Vitamins & Supplements

I think that now is a good time to shoot out an updated list of the meds, or lack thereof, and the vitamins that I have found to work well with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Granted, this is specific to me, but I think that they will do almost anybody good! Some of their effect’s will not be instantly noticed and that is actually a good thing! I am not a fan of medicine that may relieve the symptom, but leave me strung out. This also opens the door for addiction and an unhealthy dependency that creates side effect which are treatable with...yup...more meds. And the cycle continues!

Juice Plus - Garden Blend
Juice Plus - Vineyard Blend
Juice Plus - Orchard Blend
Omega 3
Super B Complex
Vitamin C
Echinacea
Ginkgo Biloba
Milk Thistle
D3
DMAE
Iron
Turmeric + Peppercorn
Multivitamin

I rented a Trykit from Peace Cycling Performance, www.peacecyclingperformance.com, for a month to see how it would work out.  It worked! I'm not breaking any land speed records but where there's a spark, there's a fire!

Importance of the Cerebellum

"The cerebellum is only 10% of brain volume but holds almost 80% of your brain's total neurons." Yeah, it's pretty dang important!

Read  "Harvard Research Shows How the Cerebellum Regulates Thoughts"

Walking Tip

Here is a key to walking that I learned throughout the last handful of years: Almost all of your attention needs to be focused on your own actions, and you need to remain extremely mindful of your proprioception. A break in concentration can throw off your game and the cards will fall to the ground. This isn’t always the case. Some days are better than others. Maybe you slept better, maybe you had bran flakes instead of pop tarts…I don’t know. The point is to keep your eyes on the prize and always be cognizant of what you’re telling your body to do.

That last sentence was a bit misleading. You are telling your muscles what to do, but your brain ultimately controls your muscles. Just be aware of that. You may need to concentrate really hard and shut down your input from your other senses to make thing happen, but it can be done. I have learned that there is almost always a way to make something happen, you just have to think outside of the box and find it!

That brings me to another subject: “The Box”. That Box is how a majority of society views and deals with things. Those reactions to situations are portrayed in the media. They then get programmed into us from an early age. I’ll stop there. You get the picture, but basically…make sure you lead your own horse!

Lessons Learned

My walking w/ my Rollator has progressed to about a 10% Fall Rate. It has taken years of dedicated practice and a calm environment that promotes healthy living to get to this point. Granted, I can only go for about an hour before things get a bit sketchy.

The point that I am hoping to show by posting this is that things that you want may actually be obtainable, but they will require you to push your mind and body to a new level! Basically, flip the switch to ‘ON’ in your head and accept nothing less than success. You are the only one that can determine if your effort has been successful and you need to be the only one to stop yourself! You have to live with the little voice in your head…24/7. It is going to be very difficult to live a happy life and always think “If only…”.

In my case, it’s more than just pushing my body physically. It is rewiring my brain or strengthening those newly established connections. It is training my brain to accept a certain level of discomfort or pain until that becomes just a normal feeling that I can smile about. By doing exactly that, repeatedly, I can continue to build on yesterday’s accomplishments. 

It is just like steps on a ladder. The top is very far away and it is going to take a lot of time, effort, and a certain dedication to move up. One step will take you to the next and so on. This is where the switch flipping thing is highly beneficial. The key is to make sure that you can take advantage of each step so that you continue to advance forward or up, and don’t continuously repeat the same step. Repeating that same step will actually dull your shine and will leave you with no one to point the finger of failure at besides yourself!

Change Your Brain

7 Habits That May Actually Change the Brain, According to Science:

1. Exercise

2. Meditation

3. Education/Mental Activity

4. Foods and Spices

5. Coffee

6. Vitamins and Minerals

7. Sleep

Click HERE to read more.

Brain Plasticity

What Is Brain Plasticity and Why Is It So Important?  Click HERE to find out.

Exsistential Panic

Free yourself from Existential Panic.  Click HERE to learn more about it.

How to Find Happiness

Find out "The 10 Keys To Happiness That Are Scientifically Proven".

The Human Spirit

Firstly: If you haven't seen "The Martian" yet, see it ASAP. Secondly: If you have seen it, see it again! That movie has so many powerful lessons for life and although the storyline is obviously fictional, the fight of the human spirit portrayed by the actors is not. 

It shows an extreme and life threatening situation in which the person did not accept the situation and chose to fight for life. It wasn't an easy battle by any means, but the cost was well worth the reward. The reward being LIFE!

