With the holiday season upon us, I thought it would be a great time to highlight some of my fellow TBI authors!

Each week I will host a Facebook Live video chat with an author. We will discuss their book, their journey, and what they’re up to next!

All you need to do is “like” my Facebook page so that the videos will pop up in your newsfeed!! All videos will be recorded and available on my page afterwards as well, however, if you can make the LIVE video you will have the opportunity to ask Q’s of the author and myself! www.facebook.com/facesoftbi 

All times are CST (+ 1 hour for EST and  -2 hours for PST)
Click on book titles to see more about the book.

Mon. Nov. 20th 10:30am 
Cavin Balaster — “How To Feed A Brain”

Tues. Nov. 21 6:30pm 
Cyndy Feasel — “After the Cheering Stops” 

Mon. Nov. 27th 10:30am
Carole Starr — “To Root and to Rise”

Mon. Dec. 4th 10:30am
Dr. Michael Lewis — “When Brains Collide”  

Tues. Dec. 12th 10:00am
Amanda Smart — “Grit”

 Mon. Dec. 18th TBD
Nick Dennen — “23: Time to Choose”

Concussion Awareness Day proclamation from Governor, Mark Dayton in Minnesota

Friday, September 15th was National Concussion Awareness Day  and I am proud to say that I received a proclamation from Minnesota Governor, Mark Dayton declaring it so!

I had so many great festivities going on for NCAD, and I left for my trip to Baltimore the day afterwards so I am just now getting around to sharing them with you!

First of all, I had Dr. Stephanie Mills and her daughter, Brooke Mills on my podcast series. Brooke is an 18 year old in NH who struggled through high school with a concussion. Last year she had the 3rdFriday of September declared National Concussion Awareness Day!!

You can listen to the episode: National Concussion Awareness Day Sept. 15th with Dr. Stephanie & Brooke Mills

Amy and Jeremy with the guys from Clear Edge

Additionally, Dr. Jeremy Schmoe and I held an Open House at his clinic: Minnesota Functional Neurology DC. He has helped me so much in my recovery over this past year, my hope is that everyone can find a doctor like him to snuff out their lingering TBI/concussion symptoms.

The amazing guys from Clear Edge were in town from Syracuse, NY and helped Jeremy and his staff do baseline testing in conjunction with NCAD as well! I wish I had had a baseline when I had my accident and I am passionate about this company and what they stand for in the world of concussion. More on that coming soon in a Huff Post article 🙂

Last but certainly not least, I was interviewed by Dr. Stephanie on her radio show “Half Hour to Health” on 107.7 WTPL The Pulse. She had me on to talk about my concussion journey as she extended NCAD through the weekend in NH! You can listen to the full episode below!

How did YOU celebrate National Concussion Awareness Day?!?

With Andy Wayne, Director of Marketing at Communications at MWPH

This past week I was on the road to Baltimore, MD where I had the pleasure of meeting with the amazing folks at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH). 

They brought me out so that I could write a feature story on their amazing “Adventures Abilities” program, which allows some of their youth brain injury patients to attend a 10 day camp in Park City, UT.

I had the pleasure of interviewing six of their staff members:
– Dr. Richard M Katz, Chief Medical Officer
– Christy Sands, Senior Physical Therapist
– Dr. Joseph E Cleary, Pediatric Neuropsychologist
– Susan K Dubroff, Director for Rehabilitation Services
– Lindie A McDonough, Abilities Adventures

Interviewing Lindie McDonough, Director of Abilities Adventures and School Liason

And learning more about the hospital and their different programs:

• Asthma and Respiratory Disease
• Balance Clinic
• Behavioral Health
• Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation
• Center for Neonatal Transitional Care
• Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation
• Concussion Assessment and Management Program
• Dermatology Clinic
• Developmental Evaluation Clinic
• Diabetes Clinic
• Endocrine Clinic
• Feeding Disorders
• Gastroenterology
• Lead Treatment Program
• Learning Assessment Center
• Neurodevelopmental Services
• Nutrition Services
• Orthopaedic Services
• Pediatric Complex Care Program
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Pulmonary Clinic
• Sleep Center (The Johns Hopkins Pediatric Sleep Center at Mt. Washington)
• Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies
• Center for Weight Management and Healthy Living

Christy showing me their NeuroCom balance testing machine they use on all concussion/brain injury patients

I was beyond impressed with this hospital, which is a step-down hospital (meaning they have already been hospitalized and are now coming there to prepare for going back home). The entire staff is so incredibly kind and caring, and they have an amazingly high retention rate. They truly care about their patients and want to see them succeed in life. Once a child leaves the hospital, they continue to keep in touch with them!

