Radio Shows

Cassey Blumenthal has Neurofibromatosis Type 1 as well as dyslexia which is common with NF. She was diagnosed at age 7 and currently there is no cure for neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth in the nervous system, causing tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors may develop anywhere in your nervous system, including in your brain, spinal cord and nerves. Neurofibromatosis is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. Dr Frederick Covington will join us to discuss therapies and assistive technology that he is creating. www.askdrcovington.com

The tumors are usually (benign), but in some cases these tumors become cancerous. Effects of neurofibromatosis can range from hearing loss, learning impairment, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) complications to severe disability due to nerve compression by tumors, loss of vision and severe pain. Learn more about this disease that inflicts about 1 in 3000 people.

Many of you read my post last week regarding the tragic loss of one of our regular show participants, brain injury survivor and musician, Alan Kitto. We’ve all suffered loss, grieving loss of self, in addition to others we value.

Guest Russell Friedman is Executive Director of The Grief Recovery Institute Educational Foundation, Inc. Russell has co-authored several books on grief in adults, children, pets, moving beyond loss, and The Grief Handbook – 20th Anniversary expanded Edition – Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and other losses, including Health Career, and Faith…of which there are more than 700,000 copies in print. Russell has appeared numerous times on CNN, such as in the aftermath of the 9-11 tragedy, the death of Michael Jackson, and others. He appeared on CBS Radio immediately after the death of Terry Shiavo. His articles and interviews span media like Time, MSNBC, Today, People, a regular blog for Psychology Today, and much more. www.griefrecoverymethod.com

Louise Speck was injured in an auto accident in her teens, leaving her with a substantial TBI. She spent half her life struggling with the residuals without a clear understanding or adequate help. Like in the case of too many of us, knowledge was sparse. Nearly 25yrs later, she finally began to find some answers. From there she created My Handi-Cap (c) and shortly after, was fortunate to meet the Founder of MIT BrainTrust who was excited about helping her expand and fund the project. See mycap@ticklesntears.com. Louise is about to release her first book TicklesnTears: The Psychology of Humor.

At celebrations of ADA’s 25th Anniversary, Louise modeled personalized examples of My Handi-Cap (c), drawing an enthusiastic crowd of admirers. MIT BrainTrust is dedicated to promoting accommodation and communication between community and survivors of neurological trauma and other disabilities.

Ashley Murray, OTD earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. A member of the QLI therapy team since 2010, Ashley has extensive clinical expertise in the area of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. She has presented around the nation on topics relating to neuro-rehabilitation and quality of life. QLI, with their proprietary Tri-Dimensional Rehabilitation® program has become one of the nation’s premier post-hospital centers for brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation by embracing the concept that great rehabilitation is more than just the science of physical recovery – it is the art of rebuilding a life. See www.qliomaha.com

Dr. Gordon has been a strong advocate of Integrative Medicine and the promotion of preventive medicine thought to correct underlying hormonal deficiencies. He was instrumental in promoting the recognition of Traumatic Brain Injury as a cause of hormonal deficiency in the hallmarked presentation on ESPN’s Outside the Lines (Jan. 2007). His book, The Clinical Application of Interventional Medicine (2008), is recognized by his peers as a primer for the standards of care and assessment for interventional endocrinology. As Medical Director of CBS Studios, he has participated on projects with HBO, ESPN, CNN, FOX, Good Morning, the Dr Drew Show, and a number of international programs. His list of academic credentials is lengthy and will be provided in the intro. Dr. Gordon works with veterans groups providing full and partial funding for those with injuries received while in the theater of war. Dr. Gordon is owner and Medical Director of Millennium-TBI Network, located in Encino California. See www.tbimedlegal.com and www.millenniumhealthcenters.com

While Craig and many listeners are away at Brain Injury Camp in Washington State, those of us not fortunate enough to make it .. Will borrow his slot for some open Mic and fine tunes.

Jessi Johnson AKA Diligence was born in Michigan. At the age of five he was introduced to alcohol and inappropriate sexual behavior. At the age of 12 being raised without a father and no direction in life, Diligence joined a nationwide gang for money, respect, acceptance and power. At the age of 17 Diligence ended up homeless on the streets of Detroit after being robbed by gang members. He ended up in Florida where he continued a life that eventually brought him in front of the court facing a life sentence at age 20. That’s where the miracles started happening, but as a result, he knew he needed to denounce his gang and suffer the consequences. Diligence was brutally beaten by his own gang, sustaining head injury and much more. He was pronounced dead on arrival as the ambulance reached the hospital. Diligence’s assignment now, is to seek and save that which is spiritually lost through the vehicle of gospel rap, worship music and spoken word poetry. God gave him the gift of a transformed, See more at: www.hiswillrecords.com

Debbie Lee is an author, public speaker and political activist who has traveled the nation telling her sons amazing story and advocating for our troops, their families and families of the fallen. Debbie understands the sacrifice our troops make and that “Freedom isn’t Free.” On Aug 2, 2006 she received a knock on the door that would forever change her life. She was notified that her son Marc Alan Lee had been killed in action becoming the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. Since that day Debbie has dedicated her life to honoring our troops and the families of the fallen, defending our defenders and fighting to keep the freedoms that our troops have fought for. www.americasmightywarriors.org

My guest will be Toni Samanie lost a family member five years ago due to polypharmacy. One of the most volatile drugs was Cymbalta. When she learned more about this drug and others like it she became a passionate advocate. As an outlet for grief and her own healing she started two groups on Facebook: Prescription Drug Danger and Cymbalta Hurts Worse. Her passion in life is now to share the knowledge she’s learned and to prevent needless suffering and tragedy whenever possible. Also see rxisk.org

Peter Bertorelli will share his recent brush with a brain episode, as a result of a bad drug interaction. He suffered severe aphasia as a result, but thankfully, has seemingly resolved. Not all are so lucky. Negative drug interations in this over medicated society, is one of the fastest growing area of medical malpractice. We need always be as diligent as possible, and try to advocate for our own drug intake when we can. Negative results can be deadly.