Cranium Crunches

FROM RUTH: We are stronger together. I know that sounds a little trite, over-used, and a bit corny. None-the-less, there is no question that healing after a brain injury / stroke is smoother with help. Possibilities open up because help provides: Two perspectives to understand what is unfolding in front of you both. Two heads to figure out where the path leads. [ 156 more words ]

The Power of Two: Creating a Partnership in Healing FROM RUTH: We are stronger together. I know that sounds a little trite, over-used, and a bit corny. None-the-less, there is no question that healing after a brain injury / stroke is smoother with h…

It takes two weeks of repeating a behavior to form a habit. Those new habits can, in some cases, change how you see yourself and how you interact with the world. Think about this: After two weeks of repeating a behavior, perspective and approach can fundamentally change. Repeat that behavior long enough, and that new way of acting and reacting becomes part of who you are. [ 593 more words ]

Calendar Envy: Strategies for Living It takes two weeks of repeating a behavior to form a habit. Those new habits can, in some cases, change how you see yourself and how you interact with the world. Think about this: After two weeks o…

Focus is so hard. Insightful and useful piece from Mary Bird Lanzavecchia

Piece by Piece I’ve been up out of my seat so many times this morning, I’ve lost count. I sit down to write but suddenly realize I need more coffee. I get up, refill my cup, and scan the fridge for a snack despit…

Great research supporting an effective compensatory strategy for light sensitivity -- colored glasses!

Colored glasses may provide light sensitivity relief post-concussion Following a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), patients may suffer from light sensitivity or photophobia, making it challenging to return to normal activities. A new study found wearing certain color-tinted lenses may be a good alternative to dark sunglasses.

Contributing to the body of knowledge!

Three ways neuroscience can advance the concussion debate While concussion awareness has improved over the past decade, understanding the nuances of these sports injuries, their severity, symptoms, and treatment, is still a work in progress. Neurologists and neurotraumatologists have reviewed the science of concussions and outlined several areas where neur...

Beauiful piece about the challenges of a brain that is not working perfectly from Mary Bird Lanzavecchia co-author of An Insider's Guide to the Injured Brain: A workbook for survivors and those who support them.

Setting Pride Aside FROM MARY: Over the years, I’ve learned to laugh at myself. I’ve learned not to take life so seriously, to let go of the small stuff and to focus of the big stuff that really matters. I…

This post is from insidersguidetotheinjuredbrain.com. FROM RUTH: As a general rule, it feels pretty normal to think of change as something to plan for. Even those huge feeling changes like changing jobs, changing perspectives, or changing where we live, happen gradually, over time. A brain injury — whether that is a stroke, a fall, a blast, or an accident — is not only an exception to that rule, but it also brings with it a whole new set of rules. [ 98 more words ]

http://craniumcrunches.com/blog/traumatic-brain-injurys-tbi-unexpected-unanticipated-changes/

Traumatic Brain Injury’s (#TBI) Unexpected, Unanticipated Changes This post is from insidersguidetotheinjuredbrain.com.   FROM RUTH: As a general rule, it feels pretty normal to think of change as something to plan for. Even those huge feeling changes like c…

Cool, game-changing research!

Mind-controlled device helps stroke patients retrain brains to move paralyzed hands: Device reads brain signals, converts them into motion Stroke patients who learned to use their minds to open and close a plastic brace fitted over their paralyzed hands gained some ability to control their own hands when they were not wearing the brace, according to a new study. The participants, all of whom had moderate to severe paralysis, showed sig...

Love the resources in this article! Thank you for including An Insider's Guide to the Injured Brain! Please share!

Ten Helpful and Engaging Books on Traumatic Brain Injury “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” If this quote from

It is so encouraging that researchers are now looking at changes in vision post brain-injury! Huge step and something we talk about in soon to be published An Insider's Guide to the Injured Brain!
Mary Bird Lanzavecchia

Post-concussion, peripheral vision reaction times substantially impaired A study from the University of Cincinnati reported that patients who sustained a concussion, followed by symptoms of visual dysfunction, experienced significantly delayed central and peripheral vision reaction times.

Spirituality fuels the brain!

Spiritual retreats change feel-good chemical systems in the brain: Changes may prime the brain for spiritual experiences More Americans than ever are turning to spiritual, meditative and religious retreats as a way to reset their daily life and enhance well-being. Now, researchers show there are changes in the dopamine and serotonin systems in the brains of retreat participants.

Every March, I find myself thinking about the brain injury journey. Right now the whole idea of recovery is front and center for me and so many I speak with. I was at a brain injury event a couple weeks ago and a young stroke survivor who, pre-brain trauma, was a teacher at a community college, asked me how long it took before I felt I recovered. [ 262 more words ]

http://craniumcrunches.com/blog/braininjuryawarenessmonth-march-musings-on-the-brain-injury-journey/

#BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth: March Musings on the Brain Injury Journey  Every March, I find myself thinking about the brain injury journey. Right now the whole idea of recovery is front and center for me and so many I speak with. I was at a brain injury event a couple…