking Boundaries in Arlington, Virginia. Even though Brandon has a visual impairment he has amazing insight and abilities! His Radio show Breaking Boundaries raises conversations with people who have disabilities in the Arlington community -- discussing their experiences and personal interests. Listen every Monday, 4-5pm, on WERA 96.7 FM, Arlington Independent Media Brandon recently moved to the Washington DC area to pursue his passion for learning about people with varying disabilities and hear their stories of life and overcoming societal adversity. His radio program out of Arlington Virginia is about this concept, and he is on a journey to share stories of passion and human interaction with the world. The mission of the Empowerment Zone was designed to Advocate, Educate, and motivate people with disabilities to live their dreams to never give up and how to the ADA as a tool to guide, protect, and educate people with disabilities that we have rights and laws that many people fought for and died to in act! Dial 424-243-9540 to call in to speak and press the number 1# if you would like to speak. LesPaul Morgan.

The Empowerment Zone - Disability Rights are Civil Rights - With LesPaul Morgan THE ADA DRAWS HEAVILY from previous civil rights legislation, including Titles II and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It prohibits discrimination against Americans with physical and mental disabilities in such areas as employment, public accommodations, and transportation. Don’t you think it’s high time we the people with disabilities come together all across the USA as a community and start working to fulfill the Dream of Access and Independent for all? Well If you do then it’s time to much as the people with disabilities did back in the 1960,s and 70,s but with a modern disability rights technological advantage and twist! Using the Americans with disabilities act as a guide line and a tool to educate and communicate I believe that people with disabilities can begin forging a bolder and brighter future together for all people who want to help change the World and that’s beginning right now!!!   Tonight’s Topics Include, 1.  Civil Rights Are Disability Rights 2.  Putting Advocacy into action 3.  Coming together for the greater good 4.  Having positive Impact 5.  Breaking down Barriers 6.  Discovering what works for you 7. Social Media, Internet, and how you can youse it for positive Change

The Worlds proportion of people with disabilities is rising and now represents 1 billion people – 15% of the global population – according to the first official global report on disability. In the United States Disability effects more than 54 Million Americans (1 in 6 People) and even though there have been strives to improve the lives of people with disabilities has had some success until we the people with disabilities step forward and take our place at the table life for people with disabilities will never reach a higher plane! And so I ask you and everyone out their listening this one simple question. When will we the survivors come together and say enough is enough, we are a huge majority so why don’t we start acting like it and make our voices be heard around the World, Have you had enough of the eternal lip service? Are you tired of waiting for your life to begin over and over again? Well if that’s the case join me tonight for this important discussion.

The biology of brain injury needs to be better understood if we are going to effectively treat brain injury and the consequences of the fight or flight response.  Learning about the Sympathetic Nervous System is important because the limbic system is where the fight or flight response and many other problems people with brain injuries are centered.  I have found that long walks (over an hour) help me deal with the consequences of fight or flight and improve my memory and processing issues.  The key seems to get the blood flowing and oxygen to my brain.   Sometimes just sitting and thinking about problems only makes them worse because once the fight or flight gets triggered it prolongs my body’s ability to regulate the hormones that are part of the fight or flight response.   Bad memories play a role in this too because they play a role in triggering fight or flight response.   When we set around hoping things will get better it only gets worse because our muscles remain tense and the chemicals that should be going to out brain are diverted to our muscles.  The bad memories and problems continue just like a dog chasing its tail.  Fight or flight remains in place because of this - we are victims to its consequences.  Medications are not the answer because they don't deal with what causes the fight or flight response.  Exercise and mindfulness-based stress reduction work better than meds because exercise and mindfulness-based stress reduction controls the fight or flight response - meds only treat the symptoms.  Becoming more pro-active in our recovery process instead of reacting to the consequences of our brain injury is important.  Finding a sense of purpose and meaning is the key to recovery and will lay the foundation for building a new life after brain injury.   Having a sense of purpose will also make it easier to get out of bed in the morning.

The Disability Collective - The Empowerment Zone - Les Paul Morgan Tonight I am going to be talking in quite a bit different than I usually do. What I mean is that I am going to be talking about the need for all survivors of all disabilities no matter what they are and about person to person interaction on another level. So no matter what you disability is I want you to feel the inclusion that Independent Living Centers offer to all people with disabilities everywhere because I see the greatness in diversity among all disabilities not just the chosen few! Happy New Year’s its 2016 and I am ready to see change, Advocacy and action take on an entire new meaning and level for this New Year how about you!!! Why the disability collective? Because now it’s time to lay your disability title down and work across the isles with every type of disability and yet be comfortable as who we are! Live Chat and talk over the phone and internet! Why so Many Labelle’s Understanding there are many million with other disabilities   No more to each his own Never forgetting we are TBI or Aneurism survivors Independent Living all for one and one for all The ADA is? Separate is never equal The good fight Legislation Federal Local State

