Doing what I can to help others

TBI Raiders Two Day Experience

2012-01-26T01:01:00.002-06:00

I met with Dr. Elmore today about March. We went over the letters she had me write. The two day event in March will be on the 26th and 28th. We decided to name the event the TBI Raiders Two Day Experience. Dr. Elmore is checking in on a place on campus to have it and what time would be best. We discussed the give a ways to have. She's going to contact me about when we should meet next. I dropped off some stuff I ordered through Vista Print for the event. Then I also have some stuff set aside for Vo-Rehab. I also still have plenty of professional fliers that I ordered.

I met with an OSU grad student who is wanting to help with the statistics on Traumatic Brain Injury. I gave him a list of things I needed him to do and also gave him deadlines. Bonus? He said he knew of some friends he could talk to about getting involved. I'm working on the websites little by little.

Americans with Disabilities...Call to Action!

2012-01-03T16:20:00.002-06:00

The first caucus is tonight in Iowa. We need to see to it that our voices and our issues are heard. We need to stand UNITED this election! I believe it was one of the trips I went to D.C. I heard that those with disabilities can be the deciding factor in an election. BUT be careful because you can't vote for someone based on one issue. We NEED to think of who will best REPRESENT people of every kind of view. I know there isn't going to be an absolute perfect candidate. Go to the website Survived to Vote, http://s-2-v.yolasite.com, and take the surveys which are on there. Then print or copy/paste it on a word document and send it to me. We need to stand TOGETHER! LET'S DO IT!!!

Phew got a lot to do before January

2011-12-17T18:37:00.002-06:00

I am working on banners and small picture collages for TBI Raiders Week. I'm also going to work on my book some before the end of the year. I'm looking forward to Christmas. It will be Michael and I's 1st Christmas as husband and wife then I have a niece I get to spoil! I have a quiz created for youth and young adults living with disabilities to take. But I just need to get it on the Survived to Vote website first. I hate the cold weather! It makes it that much easier for my muscle tone to kick in!!! I don't really have to worry about having muscle spasms though. I'm so grateful for that. But it also depends on how much muscle tone I'm having to deal with. I'm trying to figure out how to best reach out to Traumatic Brain Injury survivors and their families in Stillwater. I really want them involved in TBI Raiders Week. Before anyone throws out the people don't like to tell others they have a TBI...duh, I know some don't. They wouldn't even have to tell others they had a TBI. The volunteers who have TBI could say they lived with a TBI or knew someone with a TBI without telling others they had the disability. But this week, TBI Raiders Week, is for the survivors!

Had a blast this last week

2011-11-27T21:53:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had the best Thanksgiving ever! I've been working on updating the website. Which is quite interesting to watch me do. My left side during the day doesn't give me problems but once the sun goes down, I can barely type a lot without my left arm breaking out into muscle spasms. While I can control my spasms to some degree, when I don't want to control the arm, it literally takes on a life of its own...rofl. I have spent majority of the day working on the websites. I would have rested and napped but my poor brain spent way too much time coming up with ideas of things to do and things I needed to correct. I haven't published the site just yet since I'm not done. I've been sending some tweets out to people and heard back from one state representative. I don't remember his name off hand but he said to remind him when it got closer and he would mention it in his column along helping with a donation and some items. But other than that the only day I won't be working ball games at OSU is tomorrow. So I will be spending most the day sleeping and getting on YouTube and watching/working out to some Tai Chi videos.

:D All Smiles

2011-11-03T22:46:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone is doing fine this evening as I write this. After doing months of serious thinking about the next TBI Raiders Week, I'm slowing getting into the preparation of getting things ready. First item on my agenda? Find volunteers. I really want to get volunteers with and without disabilities involved. BUT WAIT! TBI Raiders NEEDS Traumatic Brain Injury SURVIVORS to get INVOLVED. Hey with the fact no two TBI's are alike, I'm going to need help explaining all this...lol I'll be posting more up sometime tomorrow. I'm really wanting to get some speaking engagements set up this month. In part because on the 22nd it will have been 14 YEARS since I sustained a LEFT-RIGHT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. The only thing that runs through my head is I want to find all the doctors I had when I was a patient at Children's Hospital in OKC and go look at me now. lol Sometime take a look at http://raidersmembers.yolasite.com/tbirw.php

Pros Cons and the icky days

2011-10-07T12:12:00.002-05:00

What some people don't really get about me or well know about me is I do my best to be happy all the time. I've gotten to have some awesome days where I've gotten to be the person I remember being fourteen years ago well the matured version. Over the last several years I've started to pay a lot (probably too much) attention to my side effects. Whenever I get upset, sad, depressed or anything other than happy, fine or content, my paralysis would kick in, would sleep too much, would forget to eat, muscle spasms would just get all the more annoying. Well nearly fourteen years later have some really good days just about does the same thing. So to me I've just decided that my brain is no longer scrambled eggs. No its a jungle gym and when the nerve fails to connect where it needs to or whatever goes on in the head, I have to deal with a very crappy week...lol Very interested in seeing what the next fourteen years brings.

Lazy Day

2011-10-06T12:06:00.002-05:00

Jeez I went like several days sleeping and not really doing a thing. I could barely stay awake long enough to play my favorite games on Facebook. Today? I'm so disoriented. blah This morning I kept going back to sleep in the recliner hoping I would wake up with more energy and would be able to remember all the things I wanted to do today. Can't and I cannot stop yawning. It's so annoying to me. lol Put the last couple of weeks were awesome. Thankfully I have the powerpoint done for the NASA meeting next Thursday. I did that on one of my brainy days...rofl Well here's to hoping I can really "wake up" and STOP yawning. lol

:D All Smiles

2011-10-02T18:48:00.002-05:00

I have now had seven days this year that I went from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed with no side effects along with going throughout the day like I would have 13 1/2 yrs ago. I'm starting my second month of being on 20mg 3x a day of Baclofen. My spasms still rarely happen. My muscle tone is the only thing that bugs me...especially if I don't stretch my heel cord...lol.

When I use to try to do something fast with my left hand or well more specifically my fingers, I would break out into a spasm of some sort. During service today at church, Rev. Tobey had us tap our fingers and thumbs together. I did this with both hands quickly and never once had a muscle spasm!!! My left leg is hyper extending less often. I think it has to do with the kind of tennis shoes I wear. I am walking quicker and my leg is bending more to wear I can jog into a light run more often. Only thing I need to do now is make sure I take my inhaler more so I can have my asthma better under control.

Now if only it was this easy with finding a job. Dream job for me? Going around Oklahoma or to other states speaking about my type of TBI, recovery, what works for me, and about TBI Raiders. I'm very much looking forward to speaking at the next meeting for the Native American Student Association at Oklahoma State University about TBI Raiders Week 2012.

It's October! Time for Halloween!! Boo!!!

2011-10-01T12:14:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone is having a swell weekend. For me from October 1st to November 22 is party time for me. Why? Because as it gets closer to the accident, I start having some hilarious flashbacks of things that happened prior to my accident. I am waiting to find out which issue of Oklahoma Magazine I'll be featured in. It'd be flat out ironic if I was in the November issue. I'm looking forward to working the next home football game at Oklahoma State. I like working the Freight Elevator. I'll just need to remember to take a jacket next time...lol. It's kind of breazy riding in there. I really hope between now and the beginning, people start signing up to volunteer for TBI Raiders week and really want to stay involved so we can start working on the non-profit stuff and get it filed.

Time to get back into the swing of things and plow through...lol

2011-09-27T11:10:00.002-05:00

I have been having some AWESOME days!!! Yesterday my left leg only hyper extended ONCE when I went to check the mail and then came home. Even though I've sleeping a ton. It is either only because we need a new bed or my back or both...I voting for the both being the problem makers...lol. I've been busy getting as many Thank you cards done as I can for the gifts my husband and I got in our wedding. I had fun during my interview with a writer for the Oklahoma Magazine. I don't think I will be winning any fans back in the town I was raised in. I say this cuz I told Paul that:
- I don't remember really a lot from growing up there
- What I did remember I had to block out of my mind because of things I don't want to remember
- Sick of people saying I make things up to make myself mad, if I get mad it because I believed a lie and only God knows what else
- Told him about the preacher and youth minister there who told me I had to choose between being abled and disabled

What I did enjoy telling him about that I remembered in my coma and could hear:
- Messages from friends in Chandler - being able to hear their thoughts and prayers and messages they sent and that they were the reason I decided to fight for my life when I could have died
- told him about the time Mrs. Fredman came and how I tried waking up because I wanted her to go back to Chandler and tell my friends that I was okay and everything was going to turn out fine
- told him I would call often Kris, Jeremy, and Clark, who were 3 of the people I worked with at the Chandler City Pool
and don't quite remember what else but talked a ton about Chandler! :)

My head started to spin when I named off the organizations I had been a part of and were still in now. And I know I left out some too when I was talking to him. So for my goal today since I spent most of yesterday resting up is to try to finish dishes, work on the websites some, and don't know what all else.