The Abilities Adventures program is currently open to individuals who have been part of their brain injury rehabilitation program. All of the  staff I spoke with have had interaction with these kids at one point or another during the course of their stay, and as I mentioned before, they truly care about them.

Everyone was incredibly knowledgeable about concussions and brain injury, and I wouldn’t hesitate to send someone I know to this hospital.  If you’re familiar with my story and the amount of doctors I encountered who did nothing to help me, I am quite the critic when it comes to hospitals and clinics — and I give these guys an A+!

With Alicia Cignatta, Outreach Director for the BIA MD

Before I headed back home, I had a quick opportunity to meet the staff at the Maryland Brain Injury Association! Thanks to Alicia Cignatta, Outreach Coordinator, for reaching out to me on Twitter to connect!

I also had the pleasure of meeting Caitlin Exline Starr, Manager of Support Services, and Bryan Thomas Pugh, Executive Director.  They all took time out of their morning to come in early to meet with me as it fit into my busy schedule! I had a wonderful time chatting with them, and hearing about what they’re doing in MD!

Experience Life magazine ran a full-length feature on concussions in the Sept/Oct issue which is on news stands now! This magazine is produced by Lifetime Fitness and reaches 750,000 paid subscribers plus 2.3 membership subscriptions delivered to their mailboxes every other month!

Read the PDF online HERE. 

I was asked back in January if I would be willing to share my story with their circulation of almost 3 million print readers, and I was thrilled at the opportunity to help create more awareness around the topic that is near and dear to my heart (and head)!

The spread turned out absolutely amazing, and you can read the full article HERE in PDF form. They did a great job tying my experience in along with how functional neurology helped me in my recovery after 2.5 years of dealing with doctors who were dismissive and just didn’t understand concussion/TBI. We also shared the spread with the greatness of Dr. Bennet Omalu, which is a true honor! As well as a shout-out to LoveYourBrain yoga!

A huge thank you to Michael Dregni for his talented writing skills and the most enjoyable interview at a local coffee shop in Saint Paul.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my story and continue to raise awareness of this invisible injury that affects 2.8 million Americans each year, and is the leading cause of death and disability in the World. The more outlets we have to share our story, the more people we will reach. If even just 10% of the subscribers read this piece — that would truly be some serious advocacy at work!

Thank YOU for being a part of my journey!!

You can listen to my podcast here: www.blogtalkradio.com/facesoftbi
Read my Huff Post articles here: www.huffingtonpost.com/author/amy-zellmer-634
Purchase my book on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2g7Zi5s

Depression and apathy are symptoms of brain injury, and all too often overlooked and dismissed by the medical community.

Before my brain injury, I don’t recall suffering from depression or anxiety or sleeplessness. Except for the occasional butterflies in my stomach before a big presentation, or not being able to sleep the night before a big trip that I was excited about.

For the past two weeks I was in a deep, dark funk. I cried at the silliest things, I felt emotions swell up to the surface, and I had zero tolerance for others. I kept myself locked away in my house, not wanting to inflict my funk on anyone else. I avoided self-care and hygiene as it consumed too much energy and apathy kept me paralyzed in place with a lack of motivation to get things done.

Casual acquaintances tell me “oh that sounds like PMS” or “you must be peri-menopausal” or “it’s just the moon cycle, I get like that too”.

This drives me absolutely crazy!!!

I know ME better than anyone, and I can tell you that I have never experienced this prior to my brain injury. It’s an all-too-common side-affect from hitting my head — scrambling the motherboard so to speak.

I haven’t felt this dark since the first year after my accident. The first year was filled with more days in a funk than not, but has since leveled off. So this particular episode of funk caught me off guard. I would start feeling better after a few, and then slip back down into the hole of despair.

If you’ve never experienced it, it’s super complicated and hard to comprehend.

People assume one should be able to just “get yourself out of it” and shake it off, but it’s truly not that easy. I am a positive person and know the exact steps one ‘should’ take to bring yourself out of a funk, yet when I am in one it’s SO freaking hard to do. Apathy (a neurologic problem that causes one to lack motivation) gets the best of me in times like these.

I’m pretty sure I know what tipped it off … I had traveled to Washington DC to lobby for healthcare, followed by another trip to Columbus, OH for the Concussion Health Summit in which I spoke for 3 hours the first day, plus talked with a lot of other attendees and vendors.

I pushed myself too hard, and my body shut itself down to conserve energy.

In the early days after my injury, I wouldn’t shower for days. You have no idea how much energy taking a shower and getting dressed takes, until you have limited supplies of it. It was such a daunting task … and I would NOT say that this was depression — this was simply a lack of energy issue.

And that is exactly where I think medical professionals get it all wrong.

