Writing By Laura

• Pressure Point Massage Roller: (Gaiam Restore Pressure Point Muscle Roller Massage Stick, $17.98 on Amazon). I happened upon this because I read and follow a lot of health, beauty and wellness blogs. This device randomly came up as recommended by one of the blogs for loosening up muscles. As a person who has suffered from TMD (jaw pain), migraines and Fibromyalgia BEFORE the Traumatic Brain Injury, I have been a walking tense ball of muscles for a long time… and then I got hit by a car! Anyway, this little strange looking device has done more for me in a short period of time than what years of Physical Therapy, acupuncture, medication, massage, etc. have done over the years. I had a sizable lump on my left shoulder that through repeated use of this device has disappeared (Warning: when working on something like my “Quasimodo hump” on my shoulder, work slowly and gentle and don’t try to release it all at once. AND DRINK WATER after you use the device because you will be releasing toxins from the tense muscles into your system. I am NOT a medical professional in any way shape or form, but this has just worked for me).
• Scalp Massager: This helps the muscles in my head that get tense associated with my TMD/jaw pain, TBI, migraines, computer/eye strain.
• Earplugs: (Loop) and others: I have been using the Loop Switch 2 recently. They came highly recommended by members from my virtual TBI support group and I liked that this version (the Switch 2) lets you switch between modes from quiet, experience to engage modes. I also have a lot of lesser expensive earplugs that I always keep handy. Sound makes me so uncomfortable and unhappy since my TBI and earplugs are an easy adjustment I can make. They don’t solve everything clearly but they certainly help. Some cheaper ones that I have used or still use are these and these.
• Apple Air Pod Pro 2: For noise canceling. A more expensive noise canceling option but I have found that in a quiet environment I am able to listen to some audiobooks (it’s the sound quality of these that allows that).
• Auvulis Ring: I have always been sensitive to barometic pressure changes and those have always been a headache trigger for me. Now with my TBI I am even more sensitive. I got some more of them and you wear them on different fingers for different relief.
• Ginger Chews: You can get these anywhere (Trader Joe’s, Home Goods), I get them from Amazon (my favorite flavor is the Chime’s Orange). Ginger is known to help with nausea and I actually think it helps with the mild heartburn I sometimes get (I suck on it and don’t chew it). I also just really like the taste and have found that when I am really overwhelmed (as I often get in loud and active public spaces with my TBI) I use ginger chews to calm and self soothe.
• Gel Ice Pack: My TBI has made me overheat very easily. So much so that I now find a frozen gel pack behind my neck to be the fastest way to soothe, calm and cool me down in a way that is so satisfying and helpful. I have linked to the pack of 4 that I always have at the ready in the freezer.
• Coconut Water: I was always the person who never hydrated enough. Then the TBI happened and I found a direct correlation in how I felt when I hydrated enough (OBVIOUS, I KNOW) and Coconut Water and Bai are my go-to drinks for that besides water. Especially coconut water. It helps so much. I put the smaller carton in the freezer for a bit and when it’s really cold it’s really good!
• Limiting Screen Time: An obvious one of course, but for someone with a TBI I sometimes feel like the bugs attracted to a bug zapper in the animated movie from years ago “A Bug’s Life” ‘Don’t go towards the light… but it’s so BEAUTIFUL!’ I use Apple devices so I use the Screen Time feature in my settings. I am still on them too much but considering I have all my devices (phone, computer, iPad) share time and I do a whole host of constructive things: like learn German, ASL, online grocery shopping, all the online health scheduling and messaging for me and my parents, run an online book club and blog for an organization and am trying to write my memoir (oh, and this blog which I used to do regularly and haven’t for some time). I also do virtual therapy and a virtual support group for myself. I do however spend too much time watching cleaning videos on Instagram (so relaxing) and cute dog videos on Instagram (I’m not on TikTok but so many people cross-post on the different social platforms).

Almost 10 years in and I am still a TBI survivor!

That’a an obvious statement, I suppose. But not really because for many people with brain injury, surviving and living is a constant battle and CHOOSING to live and CHOOSING to survive doesn’t feel like a choice. I personally don’t struggle with my mental health much nor do I have suicidal ideation. However, it’s a very real part of this disability (TBI). That’s one of the many reasons that the Brain Injury Association of America is an important nonprofit in this country that brings awareness to Traumatic Brain Injury in March (Brain Injury awareness month) and every month. Check them out to learn more: https://biausa.org/

Win-Pup for the Win!