Today is a good day

2011-06-28T11:56:00.002-05:00

Still debating if I want to go swimming or not today, oh the decisions one has to make....to swim or not to swim that is the question at hand. I'm very hopeful about the future of TBI Raiders and the future potentials for the organization. lol I'm not someone who can stand to be patient and just wait till the time is right to jump in and do things. But that is what I'm going to need to do till August. Next month I have a conference call for the TBI-Resource Optimization Center and then like two weeks later a meeting for the Oklahoma Self Advocacy Network. Once August rolls around on the 25th will be the volunteer fair on campus at Oklahoma State and then in September potentially will be when I put on a workshop about TBI Raiders and the opportunities with the organization on campus there. Then November 17 is hopefully when I am able to schedule TBI Raiders Awareness Day. And that is all I should be doing for the rest of this year. There might be some other volunteer fairs TBI Raiders will get invited to such as OU and UCO. There is also potential to speak to juniors and seniors at Cushing High School. A student organization at OSU for TBI Raiders could be created. I just need to be prepared and am very much in prayers I can recruit volunteers.

Link to click on

2011-06-26T09:55:00.001-05:00

Click on http://raidersmembers.yolasite.com/events.php#/ to go read about the visit I had at OSU! This is the year to get a student organization built on campus at Oklahoma State University (I really hope)!!!

Exhausted

2011-06-20T15:59:00.002-05:00

had fun swimming some laps. Oh man if my aquatics therapist Valerie saw me trying to do the backstroke and breast stroke she would be repeating what she would tease me with in therapy....which was..."I thought lifeguards are suppose to be able to swim" followed by the two of us laughing. I was getting out until some neighbors invited me to stay and workout with them. I enjoyed doing water aerobics with some of my neighbors. I decided it was time to come in when I was treading the deep and I could barely move my left side. lol I don't ever recall them teaching in lifeguard training or aquatics therapy on to swim with only one side.

So needless to say I'm back inside sitting down at the computer trying to figure out what on earth muscle it is I can feel. I know its on the inner left thigh I can feel something. I'm going to get to workout on the websites some more after I fix some lunch and take my supper medicine. Have a wonderful day everyone!

Oh how I wish I could kick myself in the butt

2011-06-15T08:35:00.002-05:00

My bad mornings now consist of my paralysis trying to kick in and not really being able to feel my left leg. This rarely happens but has a tendency to happen since I'm on 30mg instead of 80mg of Baclofen. The only way I know how to fix it is by getting up and doing exercises I learned in both Yoga and Aerobic Kickboxing. I haven't meditated yet but will here in a little bit. Stomach crunches helped some. I will usually do anything that works the lower back. I hate feeling like I have a knot in my back because when that happens, my left leg starts to lose feeling. he he I love my life...rofl

Interview with Speaker Steele

2011-06-11T10:04:00.003-05:00

First off let me just say that I'm still in awe I got to speak to him. He's a nice guy. I asked him a couple of questions as to if he deals with migraines and dizziness....he said he didn't have to deal with those problems (I'm sooo jealous!) I asked him how he was able to deal with the stress of being a state representative and he credited both his wife and secretary for him being able to do what he does. I asked him what he first thought of when he heard about TBI Raiders. He said he was happy and hopeful that now there would be a voice for those of us who had suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. He also said he was hopeful for the organization's future. I asked him what legislation he was most proud of and he said the bill that had to do with the autism. I believe he said he has only one year left in the House of Representatives and he was telling me about a Rep. from OKC (I think it was OKC). I asked him to be my mentor and he said he would need to think on it so he didn't overly commit himself to too many things. lol That is something I still have trouble with. But I think before the month is over with, we may be speaking again. Okay that's all I'm able to remember but it was such a good conversation!!!

Looking to see what today holds for me

2011-06-08T10:05:00.002-05:00

There was a portion of yesterday that I thought was just hilarious. For the last two days, prior to yesterday, I had been doing really good with no spasms. Then yesterday after returning home from OSU when I was relaxing in the recliner, my left ankle just started going into spasms. I tried the whole putting weight on my foot which usually stops it but when I laid my leg straight out my ankle started having spasms again. I was dying in laughter because for the last thirteen years when I have muscle spasms it is usually either my left leg, left arm, or both...not my left ankle! So I look forward to seeing if today brings any more laughter.

Today was pretty cool

2011-06-07T20:51:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had a meeting with Joyce Montgomery who is the director of the service learning volunteer center at Oklahoma State University. We discussed all of the below...

Topics for Discussion – TBI Raiders

TBI Raiders Awareness Day – November 17 –

Car broadsided at 60 mph on left side on campus lawn

Video of my car accident

Creation and formation of TBI Raiders – Cartoon?

Tables and booths – brochures, literature

TBI Raiders’ Week 2012 – week before spring break

Monday – Fact or Fiction

Tuesday – Survivor’s Stories

Wednesday – Jeopardy Unjumbled

Thursday – Military Vets & Families (PTSS)

Friday – Open Mic Night – panel of survivors, panel of state leaders, panel of health experts

Saturday – Awareness Walk – formal appreciation dinner

Missouri/Oklahoma Partnership

State Project – 3 month study

20 brain injury survivors – half adult/half minors, 5% of adults not students

List type of TBI, how it was sustained

Monitor recovery and setbacks through an online blog – live recovery feed (possible problems w/ HIPPA)

Statewide therapy program – create more jobs

Service Learning with majors – physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, aquatics therapy, music therapy, hippo therapy, recreational therapy, and neurology therapy – est. fall, 2012

Work alongside OU, internships started, craft fair

Develop partnership between Missouri and Oklahoma

Develop camps for students with and without TBI

Self Advocate Workshops

TBI workshops for secondary and post-secondary teachers

Scholastics Competition

Do history on TBI Raiders, traumatic brain injury, TBI and disability legislation, programs in place in other states (and here) California university only for TBI, facts on TBI Raiders, traumatic brain injury facts, facts on Self Advocates Network, BIA-USA, BIA-OK, Disability Law Center

TBI Raiders Summitt

Feb. or June, 2012 students with TBI, teachers, medical professionals, 501C3 professionals, potentially for “state leaders”, presentations for everyone with breakout sessions, with meal – 2- days, location:Stillwater

501©3 Funding for TBI Raiders

% of the money for DUI tickets and intoxicated persons

% of taxes from hospitals and rehabilitation facilities

Donations and fundraisers

Create grant projects for students with disabilities or TBI survivors

TBI Education, Awareness and Opportunity Building

Create a fraternity and sorority on/for TBI

Speak to classes, health promotions, speech pathology,

Speak to administration, deans, etc., student leaders – July

Groups/Committees

Newsletter, websites, advocacy research, public relations, job creation

I met with Ken Sampson who is charge of either student activities or student affairs...I don't remember. But before I met with him I stopped by the ROTC to talk to Captain Tasi. I stopped by to update him on the meeting I had with Joyce yesterday. I also gave him a paper to make a copy of which had the above information. I told him I wanted to give him in a good enough time which would give the army guys a chance to look to see if they wanted to get involved this next school year. I also updated him about how I'm doing and all the really cool things I can do now. The meeting went really well when I met with Ken. We discussed possibly having a training in September for the student leaders and others on campus about TBI Raiders. We talked about OSU and OU working together to create a program for those living with a Traumatic Brain Injury. I don't know if we could be like California and create a university which is for only students w/ TBI. I would like the schools to work together on creating a state wide therapy program and have it based in Stillwater. It would be easier access for those in rural communities and plus could work with facilities in OKC and Tulsa. What can I say? I like to dream big.

Start documenting here

2011-06-01T21:07:00.001-05:00

For the fun of it, I'm going to start documenting my spasms and other things that deal with my health on here because as the title of my blog says "Doing what I can to help others". Enjoy the read! I look forward to reading any comments I may get!!!

January 11 – January 19, 2010

Another semester has started. I am going to try to beat what I accomplished last semester which was 2 wks with no muscle spasms and one week with them. I am going to try to make it three weeks this semester.

But unlike last semester I am not going to take any dance classes or any kind of exercise classes which will be a big factor in all this.

Workouts

Pilates Yoga workouts from exercise books

Meditation – after I wake up and before I go to bed

I am also going to need to try more at not letting things get to me. Which it helps just being with my fiancé Michael, he knows how to quickly calm me down…lol…which generally involves holding me in his arms.

January 20

I am so happy that I have been able to go another day without muscle spasms! Well I didn’t exercise but I did a lot of walking around. It really cheered me up and brightened me up when I met with some friends for lunch, being around positive figures helps with being able to control them.

