Faces of TBI

Brisa's story has been featured by several media outlets including; The Doctors TV Show, The Washington Post, Woman's World Magazine, FOX, NBC, CBS, and her #1 International bestselling book "Limitless." She also recently had the opportunity to become a TEDx speaker! However, while she believes that all this recognition is nice, this is NOT why she shares her story. It was nine years ago when she experienced a Brain Stem Stroke. As a result of the stroke she developed “Locked-in Syndrome” at 32 years old. Brisa was locked in her body and unable to communicate while facing the seemingly insurmountable odds of a less than 1% chance to recover. With less than 5 cases of L.I.S. reported each year WORLD WIDE, she was finding it very difficult to to remain hopeful. But through a series of small actionable steps, Brisa was able to defy all expectations and made a full recovery! Now, her passion lies in sharing her story to help others who may also feel stuck or locked in their circumstances. www.pinkymoves.com Find her book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/47N5hSq Enjoying this podcast? Consider supporting it with $5 through www.buymeacoffee.com/amyz

Cynthia, a skilled psychotherapist and social worker for 45 years, is a survivor of several car accidents over 55 years, causing whiplash and more severe brain injuries. In 2006 a surprise brain surgery at Stanford caused her to experience losses in her professional and personal realms, and she wants to help others to do better than merely cope with the effects of such trauma. Author of "The Courage to Trust" and guided visualizations. www.cynthiawall.com Find her book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/47W6y9q Enjoying this podcast? Consider supporting it with just $5 through www.buymeacoffee.com/amyz

Dr. Michael Hennes is a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist at The Neural Connection. He received his Doctorate in Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University, graduating with both his Doctorate and Bachelors’s in Human Biology. Prior to this, he studied Human Biology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Dr. Hennes currently holds a Diplomate in Functional Neurology from the American Chiropractic Neurology Board and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America. He has completed thousands of hours of additional post-graduate coursework. He has a special interest in neurological rehabilitation, neurochemistry, and nutrition and working with traumatic brain injury, concussion, vestibular disorders, and migraine disorders.https://theneuralconnection.com/about-us/ Enjoying this podcast? Consider supporting it with just $5 through www.buymeacoffee.com/amyz

Leigh Ankrum, the founder and director of the Ankrum Institute, is a craniosacral therapist and bodywork practitioner with 34 years of experience in teaching and private practice. Ankrum’s ability to bring decades of experience and education into a synergistic whole is the basis of the Institute’s curriculum. After training around the world - including studies in Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA - Ankrum brought together multiple systems and styles into one comprehensive program. Her knowledge of anatomy and physiology is deepened by her holistic understanding of the body’s organizing principles. By teaching manual therapy with myofascial work, visceral manipulation and craniosacral therapy, the Ankrum Institute trains students to become holistic, integrative practitioners. It is a fundamental change in bodywork that brings body systems together, practitioner and client together, and teacher and student together - fostering true partnership that leads to increased wellness.www.AnkrumInstitute.com Episode brought to you by Integrated Brain Centers Enjoying this podcast? Consider supporting it for $5 through www.buymeacoffee.com/amyz

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior. Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Skinner’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and offering workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond. Purchase her book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3sEeKf3 Episode brought to you by:Integrated Brain Centers Please consider supporting the podcast for just $5 month with aPatreon membership.

Deborah Charnes, one of the first bilingual certified yoga therapists, traveled the world to learn from a diverse group of gurus how to foster optimal well-being. She vowed to never stop learning—or sharing those life lessons. Her book, “From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram,” features some of her favorite, easy and accessible tools. Deborah has lived, worked, and studied in the U.S., Latin America, and Italy. A travel blogger since the early WordPress days, she has published 500 mind/body and lifestyle articles. Purchase her book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3qVy6vJ Episode brought to you by:Integrated Brain Centers Please consider supporting the podcast for just $5 month with aPatreon membership.

Ethan was facing a mathematical equation of 99% of death vs 1% of life with a high-risk surgery at Lancaster General Hospital. Ethan woke up and was declared a walking living miracle. Ethan graduated from Harrisburg Area Community College & Millersville University with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications. He received two Pennsylvania Commonwealth Citations, from Lancaster City Officials. He was Featured Front page of the Lancaster Newspaper (LNP), Inspirational story on WGAL TV, Millersville University the Snapper Newspaper, & The Southeast Times Newspaper of Lancaster, Pa, WiTF radio of Harrisburg, Pa. Ethan is the CEO & Founder of Ethan A. Poetic,LLC to empower people towards overcoming their adversities & hardships. He's currently a keynote speaker, life coach, Two-time college graduate, Self-Published Author, & former member of the International Lions Club. His Autobiography is titled "The Inspirational Story of Ethan A. Poetic: Chronicles of Adversities, Education, Sports, Relationships, & Resiliency." https://ethanspeaks.com/ Purchase his book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3Pm4C3k Episode brought to you by: Integrated Brain Centers Please consider supporting the podcast for just $5 month with a Patreon membership.

Elizabeth (“Liz”) Barbin is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network’s Portsmouth, NH location. Since joining the organization nearly 10 years ago, she has helped thousands of individuals who have experienced changes in their voice, speech, language, cognition and swallowing as a result of an acute acquired brain injury due to traumatic and non-traumatic causes as well as progressive neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. Liz provides custom care for each individual based on their unique circumstances. She is a contributing member of the organization’s Stroke Core Team and was the lead facilitator for the hospital’s stroke support group for more than five years. Liz earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of New Hampshire, is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, and is a registered Modified Barium Swallow Study clinician (MBSImP). Before finding her way to Speech Therapy, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from The Hartt School of Music-University of Hartford.https://www.northeastrehab.com Episode brought to you by Integrated Brain Centers Please consider supporting the podcast for $5 a month with a Patreon membership

Tricia Desrocher joined Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network in New Hampshire more than 35 years ago. A Physical Therapist by Training, Tricia also has a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and specialty certification in Stroke Rehabilitation. She has dedicated her career to the organization, its patients and to advancing brain injury care. This included providing patient care and staff mentorship at all four of the Network’s acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, serving as the Director of Program Development for the Brain Injury program and overseeing The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Brain Injury. All four hospitals initially achieved this certification in 2013 and have achieved recertification at every review since then. Today, she is the Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Planning for the Network, which also includes 20+ outpatient clinics and a Home Care division. She continues to sit on the Board of the Brain Injury Association of NH and is also a member of the Advisory Council for the Brain Injury Association of Maine. In her free time, Tricia also volunteers in her hometown community and enjoys time with her family. https://www.northeastrehab.com Episode brought to you by: Integrated Brain Centers Please consider supporting this podcast for $5 a month with a Patreon membership

Zoe McLean, MS,OTR/L, CSRS, CBISis an Occupational Therapist at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, an Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation Hospital with four locations in New Hampshire. Zoe has achieved significant specialty milestones as a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS) and Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS). She works with adults who have experienced life-changing health events such as a Stroke or Brain Injury. She is an active member of the Brain Injury Core Team and a fieldwork educator. She mentors clinical staff members across all disciplines and takes an active role in helping each patient achieve functional milestones and accomplish their goals while also advocating for essential resources to support their continued rehabilitation journey. Zoe is a leader in the area of behavior management and has presented on the topic at local conferences. She is also the New Hampshire Think First State Chapter Director where she focuses on educating youth about brain injury and brain injury prevention. Zoe graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and a Minor in Psychology. There, she was also a member of the Division I Women’s Gymnastics team. https://www.northeastrehab.com Episode brought to you by: Integrated Brain Centers Please consider supporting this podcast for $5 a month with a Patreon membership