Living with and knowing you have Brain Injury or any disability can be really hard and downright nasty!!! Tonight we are going to be turning the table tables because here in the Empowerment Zone we believe that trough the power of peer support, Advocacy, and the Independent Living movement and especially us the survivors finding the motivation of self-determination that we can all do much better once we start working to build a better tomorrow now! With that in mind we want you to call in, chat on the show, and provide input on how as a community we can start changing the World together now!!! Tonight’s topics include: Life is too short so why not enjoy itChallenging yourself to learn something newNot re-inventing the wheelFree your mindNo mistakes many opportunitiesBeing and encourageMusic as recovery therapy

When I creted the concept of the Epoerment Zone I had a vision of a hub or a place on the World Wide Web were people with all types of disabilities could meat, exchange Ideas, and make plan for a better kind of future. That Idea is here Today! So It is my greatest hope that people with all types of disabilities will come in and join into rhe mix because if all 56 Million people with disabilities could ever come together with one voice we could change the World!!!! Powerd by the (Americans with disabilities act) ADA, Centers for Independent Living all across the USA which are the largest Cross disability Agencises in the Nation are here to Advocate for a brighter future for all people with disabilities everywher so lets get the show on the road ad put the pedal to the medal!!!

.Welcome to another episode the Brain Injury Roundtable. I am your host, Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of 32 years; author of the original brain injury owner's manual entitled From The Ashes. This innovative guidebook was featured on Super Bowl XXXIV. Miller is Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury.com.  Also joining us will be Tai Campbell, my invaluable contributor who is a tireless community activist, and founder of Taken Back Our Community (TBOC) http://www.tbocnow.org. Also of note he is the survivor of an incredible history of childhood brain injuries.   I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, or your mobile device wherever you are around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of http://www.TBILaw.com . The Brain Injury Roundtable is a place for Ideas, discussion, and recovery for people seeking solutions, to bridge the gap between understanding brain injury and insights on how to change life for the better so be prepared to hear some great information to motivate and inspire us and change the world. The main reason we are tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be.

Denial is an unrealistic hope that a problem is not really happening and will go away by itself. We all have a natural inclination to rearrange our experiences to fit a positive image of ourselves. This manipulation allows us to preserve our personal integrity, and makes us feel secure. It goes on undetected because it takes place in the private corners of your mind.      When the demands of life require capabilities that seem to exceed our resources, when we feel the threat of loss and exposure, we experience anxiety. In an effort to avoid the pain of anxiety, we practice the deceptive art of denial.  Denial is an unrealistic hope that a problem is not really happening, and will go away of itself. It is an attempt to put distance between ourselves and our experience, and protect ourselves from the threat of danger. In its many forms, denial acts like a pain reliever. The practice of denial is an attempt to ease the discomfort of anxiety by a subtle and ingenious twist of attention.  Denial can become your worst enemy. It diverts your attention, and decreases your mental efficiency by way of trade off. As long as you refuse to accept the truth of your situation, you must of necessity, refuse to give it your attention. Instead you will pay attention to every possible manner of distraction you can employ to support your denial. Are You Guilty Of Deceiving Yourself?

Welcome to another episode the Brain Injury Roundtable. I am your host, Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of 32 years; author of the original brain injury owner's manual entitled From The Ashes. This innovative guidebook was featured on Super Bowl XXXIV. Miller is Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury.com.  Also joining us will be Tai Campbell, my invaluable contributor who is a tireless community activist, and founder of Taken Back Our Community (TBOC) http://www.tbocnow.org. Also of note he is the survivor of an incredible history of childhood brain injuries.  I'd like to thank all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, or your mobile device wherever you are around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of http://www.TBILaw.com The Brain Injury Roundtable is a place for Ideas, discussion, and recovery for people seeking solutions, to bridge the gap between understanding brain injury and insights on how to change live for the better so be prepared to hear some great information to motivate and inspire us and change the world. The main reason we are tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be.  

Internationally published in numerous anthologies, including the bestselling Cup of Comfort series, award-winning author Louise Mathewson has always written about the sacred moments in everyday experiences. Today, those experiences hold even deeper meaning. Her book, A Life Interrupted: Living with Brain Injury,  is a collection of transformative poetry chronicling her emergence from a coma following an auto-accident in which she suffered a serious Traumatic Brain Injury, her recovery journey, and triumphant return to her writing career. Writing poetry became her lifeline. A Life Interrupted: Living with Brain Injury speaks to all who face the daily physical, emotional and spiritual challenges of living with any life-changing physical or mental health condition, including the family and caregivers who support them. Louise believes that writing is healing and research supports that. She also loves sharing resources that she found helpful in transcending trauma. Louise, who holds a Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago, a Bachelor’s in Latin, is a lover of words. She used to facilitate support groups for children of divorce, alcoholism, and grief, teaching children healthy ways to express feelings of loss. Louise is a passionate advocate for the many who face the daily physical, emotional and spiritual challenges of living with a disability. http://www.pearlsong.com/alifeinterrupted.htm, A native of Chicago, Louise lives, writes and advocates from her new home in Sarasota, FL. Her website is www.louisemathewson.com.