10:45pm – 10:49pm

Meditation –

Result –

My muscle spasms started to relax in a couple of minutes but they haven’t relaxed completely. That is kind of my fault since I have the TV on and was listening to TMZ when they made a comment on Steven Segal joining the Jackson 5 reality show for the next season. Okay I need to get a drink and workout on my yoga ball.

11pm

I did 2 sets of 15 reps of pushups on my yoga ball to help ease the tension in my left arm.

1/12/10 @ 1:05pm

Pull thumb back and hold back

Even though will feel some pain

It eventually will go away

Relaxation will occur

Causes

Cold air; didn’t wear a jacket with the short sleeve shirt I wore today.

1/25/10

I decided not to wear a jacket again today. But it’s not as cool as it has been. Since the 21^st I have not had a muscle spasm. After I get out of class today I am going to go to the Colvin to work out.

1/30/10

I haven’t written the last few days since there was nothing new to note. What is different today is my dislike for the cold weather is really growing! My left thumb wants to tuck in! So I am going to do what I did on the 21^st and also will press my palm on a flat surface and put all weight on my left arm to help. But usually when I do that my left arm loves to have lots of spasms in a row. I have been in a really calm and pleasant mood the last few days.

2/1/10

I realized that the weather isn’t the only thing affecting my spasms. I’ve been forgetting to take my meds often!

2/20/10

The first weekend in February I had 0 spasms and was able to do a load of things the way I did prior to my TBI. I haven’t really had spasms since then. What I have been experiencing is more of a cold chill like symptom in my left side. This last week in class I would raise my left arm over my head and hold it with my right hand. And tonight, I’m relaxed and letting my left side spasm out. LOL I’m not having any muscle spasms as I am writing this. One thing I have noticed with my muscle spasms is that most of the time before I have a spasm, it feels like someone is poking needles into my skin. So in reality today is the first day since the 1^st that I’ve had a big muscle spasm. But tonight I’m purposely letting my left side have spasms. I am doing this to relax it. Otherwise I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.

3/7/10

Since the 20^th last month my spasms have really been kicking in. I have been taking my medicine more like I should. There are at least two to three days a week where I am able to remember to take my medicine the four times I need to. But with the crazy weather, my muscle tone and spasms have been kicking into what feels like overtime.

3/21/10

I hate this weather! All this frigid cold weather is making my spasms act up. Then add in the facts that I don’t always remember to take my meds and don’t have room to readily exercise here in my apartment AND you have a recipe for some very annoying problems! I have managed not to stay on my computer as long. Sitting too long at my computer usually results in my left leg swelling up like a balloon. Tomorrow I am going to see if laying back in my recliner while studying helps me any.

4/1/10

4:01am

I woke up with a terrible pain all throughout my left side. What made it worse was the fact when I tried to move to get up and stand, I couldn’t get up from my left side. It was weird. Then when I rolled on my stomach I was able to get up. Once I got up and tried walking to the bathroom, my left leg tried going out on me. It did that to me again another time then I stayed up for thirty minutes and did exercises then went to sleep.

@ School

I was able to sit and relax and walk just fine. I still felt whatever had woken me up earlier in my left side. I tried to sit and do the breathing I do in meditation while I was in class and walking throughout campus. After I was done doing everything I needed to do on campus, I went to the Colvin and got on the rowing machine. That helped loosen the muscles in my left leg a lot!

4/9/10

I went down to Wellston to see my parents. I saw dad and talked to him. While we were talking I told him about my spasms and he got on my case about how I’m not exercising and lifting weights like I should. He thinks I should be able to remember everything I’ve learned in the last twelve years. He got on my case about how I like to get exercise videos and said I know the exercises I need to do. Then the next day when I was talking to my mom on the phone she doesn’t believe me in regards to anything positive I say that is going on with my left side. She said “I think my left leg is bending” “I walk like I have a wooden leg” and other extremely negative things.

In the end I’ve come to realize that I probably need to spend less time going down to Wellston to visit people in my family (this doesn’t apply for my grandma; she is just cool!!!) or just calling to talk to them. They think I should be able to get over whatever is said to me and shouldn’t bug me. They think I like dwelling on anything negatively that is said to me. I’ve been told by a relative that they think I make up things to make myself mad. There are days various individuals in my family or extended family act like I don’t have a disability or act like I’m too disabled. Then they don’t understand as to why I don’t like being in Wellston. Apparently it doesn’t matter not only do they act like I need to choose between being disabled or not disabled not to mention the fact I actually had a youth minister and preacher tell me that! On top of that my mother defended both of them. I just love when my mother defends people who say the most stupid idiotic things to me. The only time I actually felt normal was when I was at the meetings for the Wellston Emergency Management Team or when I was with the other team members. I miss being part of that awesome team! My parents weren’t supportive at first of me returning to school for the simple fact they didn’t think I could do it. But when I went to the dinner to find out if I was the recipient for the OSU Women’s Philanthropist of the Year Award and Scholarship, I talked with someone who is married to a neurosurgeon and is a nurse for neurosurgery. She said what I was told probably is right and probably am the only one in the world to have made a recovering in recovering from sustaining a Left/Right Traumatic Brain Injury and am a pioneer with what I am doing.

March 12, 2011

On February 25 & 26 I made the biggest achievement I have been able to make in the last three years. Because on those two days, from the time I woke up till the time I went to bed…I never had to deal with any of the side effects from my L/R TBI and went throughout the day like I would have thirteen years ago. Of course the next two days were SCARY for me in that I could barely stay awake and had to deal with my partial paralysis kicking in more than normal. I walked two and a half miles around Boomer Lake today by myself. The awesome thing was my left leg only popped back like 30% of the time I was walking. I’ve been thinking some about people in my family that literally annoy the hell out of me. Bad thing about thing negatively, that is the only time muscle spasms will kick in my left arm. The downside to me planning TBI Raiders Week and not having a lot of help is that I was sleeping to much, neglected house work, and some other things that I haven’t had to deal with in a few years. But still was able to maintain normal daily things I do as long as I made sure to get anywhere between 6-8 hours of sleep.

May 11, 2011

Last month when I went to Missouri then the day I was back, I only had to deal with a little bit of muscle tone. So that was a total of four days I didn’t really have to deal with muscle spasms and really didn’t have any cognitive problems. I’m on my second week at the moment of not dealing with muscle spasms. I really credit the e-stem treatments I have been getting. Since the middle of February I have been able to feel my entire left side and not really had to deal with problems that are a result of my partial paralysis. I’m starting to have more days to where I can go through them like I did prior to my brain injury.

May 24, 2011

I was on my fourth week of not dealing with any muscle spasms then yesterday when I took a nap, I had to deal with spasms….needless to say I didn’t get much sleep. So today besides cleaning and sleeping I’m going to exercise. I’m done getting upset at myself for sleeping so much. I have just figured out I need the sleep for everything I’m able to do. The times I’m so impressed with myself has been at the meetings for the Oklahoma Self-Advocacy Network. Even though I laughed at myself on the drive home, my memory was going into overdrive. I need to remember to take a migraine pill before those meetings so my brain won’t warp into overdrive. But in comparison to the person I was prior to living in Stillwater, it was hard not have moments where I would just say what was the first thing to run through my head. My muscle spasms would drive me nuts. One thing I am looking forward to is jumping in the pool to swim laps. I think that will do two things….1) help me lose weight for my June wedding AND 2) help me accomplish my goal of going four weeks w/out muscle spasms!!!

June 01, 2011

Since the 24^th I’ve been dealing with muscle spasms on and off. The next few months I won’t be doing E-Stem Therapy since I don’t think I’m still on Tri Care Insurance that my dad has. Also I haven’t been exercising enough plus all I want to do is SLEEP. But I really hope once I marry Michael and I get married I can get back with E-Stem Therapy. It really helps with loosening my muscles and relaxing them and letting my brain know where those “mystery” muscles are.

Excited about the new year!

2010-12-28T03:18:00.002-06:00

I am working on updating some of the pages on the volunteer website. I hopefully will have details by Wednesday for next Friday's meeting and have been talking with contacts here in the state who are really excited about what we're planning on doing in March. Hopefully I'll post more later today.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

2010-12-24T10:26:00.002-06:00

I have just sent off the formal invitation for the January meeting that will be for TBI Raiders Week. I'm inviting not only students from OSU but also OU and UCO. This is a chance for all three universities to come together and do something about such an important issue and that issue being Traumatic Brain Injury. Oklahoma is in the top ten leading states, has a large Native American Population, and plus my dad is in the military....so I want to help out even if I can't serve (but I love pointing out how I scored in the top one percent on the ASVAB test you take your junior year :D). I will be posting details on everything as it get planned on here.

