Moving Forward

Kelly Aldrich had so many different diagnoses until she cannot count them all.  At age 51, she was finally diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).  Kelly was born in Seattle, Washington.  During her early years, she realized she was different. She suffered from bad rashes, eczema, peptic ulcers, panic attacks, and physical challenges.  At the same time, she was caring for her siblings after her mother’s health challenges.  Her intolerance of strong chemicals led to wheezing, breathing issues, migraines, rashes, and more.  Despite wearing leg braces for a brief period of time, she did join her high school softball team. After experiencing 26 migraine headaches a month, and severe burning pains in her hands and feet, her rheumatologist ran tests and told her, “That is just connective tissue.  There is nothing to hurt.” She tried to ignore her pain until she began to experience seizure like episodes. Her neurologist ran seizure tests, a brain MRI scan, and blood, urine, plus stool tests.  Everything came back normal. She did not know where to go next.  Pain medicines and migraine prevention medicines were advancing the side effects of her MCAS.   At the same time, doctors and family members were telling her to stop thinking about it.  One doctor even dismissed her until he realized he had mistakenly overlooked a positive test result.  Today, Kelly is the administrator of an EDS Facebook group.  She feels it is one of the best things she has done for her own help.  It has helped her transition from saying, “Suck it up buttercup.” to believing “This is it! Not tomorrow, not a year from now, live your life NOW because this is it.”

Dr. Felecia Harris is a dynamic professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, Sexuality, Health and Identity, Hip Hop/Popular Culture, and African American History.  She is a conqueror who has overcome many obstacles ranging from childhood "Money Bullying" to an excruciating diagnosis for her son to a blood pressure of 230/100.   After running her first half-marathon, 2 weeks later to be exact, she uncovered her Blood Pressure was sky high (230/100). She assumed I was healthy, but I was not. Initially, she took medication to get it down but there was no endgame for the medication.  So, she started to research natural remedies and food benefits.  Next, during a physical for insurance, she learned her glucose was elevated and she had already changed her diet.  She began to work with the full on-slot of medications/dietician, etc. Not bad in and of themselves but her gut said, "Wait a minute, do not do anything just yet,   Do your research."    Well, we know the research worked because today, Dr. Felecia Harris can boast of running in 19 half marathons and a full marathon.  Tune in to find out more about her story of Triiumph.

Our guest Steve grew up in Auburn, NY. Auburn is known for the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.  So of course he played baseball along with hockey while in school.  After school, he served our country in the US Military.  This is where he embraced the fact that there wasn't anything he could not do.  One day, Steve met with the school psychologist about his son.  The psychologist said his son's reading and writing were in the 5th percentile.  This did not make sense.  As their family sought answers for why and how this could be happening, they just could not accept the answers.  They knew there had to be something more. So his sports mindset kicked in and he started looking to build the right team.  Trying to find teammates who understood was exhausting   They had to be on the same page and moving in the same direction the doctors were pushing or the alternative path.  The bottom line is the military taught him that there was nothing he could not do.  His mother never gave up.  So, he and his wife were going to get the answers and solutions they needed together.  Hope arose after the first 24 hours after his son was on prednisone and he said his first sentence, "Mamita, do you know where my father is, can you tell him I love him."  Steve knew their son had brain inflammation.  They just did not know why.  After this miracle, everything else became a quest to understand how to move forward. Join us tonight for Steve's amazing story of tenacity, teamwork, hope, success, and purpose. Steve's favorite quote is  "You can fall asleep in my class if you want to, but the life you save might be your own"  

Nicole, a vibrant mother of four children pants for a living.  As a painter, balance, and precision are essential in her profession. One day she started to have headaches.  Since she was under a lot of stress, she initially thought they were stress headaches.  She tried to manage the pain but, it grew worse.  Soon afterward, she developed a wooshing sound in her along with extreme nausea and vomiting. She went to clinician after clinician, with the same response, "Your arteriovenous malformation (AVM) condition is inoperable."  On one hand, there were prayers and determination.  On the other hand, there was the reality check of probable stroke which might be fatal.  Her determination kept her talking about her health to everyone seeking a solution.  As a result, a customer overheard her conversation and recommended contacting her sons' physician, Dr. Patel in Boston. Nicole was unable to fly with AVM, so she and her mother drove 16 hours to Boston.  Twenty-four hours later, Nicole was AVM free.   Join us tonight on the Movcing Forward Podcast for Nicole's heroic story of faith and determination.  

