OVERCOMER!!!

1,460… That’s quite a LARGE, >daunting< number, isn’t it? 

That quantity represents the amount of days it has been since I almost lost my life. FOUR-YEARS to the day [April 18, 2010]. The past four years have been filled with some of the hardest, most frustrating situations I could ever imagine.

Yet, amidst the annoyance, anger, and sadness,
I have also discovered 

self-actualization, pride, and joy.

I have been afforded the opportunity to, in the words of Robin Roberts, “make my MESS my MESSAGE” through my work with the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts’ Think-A-Head Program as a Survivor Speaker. I have met and become incredibly close with individuals whom I never would’ve had the pleasure of being acquainted with if I had never sustained the invisible injury that is TBI.

Is my life different than it was before my injury?
Yes, of course it is. 

But would I change the path I’m now on as a result of my injury? NO-WAY!

I AM AN *OVERCOMER*

Small step toward a big dream . . .

The other day, I had the pleasure of attending "How to Navigate the Federal Job Application Process".  Taking place at the beautiful FDR visitor’s center, this seminar opened my eyes to and broadened my knowledge of the various career opportunities in the federal landscape. A miniscule step toward my ultimate career, it was a day of gathering information, listening to and interacting with different keynote speakers and fellow coeds.  Although positions such as those presented today are not necessarily my “dream job”, they could serve as valuable stepping stones toward.  You never know where an opportunity might lead – it’s important to keep all doors open and not to pigeon-hole yourself into one specific category!  

MAKIN' MY *DEBUT* !!!

Last night, I was lucky enough to be a featured guest on *MCTV:LIVE*!!!

It was fabulous, to say the least. This was my first time being a guest on the show, and what an incredible experience it was. Not only did I get to share a little piece of my story, but I also was able to witness, first-hand, what a live taping looks, sounds, and most importantly, feels like! 

So, without further adieu... here's the link!!!

~READY~ for my >CLOSE-UP<

Working Hard for Hearts!

<3*Heart~Walk*<3

Today, on a brisk day in terms of the temperature, but most certainly heart-warming, a few of my fellow interns and I, along with our supervisors, participated in the Heart-Walk at Dietz Stadium in Kingston. 

Along with encouraging walkers and volunteers, we also acted as the "voice" of the event, whether it was recognizing and celebrating survivors of any and all heart-conditions, or naming the winners of our various raffles. 

Being at this event today, helping-out volunteers, promoting Townsquare Media, along with raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association, solidified my already fervent love and appreciation for philanthropic endeavors and events! 

The Story of Team Hoyt @ ESPY's 2013 - Jimmy V Perseverance Award (Stand...

I could watch this video, over-and-over again, and never take away the same, incredible lesson about love, learning, and LIFE!!! THANK YOU, DICK & RICK HOYT!!! =D <3 =D 

A Lovely Lunch!

Inspiring? Definitely. Humbling? You bet. Enlightening? Absolutely. 

Just two days ago, my mom and I had the incredible privilege of meeting-up with two extraordinary individuals for lunch:
Tom Damoulakis, whom we had met in September at a road-race benefiting
the BIA-MA, and his soul-mate, Laura Chagnon, a survivor of a vicious attack
more than 20 years ago which left her near-dead.    

Not only did we enjoy the company of these two wonderful people, but Laura, who is a gifted poet, also concocted a special poem for me, which she presented to me this day.

"At Last We Meet"

Laura is a newly-published author at Mascot Books, with her first book of inspiring poetry, "Never Touched a Pen", due to be released shortly. This, too, was one of the things that you could say "connected" me to Laura; as I have plans of writing my own book, which will be published through the same company!!! =) 

"WHY me?!" ... "WHY >NOT< me?!"

To be quite blunt, I have never really had a high-tolerance for complainers. To be perhaps even more frank, I don't see the point of "moaning&groaning". WHY waste your time and energy, while simultaneously annoying and bothering everyone else around you? What will you accomplish by doing that?!

Looking over the videos I have shared on this blog's Facebook-page, I'm filled with a great sense of disbelief and pride.
"Was I really that bad?!" and "Look how FAR I've come!" are the two phrases that pop into my *three-times-operated-on* brain.

As the month of March is Brain-Injury Awareness Month, I would like to dedicate the last part of this entry to some of my fellow *SURVIVORS*!!!

And finally, a face you all should probably recognize (with her "Skull~Baby~Twin", the lovely Miss Sally Beach!)