Busy...doing Preparations

2010-11-20T21:08:00.001-06:00

I haven't been posting in a long while is because I have been majorly making plans for what I'm wanting my organization, TBI Raiders, to do in March. Even though right now it is primarily me and majority of everyone else are online members, this is a wonderful opportunity for students to get involved in. I am wanting to have the second week in March declared as TBI Raiders Week since March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. I already have plans of what each day will be for the week. They are as follows:

Monday - Fact or Fiction Day....this will be to help clear up misconceptions that people hold on traumatic brain injury, maybe posting flyers that have facts about the disability around town
Tuesday - Survivor Stories...Books by survivors
Wednesday - Jeoparady Style Game....using facts on traumatic brain injury and the disability movement and legislation
Thursday - (don't know how possible this would be) Obstacle Course aka day for those in the military who have suffered a TBI and PTSD
Friday - TBI Forum plus Movie Night....have a forum with survivors telling their successes, struggles, thoughts, etc. and also have like a commerical clips or something like the MTV show..I forgot the name but this dude followed people and lived a day in their shoes...but research the disability, talk to survivors, etc.
Saturday - Awareness Walk during like mid morning/afternoon then later in the evening have a formal dinner to thank the volunteers for all their hard work and to congratulate TBI survivors who live in Stillwater with surviving and making it the best way they know how to

There are also contests I would like to hold and they are as follows:

1. Poster

2. Essay
a. What would you do to help improve the lives of TBI Survivors?

If you could propose a state program to help either one disability or all disability:
Ø What would the program entail?
Ø How would it be funded?
Ø Would there be legislation in place to help support it?

3. Stories and Poetry

4. Positive story about a TBI survivor beating the odds and making it out on top.

5. Uplifting and motivating slogan

6. Movie aka Commercial

I met with Joyce and we discussed how we want to target students who are majoring in health promotion & pre med. I will be speaking at the next meeting for the Native American Student Association about this and told my friends in the Young Democrats about this and I know the two I have talked to were interested in getting the Young Democrats involved (those who want to get involved). But I'm clueless in the media department...lol. Not really worried about it at the moment. I'm more concerned with getting volunteers involved.

Planning Stages!

2010-10-21T10:40:00.002-05:00

My friends Joyce and Courtney came over this week to have lunch with me. It was so much fun and we had a blast talking about what I was wanting to do in March for Brain Injury Awareness Month. After lunch I went to Sirloin Stockade to talk to them reserving a room for March 12 at 5pm for a formal dinner for the end of TBI Raiders Recruitment Week. This dinner would not just be a way to thank the volunteers but to also congratulate TBI survivors just with the fact that they survived and were trying their hardest to make it. I've got tons of ideas of what I want to do for the week. I'm hoping to get a lot of dates set up to go speak to groups next month to go and try to recruit volunteers. I want to spotlight Stillwater and OSU but also want to open up the opportunity to help out to the kids I know back home in Chandler and Wellston.

Brayfest tonight

2010-10-14T10:19:00.002-05:00

I'll be going at five to help set up everything for Brayfest. So until then I have laundry to do and do some cleaning around my apartment. I really hope those with disabilities get out to vote next month. This is a really important election.

New School Year, New Plans, New Web Home

2010-10-11T09:48:00.002-05:00

New School Year - I'm taking this year off then will be going back next fall if everything works right for my senior year off. I'm taking the year off to improve my health and plan my wedding.

New Plans - making new plans....a friend suggested to me that I would be able to get volunteers if they knew an event was going to be happening. So hopefully next month I will be able to arrange some dates to speak on what happened to me and how that led me to create TBI Raiders. Then the second week of March I am planning on having a TBI Raiders week. I'm going to use it as not only the opportunity to educate others about traumatic brain injury, but also use it as a recruitment for the organization and give the volunteers a chance to do something really great.

New Web Home - The main website to check out is http://raidersmembers.yolasite.com.
This is where you will find the latest information while I am working on the other websites and then hopefully will have a set of fresh eyes and ears to help with the new look/content for the websites.

The reason I haven't updated this in two years is I forgot the web address for this blog. Now that I have a google email it will be easy for me to remember to update this.

Getting exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-10T18:05:00.002-06:00

I've been taking my time on the newsletter for TBI Raiders. I'm working on it when I'm not sleeping. I've been networking with one of my contacts in the Brain Injury Association of America and have been communicating with a new contact these last few weeks on doing something that will get exposure to both TBI Raiders and Brainline.org.

Yea! Got time to blog today!!!

2008-10-10T12:24:00.002-05:00

I've had tons of things going on since the last time I blogged. But I have been paying attention to the presidential race and am fuming at what idiots the democratic party is becoming. Not everyone who is a democrat is an idiot and I say that because I am a democrat. But this is stupid. The party IS NOT even listening to the little people. They only care about money, Hollywood, Celebrities, MTV, and they are DESPERATE to get someone into office that isn't Bush or a republican because they are still WHINING over the losing the last election.

They picked someone to be their candidate because they were desperate to get the black votes. Obama has flip flopped so much it's ridiculous. They chose someone who has ties to terrorist leaders and attended a church with an anti-american preacher. Obama at first whined about what hardships the blacks went through, etc. He thinks that's bad?! Try being a native american! My Cherokee ancestors and other natives got put through literal hell! Blacks were brought over here as slaves. They didn't get their land taken away from them and as a contact of mine told me more natives then blacks died back then and the natives were taken as slaves also. BUT do you see the natives whining? No some nations just want their land back which is understandable. And Obama supporters refuse to really look into what the other side says. They are just convinced they have to be lies because Obama is their "messiah". Then there are those that believe if you have a seizure disorder or muscle spasms and get frustrated easily, you don't have the right to vote. Well here is a suggestion...how about Obama grows the hell up and start acting like an American who gives a damn about this country!

VIEW THE AD HERE FOR McCain-Palin: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=M9JNna5EmJg

Waiting for people in this country to wake up

2008-07-29T17:33:00.002-05:00

I've heard all about I can stand in terms of politics. Whoever is running against Inhofe, I would like to ask him this? Exactly who on earth has been in control over Congress? News flash it hasn't been the Republicans. Yes the Republican party isn't perfect but neither are Democrats or Independents. But I'm very happy he won tonight. He votes with his heart and he does listen to his constituents.

Then you have terrorist loving anti American Obama. I'll call him that because actions speak louder than words. I've been keeping quiet for a while now because I didn't want to blog about anything that would result in my health going south. I don't understand how he can have such a following. He flip flops on way too much stuff. He only likes to whine about what whites did to blacks. Everytime I have to listen to him it just makes me more proud to be part Cherokee Indian. I have yet to hear him talk about job creation for the youth. And instead of going to the disability forum, he went overseas to well if I put anymore, I'm lible to make myself sick.

I'll come post more later! Have a great week everyone who comes to visit this blog!!!

It stinks I may have to slow down

2008-06-02T15:37:00.002-05:00

This completely stinks. My sleeping spells have been affecting me again. And they've been affecting me as bad as they did the last six months of last year. So I'm going to have to find other ways of contributing in the future for candidates that I support. I was planning on jumping in and becoming actively involved this month. But now I'm not going to be able to. I am 100% behind Senator Inhofe being re-elected. I'm still going to do as much as I can. The only thing that stinks is I may have to consult with my doctors with how much I am going to be able to do. Be happy you don't live with a left/right Traumatic Brain Injury. It's the pits!

Exciting News!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-13T12:04:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow I will meet with the organization's lawyer and we will write up the bylaws for TBI Raiders. I'm not sure what else I will need to do while I'm there, but this will be TBI Raiders' first move towards becoming a non-profit organization. There are tons of possibilities of different opportunities that the organization could do. The short-term goal that was discussed last week for TBI Raiders' was educating others about Traumatic Brain Injury. There were several things that were discussed as far as long term goals. Board of Directors was also discussed as far as how many to have on the board and suggestions of who to have on the board. Those were two of the many things that were discussed during the meeting. It takes anywhere from 6 months to a year to become a non-profit organization. So we have a long road ahead of us!

:) Content & Happy

2008-05-06T15:36:00.002-05:00

Today went good. I went to Luther High School during lunch time and held a booth. Three girls signed up while another took a brochure on head injuries. There were a group of boys I think were talking about me and what I said in regards to Obama. lol I say that because every so often I caught them looking at me. I could care less what they had to say. Simply because I'm not going to have another sleeping spell! I had one hit me on Sunday and I was only awake five to eight hours of the day. It's day like those that I hate having a left/right TBI.

But cool news is I received a call from Senator Inhofe's office to let me know they received what I had sent them for TBI Raiders and they were excited or impressed or something to that nature. I have some packets I will be taking to the Emergency Management Meeting tonight. Well I need to rest up some more before the meeting tonight. Later!