It's October of 1993 in Hawaii. A drunk driver hurtles toward a bend in the road.  From the opposite direction, accomplished advertising creative and triathlete Phil Slott takes a routine drive. As he eases into the bend, he meets the drunk driver skidding into the wrong lane and, in one second, Phil's life takes a dramatic turn. As he struggles to stay alive in the ICU, Phil's organs, bones, and much of his brain are broken. What he and everyone else come to realize is that his creative drive and passion remain intact. And these abilities serve as the foundation for his arduous yet inspiring road to recovery. This is more than his story. Written in collaboration with his wife, Mary Spears, Damage Control: A Brain Injury Survivor Helps You Beat the Odds, is a tough-love conversation and guide for those who have survived a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is intended to help other survivors regain hope and quality of life. Available on AMAZON more info: http:// www.philslott.com. Welcome to another episode the Brain Injury Round Table. I am your host, Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of 32 years; author of the original brain injury owner's manual entitled From The Ashes. This innovative guidebook was featured on Super Bowl XXXIV. Miller is Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury.com. Also joining us is Tai Campbell, my invaluable contributor tireless community activist, and founder of Taken Back Our Community (TBOC) http://www.tbocnow.org. He is the survivor of an incredible history of childhood brain injuries. I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, or your mobile device wherever you are around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of http://www.TBILaw.com

People with disabilities are some of the coolest most resilient people in the World and yet I as a peer certified councilor often run into a lot of people with disabilities who are feeling week and tired or have the blues. I am going to say to that it’s time for a change of mindset and discover your opportunities to success!!! The Empowerment Zone was created just for that purpose and to help you discover a whole World of opportunity exists out there in the realm of the Independent Living Movement and that its time to shoot for the Stars now and take life head on and begin to live it no matter what disability you may have! Tonight’s Topics will include: The power of Music as a recovery toolPositive ways of developing New SkillsEmpowering your own lifePeer Support and Advocacy and why we all need itOpen floor open Mic    

Welcome to another episode the Brain Injury Round Table. I am your host, Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of 32 years; author of the original brain injury owner's manual entitled From The Ashes. This innovative guidebook was featured on Super Bowl XXXIV. Miller is Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury.com. Also joining us is Tai Campbell, my invaluable contributor tireless community activist, and founder of Taken Back Our Community (TBOC) http://www.tbocnow.org. He is the survivor of an incredible history of childhood brain injuries. I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, or your mobile device wherever you are around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of http://www.TBILaw.com Our guest tonight  is Martha's daughter, Mia Dalene Marcum-McCoy, Her book Phenomenal Brain Power: from brain injury to brain awakening is an inspirational account of her journey to reclaim her life after a 2001 brain injury in a car vs bicycle collision. She recalls awakening to an altered sense of self and a need to fine meaning in the chaos that her orderly, purpose-driven life had become. Her dream-life took a bad turn on that fateful day in 2001. She was the epitome of the millennial woman; newly divorced, mother of two, bright well educated and well positioned to succeed in her career.  An undiagnosed concussion turned her life upside down and turned it into a cruel caricature. Slowly and painfully she came to terms with the need to create a new dream, a new life and a new self. Phenomenal Brain Power is both a roadmap and journal of the trip of a lifetime.

Welcome to another episode the Brain Injury Round Table. I am your host, Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of 32 years; author of the original brain injury owner's manual entitled From The Ashes. This innovative guidebook was featured on Super Bowl XXXIV. Miller is Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury.com.  Also joining us will be Tai Campbell, my invaluable contributor who is a tireless community activist, and founder of Taken Back Our Community (TBOC) http://www.tbocnow.org. Also of note he is the survivor of an incredible history of childhood brain injuries.   I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, or your mobile device wherever you are around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of http://www.TBILaw.com The Brain Injury Round Table is a place for Ideas, discussion, and recovery for people seeking solutions, to bridge the gap between understanding brain injury and insights on how to change live for the better so be prepared to hear some great information to motivate and inspire us and change the World. The main reason we are tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be.

Welcome to another episode the Brain Injury Round Table. I am your host, Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of 32 years and Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury.com  I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, your mobile device wherever you are around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of www.TBILaw.com.   Also joining us is Tai Campbell, founder of http://www.tbocnow.org, tireless community activist, and survivor of childhood brain injuries . Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about domestic violence, football players and Post Concussion Syndrome, PCS. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be.  One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be. Please call in (424) 243-9540 and tell us a little about yourself, your TBI; how it happen and how things are going at this time and we'll put our heads together and offer the benefit of our experiences and hopefully in all of that we'll find solutions that work for you. Tonight's format is "Brainstorm."

 Freedom For All - The Empowerment Zone - Les Paul Morgan It emphasizes the empowerment of individuals with disabilities to take control of their lives to the maximum extent possible. The person isn’t a patient, but a consumer that controls the services that are consumed. When I created the empowerment zone, and disability round table shows I had some of the things I was talking about such as an International Network which is a much larger venue to share the independent living movements mission statements to people all around the world so that true inclusion for all would no longer just be a dream but instead a reality!!! That’s the hope and reason I wanted to create this series of shows to expand everyone’s knowledge including my own for the greater good of society, much as great leaders Martin Luther King, Ed Roberts, Justin Dart, Judy Heumann, and oh so many more unsung heroes of the independent living movement have done! Tonight I sit here two days from the edge of eternity, which means on December 18 I will have survived 30 years of severe brain trauma and yet as I sit here I want you to all prepared to join with me in a celebration of life, confidence, empowerment, strength, struggle, mobilization, and getting prepared for 2015 – 2014 is whining to a close, yet there is still a chance for great change. Now!!! The purpose of the empowerment zone is to strengthen you to learn more about your disability rights and heritage to go boldly where no man or woman has ever gone before with a disability to brightly you the future and be part of the change so come with me here on The Empowerment Zone with Les Paul Morgan if you would like to call, dial 424-243-9540 press the number 1# if you’d like to speak. I’m also doing show on Thursday Night to have a lot of fun music, and friendship here on the brain injury radio network, the largest support group on the Earth!  

