Next meeting: May 9, 2011

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The May meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 9th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

Jerry Morle, Minister, returns to lead our conversation: The Value of a Journey.

Jerry led a discussion about faith in August 2010. After drawing one of our largest crowds in 2010, we're thrilled to welcome Jerry again. Ordained a Teacher in the Church of Jesus Christ in 1987, Jerry began in earnest to study and teach the scriptures in the local congregation in Michigan. He was ordained a Minister in the Church in September of 2009 at the Fort Worth branch.

The Value of a Journey

What is a Journey?

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines "journey" as both a noun and a verb. In action, journey means to travel over or through. As a noun, a journey is a trip or the traveling from one place to another.

We're all on a journey - maybe even multiple journeys - of life, love, and laughter. The journey becomes what we make of it.

How is your journey going?

Note that the discussion is open to everyone and is not based on a particular religion.

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom is to the left off the elevators.

The parking booths are no longer staffed in the evening and the exit requires machine payment. We have a couple more months worth of parking stickers, but they didn't work in the machines at the March and April meetings. Please bring a couple of dollars for parking.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.

Next meeting: April 11, 2011

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The April meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 11th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

We are thrilled to have Charlotte Barner, M.Ed, come and lead us in a group discussion: "Imagine the Possibilities - Putting Thoughts to Action."

What better way to continue to celebrate our name change from Brain Injury Support to Group to Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery group than having a conversation about possibilities?
Charlotte gave such a wonderful presentation in October about how to "Imagine the Possibilities" and we are thrilled to have her show us how to "Put Thoughts to Action."


Charlotte Barner is a doctoral candidate in Human & Organizational Learning from The George Washington University. Her master of education in Curriculum Design & Instructional Technologies is with honors from George Mason University; and her undergraduate degree in Business & Human Resources Administration is from Barry University.

Charlotte has over 20 years of experience in the area of human and organizational learning and development. Prior to joining SMU, she held senior corporate leadership positions responsible for creating and implementing development strategies and systems. Most recently, she established and lead Organizational Effectiveness for one of North America's top sales and marketing companies with clients such as AT&T, Best Buy, Disney, HP, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart, as well as the major movie and gaming producers.

Her philosophy and passion is that the journey of learning and development--from the individual to the organizational level--can be filled with positive possibilities that result in a life of well-being.


Group discussion - "Imagine the possibilities - putting thoughts to action."

Together, we will explore how our perceptions about ourselves influence our ability to envision future possibilities. We will be hearing about real life stories of individuals who discovered what they thought was “impossible” was really “possible!”

A fun tool we will use is called “Visual Explorer”—a set of several hundred images, chosen for their ability to support constructive conversations in a wide variety of situations. The images are deliberately diverse and global in subject, context, and aesthetics, sampling the spectra of the human condition.

We will also explore techniques for mindfulness and practical ways to turn thoughts into positive action.

As with all meetings, you can participate as much or as little as you like. Charlotte will also share her experience caring for her father who survived a brain tumor early in life and a stroke in his later years.


Before the meeting, think about how you would answer the following questions.

1. Think about a time in your life, any time. What did you discover that you could “do” or “be” that you first thought was impossible, but was actually possible?

2. Imagine a time in your future. What are you “doing” or “being” that you want to imagine is possible?

3. How did you accomplish these things, e.g. what thought did you put to action?


Preview of Visual Explorer

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom is to the left off the elevators.

The parking booths are no longer staffed in the evening and the exit requires machine payment. We have a couple more months worth of parking stickers, but they didn't work in the machines at the March meeting. Please bring a couple of dollars for parking.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.

Next meeting: March 14, 2011

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The March meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 14th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

In celebration of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we will discuss ways to be our own patient advocates.

After my ruptured brain aneurysm, stroke and brain surgery almost 11 years ago, I found myself facing the silent epidemic of brain injury. Without reliable information from doctors and other brain injury professionals, I was told to "go home and watch television" as my rehab. I started Lifelines in order to help other survivors avoid falling through the cracks and to illustrate the idea that brain function can be restored.

11 years later, I've had another ruptured brain aneurysm and brain surgery. I again risk falling through the cracks. This, even after 11 years of experience advocating for myself and others.

The bad news is that the brain injury rehabilitation model has not improved in the last decade.

The good news is that you can make sure you get the services you need.

How?

Here are some scenarios we'll discuss at the March meeting:

1. The neurosurgeon tells you for a week that you'll be discharged to in patient rehab. One morning, his assistant tells you that you'll be going to in patient rehab later that day. That afternoon, the nurse comes in your room and says you're being discharged home - immediately.

What do you do?