I have had a handful of life threatening situations. I don't mean that they just were considered "dangerous". I mean that I really thought I was going out. One such instance was when I was kayak surfing. I would paddle out in the ocean a ways, and either stand up or stay seated to ride the wave in to the beach. Most of the time it worked as planned, but occasionally I got off kilter and took a refreshing swim. If that happened, I swam after my kayak which usually continued on to the shore. This became frustrating so I quickly came up with a solution. I'll just use a leg-leash like legit surfers use. Good idea, right?! Kinda...I'll explain. On this one occasion; my kayak flipped, the seat became an underwater sail, and I was towed under the water for what seemed like forever! I was a very strong swimmer but still couldn't make it to the top. My lungs weren't full of air either so things weren't looking too good for me. 

After trying to reach the surface, I remember a calm and warm feeling coming over me. I was going to drowned. I gave this whole life thing my best shot. Or did I?! I decided to stick it out for just a couple seconds longer. I wasn't ready to die yet. This isn't how my story ends. Those extra few seconds were exactly what I needed. Now I was in more shallow waters. As soon as I felt the ground, I quickly gathered my strength and launched off of the sandy bottom like a rocket! I threw in a couple arm strokes and broke the surface, gasping for air. I was alive. This isn't a heroic event or as significant as being stuck on Mars, but it does hopefully show you that you are capable of more than what your brain tells you. You may just get pushed (or pulled) harder than ever before. You need to rise to the challenge. Nope...I'm not going out today. Not like this.

In it to Win It?

Himalayan Salt Lamp

I saw an advertisement about Himalayan Salt Lamps and did a little research. It appears to be very beneficial. It does emit negative ions, which are very good for you, but it does so in a very slow process and the amount of ions produced isn’t that great. Now, there are also wall outlet ion thingys and air purifier systems that have the same effect. I decided to give the Salt Lamp a go, though. I’ve only been rock’n it for a few days now. I have'nt really noticed any significant changes, but only time will tell. Every little bit helps! “Rome wasn’t built in a day”.

Whoa, this is me!

Going about life in a wheelchair is a bit tougher. Every little accommodation can’t be made for you. Sorry…that’s life! Suck it up! When you do exactly that, your mentality will change from “Woe is Me" to "Whoa, this is me”.

Meditation Literally Rebuilds Brain’s Gray Matter?

"This most recent study found that an average of 27 minutes of a daily practice of mindfulness exercises stimulated a significant boost in gray matter density, specifically in the hippocampus; the area of the brain in which self-awareness, compassion, and introspection are associated."

Click HERE to read the article. 

Can we restore lost memories?

... Not yet, but they're working on it! Click HERE to read about it.

Little Improvements

I went out yesterday for another walk with my Rolling Walker and the walk actually went pretty well! I haven't taken a dive in the last 6 walks! I do get off balance a few times, but I quickly correct it before it becomes a bigger issue. I also no longer need those torso straps (bungees) to keep me centralized in the walker. This indicates that my proprioception and muscle control has improved. I would credit this improvement to continued persistence with training on my walker and possibly a supplement (DMAE) that I started taking about 4 months ago. I don't have any clinical evidence or Doctor recommendations to back DMAE, but I have found many articles stating it's benefits. It was also endorsed on the Dr. Oz show, and a friend of mine who has a TBI is also taking it. His wife turned me on to it and said it was one of the things that has helped her husband to walk. That was all the evidence that I needed. DMAE is a natural, over the counter "pill". Why not give it a go?!

What holds your happiness?

Most of society has had the belief that people in wheelchairs are some how inferior to those able bodied people. Granted, some people are more sensitized and educated about this issue. It took me over 5 years to wash this negative stigma out of my mind. It wasn't until I moved to an area that allowed me to function as Ryan that I truly began to heal and change my mindset. I am now in a w/c in over 50% of my dreams. I believe that I may never be able to walk independently. That's ok. I made peace with that, but it doesn't mean that I'm not going to fight to regain any of those abilities that I had lost. My point is that maybe you need to redefine your idea of happiness. If you can walk but you're not happy, well than who is the disabled one? Something needs to change in your life!

TRY ME!

Quilts Of Valor

Last week I was presented with an awesome handmade quilt by Quilts Of Valor.  I think it's so great that patriotic people that may not have served in the armed forces can join this organization as a way to show their support for the military.  To know that this quilt was mostly made by the lady (Lisa Akin) that raised my Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Service Dog (Docker) made it much more meaningful!  Docker also liked his quilt and wanted to say thanks, although I think he mainly focused on his treat throughout the presentation.

