Kim’s Radio Shows

Tonight’s Episode of my regular Wednesday night show will start 30 minutes late. This happens to be the night our extended family has celebrated Christmas (dinnner & gift exchange at my folks), for all of my life. Things are already starting to change, and by next year will change dramatically. This year is not the one to rush through. This is one of those “savor the moments” times. I’m going to try my best to do that. If I make it home early, will start the show.

On Christmas Day it’ll be the first holiday celebrated in our new home. A lot has changed in the last year. We don’t entertain much, and haven’t really at all at this new home; Unless you count work men! Now THOSE we’ve had plenty of!! Our new 4th Thurs hosts weren’t up to starting on Christmas, so I’ll be back hopefully with a few other hosts.

After a TBI, where Deb Palmer lost consciousness over asphalt, resulting in a subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage, she was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and major depression. She knew she fell and hit her head, that something was wrong, but didn’t know what. She kept thinking it would go away with more sleep. Nobody referred her to any resources for help or support. Doctors obviously weren’t trained on how to address the long-term sequelae of brain injury or how to help someone who has had one. Deb didn’t want what happened to her to happen to others.

Deb decided to turn anger into something constructive; and, with the help of other survivors and some professionals, published five free newsletters to educate about brain injury. The demand for the publication was greater than expected so she decided to form a nonprofit organization. Thus, the Brain Injury Connection (BIC) was born. www.braininjuryconnection.org

If you like music, consider it therapeutic, and feel like kicking back after Kevin’s regular Friday show, then join me for this Special Edition (previously unannounced) Jam. I’ll be mixing holiday tunes with my Fab regular playlist and maybe even taking some of your calls. Holidays can bring joy or a feeling of isolation. Tonight we can step out, and know we aren’t alone.

This show will make great background music at the least, and a fun surprise of healing at the best. Let’s party!

One of your Fave’s, Dr Maria Romanas is back Wed Nite (10th) to talk about tools to help our memory. We discussed short term tools last time. This time we’ll talk about that a little more, plus strategies to strengthen the long term memory too! Tune in to hear about the exciting change in her life for 2015!!

Brain injury entered her life at the hands of a distracted driver while she and her husband were stopped at a red light in 2001. She was not diagnosed as brain injured until 2003. She had no outward injuries, so continued going to work every day, but suddenly everything in and around her because very different.

Deb Angus began writing about her experiences in 2004 to help coworkers understand what she was experiencing. A 2 page leaflet turned into a 366 page book that was released this year. With the difficulties that ensued and the strategies devised, she has become an expert on brain injury recovery through the ten years research in writing this book. Regaining Consciousness is a resource to empower individuals to find the help they need if they suspect they may have sustained a brain injury. www.sierranovapublishing.com

Mr. Jeff Rose is a 20 year disabled combat Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He went into private practice in 2003 using ‘Strength based Brief-Solution Focused’ therapy. In 2009 Mr. Rose signed on with a national contract and started the National Guard Psychological Health Program in SC. In 2011 He joined the new national contract for the Air National Guard and started the Psychological Health Program in SC for them. In 2013 Mr. Rose became the Northeast Regional Director of the Air National Guard Psychological Health Program. In 2014 Mr. Rose founded the Freedom Fighters Recovery Center, Inc. This Non-Profit Organization treats the mental health issues of our returning Combat Veterans and their Families. It also trains new Mental Health Therapists how to work with our Veteran population.

As most of you know, I started with my Wednesday Night program Recovery Now a few years ago. When we lost our regular Saturday Host, my intent was to sub in for a while, then pass the baton to a new host. I started sitting in “Temporarily” on Saturday Nights, and low & behold…Temporary is relative. It’s been over a year! It’s also hard to find good soldiers to work on Saturday Nights! My Wednesday show is full of fabulous, informative guests in the front half of the show, and the back half is Open Mic and Great Indie Music sure to inspire. Months ago, Shannon Marie Hilbert joined us as the host on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday Nights. She’s done such a great job on the team, that her early holiday gift is to make her show Be Positivly weekly, after tonight. I will retreat to my Hump Day show, where I do the heavy lifting. 🙂 Tonight I will kick back, talk a bit about service and passing the baton, hope for some fine callers and play some Fab tunes. Join me, share what’s on your mind and heart…Or just listen to the grooves, from what has been my less formal show, most times. I’ll carry some of that back to Wednesdays with me, but still maintain the high quality guests you’ve come to expect and enjoy. Mix it up a bit, and cohost some upcoming holiday shows. congratulations to Shannon! Hope you’ll join me tonight for my Saturday farewell, and pen in those Wednesday nights, as well as joining Shannon on future Saturday Night shows.

Bill Henry joined Army immediately upon high school graduation. He did multiple tours Vietnam, and was treated for both obvious, and then not so obvious wounds. Bill is the Past President of Vietnam Veterans of America Omaha. He started a Memorial Day ceremony at Memorial Park Omaha, now the largest in Nebraska,restored Korea Vietnam Memorial 1997 Omaha Memorial Park, and has a permanent static display Sac Museum of articles left at the Wall. Bill is a Member of Heroes of the Heartland Foundation, Returning Veterans Resource Network, Nebraska Veterans Coalition, Nebraska Appreciation Rally. He is presently training to become Peer Counselor for PTSD.

Bill started the Missing in America Project, January 2013. The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes.

Much loved Dr. Maria Romanas will join us to discuss tools for Memory and Organization Part 1. If you’ve struggled with these concepts after your brain injury, Maria’s presentation and discussion will leave you with tools to help for a lifetime! Maria has shared her experience with mentor, Dr Larry Schutz founder of GiveBack, a non-profit organization that provides education and support so that survivors can learn how to become recoverers. He has written 2 free manuals that can be accessed via the GiveBack websites at www.givebackorlando.com and www.givebackla.com.

Kelly Sanders served her country from the early eighties to 1997, where she suffered no lasting ill effects. In Sept 1997, she survived a traumatic brain injury, and was evaluated for acceptance to the TBI, TRC Program in August 1998. In the following years, Kelly received further education, allowing her to work in massage, recreational, and physical therapy. Due to lack of employment options, she applied for employment in Developmental Services for the county, and completed the fifty three courses offered by the college of Developmental Disabilities in June 2008. She later went on to earn her CNA, and completed The Council on Developmental Disabilities “Partners in Policymaking” leadership course. www.rejuven8bykelly.com

With Veteran’s Day approaching, we honor our Vets and see how the spirit of service to our country, continues from Military to TBI life.