Kim’s Radio Shows

Mary Fetchet is Founding Director of VOICES, a non-profit organization she co-founded in 2001 following the death of her 24 year old son Brad at the World Trade Center. Her unique background as a mother of a victim, along with over 20 years of expertise as a clinical social worker, influenced VOICES innovative approach to creating a new paradigm in providing long-term support services. Using social work practices, she guided the development of programs that provide continuity of care and promote resiliency in the lives of victims’ families, responders and survivors. Today, Ms. Fetchet is also helping communities heal after other traumatic events through VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience, an initiative that she launched in 2014. As a clinician, she recognized the importance of commemoration and supporting families through the emotional but therapeutic process of honoring their loved ones in a meaningful way. The 9/11 Living Memorial Project is now an extensive digital collection of over 70,000 photographs and personal keepsakes contributed by thousands of family members. voicesofseptember11.org

Christine J. Buckley became the Executive Director of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation in 2006, after having been a volunteer for 9yrs. She established the foundation’s first major fundraiser, a 5K and 1.5 mile walk, 14 years ago that continues to raise approximately $50,000 each year. Her most prized accomplishment at the foundation has been the establishment of the research grant program which has awarded over $1,200,000 in 9 years. As we recognize September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, join us to hear about these grants, as well as the services provided by BAF to survivors and their families. More at: bafound.org

Looks like Blog Talk has Cleared up most of it’s tech issues that caused this show not to go off a couple weeks ago! This time, Dr Whyte & I are ready to roll on the TBI Rehab Model ..

Dr. Whyte is a physiatrist and experimental psychologist specializing in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. He has worked as a clinician caring for patients with severe brain injury for 30 years, as well as conducting research on many issues related to TBI and other neurologic conditions. He is the founding director of the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, begun in 1992, and an Attending Physician at MossRehab. His research focuses on cognitive impairment after TBI, including assessment and treatment, with a major emphasis on disorders of attention, executive function, and consciousness. He has participated in the TBI Model System research program since 1997, and has received numerous awards for his research and leadership in TBI rehabilitation. See: Main Page http://www.msktc.org/ AND http://www.msktc.org/tbi for many free TBI resources, AND http://www.msktc.org/tbi/model-system-centers for TBI Model Systems.

Evelyn Cavanaugh Moore born in 1924 passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2014 at age 90. A USMC veteran (1950-55) she achieved the rank of Sergeant. She was as highly motivated in her old age as she was when she joined the Corps. She left the Corps once it was obvious she was pregnant. She hid her pregnancy until her superior beckoned her to his office and said, “We can’t hide this any longer. I hate to lose you. You’re one of the best Marines I’ve ever had.” Never forgetting the Corps, she saluted people, sang the Marine Hymn often, and loved hearing about the Corps. When in pain, she chanted, “I’m a Marine! I’m a Marine!” Christmas 2013, the idea of Sgt Mom receiving cards from Marines surfaced on FB. Thanks to the Corps, who never forget their own, Sgt Mom went viral. Sgt Mom wrote a book at age 83 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It is titled Aging with Spirituality and Humor. Her daughter, Mary Alice Moore, is in the process of publishing it with proceeds going to The Semper Fi Fund as a way to give back to the many military members who reached out to Sgt Mom. See more www.facebook.com/sgtmomoorah

Dr Whyte to discuss Research, Rehab and the TBI Research Model.

Due to technical difficulties, this show was cancelled and rescheduled for next month!

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.