After the ceremony, there was a small gathering at a nearby park with CCI-East Bay members and their members.

Matcha

I bought some Matcha last week.  It’s basically like a Green Tea Powder.  I usually brew up a cup in the morning or before a trip to the gym.  That stuff is the real deal!  Now it doesn’t smell or taste the greatest, but the reward definitely outweighs the cost.  Check it out!

Wikipedia - Matcha

You can probably pick some up at your local health food store or you can purchase it online (Amazon).

Comodita Rolling Walker: UPDATE

This Comodita Rolling Walker is working out great! I got a one-handed brake module ordered and installed by a local bike shop and my gym temporarily loaned me a 25lb sandbag to use as a counterbalance. I can't wait to walk tomorrow!

Memory Lane

It's fine to take a stroll down memory lane, but it won't take you anywhere.  Expand all that you are by taking a new and better route into your future!

Do something!

It is a fact that each one of us will die.  That’s 100% guaranteed!  Most of us will pass due to natural causes later in our lives.  Some of us won’t.  Regardless of how your ticket gets pulled, you have the opportunity now to tac some extra days, weeks, or even years to your life!  I can almost promise you that this will be extra time that your glad you have!  Take advantage of your current situation.  Start eating better.  Set yourself up for success!  Get outside.  Get in the gym.  Do something now.  Do something while you can!

How sleep positively impacts the brain

Click here for the TED presentation.

Rose colored glasses?

What color tint is on your glasses?

Setbacks?? Send 'em!

There are going to be setbacks in your life. One's that may totally knock you down. Don't get comfortable down there! Keep your eyes on the prize! Get up and get after it! "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".

There is always a way!

Even though something may seem impossible at first, it will become easier over time. Before you know it, you've done it and the hardest part will be a thing of the past!

Learning Another Language

The benefits of learning multiple languages is greater than you may think!

Click HERE for the link.

Make it happen!

"Things don't start working until you do!"

The X-Finger

The world’s first active-function artificial finger assembly designed specifically for partial finger amputees. The device allows users to regain complete control of the flexion and extension movements of an artificial finger in a self-contained device. It is designed to bend a silicone finger sheath in a realistic manner.

Click HERE to view the webpage.

Every little bit helps!

"No one said it would be easy.  They said it would be worth it!"

Operation High Altitude

Here is a write-up I did concluding the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra "Operation High Altitude 2015". It was a great time!

 Click HERE for the blog article.

Click HERE for pictures.

Keep on keeping on...

I went for another walk this morning. I am at a 65% No Fall rate and a 0% injury rate. I accredit no injuries to several things; 1) Protective gear, and 2) AIRBORNE school teaching me the right way to fall…chin to chest and roll the shoulders.

Just Try!

"The professional was first an amateur." "Whether you think you can or can't, you're already half way there." "You don't have to be good to start, you just need to start to be good." If it doesn't work, meh. Get up and dust yourself off. You simply found one way that didn't work on your quest for success.

DMAE

Another lesser-known compound in fish, dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), is increasingly favored by medical practitioners for its role in boosting brain power. DMAE has shown positive results in the treatment of a variety of cognitive and disruptive disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory lapses. DMAE is even being used in skin care products designed to treat sagging skin and age spots.

This may be something to look into.  Click HERE for more information.

Learning to Walk

This has been a very long process for me. I do think that walking is a goal that many people in my physical situation can attain in a shorter amount of time if they can constantly apply themselves. Maintaining peak physical shape is paramount. This can be achieved by working out or by doing some kind of physically demanding activity almost everyday. I have three transfer poles in my apartment, but the one that I use the most is in my living room. Instead of transferring to the couch to watch TV, I will just practice on my standing. This is not only good for the muscles, but my circulatory system, my joint strength, my mental alertness, and my proprioception. It also builds my endurance levels to the added pressure on the bottoms of my feet, shoulders, and my back. With all of this physical activity added onto a day, make sure that you adequately replenish your body’s fuel level. You must stay properly hydrated. Yes, what goes in must come out. Such is life! Taking certain vitamins each morning may also be a good idea. Not just a multi-vitamin, either! Eating healthy (somewhat) will also help you out. Your body is repairing or building itself up after a work out and it needs the proper fuel to do so. Eating right and properly hydrating will also help to give that extra edge so that you don’t become too fatigued at the end of the day. Initially, standing and walking will not be comfortable. You will have bad days. There will also be many good days. Take advantage of those days! Looking at the big picture may also seem impossible. Break the task up into smaller portions to make it more digestible, but always keep your eye on the prize. Be sure to push yourself a little further each chance you get. By doing this, you will not only boost your physical capabilities, but you will learn that you are a bit tougher than you evaluate yourself to be. This will then only make it easier to go further next time! It’s almost like climbing a ladder. One step makes the other step reachable. Before you know it, your already half way there. If you encounter a problem in this process, don’t take the easy way out and let it block you from reaching your goals. Just spend those extra minutes to think about the steps that you need to take to reach an effective solution. I hope this helps you! Remember that EVERYONE had to crawl before they could walk. Through repetition, things can be learned or relearned.