Join us tonight with guest Todd Helton, father of three vibrant young girls. His oldest daughter is Ellie. Ellie experienced repetitive headaches and ocular migraines but doctors were not sure of her actual diagnosis. Doctors began to go through a checklist of items while Todd did a lot of research on the fly.  Fortunately, the doctors at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Children’s Hospital, took the time we needed to discuss what was happening and the options for treatment at every step of the process.  But time was of the essence and her aneurysm ruptured.  · An estimated 6.7 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm or 1 in 50 people.   - A brain aneurysm ruptures every 18 minutes. Todd Helton, along with the Bee Foundation and The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is advocating for the passing of Ellie's Law/ H.R. 902 in congress, for more extensive cerebral aneurysm research. Join the show to hear more -

  Antione "Terrell Midgett was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Terrell played basketball and football with all of his friends.   Friends called him the peacemaker with the agility of a jack of all trades to ensure everyone was happy.   Actually, adverse environments caused him to withdraw from the crowd. In Fourth grade, Terrell was diagnosed with vitiligo. The comments, stares, and assumptions were challenging.  Luckily the encouragement, strength, and security extended by his lifelong friends eased the pain during  tough times.   Despite  support from family and friends, his experience with getting a driver's license left an indelible mark that has inspired him to help others.  Even after working hard to develop coping solutions, he faced the risk of not getting his driver's license.   Along the way, Terrell has learned there is power in embracing his vitiligo diagnosis.   Terrell's sentiments are that many people want attention.  Today, people will pay lots of dollars for attention.   When someone embraces their vitiligo, it enables them to educate their audience about the condition and reduce stereotypes.   Informing others helps the person with vitiligo as well as their loved ones.  Vitiligo impacts persons with the diagnosis as well as those who love them. Keep in mind, Terrell still receives negative comments and withdraws from some crowds 38 years after his diagnosis.  Terrell has appeared on Spectrum News, and WRAL with Allen Mask to further promote Vitiligo Awareness. He is the founder of the Vitiligo Awareness Alliance with members from the midwest to the East Coast,  His interview will provide more information on their annual conference.    

Kimberly Muktarian is a Senior Consultant at Save Our Sons in Raleigh, NC.   She was born and raised in South East Raleigh, NC.   She grew up in a large, loving, and supportive family.  Her great-grandmother is one of nine, and her grandmother is one of thirteen children. They enjoyed weekend and holiday family road trips.   In 2007, her brother’s arrest began to challenge her perception of how we are building strong black men. She recalls as early as her high school years, seeing it much harder for her male classmates to ask for help.  After witnessing their overall disinterest in school (skipping classes, dropping out) they began to seek other means of income.   As a special needs educator, she began to seek solutions for the vast number of young men falling through the systems and misdiagnosed.  She just kept thinking knowledge of the core of challenges, truth, could circumvent later challenges for people who did realize gaps within their systems of support. She echoes Harriett Tubman’s “I could have freed more slaves if they knew they were slaves.” Today, Save Our Sons consists of victims and persons who will never be victims advocating for an end goal of parity, an understanding of core challenges and pathways to address obstacles that hinder achieving their goal.   

