This past week I had the pleasure of attending the American Brain Foundation’s Fundraiser, “Standing Strong”. It featured an evening of camaraderie amongst supporters who want to find cure for brain diseases.

The highlight of my evening was meeting Ben Utecht.

Fun fact: Ben and I both attended Hastings High School (I may be a few years older than him) and we both have a TBI. Of course, he also has a Super Bowl ring and is a musician (I have zero musical talent).

Ben played for the U of M as a four-year starting player before winning a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. He would later be picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals, but suffered a career ending concussion in preseason practice in 2009. He is currently the spokesperson for the American Brain Foundation, which brings me much joy!

What struck me most about Ben, aside from his 6’6″ frame, was his genuine concern about my TBI. He sincerely wanted to make sure I was feeling well that evening and asked how my recovery was going. I was very touched by his concern and authenticity.

I told Ben I would like to give him a copy of my book, but didn’t want to make him carry it around all evening….. he graciously told me that wasn’t a problem at all and would love to read my book. I explained to him that I hope my book can help make a difference in the lives of TBI survivors, and bring awareness to their loved ones, as well as the medical community. I must admit, it was pretty exciting to see him carry my book around as he schmoozed with other attendees 🙂

After a tour of the TCF Stadium, we settled in for a few remarks from the ABF, followed by a touching remark from former United States Vice President Walter Mondale. Then Ben and his band played a wonderful concert for us, including a performance with his wife on the piano.

I was able to attend this fundraiser thanks to my best friend Simon, who works for RBC Wealth Management. One of RBC’s branch managers, Hal Tearse, was a sponsor of the event and was very kind to allow us to attend on his behalf.

At the end of the evening, Simon gave a generous donation to the ABF and received an autographed football from Ben Utecht and former U of M Gopher’s Football Coach, Jerry Kill. Coach Kill recently resigned as head Coach due to his health and Epilepsy (which is a brain disease). These balls are a few of the very last Coach Kill autographed before resigning last month.

It was a wonderful evening, and I am very grateful I was able to attend. I hope that having Ben as a spokesperson will help bring more attention to the severity of concussions and TBI, and that it will also lead to changes in youth sports.

 

I got some fancy new glasses this week! I figure if you have to start wearing new glasses, one may as well go for the hot PINK frames!!

 

Ever since my fall and resulting TBI 21 months ago, i’ve known something is “off” with my left eye. I had never been able to quite articulate what it felt like, other than “wonky” or “off” or “pulling” or “depth perception is off”.

I had been to my regular eye doctor who verified that my vision was fine and hadn’t changed. She suggested I talk with my neurologist. The neurologist sent me to the neuro opthamologist, who asked if I was seeing double. Since I am NOT seeing two of everything, my answer was always “no”. My eye, muscles, and tendons all looked healthy and fine so everyone brushed me off. It was SO frustrating because I knew something wasn’t quite right.

Because I love my regular eye doctor that I have been seeing for probably 11 years or so, I decided to circle back to her. I knew she would dig deeper into it and try to figure out my problem, or send me to someone else who might be able to.

Throughout my exam she kept asking if I was seeing double. I always answered with a “no” because I didn’t think I was. Well, color me silly. Turns out I actually was all along. However, it wasn’t traditional double vision and I wasn’t exactly seeing two of everything. My left eye (which is also my dominate eye) wanted to work overtime so that I don’t see two of everything, yet the muscles were tracking inward and causing me to see double. But because it was working overtime, I wasn’t traditionally seeing double vision. The “feeling” I was experiencing was severe eye strain from my eye working SO HARD all day long.

My fabulous doctor and her staff helped me pick out my fancy new frames. They are basically prescription reading glasses that I wear over my contacts for reading and computer usage. They help keep that left eye looking straight instead of inward, and offer it some relief from fatigue. I am noticing a major difference in how my eye feels after wearing these for just a few days! Especially while working at the computer.

Her hope is that as my brain heals, the eye issues will resolve themselves. She is also sending me to vision therapy (which I had asked neuro for MONTHS ago). It is frustrating that I was brushed off by everyone in Neuro, and that this issue could have been somewhat resolved months ago. But I am very thankful for Dr. Hurst and her amazing patience and extra time that she spent with me.

