Chris' Web

As always allot has happened in the past 6 months, but even more so in past six years. Today, July 13, is the 6year anniversary of my injury and so much has happened in that time. This web site has been a way for me to tell others what it is like to live with a brain injury, but it has also been a way for me to reflect on my own progress, and some of my disappointments along the way.

Since my last update, in November, I have done a few more races on my hand cycle. The Double Bridges 15K, the Pensacola Marathon 26.2 miles, and the Fiesta Run a 10K. I have registered for a double whammy the Marine Corps Marathon and NY City Marathon, which I will be doing later on this year. They are back-to-back races two Sundays in a row, so I have been doing allot of training to get ready for those. This time I will be part of the Freedom Team; it is a team co-ordinate through Achilles Track Club for disabled veterans. Achilles is reaching out to most of the major military hospitals to help get newly injured service members involved in running.

Last April (2006) I went back out to Colorado for the DAV Winter Sports Clinic, for skiing, rock climbing, etc. there are some links to pictures and media presentations, of the 2006 DAV Winter Sports Clinic, below. The #3 media presentation shows Josh and I doing the ZIP LINE, what a blast! We were attached to a line and ski part way down the hill and then are pulled up into the air and zip to the end, not quite skydiving or parachuting out of a C130, but it sure was a big rush!

I had spent the last four years in college learning about adaptive sports and on May 8th of this year, I graduated with an AS Degree in recreational technology. Getting my degree was an amazing accomplishment, but going to college was not just about the higher education, it was a place that I learned how to be myself once again. Now that I have graduated from College I will be pursuing more activities that will help me learn how to help others get involved in sports and recreation.

I will once again be volunteering with the BIA of Colorado this summer as a volunteer with the BOEC outdoor program in Breckenridge Colorado. The Brain Injury Association of Colorado co-ordinates adventure camps for people with brain injuries at the BOEC and since I had such a great time last year I decided it was something I wanted to do again. Besides it adds to my experience of working with others who suffer with disabilities. OK now for the bad news, I didn’t quit smoking. I gave it a good try but (there’s always a but) with poor impulse control I just couldn’t stick to it. I’ve cut down allot and I assure you that when the time is right, I will try again.

PHYSICAL : I’ve said before, therapists are the routine way of rehab because insurance pays for it, but in my case there was so much hurt and anger towards the things I couldn't do that finding the things I COULD do became very important. Hand cycling, skiing, rock climbing and sports in general, has been a major asset in helping me with my recovery, not only physically but emotionally and socially also. Over coming the physical obstacles and learning new sports showed me that I could to anything! I’m often told that I should be happy with how far I have come, and honestly I am, but to bystanders who do not live with the results of an injury they have no way of truly understanding what it is like to have your life so dramatically changed by physical and cognitive impairments. Although I have been able to do more than what was ever expected, I want it all and I plan to utilize every type of therapy that is not invasive to help me achieve my goal. Over the course of my recovery I have worked very hard to recover my physical capabilities through, physical therapy, sports, and exercise. I have also utilized a few alternative treatments, CIMT (Constraint induced movement therapy), Botox (injections to reduce spaticity and tone), both of which had very positive results. Although I’m still getting Botox injections every 3 to 4 months, I’m also now involved with Chiropractic Biophysics or Clinical Biomechanics of Posture, which includes therapy and taking nutritional supplements to support my muscle structure. I spend 3 days a week at therapy at the Suncoast Healthcare Clinic in Fort Walton where I am doing very specific balance and movement exercises; I'm also placed in a traction device for about 20 minutes and then adjusted by my doctor. I've only been in treatment for eight weeks, but so far I have noticed some subtle changes; I'm sleeping better, my neck is more relaxed, and already my posture and gait looks better. My shoulders, neck, and head are getting more inline and I don't lead with my hips when I walk. These improvements mean I no longer look like my upper body is caught in a windstorm.

*** Mom's NOTE: It's important to say that there are thousands of quacks out there just waiting to pray on people wanting or possibly desperate for recovery from an injury, so it's very important to have someone research everything carefully before trying something out of the normal realm of treatments. But with that said there are many good alternative treatments that don't get tried because people don't know about them. I will be adding more information about the treatments Chris is now receiving and some other alternative therapies. These will be added in the "Therapy Link" on the opening page of this site.

COGNITIVE : I’ve been told that eating better and nutritional supplements help improve cognitive thinking. Although I don’t necessarily see or feel any different I have been trying to eat better and take my supplements. I’ve noticed that my conversational skills seem sharper and I am able to respond in conversation quicker. But cognitive problems are something I am tired of hearing about mainly because I seem to have no control over them. The physical things I can see, the cognitive things I can’t! I’ve been told what my deficits are and yet, I can’t seem to overcome them. How do you stop being immature or impulsive? How do you learn to be organized, have logical reasoning, or flexible thinking? How do you learn modesty, or embarrassment? Or better yet how do you self monitor and keep your self “in check” so you don’t get embarrassed or embarrass others? Obviously, there’s still allot of questions to be answered.

MY DAY: Right now my day consists mostly of doctor’s appointments since they are pretty far away from our house. I’m extremely tired when they are over and I need to take a power nap when I get home. Sometimes my mom drives and we make a day of it, by leaving the house a little early we go to the beach and walk out on the fishing pier. There is something calming about spending time at the beach! On my off days from my appointments I’m training for the upcoming marathons, I normally ride my hand cycle two to three times a week and ride at least 20 miles when I do. I also still tend to my garden which has proven to be very relaxing and we have reaped the benefits of allot of fresh vegetables.

EMOTIONAL: Two words suit my current emotions Bored and Lonely! Knowing how busy I am I’m sure you wonder how I could be bored? Well the truth is I still haven’t figured out how to fill my off time. As soon as I have a few minutes that I’m not doing something I fall into the “bored” mode. Being bored is a temporary feeling it comes and goes, much worse than being bored is being lonely it’s an empty feeling in my heart that I seem to have all the time! Some of you may think you understand being lonely, but it’s not an easy feeling to just get rid of. I have only a couple of people that are real friends but my hurt is from the fact that I haven’t had a girlfriend since my injury. I know it takes time to build a meaningful relationship, but I don’t even get that chance. Even if someone agrees to go out with me it seems like it’s more out of pity than anything else. I’ve worked on my dating skills and I’m attentive, caring, complimentary, and all of that but I always get the feeling like they would rather be somewhere else, or worse be with someone else. Girls tell me all the time that I look good and have done so well, but it’s like a compliment someone gives you for having a nice shirt. There is a heart in this body and I want what everyone else wants, someone to love, for her to love me back, and eventually to be married and have children. I’m told finding the right person is a matter of opportunity and timing, so I guess I just have to keep looking and hope the opportunity arises and the timing is right….. in the time being I’m accepting applications. OK so I’m kidding, but if you know of anyone you can tell her I have a really good sense of humor!

Pictures and information about events and places mentioned in this update.
Links are bold and those marked with ( * ) will open in a new window and bring you outside of this site.