HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY

http://nicktoons.nick.com/videos/clip/happy-happy-joy-joy.html





I love watching how happy my brother is! It wasn't too long ago that he was despondent, angry, depressed and in major discomfort. He wasn't able to be himself. Happy Happy filled with Joy Joy!


It took over 4 years to bring him to this place with ALOT of working with services, doctors, replacing service providers and case managers and rehab aides. Finally, found those that work well for Paul and after fine tuning everything last February and the subsequent weekly, monthly follow through he is where he needs to be and back to himself.


Yes, sadly there is a change. His TBI is changing him. He is getting older and all the scar tissue is causing his ability to remember short term experiences less and less. Plus, I noticed that he is having a difficult time with connecting to his long-term memory.


Basically, it means simply that we need to be more patient and repetitive with him.


His overall personality has not changed and he is back to being actively engaged in his life and exudes so much joy.


We all can breathe a bit and thank God for blessing my brother and helping his service providers in taking such fantastic care of Paul.


Truly, Truly I am filled with HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY as well!!!! (must run in the family)

Things to Do Before Semi-Annual Meeting

 I Love the morning of the meetings!

WHY? (you ask)

Because it is when I have uninterrupted time to simply get my head organized for the meeting and some necessary downtime and catchup.

Life is important and I must live in mine. My life without Paul involved. It is similar to having or living in two separate worlds.

So the drive over allows me the time to transition and get my head back into guardianship mode and out of my life.

I need the separation time.

Come the morning of the meeting, I am ready to interact and live this world for the day.

Catching up on what has been going on with Paul and his care via emails, posted care notes, and doctor's visits is completed after breakfast and where the only noise is the hum of the coolers in the "breakfast nook" or the sound of the TV in the background.



One thing I learned in all the meetings and interactions is that I am more able to address those items we cover at these meetings and remember to follow through on those items we covered at the previous one by having this separation and me time before.

It also opens opportunities for sharing.

The thing I LOVE the most is that I get an opportunity to share about "The Standley Foundation for Traumatic Brain Injury"! Getting the word out about a great organization that I am creating for families, caregivers and TBI victims is so important and since I am already thinking about Paul it comes very naturally!!!

And sometimes I simply sit back, breathe and twiddle my thumbs.