Kim King is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning reporter for WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. Her passion is reporting civil rights and civil injustice from stories of racism to murder. Kim grew up in Manhattan where she attended the all-girls school Chapin. Kim credits Chapin for shaping her into a strong woman.   She attributes her tenacity to her mother and calls her mother's common sense pearls of wisdom - “Alyceisms."   In 2015 Kim developed a small bump on her left lower eyelid that seemed like a translucent painless blister. Doctors told Kim the bump was harmless diagnosing her with a clogged oil gland. Over the years, the bump kept coming back. In 2019 the bump was coupled with a thinning eyelid and Kim’s lashes that began twisting and thinning.  Still eye doctors repeatedly assured Kim nothing was wrong.  In October, after getting diagnosed by Dr. Christina Chloe,  Kim underwent extensive Mohs surgery and lid reconstruction in Miami. She is still recovering.  Kim has documented her journey:   https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyKingReporting https://wlos.com/news/local/news-13s-kimberly-king-shares-her-battle-with-rare-form-of-cancer  https://www.carolinaeyemd.com/our-doctors/christina-h-choe-m-d/ https://organized31.com/basal-cell-carcinoma-lower-eyelid-surgery-recovery/

Tiawana Brown (Tia), born and raised in Charlotte, NC. High school cheerleader and track star with tons of family love and support which made Thanksgiving and Christmas an all time favorite. Her life took an unexpeted turn.  During her twenties she was arrested.  She spent 6 years in prison.  Today, she has the ultimate story of triumph and has turned her pain into purpose. Tia is a formerly incarcerated woman and a Board member/active member of the of The National Council.   Tia is the founder of Beauty after the Bars (BATB), a non profit organization based in Charlotte, NC- Mecklenburg County.  BATB provides mentoring, advocacy, education, and supports racial equity, and economic mobility for the communities that disproportionately affected and our most marginalized communities. BATB Supports the successful return of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated mothers, women, and girls.  Our mission and purpose of the organization is to provide education and advocacy to keep women, girls, and youth out of jail, prison, and the justice system.  Interrupts the school to prison pipeline   We assist women and girls released from prison and jail by offering programs and resources-through our collective partnerships with other grassroots organizations, SAVE, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, CMPD, and Mecklenburg County Detention Center. BATB also provides support and assistance for those that are currently incarcerated with reentry needs. https://beautyafterthebars.com/

#MOVINGFORWARD 8/21/2022 @10:00PM EST COACH KJ AND DR. V INTERVIEW Suicide Awareness Advocate Elizabeth Gerald  Marcie Gerald, the 2012 Pre-Teen Beauty Pageant State Finalist, an accomplished violinist, NBC prodcuers selection for a show empowering young girls, and community volunteer, smiled on the outside while grappling with pain on the inside.  The day after Marcy's 15th birthday, a gang member beat and then sexually assaulted Marcie, leaving indelible emotional scars. Marcy tried to scrub herself clean, but the emotional scars remained. She attended therapy, but it could not erase the core of Marcy's pain. The night before she died, she lay in her mother Elizabeth's arms and told her she loved her. After Marcie's death, Elizabeth developed The Marcie Jonea Movement (MJM) to address depression following brutal sexual assault. MJM's educational and mental health partners utilize the RULER Approach to optimize cognitive growth, relational growth, and creative growth. https://ycei.org/ruler-trainings#:~:text=About%20RULER,learn%2C%20and%20families%20support%20students. Most recently, Elizabeth Gerald has received a letter of condolence from Michelle Obama and the Presidental Award from the Biden Administration.   

In June, we will interview Chandelier Scoggins and her mother Rev. Jennifer Mclean-Russ. Chandelier has played soccer since age three. Chandelier was the middle child who never gave me any problems as a baby or as a child. Then, one day, while working in the Emergency Room, her husband called to say that the soccer ball had hit Chandlier in the face with her soccer ball and was under the concussion protocol. Afterward, she experienced headaches, light sensitivity, and nausea. Today Chandler is an OBGYN and bakery owner.  Chandelier credits her mother, Dr. and Reverend Jennifer Mclean- Russ, for her continued current progress. Dr. Mclean- Russ is a former Microbiologist, Registered Nurse, and Psychologist. In addition, she is a Christian-based counselor and community volunteer wife, mom, grandmother, sister, and friend at her home. Her list of memberships includes Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the American Nurses Association, and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.  Jennifer is the daughter of a stroke survivor and mother of Chandler, who is managing Post-concussion Syndrome (PCS).  Join us for their story of trials and triumphs.      