I’m a certified peer support specialist for people with disabilties and a multiple brain injury and aneurysm survivor as well as a survivor of several related operations and procedures. Together, I hope we can bridge the gap to inclusion for everyone with all types of disabilities and that you will be willing to call in and share your stories and ideas on The Empowerment Zone with Les Paul! I work for a Center for Independent Living which are community-based, cross-disability, non-profit organizations that is designed and operated by people with disabilities. CILs are unique in that they operate according to a strict philosophy of consumer control, wherein people with all types of disabilities directly govern and staff the organization. Centers for Independent Living Provide: Peer SupportInformation and ReferralIndividual and Systems AdvocacyIndependent Living Skills Training The Empowerment Zone is a place for all people with any type of disability to come and learn and find common ground and solutions to help empower people with disabilities to find their inner strengths. This is a positive show based on the IL philosophy which is independent living for all people wishing to better their lives by learning to take charge of their destiny and living their dreams through the independent living movement. Two years ago I came up with the concept for the Empowerment Zone after also hosting on the brain injury radio network show Dream Catchers for over three years now as well. Not only is the independent living movement very cool, but it’s a way of thinking differently with a disability with bold ideas and a brave new future using the core services of Iindependent Living. If you would like to call in and talk dial 424-243-9540 and press one if you’d like to speak because that shows me your hand is up!  

Tonight - two old timers with brain injuries - Constance Miller and Ken Collins will share lessons they have learned during their recovery process.  Combined - Constance and Ken have almost 80 years experience living with brain injury.   Their lives have never been the same since their brain injuries but now through their self-help efforts have overcome many of the pitfalls people with brain injurie face everyday.  Constance and Ken want to share with you some tips that will make living with a brain injury easier.  They would also like to hear from you about how you are doing and what you are experiencing.  Come join the round table conversation with Constance and Ken because they wouldn't be here without you.     Everyone has something to learn after brain injury and your experience is valued, respected and worth learning from. There is more than one way to accomplish something.   Constance and Ken want to hear from you on what ways you have found to make your life easier and overcome the hardship of brain injury. Your information is critical to help others and we want to hear from you tonight!  Come share your story and help everyone with a brain injury learn from what you are going though.  We want to hear from you!!!!

Call in to speak with the host (424) 243-9540 Welcome to another episode of Brain Injury Network. I am Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of more than 30 years and Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury. I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, your mobile device wherever you are all around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of TBI Law.com Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about domestic violence, football players and Post Concussion Syndrome, PCS. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be. Nor do they understand the relationship between a history of concussion and domestic violence. One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be. Please call in (424) 243-9540 and tell us a little about yourself, your TBI; how it happen and how things are going at this time and we'll put our heads together and offer the benefit of our experiences and hopefully in all of that we'll find solutions that work for you. Tonight's format is "Brainstorm."

Join Constance Miller, Ken Collins, and Les Paul Morgan this evening for another exciting evening of discussion on brain injury topics in the Empowerment Zone. I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, your mobile device wherever you are all around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of TBI Law.com Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about domestic violence, football players and Post Concussion Syndrome, PCS. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be. Nor do they understand the relationship between a history of concussion and domestic violence. One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be. Please call in (424) 243-9540and tell us a little about yourself, your TBI; how it happen and how things are going at this time and we'll put our heads together and offer the benefit of our experiences and hopefully in all of that we'll find solutions that work for you. Tonight's format is "Brainstorm."

Join Constance Miller, Ken Collins, and Les Paul Morgan this evening for another exciting evening of discussion of current disability topics in the news, hopefully Ken Collins will be speaking about his trip to the APRIL independent living conference for people with disabilities that he just got back home from a couple of days ago and share with us some of what he learned. The disability round table was born out of a need for inclusion for all people disabilities, but especially to bring people together to discuss more on what we can do to change the world around us for people with disabilities. To call in to speak with the host (424) 243-9540 You can also join the chat room by going to Facebook and typing Brain Injury Radio Network Facebook and created password and username and you can join in on the chat. So the more the merrier as we all come together to change the world one person at a time, one survivor at a time on the brain injury radio networks disability round table please join us. Sincerely, Les Paul Morgan

Welcome to another episode the empowerment zone. I am Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of more than 30 years and Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury. I'd like to thank: all our listeners for bringing our voices, to your home, your mobile device wherever you are all around the world. Additionally, I’d like to give a big thank you to this show’s sponsors: Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES and Gordon Johnson, attorney of TBI Law,com Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about domestic violence, football players and Post Concussion Syndrome, PCS. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be. Nor do they understand the relationship between a history of concussion and domestic violence. One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be. Please call in (424) 243-9540, and tell us a little about yourself, your TBI; how it happen and how things are going at this time and we'll put our heads together and offer the benefit of our experiences and hopefully in all of that we'll find solutions that work for you. Tonight's format is "Brainstorm."