The 2008 Presidential race is getting out of hand at least where it concerns the democratic nominees

2008-04-30T10:38:00.001-05:00

NOBODY is asking or pondering some important questions and I have kept quiet way too damn long on the subject that I need to blog about it before I have a crazy spastic fit...

- If we leave the middle east without fixing the whole terrorism situation and leave the terrorists up to no good exactly how many times can we fear another 9/11 happening?
- We have another 9/11 and a democrat is president, I want THEM to look into the Americans who will become disabled as a result and EXPLAIN to them why THEY DID NOTHING TO PREVENT IT!
- Why the hell the democratic party considers listening to some pathetic website and an anti-American organization MORE IMPORTANT than LISTENING TO THE LITTLE PEOPLE!!!
- Why are the Hollywood/celebrities more important than the average hard working AMERICANS?
- Why do they care about getting illegals more rights and getting them citizenship when the DISABILITY community is the LARGEST minority group and MOST IGNORED Americans when it comes to helping!

I could go on because I'm extremely p.o.ed that the democratic party at the national level is acting like a bunch of 5 yr olds...sorry to all the 5 year olds I just insulted. To the democratic presidential candidates this is just a popularity race and they are more worried about basing it on race or gender. The Universal Health care is a JOKE and LEAVES AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES OUT IN THE BLOOMING COLD! I have watched the video that John McCain has on what he plans on doing for health care. He has a really good plan. And I'm NOT repeat NOT just saying that because A) I think he's cool B) is a veteran and C) That's who I'm voting for in November. I will take representing Oklahoma youth with disabilities before my ego takes over when it comes down to what is important to me. When it comes to the issue of health care he looks at the whole picture and has some wonderful ideas and REFRESHING ideas. Some people who are ranting to vote for Clinton and Obama are acting like they don't even have brains. Clinton and Obama very much look like a bunch of puppets for the democrat party.

Wish me luck...

2008-04-27T09:19:00.002-05:00

I'm just enjoying life a whole bunch right now. Biggest kick that I'm getting out of it is the fact that ten years ago I should have died from a left/right Traumatic Brain Injury and have made close to a full recovery & I am doing so much stuff!!!

This week I'm going to Luther Middle School first to go talk and work with the leadership class. They are always fun to go talk to. I get a kick out of going to that class, they've really helped with TBI Raiders, and I get to visit/spend some time with a childhood friend who is the teacher. Then about a hour later I will be going to speak to the sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the high school about TBI Raiders. I know one of my pals that I grew up with in school has some cousins in the high school...which I need to get a hold of Lester now that I think of it. I've been getting plans together of what exactly I will be doing and saying.

Which I need to call to see if I can get a booth in the cafeteria most of the first week of May so I can sit and visit with the students about TBI Raiders. Plus I'm going to mention about registering to vote and need to find out when they need to register for the general election. Out of important things I need to do, this week's activities would be in my top five. Plus these kids need to hear the facts because no one is telling them the facts where it concerns those with disabilities and with the election and what's at stake.

Scary Thought

2008-04-26T11:18:00.002-05:00

A friend was visiting me yesterday and said:
A) If Obama/Clinton were on a ticket then they would win hands down
B) There is NOTHING in the rules that would stopping Senator Clinton from picking her husband as her running mate

Why the sam hell do folks in this country want a bunch of ignorant pee brains running this country?! (not referring to Bill Clinton) They won't even listen to the other side and only thing with their id/ego. This presidential race is getting beyond stupid on the democrats side. I've pretty much stopped going to the county democratic meetings where I live because I don't feel like being attacked or given looks...even though there are a few I will talk with. I won't be going to next month's to save on gas so I can get ready for the zillion things I will be doing for TBI Raiders.

Busy and annoyed with the democratic presidential candidates

2008-04-25T13:14:00.002-05:00

Well first off I'm busy with getting everything together for TBI Raiders and making sure it's perfect. I've got to find out some information in regards to the financial information for building a non-profit. I have to get everything pulled together by May 1st because that is the day I go speak to the high school students at Luther. I'm getting the online community for TBI Raiders structured to where it is truly a "city" online. I want to help get students the training and skills they will need to succeed once they finish school. I really hope to create some jobs through this as well.

I'm annoyed with the democratic presidential candidates. They aren't doing things the way it should be done. They are telling people to vote because either on the fact it's a woman and it's a black that's running. They cater to the far left and that's stupid. They only tell people what they want to hear. Below is the article I wrote for the May issue of the TBI Raiders Newsletter.

Ashamed to be a democrat

Okay I don't know how much more I can stomach of the democratic presidential race. It's one huge pathetic joke. That's my opinion and NOT TBI Raiders' opinion. I want everyone to understand something. Yes I'm a democrat but I care way too much about representing Oklahoma youth with disabilities. I don't care if they think different than me, they need to be represented. Clinton AND Obama DO NOT! They can talk all they want about what they want to do, but I'm going to pay more attention to what they did or did NOT do while in office.

I thought we teach others to work with others to make the best compromises. Please, they only want to listen to what some website and some damn anti-American organization think. They don't care about those of us who are Americans with disabilities. Congressional Democrats were too whiny and pouty about losing the 2004 Presidential Election. Whatever happened to representing EVERYONE?! I want someone who is going to unite the country not someone who is going to split this country in half....which is something Democrats at the national level and the far left have successfully done. It makes me sick to my stomach.

Very Pleasant Day

2008-04-22T17:20:00.003-05:00

I am in such a pleasant mood. I took my ballet costume over to the high school for Mrs. Perdue to look at and see if she could help me replace the straps. We talked about what I was wanting to replace the straps with and she measured the straps and told me how much I needed to get of the material. So now I just need to go to Hancock's. I first need to find someone who can drive me to Shawnee. I am so excited about my 16th dance recital!

Furthermore I am getting even more pumped for the events going on in May that are for TBI Raiders. I'm going to need to find a CPA to do the papers for TBI Raiders to become a non-profit. But the organization is going to need to raise $500.00 to get the papers filed. I'm going to be speaking to the sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Luther High School about the organization the first part of May. Then the next week we will have the first official meeting. Then May 1st - May 16th the organization will be having a membership/donation drive. Part of the money will be used to hold a pizza party for the members and their family at the end of the school year. We're also going to discuss having a community donation drive when I go to Luther. Then towards the end of summer will be a summer training camp for members and potential members.

I'm excited about everything that is going on. I most excited that I am able to do something that I've been promising many of the now young adults and teens that know me which is to help them to succeed in school and life. So this is beyond thrilling for me. And I'll have a summer job - giving private dance lessons. So I'll have something to help me with gas money...yea!!!

I'm going to need A LOT of sleep between now and May 9th...

2008-04-20T12:09:00.002-05:00

I say that because I don't want to get stressed out and then have my sleeping spells hit me again like they did the last six months of last year. That was creepy because majority of the time I was only able to stay awake three to five hours out of the day. Eeks, it still gives me the chills thinking about it. That's why I've been taking this non-profit stuff at a slow pace and been completely relaxed. One thing is for sure, if I'm ever able to, I want to find out what was wrong with me last year. My neuropsych told me last year that there could be over ten possibilities as to what was affecting me anywhere from a sleeping disorder to the type of Traumatic Brain Injury I sustained ten years ago - left/right.
***shivers***

One of my contacts with the Brain Injury Association sent me some links to help me get more detailed information on building a non-profit organization. My daily planner now has so many notes on building a non-profit and ideas/plans for TBI Raiders...lol. This week and next week I am going to work on getting confirmations as far as to who is showing up for the meeting but already know we're going to need the auditorium for the meeting.
***Smiles***

Okay took a nearly two hour nap but am back up and time to dive back into doing homework. OMG and I have dishes and laundry to do...maybe I'll just skip housework today :D.

Meeting has been set up!

2008-04-18T11:42:00.003-05:00

A meeting day and time has been set up for TBI Raiders. I've sent an email out to everyone I would like to attend. Something like TBI Raiders has never been done before so I'm not posting details of the meeting on here until the meeting has happened. We've got two places to choose from to meet in, all depending on how many confirm they are coming. I'm going to want the other board members, volunteers, educators, military reps, and TBI experts there at the meeting. Once we get something set up, there is already interest in Kansas and Tennessee and maybe Texas to set up an affiliated program.

I'm in such a good mood today! This is exciting!!! Then you have the fact that I have set aside two days, Tuesdays and Thursdays, to give private dance lessons this summer in June and July. I'm going to post a flyer at Luther Schools - middle school and high school - then the week of the dance recital, post it there about me offering private lessons. Then I'm on the Wellston Emergency Management Team. I am doing everything I absolutely love here in Oklahoma!!!!!!!!!!

If I hadn't said this before I LOVE what I do!