 Never Give Up!

 Of note: The Speech function on iOS is amazing!

Progress!

It's all coming together! Armed with a helmet, elbow pads, gloves, and fleece lined pants, I just walked 1/8 of a mile outside with my walker by myself. As Peggy Ann​ told me: A rolling rock never grows moss. Never Give Up!

Keep it Going!

So last year I was only able to walk by myself with my contraption (below) for about 30 yards before I fell over. Now, a little more than six months later, I am able to walk over 160 yards before calling it quits because things got a bit too dicey. I attribute some of this to an improvement within my nuero pathways. They are now able to receive the message of instability from my cerebellum and quickly transfer that message to another part of my cerebellum that controls motor function. Basically, when I have that "Oh Crap" moment, now I can react quick enough to counter it. I also attribute this to staying active (mentally and physically) and eating right. I am excited to see just how far I can ride this train!

Could your brain repair itself?

Could your brain repair itself? Click HERE to view the TED-Ed video!

Keep Moving Forward!

You can either choose to wallow in your own self pity or move past it and create a better life for yourself!

Reaching Your Goals

Think of it like a caterpillar wanting to reach the tops of the trees.  The caterpillar climbed awhile yet he quickly became tired.  So, he made a cocoon and became a butterfly who was now able to reach his goals.

Be Patient

Be patient yet persistent!

Goals

You know that place in you're life that you want to get to?  That's your goal.  Every step along the road of life is either a move towards your goal or it put's you further away from your goal.  Compare it to a soccer game, but instead of a bunch of players there are only two....you and life.  If you're not moving forward then you're moving backwards!  You know what needs to be done to get to your goal.  It's time to put in some hard work by harnessing everything you've learned in your life.
Get It Done!

Your True Strength

Realize your true strength and nothing can stop you!

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Research Study

While Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) may not be a "Cure All", it will bring you out of your current state and help to take you to a much better place so that you can fully apply yourself to rehabilitation.  My knowledge of HBOT is 7 years old, though.  I imagine that this field has and is quickly evolving.  Do your own research and draw your own conclusions on HBOT.  

Reminder:  This is a research study.

Benefits of Sleep by Stage

Here's another article promoting the physical and mental benefits of sleep.

Busy Day

This morning, I drove my Vita S to the gym, over to the cleaners, and then back home for lunch. Safeway delivered some groceries, then I drove over to the bike shop to pick up a few things for tomorrow morning's ride.  It feels so good to plan out my day and make things happen!

Memory

Learn how memories are shuffled around in your brain so that what you do today is the same as how you'll do it tomorrow. Click HERE.  This kinda hits close to home. In the first few years after my injury, I would do tasks repeatedly. Events that I had completed numerous times before never got fully transferred to my long term memory so that they would be less cumbersome the next time they arose. It was only after REPEATEDLY doing a certain task that it eventually became "muscle memory". After sticking to it for long enough, it became second nature. This proves that those things that you say that you can't do, can actually be done if you DON'T GIVE UP!

A Motivating Quote

This quote motivated me to do 3hrs on the Treadmill this morning:

"If you put a limit on what you will do, you are only putting a limit on what you can do.

Dodge Caravan R/T

My new Dodge Caravan R/T is awesome! Thank you Braun Ability, Economy Medical, and the Veteran’s Administration for making this such a smooth process!

Naps

It can actually be a really good thing for your brain if you wanna be on the top of your game.  It's an easy way to recharge your battery!  10-20 minutes is a good amount of time to nap if you're in a crunch.  60-90 minutes is ideal.  Try to avoid 30 minute power naps if you want to be bright eyed and bushy tailed when you wake up.  Naps may be difficult to take if you are having trouble turning off your brain.  If that's the case, put on some relaxing music to chill you out and distract your thoughts.

Click HERE for the article.

Merry Christmas!

