Kim’s Radio Shows

David A. Grant is a freelance writer and traumatic brain injury survivor. He is the author of Metamorphosis, Surviving Brain Injury, a book that chronicles in exquisite detail the first year-and-a-half of his new life as a brain injury survivor. His newest title, Slices of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury, was recently released.

David is a regular contributing writer to Brainline.org, a PBS sponsored website. He is also regular contributing writer to Brain Injury Journey Magazine as well as a columnist in HEADWAY, the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire’s periodic newsletter.

David is the founder of TBI Hope and Inspiration, a Facebook community with over 13,000 members including survivors, family members, caregivers as well as members of the medical and professional community. See more at: www.tbihopeandinspiration.com and his Blog at: www.DavidsNewLife.com.

My guest tonight will give you an opportunity to meet a new host for part of the third Thursday of each month. Her name is Amy Eidenmiller, who survived a car accident in 1997, where she suffered a substantial brain injury, and then in 2004 developed meningitis. Her show will be called Heroes in Disguise. Amy’s journey, like many of us, has been long and tenuous. She will tell the story of the circumstances of her “Intro to the Brain Injury Community”, and how she has become a thriver .. Not just a survivor.

Join me in greeting Amy and welcoming her to Brain Injury Radio! Afterward we will have some open mic & tunes. Good night to call in and share what’s on your mind. Will also discuss some of the changes in scheduling for our BIRN lineup!

Todd Trigstead will be discussing his movie Gridiron Gladiators:The History and Uncertain Future of American Football, which can be streamed from www.gridirongradiatorsmovie.com.

Former NFL NY Jets & 49er’s player, George Visger will tell us about a Draft Day fund raiser for local Marine/football player Dondre Ranson on May 29th (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXOX7fiNl9g). Dondre served our country honorably in active duty in Iraq only to suffer a concussion last spring playing for the Sacramento semi pro football team. He’s been on life support since His wife who served honorably in Afganistan, also suffered a head injury from which she is in rehab. Visger suffered several undiagnosed concussions, and then during the following 81 Super Bowl season, he developed hydrocephalus at age 22 undergoing 3 emergency VP shunt brain surgeries in 8 months and was given last rites. Several subsequent surgeries and 34yrs later, George is still feeling the effects. He knows how brain injury can decimate a family. See thevisgergroup.org

Dale Johanne’s injury was the result of a car accident in which he had several serious injuries, but the worst thing that happened was the fact that he suffered a TBI. Because of the brain injury, he was unable to speak for 6 weeks after the accident. When able to speak again, he had the maturity level of a second grader and he was 17. The accident occurred 27 years ago which allows him a perspective that few others can offer in reference to life with brain injury. Roughly a year and a half after the accident Dale was fortunate to be able to go onto, and graduate from college. Since then he has worked extensively with individuals who have suffered Brain Injury.

Gary and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary for a few days off the grid! We were married 05-05-05 at 5:00pm, so I’d be able to remember our anniversary! Miracles DO happen. 🙂

Will be back live next week, but tonight we’ll hear a spotlight on Mikal Vega. A hero in real life as a member of Team 6 Navy Seals while in the sandbox, and now on TV, Internet and the Big Screen! Check out Mikal Vega “Black” on YouTube, to see him in a little mini series. Money from his media superheroes, goes to fund his non profit, Vital Warrier .. Which helps Veteran’s treat their PTSD/TBI with more holistic, integrative alternatives. As the massive over medicating of active duty personnel, Veterans and others…Is Big Pharma madness, and in an effort to be rid of it .. His ideas apply to everyone, not just the military. You’ll find his story fascinating. Listen in, and then Visit wwwhttp://vitalwarrior.org/

Terry Smith became an advocate and writer as a result of severe Traumatic Brain Injury sustained in OCS summer training after his freshman year of college. In plan, he was to build a military career, be elected to senate, and then become President of the United States. In reality, he flat-lined twice during brain surgery and woke up from a coma with amnesia. To develop memory, he was to record daily life by writing. Three years later, he returned to college and graduated. He was awarded a writing fellowship with Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. Over the following years, he worked in film and television for 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios, and Orion Pictures. He has written three books – Jason’s Final Coming, Helvena, and Surviving Head Trauma. He is also an award winning playwright – Cherry Street Park, The Funny Thing About Death, and The Bar on 3rd St. His life advocacy is for raising awareness and prevention of TBI. See www.terrysmithbooks.com

Dr. Adrian Harel is an accomplished biochemist and business manager from Israel. He founded a company specializing in development of stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Harel has a demonstrated record of accomplished and productive research projects in an area of high relevance for CNS breakdown. He has devoted considerable efforts into designing new molecules that could potentially help future victims of TBI and help the burden of societies endured by each TBI victim. It has been my lifelong mission to think outside the box and develop new treatments with his knowledge of biochemistry. See more at www.medicortex.fi

Amy Zellmer is a regular contributor for the Huffington Post and a professional photographer and business coach located in Saint Paul, MN. She is in the process of writing a book on TBI awareness, and is also a contributing author on a soon-to-be-released book by Carole Brody Fleet on overcoming obstacles and life changes. She is actively involved in TBI awareness and advocacy since sustaining a traumatic brain injury in 2014, and recently attended Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. She enjoys all things glittery and sparkly as well as chocolately. Her and her Yorkie, Pixxie, enjoy traveling the country on road trips and speaking to groups. You can find out more about Amy at www.customcreationsphotography.com or her column on Huffington Post online.

We want people to understand our “silent epidemic”, but how honest, open minded and willing are we to hear about the plight of others with disability? Do we look for the similarities, or the differences in the issues we all face? Meg Perez, will speak of a genetic condition called William’s syndrome, what it’s meant in her life, & then the recent finding she has also suffered an undiagnosed brain injury. So many people who have had brain trauma go undiagnosed, yet the symptoms are lurking right there. We’ll discuss the challenges of relationships, goal setting, and the obstacles involved, when you’ve had a diagnosis since birth.

Terry Monkaba, Exec Director of the Williams Syndrome Association, who also has a 29yr old son with the condition will be joining us. More at Williams-Syndrome.org

Bill Protzmann is a man on a mission: to raise awareness of the power of music as self care.

On Memorial Day weekend 2007 Protzmann premiered a new version of his one man show, Connected!, with a focus on using music as a self intervention tool for issues related to military service. In 2011, he launched Music Care Inc, a for profit corporation dedicated to providing education in music as adjunct treatment for post traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.

Bill holds magna cum laude degrees in piano performance and creative writing, and has concertized and performed for many years with a focus on bringing music to audiences in non-traditional ways. His recording of “Amazing Grace” topped the mp3.com charts in July of 2000, and he has released two all-original CDs. He has performed and worked with opera stars, poets, Dixieland, jazz, rock and pop tribute bands, in musical theatre, and as a solo concert pianist and entertainer.