Executive director David Morrissey, MPS the US International Council on Disabilities will speak about‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities CRPD) and the importance of it to all people with disabities now in 2014! The United States signed the CRPD in 2009. On December 4, 2012 the United States Senate considered the ratification of the CRPD but fell 5 votes short of the super majority vote required. The media coverage of the Senate’s failure to ratify the disability treaty has been overwhelming and the CRPD’s Senate leaders remain committed to bringing the disability treaty up in the 113th Congress. What is the “Disability Treaty?” The Disability Treaty (known as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,“CRPD”) is an international treaty that was inspired by U.S. leadership in recognizing the rights of people with disabilities. Why should the Senate vote for ratification? The Senate needs to fight for the 57.8 million Americans with disabilities, 5.5 million disabled American veterans, and the 1 billion people with disabilities around the world and vote to ratify the CRPD. Who supports ratification of the disability treaty? Ratification of the CRPD is supported by hundreds of disability organizations, civil rights groups, faith organizations, veterans groups, and major business groups including the Chamber of Commerce.

Refreshingly honest, warm and down-to-earth, Cheryl Kempf connects with those who hear her tell her story of survival.  Cheryl watched the normal life she, her husband and children had  dissolve, including losing most of the use of her right hand and right foot, the result of a traumatic brain injury sustained during a hospital stay.   Today, Cheryl is thriving both professionally and personally, having immersed herself in making a difference in the lives of the disabled on a number of fronts.  She is Chair of the Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council for the state of Texas. She also shares her story with audiences in an effort to inspire awareness and motivate change. Cheryl is an author of two published novels, one of which was inspired by her father and his role in her care during her recovery. The book is called See Ya and can be found on Amazon.com or in Ebook format. Cheryl enjoys the peace and healing of spending time with her horses and rides on a limited basis.  She lives in the Texas Hill Country with her family and a horse named Hallelujah. You can reach Cheryl at [email protected]

Tonight Ken Collins, Constance Miller and LesPaul Morgan will talk about their latest efforts to improve the quality of life of people with brain injuries and other disabilities.   LesPaul will talk about the conference call he was recently on with former Senator Bob Dole speaking about supporting the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Les Paul and Ken Collins work at independent living centers that provide independent living services for people with all disabilities free of charge.  Ken Collins will discuss his latest attempt to create brain injury prevention activities with Major League Baseball (MLB).  Last week on his birthday, Ken sent MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, a letter asking him to make him the MLB Ambassodor for Brain Injury Prevention and Recovery.  Ken has worked with MLB in past years to create brain injury prevention and awareness activities.  Ken has had MLB support but has yet to create the means to accomplish this goal.  Constance will talk about her Super Bowl Success Story and the Brain Injury Resource Center she created and brain injury legislation she develolped in Washington.   Come join us in the fun!    

The Empowerment Zone - Creativity after dis/ABILITY - With LesPaul Did you know there are thousands of people with disabilities working all over the United States and in other Countries fighting to help ensure a better future for people disabilities? Well, there are! The Empowerment Zone Was created to help people with disabilities find the resources, services, and learn the skills that it takes, after having a disability to help empower yourself to reach your goals and live your dreams no matter what! I Am a Certified Peer Support Specialist And a survivor of multiple brain injuries, aneurysms an AVM, a coma, and survivor and multiple rare surgeries. I don't think lightly of the fact that there are many people with disabilities living in deep poverty and neglec with out work. I say our time is now 2014!!! I Work for a Center for Independent Living Called Walton Options for Independent Living which a place where we use the four core services of our center which are 1, Information and referral, 2, Advocacy 3, Independent Living Skills 4, Peer Support. In these four core services lies the meat and potatoes of the independent living movement, which is people with disabilities powered, community inclusion based, and a federal mandate in all 50 states and US teritories based on the civil rights for people with disabilities act, known as the ADA the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are fighting for our rights and standing strong and firm in the belife that all people are created equally and reclaim ourselves as people of pupose as we strive to help others to get out of nursing homes, to work in the community, to get out of sheltered workshops, to bring down the Iron Curtain of dismay in disability, and start holding accountable the agencies that are supposed to support us and start taking control of our destiny. Now as survivors as people who struggled and fought for victory and face the challenge!

The Empowerment Zone Was Born Out Of the Dream of Inclusion for Everyone Everywhere Living with a Disability who wants to feel Empowered and feel the strength of living life to its fullest again after disability! The show is hosted by Constance Miller, Ken Collins, and Les Paul Morgan. Please call in and share what empowers you are a few need to find the steps to empowerment or finding a life worth living. After disability If you live In the USA dial 424-243-9540, or toll free 855-473-3711 if outside the USA dial 202-559-7907 toll free. On demand listening available minutes after live show ends 24/7/365! 