Sandra Dubose is a mother, award-winning, multi-talented Performing Artist, National Motivational Speaker, Author, and Host/ Producer of The Urban Parle' Podcast. She is also one of North Carolina's Beauty Queens - the 2011 Ms. Black North Carolina.  At the age of fourteen, Sandra experienced the first of several pivotal points in her life- domestic violence. She later developed alopecia and divorced the father of her two daughters. With each event, she experienced situational depression and suicidal thoughts, but one book and her strong faith helped her envision and pursue greater heights. Her favorite quote is "Life is not about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself." by George Bernard Shaw, Today, Sandra is a highly acclaimed Personal Development Coach success. Sandra is passionate about teaching life-changing principles that inspire confidence and build self-esteem in adults and teens' diverse audiences. Her inspiring personal story and accomplishments have garnered national media attention and have given her an honored place in history as the former Mrs. Black North Carolina. Sandra uses her powerful voice through words and songs to be the change she wants to see in the world, and she lets her bright light shine to empower others to do the same thing. 

Tyrone McMillian (Ty) is an engaging veteran whose story of missed diagnosis, triumph, and rediscovery of purpose will restore hope for many challenged with PTSD. Some memories can be indelible, hard to process and discuss.  At seven years old, Ty saw his mother get hit in the face with a half-empty crinkled-up beer can.  Ty kept this image along with other experiences inside and just continued to mask his pain.  He was not moving forward- he was just moving.  This continued until age 47, when his life blew up.   Ty and his Team developed a plan to help him move FORWARD.  The comprehensiveness and cohesiveness of his team helped Ty smile again.  His smiling again was HUGE, because Ty had not smiled since he was in the 4th grade. 

Two dynamic overcomers will share their journey of discovery, expasion and flourishment. 10pm Join Dr. Kesha Reed as she shares her very transparent journey: from feeling depressed after an extremely difficult divorce, dealing with suicidal thoughts during her darkest times, feeling alone and defeated to becoming an extremely confident woman of faith. Kesha reveals her mistakes and trials that allowed her to become more confident as her faith grew through her many challenges.  Kesha dealt with consistent failure in love before deciding to be intentional about her healing.  Kesha is a wife, Bonus Mom, daughter, friend, sister, educator, author, active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and entrepreneur who enjoys encouraging others as they seek to become better in every aspect of their lives. 11pm Join Dr. Shawn Dalton- Bethea. The year of 2019 expanded Dr. Bethea's insight on neurological assessment gaps and faith.   On January 5th, she was in a life altering car accident.  Her initial diagnosis was a concussion.  After months of slow recovery and a years of working for neurologists, she started to self-diagnose the worst.  Eleven months later, her new phsyican found the core of her pain and her new diagnosis was a brain stem herniation.  Her prognosis without immediate surgery was death, paralysis or stroke. Join Coach KJ and Dr. Valentina on the Moving Forward Podcast dynamic disucussion with Dr. Bethea.  They wil discuss Dr. Bethea's  jouney, new pain tolerance vs pain threshold  discerment and her overall victory.  

10:00 pm Sonya Sherer, a Clinical Research Associate, active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and avid reader with her daughter.   While traveling to Arizona for work, Sonya felt something strange.  Her aneurysm ruptured.  Only 50% of persons who experience an aneurysm rupture survive the experience.  Sonya loved her job as a CRA and she would have never expected this to happen in a hundred years.  Thoughts of not being able to remain the primary caregiver for her then nine year daughter, would consume her days.   Sonya has a powerful story of hope, rehabilitation and success.  11:00pm January 2022's Moving Forward Podcast guest will be four time concussion survivor, former football quarterback, childhood-onset fluency disorder overcomer and chiropractor Dr. Cliff Fischer. https://youtu.be/DgkzioNgJr0 His experience with and love of sports as well as dedication to athletes has been instrumental in his success. Join my cohost Dr. Valentina and I on Sunday, January 16th for the Dr Clifford Fischer Story.

