In this discussion with Cynthia we both share this analogy of the 3D layered web for what brain injury feels like.

What that 3D layered web means, in my opinion, is that with brain injury your internal states have many brain injury problems that interconnect and influence one another and every moment of life. The layers are the different problems, the web is the interconnection. and it's 3D because it impacts so much of your internal states.

Cynthia explains this interconnected web as much as is possible, and she shares a great deal. For example what her brain injury problems were like, what "self care" looks like in terms of the importance of sleep, rest, proper diet, and exercise but of course this is "nervous system" care with brain injury. That distinction is pretty clear in this recording.

Cynthia explains her views on these factors and how self compassion and feeling her emotions when she needs to let that pressure out is a great perspective that can help others learn how to manage all the hardship that comes with brain injury.

Cynthia has a podcast called Moms With Concussion. She explains how she has learned to handle so much of brain injury as a single mother. I did an episode with her, we get into a lot of “unique” to brain injury topics. Here is a link to that discussion:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/navigating-the-complexities-of-brain-injury-with/id1728525928?i=1000729311455

Cynthia and I also discuss the evolution of brain injury and she explains, how she made effort to learn ways to manage and improve her concussion problems. That effort and concussion education is what helped shape her efforts to improve, it wasn’t just random that she got better, she had to work towards that goal.

This process that leads to improvement over time is something Cynthia lays out, and I agree with her strategies based on my experience. That is an important take away for anyone thinking about brain injury and what factors are important to help improve over time.

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Experiencing My Brain is a podcast devoted to detailed discussion with brain injury survivors about their experiences, problems, and ways that they have found to navigate their lives. These stories are important to help the non brain injured world make sense of the problems that come with brain injury.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared in this podcast should be looked at as the views of brain injury survivors and not as medical or clinical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care professional with any brain injury problem.

Maria is a severe TBI survivor that works as a therapist to help other brain injured people. She is also the co-host of the brain injury podcast called TBI TMI. Check out her podcast with Zach here:

https://www.youtube.com/@TBITMIpodcast

Maria has had a long recovery from a horrible accident and shares a great deal in this discussion, ways to think about unique to brain injury problems including how hard it is to function in the early years, the value of routine, the value of doing 50% of what you plan (to avoid fatigue and over-exertion). We discuss her internal emotional state, feelings like her mind was not her mind, and her body was not her body, and so many other brain injury problems that are truly hard to imagine.

Maria's story emphasizes the importance of support and how seemingly small efforts in the beginning of one's journey can grow into larger abilities. Also the importance of breath work, working towards independence, and just getting a few things done each day. These efforts are immensely challenging after a brain injury.

We also discuss the progression and perspective changes that come with years of work to improve and make sense of one's own problems.

Maria did a great talk in my Building Brain Awareness talk series about sensory issues and how they interact with other brain injury problems like interaction with other people, and advocacy for brain injury. The interaction of brain injury problems is something that often goes unnoticed. Check that talk out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhbPRxF76ig&t=3212s

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Experiencing My Brain is a podcast devoted to detailed discussion with brain injury survivors about their experiences, problems, and ways that they have found to navigate their lives. These stories are important to help the non brain injured world make sense of the problems that come with brain injury.

- - -

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared in this podcast should be looked at as the views of brain injury survivors and not as medical or clinical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care professional with any brain injury problem.

I met Zach through his brain injury podcast that he does with Maria called the TBI TMI podcast. https://www.youtube.com/@TBITMIpodcast

In this discussion, Zack shares the details of his brain injury, he explains the various sensory problems he has to deal with and all the other life, work, and support problems that come up because of brain injury.

The title of this episode - Self Talk, Extra Filters, and the Value Of Finding Someone Who Gets It - refers to all the ways that Zach has had to adapt and learn how to manage his brain injury problems. We discuss what he has learned from his podcast cohost, Maria who had a sever TBI years before Zach.

I was a guest on the TBI TMI podcast and we discussed parenting challenges with brain injury.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWniiawxtng&t=258s

- - -

Experiencing My Brain is a podcast devoted to detailed discussion with brain injury survivors about their experiences, problems, and ways that they have found to navigate their lives. These stories are important to help the non brain injured world make sense of the problems that come with brain injury.

- - -

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared in this podcast should be looked at as the views of brain injury survivors and not as medical or clinical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care professional with any brain injury problem.