Iron Gym EXTREME

I've got great news if you use a wheelchair and you are looking for a quick workout at home. The original Iron Gym was good, but it was very basic and not that wide. The Iron Gym Extreme fits in a wheelchair accessible door frame and it has multiple different hand grip styles.

It's Just a Detour!

You may think you have the right game plan for life, but it turns out that the path that you were on has a massive roadblock or an abrupt ending. That is NOT the end of your journey. You are NOT going out like this! Get a straw and suck it up! A new, even better, life awaits you as long as you put in the effort to find a way to make things work.

Walker Experiment: Green Light!

I came up with something that lets me use my walker independently. I still must be in the right environment. I attach one end of a bungee cord to the frame of the walker and hook the other end to my pants. Doing this gives me instant feedback which helps me stay centered in the walker, and it forces me to step which takes stress off my lower back and wrists. The feedback also greatly helps out with my lack of proprioception.

Live your Life!

On man. This is so true. I get caught in the grind and forget. Don't take the life you're living for granted. Live everyday to it's fullest and remember how easily it can be taken away!

Fix your mindset!

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Dr. Wayne Dyer

DSES / CCI

I got the opportunity to assist Canine Companions for Independence with their presentation this past week to Wounded Warriors at the Disabled Sports - Eastern Sierra summer camp. It was a great opportunity to highlight the positive impacts that a service dog can make in someone's life.

Embrace it All

Both sides can work to your advantage if you let them. Look deep and see the positive impacts that you can make to turn your darkness into beauty.

Your point of view

Things can be beautiful for you, it depends how you look at them. Take the bad with the good.

Hope

Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Now you will be prepared for almost anything and do it all with a relaxed mind!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Do It!

Stop thinking and wondering! Go out and make it happen!

Canine Companions for Independence DogFest

This picture was taken yesterday at the Canine Companions for Independence DogFest Walk ‘n Roll at Oak Hill Park in Danville, CA. What a great way to start the day and an even better way to showcase the talents of CCI Service Dogs! I highly encourage you to consider getting a CCI dog if the need is there.

Comfort Zone

"Do what you've always done and you'll get what you've always gotten!"
-Someone

Live your Life!

Memorial Day Weekend

Please take at least a minute this holiday weekend to think and/or pay tribute to those that have paid the ultimate price so that we can live saftley enjoy our freedom!  Hand down the true meaning of Memorial Day so that the day's importance will never be lost.

TRY ME!

Things might now be challenging.  Face them head on, and knock them down!  One after the next!  Guess what, you did it!  Now, you're ready for your next even bigger challenge!

How can you help?

Although our pieces might be different, we are all playing the same game.  Lets just help each other out.  This is a great example of that!

Click HERE.

Change

Vitamins, Vitamins, and more Vitamins!

Well, today I added Vitamin B3 to my daily arsenal. It mixes in with my daily doses of Echinacea, Ginkgo Biloba, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, a Multi Vitamin, and my one prescribed medication (which I have significantly lowered over the last few year).

Brain Plasticity

The brain's is an amazing organ . Take advantage of it's plasticity before it's too late!

Tough Mudder: Family Feud

This is a video clip of my favorite obstacle in the LA Tough Mudder.  It was my favorite one because it was one that I did not think I would be able to complete.  This obstacle took all of my team member's help in order for me to complete it.  With my teammate's continued help, I was also able to complete every single obstacle on the course.  I am not one to ask for help, but this is proof of what can be accomplished if you reach out to someone for that help.

Remember who you are!

Adversity to Advocasy

I am a member of Adversity to Advocasy Alliance (A2A). Their mission is one that empowers people that are living with a disability by providing them with the platform to spread their positive and encouraging message to those that have either just entered the disability world or those that are already in it, but they have broken down on their journey through this new world and are in need of some tools.

Go to their website and check them out!
http://a2aalliance.org

A2A just launched Project Hope Exchange. This program allows a person to both give and receive a message of hope. This can be life-changing to someone that may need that little glimmer of sunshine.

The website is:
http://projecthopeexchange.com/about/

Yesterday, I helped to staff a A2A booth during Las Positas College’s “Brain Awareness Week”. Here is a photo of myself and Sandie Dormen, the A2A Founding Board Member/ Outreach Director.

Take a walk, not a pill

Brain Foods

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra

This is a write-up detailing Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s “Operation Mountain Freedom”. I have participated in this program multiple times, both their winter and summer camp. DSES holds many events besides their winter and summer camps.

Check them out!
http://www.disabledsportseasternsierra.org