2. The out patient rehab clinic doesn't call you for a week. After three phone calls, you finally get a call back. The scheduler says you can start on March 16th, one month after you've been discharged from the hospital.

What do you do?

3. The home health service doesn't call back for two and a half weeks after the initial evaluation. When you call them, you are told that your insurance company doesn't reimburse enough to make it profitable to provide services to you.

What do you do?

Join us for the March meeting where we'll explore these scenarios and more, talk about how to advocate for ourselves, and explore patient advocacy resources.

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom A is to the left off the elevators.

Please note that parking is only free for a few more months! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting. Future cost is $2.00 per meeting.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.

Next meeting: February 14, 2011

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The February meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 14th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

We will introduce the concept of "Art as therapy" with a hands-on arts and craft session. Sherry Aikman, an artist with 30 years of experience, will teach us the joyous craft card making - just in time for Valentine's Day!

According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), Art Therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and the traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art. (AATA, 2002)

Art making is a nonverbal tool that can be used to enhance communication about emotional and internal conflicts. It provides the opportunity to listen with one’s eyes. The common tendency of individuals to tune out what they prefer not to hear makes visual images powerful tools…(Landgarten, 1981)

Some benefits include increased stamina and tolerance to various environmental barriers, increased dexterity and hand-eye coordination, improved initiation of sequential events, increased on-task duration and reduction of agitation.

text from "Alternate therapies in the treatment of brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders" by Gregory Jay Murray

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom A is to the left off the elevators.

Please note that parking is only free for a few more months! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting. Future cost is $2.00 per meeting.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.

Next meeting: January 10, 2011

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The January meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 10th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.


Happy New Year and welcome to the future! It's a new decade and our 10th anniversary season. WOW. To celebrate, we'll re-visit some of our most popular topics and speakers. In addition, Robert Whitaker, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic, will be here in the fall. (If you'd like to make a contribution towards his travel costs, please contact me).

Let’s start 2011 off with a BANG by asking the following question…

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN YOU THINK?

Doing well on IQ tests is no real determinant of how successful you will be or even of how smart you actually are. There is more to intellect than logical, verbal, numerical, and spatial ability. Other, more “hidden” types of intelligence, which are difficult to quantify or qualify, are no less essential to our being able to solve problems and otherwise negotiate the challenges life throws at us.

What is intelligence? In its purest sense, intelligence is understood to be the cognitive ability to understand events or information, then process this information rationally in order to respond appropriately to what is happening around us.

Text from Clare Gordon’s Are You Smarter Than You Think?

Join Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group on January 10th to find out if you ARE smarter than you think. We will be testing our abilities (with some tests similar to standard neuropsychological ones, so if you are curious as to what these tests look like, here’s your chance to experience them) and then exploring ways to improve our mental functioning. We’ll look at Conceptual Intelligence, Personal Intelligence and Creative Intelligence.

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231
*note room change back to Classroom A

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom A is to the left off the elevators.

Remember that parking is now free! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.

General Overview

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

2nd Mondays of the month, 6:30 - 8 PM

Fogelson Building

Classroom A

We celebrate our 10th year anniversary in June 2011!!!

Lifelines functions primarily as an educational forum. We also hold group discussions every few months.

Mission Statement Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group strives to address the various issues that arise during the rehabilitation/recovery period through support, information and education. The group serves to educate its members about brain injury, how to improve brain health and the possibility of recovering brain function. Lifelines also provides an open forum where survivors, caregivers and health care professionals may meet and share their experiences. This exchange allows the group to address quality of life issues.

Philosophy Every individual, whether brain injured or not, has suffered some type of affliction. The emphasis for healing and recovery is not to focus on what has happened but instead to focus on what a person can accomplish in the aftermath of tragedy. What is most important is how a person responds to life's challenges. We are survivors. We are not victims.


Purpose "For human beings adaptation to change cannot take place through instincts. It has to take place through something called awareness, motivation, free will and the ability to anticipate the future." Self-Healing: A Personal History, René DuBos from The Healing Brain, A Scientific Reader, Edited by Ornstein/Swencionis

Goals • To assist patients during the rehabilitation/recovery phase of brain injury by providing education about the brain, brain health and the possibility of recovering brain function. • To identify the “silent epidemic” of brain injury and offer a forum for patients and their caregivers to feel supported and find direction during this period of adjustment. • To allow for exchange of thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Calendar - 2011 meeting dates

January 10 - Are You Smarter Than You Think?