They write us off as depressed when in fact we are just exhausted or overstimulated. They don’t understand that apathy is vastly different from depression. They try to put us on anti-depressants which alter the chemicals in our brains — which are trying to heal at that exact moment. Now, I am not saying meds are bad as some people truly need them. But in my case I knew they weren’t what my body needed, and I knew they would hinder my recovery.

Now, I am three years out and for the most part I have more good days than bad. I am feeling pretty good, even though I still need to nap and have had to learn how to pace myself. However, when I have pushed myself, my body, and my brain too far the funk returns.

I’ll say this again because it bears repeating, the funk “depression” is a symptom of my brain injury. It doesn’t mean I have mental health problems or that i’m unstable. It doesn’t warrant medications that will make me feel worse. It requires rest, self love, compassion, and maybe a box of chocolate (or two).

When you notice a friend or loved one with a brain injury start to pull away and become disengaged, this is a sign that they’re in a funk.

DON’T tell them to “get over it” or that they’re being lazy. What they need is support and acceptance. Instead, give them a big hug and tell them how much you care about them. Ask how you can help, or better yet, jump in and help (laundry, cleaning, making meals, etc). When we are in a funk these tasks become way to much for us, and then they build up over time making it that much more daunting.

Listen to my recent podcast on apathy
Read more of my work on Huff Post

Well this was certainly exciting news to wake up to! My “Faces of TBI Podcast Series” has been named one of the top 100 rising popular podcasts on the airwaves in a Huffington Post article by The Mary Simms Public Relations, #PRinfluencers . You can read the full article, and see all of the podcasts named HERE.

I take a lot of pride in my podcast series, and am thrilled to have it recognized.

My guests range from brain injury survivors, caregivers, healthcare providers, and authors. It has been receiving over 1,000 unique listens each and every month, and that number continues to grow as more people become aware of it! You can catch all of the episodes on Blog Talk Radio.

I began podcasting in about 2010 when I began Coaching other photographers and creative entrepreneurs  (you can still access those podcasts HERE).  The episodes were business related and I always had a blast doing them.

After my brain injury and wild success of my Huffington Post articles, I thought a podcast would be a natural addition. As I know many survivors who have trouble reading, I thought a podcast would be a benefit for many, and something they can listen to anytime, anywhere. I keep them to 30 minutes or less, as I know how the attention span of a TBIer works.

I have been doing my current podcast just over a year, and have 29 episodes recorded. I am always looking for amazing guests, and if you are interested in being considered, you may reach out to me through email or the contact form of my website.

Peace & Glitter and Yorkie kisses!!

You know the saying “Fake it till you make it”? Well, that’s how I fell when I have important meetings and interviews amidst a headache.

We’ve had some crazy spring weather here in Saint Paul, 70 one day then 40 and rainy the next.

And THAT, my friends, is what is a called a barometric pressure DROP. It wreaks havoc on my neck and head.

When my neck gets tight it shoots up through my head causing headaches and eye problems, it also flares up my speech timing problems and slows down my cognitive processing speed. It’s so frustrating, because I can technically “function” through it, but man will I crash afterwards.

I had two important interviews yesterday as well as a coaching client. I put on makeup and nice clothes and went about my day like normal people do. I probably blended in quite well. And if you don’t really know me, you wouldn’t necessarily notice the slight droop on my left side, my crazy “concussion” eyes, and the timing in my voice. But I notice it. and I know it’s still there. Heck, I feel it and live it, right?!

That’s the frustrating part of having an invisible injury. No one knows that you’re actually struggling just to get through the hour long conversation that you’re required to do. No one knows that you’re head is throbbing and you want to cry. No one knows that you’re going to go home and crawl into bed in a dark room and sleep for 3 hours before getting up for an hour and then going back to bed for the night. No one knows because on the outside we seem fine. 

The photo in this post is one that I took yesterday during my headachy day. On the left it shows how well I am at smiling and faking it. On the right is me feeling like my head is going to explode – yet I look relatively normal. Only someone who knows would even notice the face droop or the eyes.

Speaking of eyes … I learned some really great stuff at the Minnesota Brain Injury Conference last week, and created a short video to share with you some of my notes. I think you’ll really enjoy them. Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/amyzellmer/videos/10154307126031300/

Today I participated in the #DisabilityMatters Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol.

As part of the week-long “Disability Awareness Week” and the kick-off to “Brain Injury Awareness Month” (March) the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance is hanging their “Unmasking Brain Injury” project in the North corridor.

I was asked by KSTP TV if I would talk about my mask and what it represents to me. You can see the full article on their site HERE.

The entire Unmasking project — 1,000 masks in total — will be on display on April 1, 2017 from 3-7pm at the Earle Browne Heritage Center.