Super Excited. December's Moving Forward Podcast guest will be the one and only Debbie Bogle. She is the Executive Director at United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, Executive Director of the Lisa Foundation, a Four Time Triathlon Competitor and  cerebral aneurysm survivor. Join my cohost Dr. Valentina and I on December 19th for the Debbie Bogle Story.

September 26th to meet Marcus Boyd.    Marcus went to six or seven of the best doctors.  They all told his grandmother “your grandson is basically walking around with no working brain function.” With the right mentor, Marcus Boyd now plays 8 instruments and is a successful DJ.    Marcus will share his story, 19 year journey, September 26th on the Moving Forward Podcast.  https://www.facebook.com/marcus.stroizer/posts/2836752013316452

#MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday, August 29th to meet Todd Whiteside.  suffered a brain bleed and subsequent surgery. Todd has beat the odds several times with the love and support of his family and former UNC Chapel Hill Football teammates. Todd’s story of perseverance will provide perspective and inspiration for listeners.  

#MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday, August 15th to meet Dianne Heeley.  Dianne suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm on Christmas Eve almost 24 years ago.  She loved her great career as a field representative for a large teachers union.  The future seemed uncertain.  She suffered from depression and  extreme fatigue. Then she found new interests and new success.  Hosted by Kellye 'KJ' Jones, CLC and Dr. Valentina M. Pacheco-Cornejo  

Our guest tonight will be Sam Seitles.  Sam is a retired professional wrestler, who was introduced into the world of brain injury during his career. His experience helped him realize it was time to make a change. He shifted his focus from Pro Wrestling to educating classrooms filled with young students,  Quickly, he became a favorite among his students with captivating and charismatic storytelling.  Today Sam owns his own school, hosts an annual summer camp, is a professional speaker and host of a podcast called The Nostalgia Cafe.   Sam's is an inspirational story of how we can turn our adversity into victory, and a surprise visit from NASM Antonio Vaughn (TBOLT) AWF Wrestling! Welcome to Brain Injury Radio Network & our program, Moving Forward (on the 3rd Sunday of each month). I'm your host Kellye “KJ” Jones, Brain Injury Survivor & now, Life Coach.  My Co-Host Dr. Valentina, a Clinical psychologist, is here to discuss the emotional aspects that coincide beyond our physical injuries! Moving Forward will host candid discussions with persons who have sustained brain injury, and certified clinicians who have assisted these survivors. Their insight on discovery, the line between pain tolerance, pain threshold and pathways to success - will provide hope and more options on how to build Momentum for a sustainable recovery!   For more on Kellye see: forwardlifecoach.com   For Dr. Valentina see: drvalentinapsyd.com    

Excited to Introduce to you to the Hosts of a new show in our line up called Moving Forward - 3rd Sun of each month! Kellye (KJ) Jones Was an active mom who loved to ride roller coasters, attend track meets, home school and teach bible study, KJ knew better than to let a little fatigue wear her down.  One night things changed. her headaches increased and her vision decreased.  After six weeks of doctor’s visits and testing, she was admitted to the Hospital for a coil and stent cerebral aneurysm surgery procedure.  Today, she is a Certified Life Coach and grant writer who believes “A day without laughter is a day wasted." Charlie Chaplin.  See: forwardlifecoach.com  Dr. Valentina is a licensed Clinical Psychologist from Chicago who is trained as a generalist psychologist to perform therapy and neuropsychological testing to individuals in English and Spanish. Dr. Valentina's interests include social/cultural and environmental injustices, the integration of spirituality in therapy, trauma work, and neuropsychological disorders such as ADHD, learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Brain Injury. See: drvalentinapsyd 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 good bit of Warrior! Hosted by Kim Justus, author of In a Flash: Miracles Here and Beyond and Hootie’s Hollow and the Magic Tree found at inaflash.org & "Like" me at facebook.com/inaflash.org too!