February 14 - Sherry Aikman, artist, Arts & Crafts, Making Valentines

March 14 - Brain Injury Awareness Month - How to be your own patient advocate

April 11 - Charlotte Barner, M.Ed., Imagine the Possibilities

May 9 - Jerry Morle, minister - Group discussion on Spiritual Health

June 13 - 10 year anniversary TBA

July 11 - Genie Bodenhamer-Davis and Richard Davis, founders of UNT Neurofeedback Program

August 8 - TBA

September 12 - Robert Whitaker, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic

October 10 - TBA

November 14 - TBA

December 13 - Holiday Social at Qdoba, West Village, Lemmon and McKinney Ave



For the purposes of our group, the most important thing to realize is that the mechanism by which the brain was injured (automobile accident, fall, stroke, ruptured brain aneurysm/brain surgery, congenital) is most significant during the acute phase of care - hospitalization - and post acute - first stages of rehabilitation. When it comes time to address the physical and cognitive deficits in the recovery/rehabilitation/remediation phase, there are enough similarities between the brain insults that allow survivors to meet under an umbrella group.

Our group members have experienced traumatic brain injury, mild traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury such as ruptured brain aneurysm/brain surgery and stroke and congenital brain injury. Caregivers, other family members (adults only), friends, and health care professionals also attend the meetings.

The challenges faced by survivors depend on what type of brain injury has occurred, so we have a range in physical and cognitive abilities. We usually have an average of 15 people attending presentations.

Past speakers include Dr. Harold Crasilneck presenting the effects of hypnotherapy, Drs. Gray Atkins, Jonathan Walker, Marvin Sams and Sara Hunt Harper discussing neurofeedback (EEG Biofeedback techniques), Tracy Sellers introducing Brain Gym, Betty Erickson (daughter of Milton Erickson) giving a "reality check" with emotionally healthy ways to approach life, Dr. Fran Assaf presenting CranioSacral Therapy, The Center for Brain Health talking about rehabilitation, Dr. Steve Lomber detailing how the brain overcomes injury, Roger Stainbrook and Elijah Hawken discussing the benefits of acupuncture, Dr. John-Claude Krusz discussing neuropharmocology, Jane Shook, M.S., SLP exploring sensory integration and the Interactive Metronome and Dr. Richard Fulbright presenting two lectures - one about neuropsychological testing and the other about psychosocial outcomes following traumatic brain injury.

Note: Additional information is listed under the 2007 posts. For Fun Things to Do, click on June 2007; for Free Things to Do, click on May 2007; for Resource Information, click on May 2007; for information on different therapies/remediating brain injury, click on August 2007.

For more information and/questions about the group, please contact Kimberly at aikmank@gmail.com. Please note that meetings are for adults only - we do not have the facilities to accommodate children.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
8200 Walnut Hill Lane
Dallas, TX 75231

Map:http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=&daddr=8200+Walnut+Hill+LN+Dallas,+TX+75231&iwstate1=dir:to&oi=manybox&ct=16&cd=1&resnum=1

When turning into the campus from eastbound Walnut Hill, the best route to take may be the driveway prior to the light for the main entrance. The driveway curves away from the main entrance (direction towards North Central Expressway) and the entry to the parking lot is on the left (gated entry). The Fogelson Building has a small dome on top and is next to the Margot Perot Center.

Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Haggar Hall is to the left off the elevators.

Remember that parking is now free! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting.

Neither Lifelines nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


As the official Dallas group for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, we support

The TAYLOR MANGHAM 1st Annual Memorial Run/Walk for Brain Aneurysm Awareness

and encourage you to do so as well.

January 22, 2011, 11:00 am @ The Parks at Town Center
1100 Bear Creek Parkway, Keller TX.

Registration will be from 9:30-10:45 am and the walk/run will start at 11:00am.

Make a Difference – Every donation matters every dollar counts. Taylor Mangham, a vivacious
young man with a smile that brightened the hearts of many, passed away January 19, 2010 of a brain aneurysm unexpectedly at the young age of 15.

Join us to celebrate the memory of Taylor and bring awareness to brain aneurysms. All proceeds benefit The Brain Aneurysm Foundation and all donations qualify as a tax deductible contribution. The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is the world’s only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures.

Visit online at http://bafound.org for more information.

Event Registration Fee: All Ages: $20.00
Registration fee includes a T‐shirt if registered before January 7, 2011

Register online http://bafound.donorpages.com/taylorwalk/

Corporate Sponsor: Space provided during the event to showcase your business.
Company name printed on all material showing sponsorship including t‐shirts.

All media advertising will include sponsors.

Sponsor a drink station: Spaces provided throughout the course to showcase
your business while handing out water, oranges, bananas, or other energy
related items.

To become a Corporate or Drink Station sponsor, please call:
817‐368‐3603 or 817‐832‐2573.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Wellness and Recovery Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.