This is a once in a life time chance for all people with disabilities CRPD Passes Out of Foreign Relations Committee; Community Call! The Empowerment Zone With Les Paul on BIRN 7pm to 10pm Pacific Time 10:00 pm until 1:00 am Eastern Time. If you live In the USA dial 424-243-9540, or toll free 855-473-3711 if outside the USA dial 202-559-7907 toll free. On demand listening available minutes after live show ends 24/7/365! We want to make sure that people with disabilities have a voice and this treaty will dramatically if passed would be a game changer for the over 1 Billion people with disabilities everywhere!!!! Level the playing Field Around the World for people with disability to provide Equality, and Justice for people with disabilities Worldwide, Be Treated the same as everyone else, Live as Independently as possible in the Communities around the World and create better opportunities for people with disabilities every where on Earth!!! Advocates from across the country came together today to share their thoughts and feelings about what could help pass the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Call Took place on July 23rd, 1 PM Eastern 2014. But our work is nowhere near done! Your Senators need to continually hear from you and understand that you support CRPD! Show that the community is behind this treaty, and that we want the process to keep moving forward. Sen. Reid also needs to hear from US that we want a floor vote now! You can visit USICD’ citizen action portrait: www.disabilitytreaty.org to call your Senators! They must hear from the independent living movement now are we will not succeed. Be an advocate and help this get done because people all around the world are working on this and we must see it through. Sincerely, Les Paul Morgan of the Empowerment Zone Disability Round Table!

Hello, I am Constance Miller, brain injury survivor of more than 30 years and Managing Director of Brain Injury Resource Center, located on the Internet at http://www.headinjury. I'd like to thank: all our listeners; Martha Marcum, mother of a brain injury survivor and author of MARTHA'S FABLES  bringing our voices, to your home, your mobile device wherever you are all around the world. Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about football players and head injuries and Post Concussion Syndrome. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be. One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's discussion. The plan is to learn from one another and to educate one another about TBI and its aftermath. We know personally just how a traumatic even a concussion can be. Please call in (424) 243-9540, and tell us a little about yourself. Tonight's format is "Brainstorm." So, call in (424) 243-9540 and tell us about your TBI; how it happen and how things are going at this time and we'll put our heads together and offer the benefit of our experiences and hopefully in all of that we'll find solutions that work for you.  

Tonight,  Ken Collins will talk about his work at the San Juan Center for Independence in Gallup, New Mexico,  creating independent living opportunities for people with brain injuries.  Ken, also conducts a weekly peer support group for people with brain injuries that is modeled after his recovery process and the quality of life he has gained. Support isn't always what we "get" from others - but also what we "give" to improve our condition instead of waiting and hoping our condition will improve.  Ken has been living with a brain injury for 38 years and has learned many ways to make his life easier after his brain injury.  He would like to share his experiences and lessons with you to make your journey easier and have life be less complicated for you and your family. 

  Tonight I am going to be asking everyone to put on their collective thinking caps and help me create a list of what it takes for each of us to become as Independent as possible while at the same time dare you all to be different and create a road map to recovery, prosperity, and live a stronger goal oriented life no matter what your disability no matter what you have been told you can’t do!!! It’s time for survivors to find their strengths and passions and then start taking control of our destiny and start living and enjoying life in ways we could have never Imagined before so get ready and see the future now by being a part of the solution now!

The Empowerment Zone exists to help people living with disabilities evrywhere find the inclussion and Independence to get out and start living your Dreams to the very best of your ability no matter what road blocks life has tossed in your path way the Empowerment Zone exists to be a guide to help manuver throgh life using Independent Living Centers and the ADA guide to help you navigate through it with the lessons and laws that were created to prottect us und the Americans with disabilities a=Act! Les Paul Morgan.

Have you ever sustained a brain injury have you ever known anyone who had a concussion? These days there is a lot of talk in the media about football players and head injuries and PCS. However, the general public doesn’t really understand how serious a seemingly minor concussion can be. One of the main reasons we’re tackling this topic this evening is that even a seemingly minor concussion can have life-long, life altering consequences. And that is the topic of tonight's broadcast. Many of our listeners know personally just how a traumatic a concussion can be.

Tonight,  Ken Collins will talk about the role the limbic system plays in brain injury recovery.  The limbic system controls our emotions, personality and where fight or flight response is centered.  Why don't more people know about this and why isn't the limbic system better understood by people with brain injuries since emotions, personality changes and anger can play such a big role in the lives of people with brain injuries?  Maybe if people with brain injuries had a better understanding of the limbic system our lives might be a little easier and our quality of life would be improved.   

I have known our guest  Kirk Tomas the founder of Outdoors Without Limits for several years now. He is an amazing disabilities advocate as well as a survivor him self and In his words... We’re about creating outdoor recreation opportunities. And, we’re all about doing it through teamwork. This person-to-person bond fosters hope, confidence, self-esteem and independence in people with disabilities. And   for our non-disabled partner, we see spirits change through the life changing experiences we promote,”                 - Kirk Thomas, CEO & Founder of Outdoors Without Limits. Did You Know... • 65 million people in the U.S. live with a disability. In 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a national survey. Findings showed just over seven million disabled people participated in wildlife-related recreation; 11% of the disabled population compared to 39% of the non-disabled population that participate.