2008-04-17T18:06:00.004-05:00

Well my day started out wonderfully and peachy as I went up a block from my apartment to meet with Greg Treat. He works for Senator Coburn in his OKC office. He asked questions about TBI, TBI Raiders, and where the organization was at right at this moment. He took notes as I answered all of his questions. The only thing I was annoyed about was that I had left my small notebook that had all my notes and plans in it at home. When I got home I worked on a letter to send the high school students I would be speaking to on the first of May. Then I had to work on some fliers for TBI Raiders and then one for the private dance lessons I'm going to be offering in June and July over in Chandler. Then I got all of the necessary emails I needed to be sent off emailed to the people I needed them to go to. Other than that, I fixed lunch and supper for myself and took plenty of naps today to let my brain recover from all the activities I had done today. So you can say I am kind of exhausted. Thank God I don't have anything planned for tomorrow! I can rest to my heart's desire.

I have major plans to make!

2008-04-14T16:46:00.002-05:00

Okay the major plans will be going on for next month when I speak to sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Luther High School about TBI Raiders. I have a powerpoint I need to update before then as well. Since I get paid on the 1st and that's the day I speak also, I may try to do something. But then again I don't know. I've been taking a load of naps to allow my brain to catch up on all the brain kicking thinking I've been doing. But at least it is not like the last six months of last year when I was having some bad sleeping spells. It got real creepy. But I've also been doing housework and that makes me sleepy as well. Oh well at least I don't have a lot of cleaning to do around my apartment. I need to get a hold of one of my friends who has some cousins in Luther. See if he can help me with recruiting some volunteers. I've got to update my powerpoints and other presentations so they can be up to date with what is going on now and will be going on. I'm going to see once it gets closer if the high school can make copies for all the students so they have packets to look through and have some questions ready when I go to speak.

This might be a busy week!

2008-04-13T10:09:00.003-05:00

I say it might be a busy week because I have at least one meeting already set up and two more that need to be set up. I am going to need to go to the dance studio on Wednesday to work on my solos and help with two classes plus go to church. I am going to need to start walking around town this week so my costume looks perfect on me. Plus I am going to need to get with someone who can fix my costume before the June recital. Angela is going to get her class started on the assignments, I emailed her, on Monday. Then once I'm done with the two meetings I need set up then I am going to have to contact a lawyer and have him and another lawyer come to a meeting I need to set up and get a hold of everyone to come to then TBI Raiders will become non-profit! How exciting is that?!

I need to get to work on the newsletter this week and work on some of the websites for TBI Raiders. Some of the kids in the leadership class want to create their own websites and do a lot of things with the organization. I am just so pleased with how everything is going. Once we get things set up I can already think of some people I want to get a hold of to have community outreach events in Luther. The thing is I'm really excited about being able to cook a lot this week for one of the meetings. I don't like cooking a lot for myself. And it has been ages since I really cooked for anything. I know it has been a long time since I can't even remember it. Hold it, never mind because it's hard to remember some things since I have a short term memory problem. Oh well at least I'm not repeating things like I did when I was in the hospital after I came out of my coma. I could only remember things for five seconds worth at that time.

I'm probably going to re-organize my home office today in the midst of cleaning my apartment. I need to re-organize it since it's been a while and so many more things have been developing for TBI Raiders. But it's not going to be all work for me today. Later today I'm going to go visit my folks and then my youngest brother is in from college this weekend. So it ought be fun. Well I've got some things to get to so later ya'll!!!

Today was AWESOME!

2008-04-09T18:36:00.002-05:00

I went to work with the Luther Middle School class. The kids helped get everything folded into thirds then wrapped them up with a rubber band. I had the kids all working on the same thing so we could get everything done faster. There wasn't enough time to put them into the baggies. So I left the bags and other things to go in them with Angela. But the kids were happy because they got to have some candy before class was over. Though I made everyone hungry when I mentioned having a pizza party at the end of the year.

Angela and I talked about long term goals after the class was over and she was helping me to my car with my stuff. I'm not even put what we talked about until I have spoken to some of my legislative/congressional contacts to see if this, what we talked about, can even be pulled off. But in a nutshell we are going to try to do something to help Oklahoma's youth with disabilities where some of the other programs and insurance companies/Medicaid fail to do so. Angela spoke about reaching out to those in the community to alert them about disabilities. But we made an agreement that nobody ever needed to go through what we went through when my accident happened.

Then probably will go back Friday to listen to Rep. Lindley speak to her class. I need to take my digital camera so I can take pictures for Angela! I'm so happy I was able to arrange that for Angela.

Having a blast today!

2008-04-08T13:01:00.002-05:00

I am having an excellent day so far! I only have two main things to do today: clean house and get things ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be going to Luther Middle School to work again with the Leadership class again tomorrow. They will be helping me make packets tomorrow for future booths that TBI Raiders will have and then send some packets to those who wish to have them on their campaign trails. We'll also be discussing have a membership drive at both the middle school and high school there. I have some things I need to do before we discuss tomorrow about having a donation or any kind of raising money stuff for TBI Raiders. The only other thing I have going on tomorrow is helping out at the dance studio and working on my ballet solos. Then tonight I have a training thing to go to for emergency management but that's not until six and I don't have to leave until five so until then I have an apartment to clean. But at least my brother's wife is coming to help me clean. So later ya'll cause I have to go start some laundry!

Jeez! The things I have to do today!!!

2008-04-03T13:27:00.002-05:00

I have an apartment to straighten up. I have the things that I took to the booth at UCO the last three days on my dining room table and couch and some on the floor. Plus I need to do some laundry. I'm very excited that one of my childhood friend's Angela is having her class become involved in TBI Raiders. Okay I may have posted something about that already...lol. We talk more in emails since we both are busy every now and then. I'm going to be working with her class on getting things together for some more stuff next week.

More importantly I just love that I'm still in touch with the legislators for Oklahoma still to this day. As I was telling someone with Senator Inhofe's campaign, I much rather speak to a legislator or the governor over someone who isn't in legislature or doesn't work at the state or government level because I'm so sick and honestly DAMN tired of getting attacked for my views....even most of the attacks have come from the democratic party. LOL If I ever got to see two friends I was in the college republicans club at Rose State College, BJ and Chad, I could so see them picking on me for choosing to become a democrat. They would probably be going why, why, why????????? I wonder what they are up to now.

But I also am waiting to get a package I order from Vista Print in the mail today. It includes a hat and t-shirt that is for TBI Raiders that I designed to give away in a name drawing. I order a load of other things as well. Ryan said I could bring it if I was able to come to an event for Senator Inhofe. lol He also told me I was more than welcome to mail it as well. I need to go to my account on Vista Print to see what all I ordered. I know it was a ton of things. Well later folks!!!

Somebody could have told me there is such a thing as wind burn

2008-04-01T20:55:00.002-05:00

My poor face looks completely sun burned which stinks because my face is in pain. Okay but other than that today went by great. I need to go by some more candy to hand out tomorrow. I'm going to need to put together some more packets to give out to students tomorrow. I ran out of the packets, which I had 100 by the way. Major kudos to the leadership class at Luther Middle School who helped me with getting the material together. Speaking of which I need to go email a new contact I made at the OK-AHEAD conference today.

Resting as much as I can

2008-03-29T16:48:00.002-05:00

Considering the fact I'm going to be going non stop three days straight along with the fact I'll be the one driving myself over to Edmond, I'm sleeping as much as I can and eating supper right now. I also need to start thinking about the direction I want to take the next newsletter for TBI Raiders. But at least this time I'll have some extra help coming from some Luther Middle & High School students. So I'm going through the registration and activity forms I got from the Middle school students and am going to plan what I want to them to do. Well I need to finish eating my Hamburger Helper meal then either get back to work or go back to sleep.

I loved today!!!!!!!

2008-03-28T18:59:00.002-05:00

I went to work with the leadership class today at Luther Middle School. But before I did that, I went to visit with the high school principal to talk about TBI Raiders. Everything went wonderfully! Before we start making the official move to non-profit, I am possibly going to be speaking to the juniors and seniors at Luther High School as well as some of the teachers. I met one of the high school teachers who is the advisor for like the National Honor Society and some other clubs. He is going to be getting his high school students involved and will be discussing it with them in a week or two. I told him that if he wanted me to come with some powerpoints to just let me know.

Okay now onto the fun stuff. I got there early and during Angela's planning period, she had some students come and help me get the stuff out of my car. Some of them helped me get the room ready while a few of the boys played with the bunny Angela's son was going to show for show and tell. The kids were happy that I had brought snickers for them since last time I said I had some I didn't. We got some signs made and we got copies made of everything we needed to but time ran out before we could finish everything. So I went to City Hall to finish everything. Richard, one of the volunteer firefighters, helped me fold the brochures. Then I put the brochures and mission statement in a clear plastic baggy to use as give aways and stapled the registration form together. I got my sticker to put on my car for TBI Raiders. It says S-2-V which stands for Survived to Vote and has the link to the website below it. Angela said even if I wasn't there, she would have the kids work on stuff for TBI Raiders and so I emailed her when I got home what they could help with and get ready for. But when I got home I took like a two to three hour nap. I really used my brain and the poor thing was exhausted. I was about physically exhausted as well. Well I need to get back to cleaning my apartment before my dad comes down to reinstall Microsoft Word 2003.

