Month: April 2013

My guest tonight is Ian R. Elliot. On May 16 1994, Ian fell asleep at the wheel going 80mph and woke up over three weeks later, in a Billings Hospital, with a major traumatic brain injury. He has since dedicated his life to thriving, not just surviving. Now helping others to do the same.

Ian is a trained rehabilitation counselor and often utilizes the arts as an empowering tool for persons with disabilities either directly or indirectly. Another treatment he’s been offering with optimistic success, is hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT). Ian is past President of the Brain Injury Association of Montana, and is currently serving as a board member of the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana. He is also on the Governor’s TBI Advisory Council, and spent six and a half years as Montana’s TBI Project Coordinator.

Prison: A place or condition of confinement, restraint or captivity. I’m not referring to breaking the law or jail time, but those self imposed feelings, that cause us to become prisoners in our own minds. What are they, and what can we do to rediscover the keys to the kingdom? Freedom equals choice. Let’s set our minds free! Open mics and music tonight too. 🙂

Tonight our host Kim Jefferson Justus goes head to head with fellow host Kieth Anthony as they cross swords interviewing each other about Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Ever thought of writing your story, or wondered where to find TBI survivor stories? My guest tonight is Marilyn Lash, MSW. She has over 35 years of experience working with persons with disabilities and their families in medical, rehabilitation, educational and vocational settings. Most recently, she has been addressing the emotional trauma of war with wives of wounded warriors. She is President of Lash and Associates Publishing/Training, Inc. in Youngsville, NC. Author of many publications on the psychosocial impact of brain injury, her writing and training emphasize coping strategies for families and practical interventions by professionals and educators in hospitals, rehabilitation, schools and community programs. www.lapublishing.com