Radio Shows

My guest tonight is one of the generous composers who have allowed us to play his original music on Brain Injury Radio. I didn’t know when we connected, that fate would have an even deeper reason to connect him here. Listen to Dale Haye’s story about his wife’s double aneurysm, the ruthless insurance maze, and the tragic outcome that was produced. It could happen to any of us, and it’s sinful.

My guest tonight has been a regular Brain Injury Radio listener for quite some time. Had Walmer, (Yes, we’ll hear the story behind the name!) is a long time TBI survivor, who has made meditation a large part of his recovery. We’ve all heard that meditation is a useful tool in recovery, but many of us have trouble focusing long enough to get the job done, or simply don’t know how to start. Tonight Had will enlighten us, and we’ll also be hearing from his wife Faith. She’s a strong advocate in her own right, when it comes to family, friends and recovery.

Many of you have heard BIR host Kathy, creator of the “Bionic Brain” speak. Had, is an actual user of the Bionic Brain, and will share his positive experience.

My guest tonight is multiple TBI survivor Peter Hoecherl. He’s a newcomer to Brain Injury Radio, but is no stranger to the trials of brain injury, having survived five incidences of brain trauma himself. Peter, like many of us, went a long time maneuvering the challenges of recovery on his own. Finally with the help of Dr. John Nash, he’s had great success using EEG Neurotherapy. Nash’s practice, Behavioral Medicine Associates, promotes the use of Cognitive/Perceptual Training and Biofeedback in place of, or in conjunction with, RX Drugs.

We will be hearing about the history of Peter’s brain injury’s, his personal struggles, and the success he’s finally achieved in recovery.

FEAR and PTSD will be tonight’s topic. We will discuss how trauma is many times only the beginning for survivor’s of brain injury. How to know when a normal healthy fear, might have become an anxiety disorder that’s roots are in “emotional memory.” How do we recognize it, and what can we do to treat it?

My guest tonight is Amy Ofenbeck. In 1997, when she was 26 years old, Amy first became aware of her brain’s potential to become a bomb, when she suffered a brain aneurysm. Since then she has undergone eight surgeries for complications, yet still manages to maintain a happy quality of life. Amy has certainly taken a licking, but kept on ticking. Hear her story, and some of the things she’s done to keep her attitude in a positive place. Amy’s 30 minute interview is pre-recorded, so if you have questions or comments for her, please post them on my In a Flash Facebook page under this program post, so she can see them http://www.facebook.com/inaflash.org

The rest of the show will be filled with callers and music.

Tonight I’m going to talk about what that festering anger turns into. Resentments. It’s like me drinking the poison, hoping you will die! Nothing can hinder our recovery quicker, than to continue throwing logs on the fire of resentment. You point a finger at me, but there are three others pointing back at you. Don’t fall for the poison!

My ruptured brain aneurysm experience included a near death experience. I know this is true of many other survivors. I will be sharing mine, and I invite you to call in to do the same. Many of us were afraid for a long time to share our NDE’s for fear of the backlash that we already experience from being brain trauma survivors. Now as a collective voice, we bring information to the table that much harder to deny.

Marsha Linehan developed DBT (Dialectical Behavior therapy) for individuals who are emotionally vulnerable. These are individuals whose automatic nervous system reacts excessively to relatively low levels of stress and takes longer than normal to return to baseline once the stress is removed. Initially used to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, this program has now expanded into many other areas of treatment. It is my opinion, that the area of TBI treatment is another excellent application of this treatment plan, in conjunction with any others needed. Tonight we will discuss the fundamentals of DBT, and how you can apply the tools to better your life.

How did your holiday go? Are you as beat as I am from the whirlwind of activity? Are we done with that topic, and on to any goals you’d like to accomplish in the coming year? Me, I don’t believe in resolutions…But I do have aspirations. We’ll discuss challenges and solutions…Or at least acceptable compromises.

Kim Justus will be pinch hitting for Matt tonight. Call in and talk about what’s on your mind. I had some disturbing news today, I’d like to discuss. Guess I get one more chance to spin some Christmas music too! I loaded a few new ones. 🙂 Hope you’ll join me.

Matt’s friend Kevin Butterfield may or may not be joining me. 🙂 We’ll all be surprised on that one. haha