Today is going to be so much fun!!!

2008-03-28T07:08:00.006-05:00

Because
A) I get to see one of my aunts and she's super cool...at least I think so anyways

then

B) I get to hang out with a childhood friend when I go work with her class

I got a couch full along with a box on the floor for the booth I'm going to have for the booth at the University of Central Oklahoma. But anyways Angela's leadership class are going to help make signs, get the little gift bags that will be give a ways ready, the handouts, along with the information such as the registration forms, etc. for TBI Raiders. This is going to be so exciting! These kids are really looking forward to becoming involved. Also yesterday when I went to pick up some candy and a plastic bowl to put them in, I picked up some snickers yesterday when I was there, I told the kids I had snickers earlier in the month when I went to go speak to the leadership class and it wound up being three musketeers that I had with me.

Hopefully when I speak to the principal today she (I think it's a lady who's principal) will set up a day for me to speak to the juniors and seniors at Luther High School. I think at the same time I could possibly be meeting with the Counselor as well. Well at least I get to meet with the principal. But my aunt didn't say when she called me Wednesday to tell me about the meeting if I would be meeting the counselor and I didn't ask either. I don't think she did anyways.

At the booth I'm going to have at UCO, I may put up a donation jar for the students involved in TBI Raiders to get t-shirts and hats I have designed for the organization. I just need to check with my state contacts to see what all is exactly legal for the organization to do right now. But it would be neat if the volunteers had their own gear and stuff like folders, pens, etc. that were just for the organization. Okay I need to go do some things before I leave for UCO.

Mixed Day

2008-03-26T21:14:00.002-05:00

My day was mixed. I went to the dentist to have him check out my teeth because they had become pretty darn sensitive...well at least some of them. They were hurting. Well I found out I would wind up having two more route canals. I didn't do anything wrong. It was just because I had some nerves dying from having one two many fillings. Oh well, at least I can count on the fact I fall asleep everytime I go to the dentist.

I went to have lunch at Ken's. Guess who I saw?! I saw one of my friends I grew up with in dance. LOL Okay Megan and I were far from being close friends growing up in dance. But we've gotten over ourselves. It was so much fun to see her again. We caught up on what each other had been up to. I told her I was back at the dance studio and her and I got to talking and discussed doing dances together next year. Which would kick some literal ass and I would love to dance with her again. We were in a class that did some good performances to songs such as "Rhythm Nation" and "Vogue" and some other ones as well.

Then I went to the dance studio and worked my poor butt off for over two hours. Oh yeah I went and got a Sonic Blast and let's just say that didn't feel too good considering the fact I was wearing jeans. Then later my friend Angela, another friend I grew up with in dance, came to the dance studio to watch and damn it I finally got the critique I had so been looking for. lol She helped me fill in some missing pieces and I finally got to hear something I had never told anyone about. Angela said I was dancing like I had before the accident. Okay I'm picky I'm close but not exactly like I was as a dancer...lol. Dancing is and has always been my first love and it's what I made a promise to come back to. Though it stinks my hose got ripped when I tried them on, but I ordered a new pair and should have them within two weeks and will be able to pay for them next week.

So to end my post....NEVER give up on your dreams. Because the only thing I haven't done that I wanted to do is become a professional ballerina. Apparently that wasn't in God's plans and I'm okay with that because I'm back at the dance studio and as a bonus am on the emergency management team. Life is sweet. But it has it sours moments but then again what doesn't???

Busy little bee

2008-03-25T10:22:00.002-05:00

Besides working on the updates for TBI Raiders and everything that goes with that, I need to transfer the html from the City of Wellston's Website to one of my html programs. I'm the webmaster for the City of Wellston. The town (it really is a town folks) is going to be switching to a new web host once they are able to. Plus I need to do this before April something so that our current account on bluehost is not renewed. So Wellston will be without a website for a while, well until the town can switch to the new webhost. ***Sniff*** ***Sniff***

But I'm looking forward to what's to come for me. I'll be able to pay off the balance I have at the dance studio plus pay my fee at the post office to get my mailbox for another year. I just need to get copies made for the booth I will be having next week. Then I should be receiving in the mail this week or something, like a paper that says what all Senator Inhofe has done to help those of us living with disabilities. I just want those I represent in the disability community to know the FACTS! Then I will be receiving in the mail information about the National Youth Leadership Network to have at my booth. So I'm doing as much as I can!

Everyone just pray I don't wear out next week. Because I will be going three to four day non-stop which potentially have me, whatever day I am doing nothing, sleeping close to the whole day and needing my walker to walk with. It's times like that I will say it SUCKS to live with a left/right Traumatic Brain Injury!

I'm relieved!

2008-03-24T10:16:00.002-05:00

Okay other than the fact I still need to get copies made for the booth I'm going to hold at UCO, I'll be able to sit at it during the OK-AHEAD conference because there will be different sessions where they will be able to go out to the Disability Awareness Week at UCO. So this is going to work out wonderfully! Now I just need to get copies of everything I'm going to need. EEKS!!! Now I need to find the time and some help with that! I have a friend who is a teacher at a middle school whose leadership class is going to help then I am going to try to get some information on some political candidates. Even though non-profits aren't suppose to support or get aligned with politics, TBI Raiders isn't non-profit yet!!! He he which means I can do it!

Need to end the day on a positive note

2008-03-23T17:45:00.002-05:00

LOL...I think getting my head in thinking about what is going on in the presidential campaigns has been affecting me because I've been suffering from sleeping spells a good portion of today. So I need to end the day on a positive note.

I think it is important for this country to come together. We are fighting against terrorists and they want to destroy America. You want to know the main difference between now and WWI plus WWII ? This country was united. They may not have always agreed with the president but they were doing what was best for EVERYONE in the nation and were united on it. I don't even want to hear any democrat align Clinton or Obama to Roosevelt and Truman because Clinton and Obama are the complete polar opposite of those two great leaders. Roosevelt and Truman were two of the greatest leaders this nation has ever had and I furthermore think it after the really cool stories I've my grandparents have told me.

You could tell that Roosevelt and Truman cared about not only the little people but also about those that thought differently than them. And at the moment I'm really wishing I didn't have a memory problem so I can list some of the great things that both of them did for this country. We need to unite because for one thing the disability community is growing at an alarming rate and no one is doing a thing to help everyone in this country who lives with a disability. Another thing is more jobs need to be created like here in Oklahoma so that college students who graduate aren't having to run to other states to get good paying jobs. And we need to increase min. wage. Plus look at all the misconceptions there are about those of us with disabilities...it's ridiculous! Social Security needs to be raised so those of us with disabilities can actually earn a living and strive to succeed in life like those without disabilities do and everyone w/out disabilities needs to be educated about the capabilities of those of who live with disabilities.

We need to remember why this country was founded and what the founders built this nation to be. But the day is nearly over here in Oklahoma. So I hope everyone has a wonderful week and remembers to treasure each day that pass by!

Can't get over something...

2008-03-23T15:50:00.002-05:00

Want to know what I can't get over??? I can't beyond the fact that there are blacks and some of them are famous or in politics and still seem to think that blacks won't be able to do anything until a black gets into the presidential office. Sorry but I'm only making the comment because every time I've flipped on some news thing in regards to the presidential race that gets brought up. That's all I'm going to say because I think and feel it is STUPID to think that.

But anyways other than that, I'm looking forward to this week. Because I turn 27 tomorrow then I will be meeting sometime this week at Luther High School with the principal and counselor about how their students can become more involved in TBI Raiders. Then I will start looking at dates for our first official meeting to start the pathway for the organization to turn into a non-profit. I am so excited about this! So I'm trying to be real careful about what I say and think because I'm worried someone will try to ruin what I'm doing with TBI Raiders.

In relation to the first paragraph, I'm going to have to watch how involved I become involved in the campaign stuff. This is because I don't want to affect my health in any way shape or form. See nobody has to worry about this but I do. Because if I don't watch it and am NOT careful I could be back on my death bed or at least back in the hospital. It has to do with the fact that I live with a left/right Traumatic Brain Injury. And oh jeez let's not forget that as far as I'm aware I'm the only left/right Traumatic Brain Injury survivor to come very close to a complete recovery. So not a lot is known on my type of TBI from what I've learned in the last ten years. I only get annoyed being around people who I've told about my disability and the side effects AND they STILL act like ignorant morons!