The Empowerment Zone’s disability round tables Mission is to boldly encourage and motivate people with disabilities to reach out and learn how to live life as independently as possible, while learning about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and us working to change society’s views of people disabilities along the way and that means all of us everywhere getting involved! Tonight we want to discuss what we as persons with disability can do together to build stronger empowerment zones all over USA and around the world to help build a brighter and bolder future for people with disabilities to take charge of their destinies and live a self-directed meaningful life and that means inclusion in life and every way. So join us in a discussion on The Empowerment Zones Disability Round Table! My name is Les Paul Morgan. I work for Center for Independent Living, which strives to help people disabilities feel inclusion in their lives in every way. There is a Center for Independent Living in all 50 states and US territories and beyond! The four main core services of an independent living center are: Advocacy, Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills, and Peer Support The Empowerment Zone’s Mission statement is to boldly encourage and motivate people with disabilities reach out and learn how to live life as independently as possible, talk about the meaning and the purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and work to change society’s views of people disabilities along the way and that means all of us everywhere getting involved!

Once I began to function again after my first Brain Aneurism I felt so far from perfect that I would try to do something over and over again only to get stuck in this same spot without feeling like I was making  any progress at all! I say let’s get it all together and show the World what people with disabilities are capable of doing and create a bold new future for everyone everywhere!!! It is my greatest hope to inspire and empower people with disabilities to take a bold stand and dare to make a difference right now not some time in the future! So I challenge you to come in to the chat room or call in and share your Ideas and solutions here Tonight on the Empowerment Zone  

Jill Kennon Edit profile details Jill Kennon [email protected]      Tonight Ken Collins, will be speaking with Jill Kennon about the indigenous healing conference she participated in at New Mexico State University last week and her  experiences with the brainwave optimization, and other modalities that address TBI health and recovery. What worked, what didn't, over the past decade. Identity issues and dealing with getting assistance. How proving how bad your condition is to get the level of care you need obstructs healing. How to interact with that in a positive, productive way. Is there life after breakfast? How to reclaim yourself. Health care concerns can swallow us up heart mind and soul. We will discuss ways to make it easy. Avoiding getting lost in stemming over survival. I want to excommunicate myself from the future and past!  Meltdowns and strategies with strengthening thresholds.  Jill has been living with her brain injury for 35 years and my 37 years years living with a brain injury should offer listeners with many ideas and ways to increase their independence and improve their lives.

The empowerment zone was created to help break down barriers of injustice for people with disabilities, to create new relationships throughout the community with everyone, and help people with and without disabilities come together and bridge the gap and begin building hope and community inclusion for all now! Acceptance not altering people with disabilities is what we are fighting for!!! Survivors start becoming thrives! I had to fight my way back to society and reality which took many years. It felt like the entire world outside of my family was against my own existence. But you know what? There are well over 400 centers for independent living in the United States and its territories that are fighting for your right to live a life of dignity and prosperity. No matter what your disability!!! No matter what hardships you may be facing or I have faced it’s time to be proud and feel in a bold that you’ve made it this far with a disability and now proudly go where no man or woman has ever gone before, which to me means a life of hope, prosperity and kindness and employment for all! I am proud of who I am now despite my disabilities. I don’t want to be healed because everything that can be done has been done to help me recover so for people out there that don’t understand or for mothers and fathers who feel they have failed because their child didn’t work out the way they wanted. It’s time for us to take a stand up for our rights under the ADA. I mean it study the ADA so we actually understand the laws that can protect us! We just want the rights to live our lives and work and live in the World just like everyone else so join in tonight in the discussion on the Disability Round Table on the Empowerment Zone.

You know for many years now as a survivor of multiple disabilities and as an employee at a center for independent living, which literally teaches people how to become independent, no matter what kind of disability. No matter what has happened in your life. I am still amazed at the amount of people that just don’t get it! The empowerment zone was created to help break down barriers for people with disabilities, to create new relationships throughout the community with everyone, and help people with and without disabilities come together and bridge the gap and begin building bridges of hope and community inclusion for all now! Okay, I’ve had a big chunk of my brain removed. I had to fight my way back to society and reality which took many years. It felt like the entire world outside of my family was against my own existence. But you know what? There are well over 400 centers for independent living in the United States and its territories that are fighting for your right to live a life of dignity and prosperity. No matter what your disability!!! No matter what hardships you may be facing or I have faced it’s time to be proud and feel in a bold that you’ve made it this far with a disability and now proudly go where no man or woman has ever gone before, which to me means a life of hope, prosperity and kindness and employment for all! I am proud of who I am now despite my disabilities. I don’t want to be healed because everything that can be done has been done to help me recover so for people out there that don’t understand or for mothers and fathers who feel they have failed because their child didn’t work out the way they wanted. It’s time for us to take a stand up for our rights under the ADA. We just want the rights to live our lives and work and live in the World just like everyone else so join in tonight in the discussion on the Empowerment Zone