Watch my 10 seconds of fame in the video below!

The Brain Injury Association of America has announced Brain Injury Awareness Day as March 22, 2017 at our Nation’s Capitol in Washington DC.

This event is hosted by: Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D NJ) and Congressman Thomas J. Rooney (R FL), co-chairs of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

It is FREE to attend, everyone is welcome, and no registration is required.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10am-2pm Brain Injury Awareness Fair
Rayburn Foyer, First floor, Rayburn House Office building.
2:30-4:00pm
Brain Injury Briefing
Gold Room, 2168 Rayburn House Office building
5:00-7:00pm
Reception celebrating Brain Injury Awareness Month
Gold Room, 2168 Rayburn House Office building

The very first Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill was held in 2002, and is is hosted by the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force co-chaired by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Thomas J. Rooney (R-Fla.). It is put on in partnership with the Brain Injury Association of America. I will be meeting with my Senators while I am in DC and asking them to join the Task Force!

How YOU can help — even if you’re not able to attend in-person in Washington DC:

1. Find your local Senator and Representatives:
– To find your Senator you can visit www.senate.gov and click on your state
– To find your Representative you visit www.house.gov and enter your zip code in the upper right hand corner
2. Send them a letter requesting they join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. Use this letter as a template (change out the RED highlighted areas). CLICK HERE FOR PDF
3. Include this form for them to join the Task Force. CLICK HERE FOR PDF.
4. Schedule a meeting with them while you’re in DC (if you’re attending).

Please contact Amy Colberg, Director of Government Affairs, at acolberg@biausa.org if you would like assistance with scheduling meetings with your elected officials during Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill.

This year will be my third time attending BIA Day, and I wanted to offer my fellow survivors who are planning to attend some tips on planning out your day!

Amy with Senator Pascrell at BIA Day March 2016

Amy at Argosy University with several of her fellow Brain Injury Advisory Council membersThis year will be my third time attending BIA Day, and I wanted to offer my fellow survivors who are planning to attend some tips on planning out your day!

Amy with the members of ADAPT Clubhouse in Washington DC 2016

Map Your Route
Whether you’re arriving by Metro, Taxi, or car, it is important to do your research and know where you’re going. Make note of which building you need to be at, and program the addresses into your GPS using the “walk” option, or print out maps and highlight your path. NOTE: You will need to go through security screening to enter any of the buildings at the Capitol. You can not bring in food or beverages, and your bags will be scanned and/or checked by hand. Please be prepared, and feel free to tell security you have a brain injury and may need some assistance from them.

Plan Your Schedule In Advance
Understand how much energy you’re willing to exert and plan accordingly. If you can only give yourself and hour or so, I highly suggest you put your energy towards the Awareness Fair. You will be able to meet with vendors who support brain injury awareness, you’ll meet fellow survivors, interact with the Brain Injury Association of America, and pick up some free swag to take home with you! The Congressional Briefing can get a bit long, and can be over stimulating to listen to, however, you will learn a lot and get updates on what is happening across the country with brain injury awareness, detection, and prevention. The Reception is a fun time to hang out with the new people you have just met, as well as eat some tasty treats.

Wear Comfortable Shoes
It’s important to understand that there is a lot of walking involved when you’re at the Capitol. You will walk from your car, Taxi, or Metro stop to the building, and also between the buildings. Distance is deceiving when you look at a map, so it’s good to be prepared for a lot of walking!

Stay Hydrated & Eat A Snack
Eat a healthy breakfast before heading out. Hydration is critical to brain health, so bring a water bottle and fill it up once you’re through security. There is also a cafeteria located inside the building where you can purchase beverages as well as a meal or snacks.

Bring A Notebook & Pen & Tote Bag
You will likely meet a lot of wonderful new people, and you’ll want to grab their business card and/or make notes. You will be taking in a lot of new information, and I suggest writing things down so you don’t forget, and make notations of things you want to follow up on. A tote bag will come in handy to carry around the free swag that you pick up (pens, etc).

Pace Yourself & Be Prepared For Overstimulation
Get LOTS of rest the night before. This is going to be a busy day with lots of people, walking, and interaction. Bring with you any comfort items you may need such as sunglasses and earplugs. Take breaks and pace yourself, you’re under no obligation to see it all and do everything on the schedule!

HAVE FUN!

Here is a recap of the first BIA Day I attended in March, 2015 on Huffington Post: CLICK HERE

Please consider donating to my GoFundMe Campaign to help cover my costs to get to Washington DC this year … where I am also speaking at the Virginia Brain Injury Conference, as well as Argosy University and two Clubhouses. CLICK HERE for more information.

Amy with her Senator Al Franken in Washington DC