But I am hoping somewhere in this political process I can meet up again with my friends who like me were involved in the College Republicans club at Rose State College.

I am getting more excited...

2008-03-22T09:56:00.005-05:00

I am getting more excited because as the days pass, it just a matter of time before TBI Raiders becomes non-profit. But one thing I hope people don't do when they come to my blogs is think that TBI Raiders will reflect what I think because it won't. While I may be director and am active in advocating and representing, I'm not going to shove my views down someone's throat. My blogs just are a way of me venting about things or a place for me to chabber on happily about things going on in my life. I'm just extremely happy that those who represent Oklahoma at the state and congressional level will let me steam off about some subjects matters.

Case in point...I don't want someone to represent Oklahoma and think the only thing they can say is I this and I that. Because as much as you may not like some Oklahoma Congressional leaders, they have never I repeat NEVER told me they voted a certain way just because of solely what they think. Anytime I have emailed and have gotten responses back from like Coburn, Inhofe, and Lucas, they have always put what they heard from the constitutents and told me more about the bill then put why those chose to vote the way they did.

And I can tell you I have been corresponding via email with both Inhofe and Lucas since my first year in college which would have been the '99-'00 school year. I've been corresponding with many at the state level here in Oklahoma for that long too. It's nice because I can get phone calls on various things or they'll ask for my help with something or tell me how something is going that has to do with something related to what I do or something that deals with what I do.

And the one thing I'm happiest about is in the process of me getting politically active, I started asking my dad, who is in the army reserves, in college what the protocols were and chain of link and why the army had to do some things. I did this so I could understand more about what he did and just because I think the miliary is cool. Don't think my dad told me anything he shouldn't because he didn't and told to the effect that I didn't need to know because I wouldn't know how to deal with it and taught me about respect even more. But it is neat hanging out with those in the military. They are so much fun to talk to. And there isn't the same drama I find in other places....which is NICE. Plus I like talking to my dad about history and asking him about past events that have taken place...my dad is a history smartie. So I've found more things to talk about with dad which is awesome because I'm a daddy's girl. At the end of the day too, I like how the armed forces deals with things so much better!

So I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and enjoys being with their family!

Getting sick of all this race talk

2008-03-21T20:37:00.003-05:00

To me it's just blah blah blah and I seriously mean that. No one is asking the following:

Why do you attend church there if you say you don't believe the same?
Do you not believe blacks in America cannot make it on their own without having a black in power? If that's what you believe, then what does that really display blacks as?
Why can you not take a stance on defending America against terrorism?
Why do you believe in aligning yourself with the likes of the ACLU and moveon.org is more important than what we little people think? Can you not think on your own???

Okay if I have to listen to anymore crap come out of the democratic party, I'm going to A) potentially barf and B) get disgusted with a good portion of both blacks and Hispanics because of what is going on. Furthermore my Cherokee Indian ancestors just flat out rock ESPECIALLY for what they taught their descendants....which would include me. Because if blacks want to category every thing, then they can label me under the column, German English Irish Cherokee Indian or as what some of my friends called me a GEI Indian. They generally would only call me that because I could do something they couldn't do and said I was so talented because I was part Native American.

Barrock thinks blacks have it so bad? He should be thanking God he's not German and Native American. Because one of the my grandparents is. Back during both World War I & II there was hatred not only against blacks but also against Germans and Native Americans. And guess what??? If you married outside of the German line, you were kicked out of the family!!! So Obama doesn't have it so bad. One of my grandparents, their mother was kicked out of the family and not allowed to be buried in the German cemetery because of the fact she married a man who wasn't full blooded German. But my other grandparent, his father married a woman who was not only full blooded German but also part Native American! And guess what his parents not only DIDN'T kick him out of the family but my great grandmother felt comfortable enough to teach her children about being Cherokee Indian!!! My other grandmother before she died told me what those who were either full blooded Native American or part Native American were forced to go through. And trust me blacks don't have it so bad! They should be able to rise above it and make a better future for future generations. But now some have to act like babies and choose to pout all day long. Well I don't feel any sympathy for any black who wants to act like that. They are just choosing to whine and still not focus on the real issues at hand.

This is getting ridiculous and a tiny part of me wishes I hadn't switched to become a democrat in 2005. I for one miss talking to and hanging out with the friends I made in the young republicans club for one thing. But I'm not going to go back to being a republican for the soul reason I truly believe I can make a difference now. And I'm not suggesting republicans can't do a thing because I know they can. It was just a choice my heart had made and at least I can sleep well at night. I just want to do what I had been raised to do and help make a better tomorrow for everyone....oh yeah....I also come from a military family and will throw you one evil look if you dare think about insulting my daddy's commander in chief in front of me.

Eeks! Things are going to get crazy!!!

2008-03-20T16:58:00.002-05:00

I've been so busy with other things I've forgotten to come post on here! I've been so busy with things. Since I last posted on here, I've joined the Wellston Emergency Management Team, have returned to the dance studio, and am working hard as ever to get TBI Raiders to non-profit status. I've also decided where usually I am quiet about who people should vote for, this year I'm not keeping quiet. There is a lot of crap being pulled in this election and most of it is being pulled by democrats!

Well I'm fixing to get real busy. Next Monday I turn 27 years old and then the next week will be holding a booth for TBI Raiders at the University of Central Oklahoma then will be attending the spring conference for the Oklahoma Association of Higher Education And Disabilities. Then sometime after that a meeting will need to be set up to get things running for TBI Raiders to become non-profit! I'm wanting to do so much with this organization. I'm going to see if besides being a non-profit organization if TBI Raiders would be able to branch off and create jobs for the organization. So hopefully everything will be going up from here on out!

Getting ready for Sept. 26

2007-09-11T07:55:00.000-05:00

Things are going pretty relaxing right now. I'm getting ready for September 26 when I will go speak to a middle school class about TBI Raiders and leadership. I have invited two other speakers to come but don't know yet if they will. I've been in the process of contacting the volunteers here in Oklahoma (total of three from like volunteermatch.org and another volunteer recruiting website) to talk about meeting with them to see how they might contribute to the organization. I'm going to update one of the powerpoints for TBI Raiders. I'm going to add in pictures from the events that have been had or have been to. Then am going to need to do a new newsletter to send out to my contacts and one to hand out to the kids on the 26th. But at I have two weeks to get this all done. I looked for TBI statistics for Oklahoma and got unnerved by one, they are below (this was done in October of 2006 by the injury prevention service and I think this is within the Oklahoma State Department of Health):

TBI's are the leading cause of death and disability in the US
Although 75% of TBI's are considered mild, about 15% of these persons continue to experience consequences 12 months later
Costs estimated at 56.3 billion in 1995
From 1992-2003 a total of 39,967 Oklahomans suffered a TBI that was fatal or serious enough to require hospitalization
Males are nearly 2x more likely to be injured than females
Motor vehicle crashes and fall - most common cause
Firearm injuries - 96% intentional and 77% self-inflicted
1995-2001 annual numbers and rates of TBI related deaths hospitalization & external cause of injury
estimated 475,000 TBI's occurred among children
rates were highest among children aged 0-4
For children aged 0-9 years, both death and hospitalization rates were significantly higher for blacks than whites for motor vehicle traffic related TBI's
Conclusion with nearly a 1/2 a million children affected each year, TBI is a serious health problem
Variation in rates by race suggest the need to more closely examine the factors that contribute to these differences, such as the external causes of the injury and associated modifiable factors (ex the use of seatbelts and child safety seats)

I put the text in bold to highlight big pieces of information that I think should definitely catch a person's eye. But yet the craziest things is nobody is real educated or really aware of the disability unless A) they have the disability or a loved one/friend has it or B) they work in the medical/disability field. And that's a plain stupid excuse to say you don't know about it for those reasons. More education needs to be done. Especially when the age group to be the most effected is like 15-35 year old and there are not only over 12 types of the disability BUT a concussion is a mild form of the disability! But here's to hoping I can make a difference and get more educated out on TBI with what I'm doing!

This month is going to be busy

2007-08-09T15:33:00.000-05:00

Well it is but at the same time it's not going to be quite so busy...maybe. I will be going to listen to Senator Coburn speak or well go to an event he's going to be at. Then exactly a week later will be going to a university to hold a booth for TBI Raiders and hopefully I'll be able to recruit volunteers for it. Then lastly, the next week will be going to a county fair to hold a booth for the county democratic party that I'm part of. If I'm able to recruit volunteers then once a week or twice a month, there will be a meeting for the organization. I have a teleconference number for the organization and an web conference account for the organization. Plus then the group will be meeting together at the designated area during the month. I've been getting everything all together and ready for the day I will be working the booth for the organization and making signs, making copies, calling contacts, etc. I think I'm going to need some long meditation to relax from all of this. But before I do that I'm going to exercise!