The Empowerment Zone Disability Round Table Brain Injury Awareness Month - ADA, Disability Rights, and you!  The hosts are Ken Collins, Costance Miller, and LesPaul Morgan. The Empowerment Zone was founded on the belief that all people with any disabilities of any kind deserve a fair chance to succeed. Just like anybody else. So tonight I want to encourage you disability or not to come find out what it takes to be made of the right stuff and live with a disability as independently as possible! In USA: 424-243-9540 Toll Free USA: 855-473-3711 Or around the World: 202-559-7907 We would like you to call in with questions, comments and ideas for improving the show because we are we family and believe in big bold ideas to change the world for people disabilities in fact, that’s why the empowerment zone was created. Centers for Independent Living are non-residential, community-based organizations, governed and staffed by people with disabilities, that offer a wide variety of services to consumers with disabilities and their families. Brain Injury Survivors need to learn abouth the rights and laws that are in place and desighned to protect them so call in and join in the discussion Tonight!!! The foundation of these services is the peer-to-peer relationship, where people with disabilities act as mentors for other people with disabilities, showing them by example how to help themselves and to live independently. The core services that CILs provide are: Individual Advocacy and Systems AdvocacyPeer CounselingInformation and ReferralIndependent Living Skills Training Depending on the needs of the communities they serve, CILs may provide other services that vary from one center to another. For more information contact the center nearest you.

Explore the reasons why some brain injury survivors receive top shelf services and others are abused and exploited. Can you believe that this goes on in plain sight and has managed to escape the notice of the authorities that are supposed to protect them. Is this a new tradition or is it business as usual, and what some outraged families are doing about it

Marching up to freedom - the Empowerment Zone - with Constance, LesPaul, and Ken Here are some of the attributes I feel that a great disability leader should have. If you noticed I didn’t number my suggestions from 1 to 10 there is a method to my madness and yes I purposely left some of them out so we can work on them together during my my show. Having the Ability to inspire survivors, by learning theAbility to Delegate, create new goals, to motivate survivors, Taking Charge of our destiny,using Communication skills by having a Sense of Humor, having the confidence to do anything by having non judge mental positive attitude, and commitment to developing and using our skills, A commitment to see a task through to the best of our ability, and use our creativity and Intuition. The Empowerment Zone exists to help people with disabilities learn a new and better life after disability and remember the ADA and Independent Living Centers exist to help you navigate the and learn new skills to help you become as Independent as possible and feel the inclusion as provided the Americans with disabilities act!  

Tonight on the Empowerment Zone Les Paul Morgan will interview Tracey Miller about her brother’s journey to receiving the care he needs and the rehabilitation of brain injury businesses serving him. Also under discussion will be the outrageous prices these companies charge to warehouse individuals with brain injuries and talk of another congressional investigation of the brain injury industry. On Monday 7PM Pacific services continued Brain Injury Radio will talk about how in one state their liscens was taken away for abuse and neglect and sexual abuse, the state took its own liscen away for state ran services how that works.

The Empowerment Zone disability round table – Stop stifling Independence by bullying people with agencies whos job is to assist in our goals of inclusion Independence and help us live as a free people! How bullying can stifle independence, be it person-to-person or agency to agency people with disabilities need to take a stand now and take charge of our destiny. Together, starting today! The Disability Round Table on The Empowerment Zone exists to help spread ideas to increase independence and help people with disabilities live as independently in the community and work and live life to the fullest every way! The hosts of the show are Ken Collins, who works at San Juan Ctr. for independent, Constance Miller, a published author and longtime head injury advocate, and Les Paul Morgan Walton options for independent living, brain injury, and aneurysm survivor advocate. Together we offer a wealth of knowledge on brain injury and other disabilities. We want to be the solution not shut away in isolation, we need to be leaders of the programs not watching them from afar and work together to bridge the gap for people with disabilities everywhere so join us in our just cause as we go all over the United States and around the world on the disability round table and empowerment zone! We encourage all people with disabilities, other disability agencies, and concerned citizens to come be a part of the disability round table on the empowerment zone to help people of disabilities overcome obstacles in life challenges become over comers and movers and shakers in the disability movement!

Tonight - Ken Collins will interview VetLikeMe creator Hardy Stone. Hardy is a nationally recognized writer who received his first brain injury at West Point in 1978. Hardy worked with Justin Dart on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and worked at the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service and Center for Mental Health Services. Hardy was elected as first vice-president of the National Head Injury Foundation Survivor's Council in 1988.   Hardy is a dynamic individual with years of experience helping people with brain injuries.  

Empowerment Zones Disability Round Table will be about defeating the Day after Christmas Blues and turning it into a positive life changing way of life! So get ready to rumble for 2014 for defeating the Negatives of disABILITY and turning your own Empowerment Goals and Moments! for the coming new year! Lets all get ready for some really inspiring goals that we can work on together Tonight so call us and join in on the conversation because Constance, Ken, and and me Les Paul are here to inspire you to greatnesses and help empower you to do great things in 2014. We will also have an open discussion on topics in the news today and take you phone calls so call in and let us know whats on your mind to!