When you’re a photographer, and your livelihood relies on healthy vision, it is a huge relief to know that they “should” resolve themselves as time heals. Thanks again Stef for being a truly exceptional doctor!! And let this be a lesson to everyone out there to trust your feelings when you know something isn’t quite right, and to keep digging deeper for answers until you find them. I had almost given up, but felt so miserable I was determined to get an answer! (yay to being stubborn!)

 

It is with great joy that I can officially announce that my book is available on Amazon! If you have read the book, I would LOVE for you to leave a review on Amazon as well!!

Of course, you can also purchase the book directly from me on this site! Also, ask about bulk discount pricing if you are interested in supplying the book to your employees, support groups, etc.

Purchase or Review on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jagzeD

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being an AUTHOR at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis’ Book Fair. While at the book fair, I was interviewed by Communication Hero Radio, we talked about my book and a bit about my recovery. It’s a great interview, and is nice and short to listen to. I start at about the 6:40 minute mark: http://bit.ly/1PnIjpy

In other exciting news, my book is also now available on AMAZON!!! You can purchase yours here: http://amzn.to/1SDGFib 

 

I can not put into words how amazing my book launch party was! It was  held in Saint Paul, MN and there were about 50 wonderful people in attendance. I couldn’t have pulled this amazing evening off without the help of my friends!

I had the support of about a dozen great friends, 20 of my neighbors and 10 of my WOW writing group ladies. There were also a few members from my Tribe and a handful of strangers that are now friends!!

A huge thanks to my friend, Bruce, for emceeing the event. And to Belinda, April, Jill, and Kjiersten for being a part of my reading. And to Ann, Lori, MJ, and Heide for your help. And to Kirby and Kinsey for being super awesome helpers! And to Simon for being moral support and taking some snapshots for me!

It is an evening I will remember forever, and I couldn’t be more proud of my huge accomplishment (and my baby!)

 

I am very excited to announce that my book release party will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Saint Paul.

Doors open at 6:30, t
here will be a reading at 7:00 followed by food and drink (and fun, of course)! I will have copies of my book on hand for purchase, as well as my TBI Awareness bracelets.
You may also pre-order your book (and learn more about it) here: www.facesoftbi.com/my-book 

I am so incredibly proud of this book, and the purpose that I hope it serves in the world. It is a collection of my articles, most of which have been published on Huffington Post.
Having suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) last year after falling on a patch of ice and landing on my skull, I know how important the material in this book is for other survivors who feel lost, as well as their friends and family who need some guidance understanding what their loved one is going through!

Every 13 SECONDS someone in the United States will sustain a TBI….. those numbers are staggering! Chances are you know someone, or have suffered one yourself!

Thank you to my amazing community of support and encouragement throughout this amazing journey!! I hope that you are able to come celebrate with me on this huge milestone in my life!!

This past week I had been slacking on going to the gym. I was just too tired, I thought I was maybe getting sick. It then occurred to me that I was suffering neuro fatigue!! I had been putting a TON of energy and effort into getting my book finished and off to the printer, and my body finally said “enough!”

Since I started Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) a few months ago, the pressure in my head and the foggy feeling has mostly lifted, YAY! But without the foggy feeling, I don’t always notice the neuro fatigue, which is my brain saying “hey, slow down, lady!”.

Yesterday I was introduced to a woman, who was told I just finished a book about my life with a TBI. She asked when it happened to me and I told her it was 20 months ago. She then said, “Oh, so you’re all recovered now!” and I responded back with “no, but I am recovering.” To which she said, “but you’ll make a full recovery, right?” and I answered honestly, “Hopefully, but we don’t know for sure.”

I know she didn’t mean any malice when she made her statement, but I wanted to share this conversation to enlighten others. No two TBIs are the same. There is no “formula” for recovery. One person may have a simple bump on the head and be forever changed, while someone else may take a 10 foot fall and essentially be “fine” in no time. There’s no rhyme or reason, and this is why it is so important to bring awareness. It can take YEARS to recover, and many may never make a full recovery.