Workshop Feedback
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This art pieces is a visual expression created by five members of the Colorado Head Injury Support Group, Boulder Chapter. The composition directly portrays one group's experience of life after sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI).
"Dedicated to those who proceeded us unaware of their injuries; un-diagnosed, mis-diagnosed, misunderstood, having no chance of rehabilitation..." ~ Written by the Proud (fearful) Artist
This is by far the most unorganized art workshop that has occurred. Fortunately the group was full of creativity, energy and teamwork. They worked together so well, supporting and encouraging one another. Ideas and feelings began to flow from the participants with excitment and stories. The most innovative concept was one of a Brain Injury Monolopy Game. Categories, Spin Cards and self expression flowed from the group. It was wonderful to stand back and watch the creativity expand. The composition fit perfectly after some debate of the most wanted way to symbolize the different members life experiences into one collaborative composition. Finally it was decided. A three dimensional road traveling up and dowm the hills and vallies of terrain. What about the monolopy board? Yes!...It can create a border around the edge of the canvas! Members went home to consider what words are to cover the board game squares and came back preparred to narrow down and consolidate their cretive and real words and expressions. It was magic to see them express their truths and inspire each other.
The spinner on the wheel indicates that wherever you land, it's not clear where you landed.
BE KIND.....
FOR EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING A HARD BATTLE
A Catapiller cacoons
Then transforms.
Is it painful to be a catapiller? (in the catapiller world?)
Especialy-when catapillers go so fast?
Is it painful to be cacooned isolated and different?
Is it painful to EMERGE NEW and fly? To be REBORN?
I guess its up to the catapiller and how he chooses to see it.
For myself I try to be with the moment. to focus on that and also look forward to the flight...I'm tired of being tired, confused, inept, hopless, angry, afraid sick and depressed but if I can I will think of the flight instead
On June 8-1987 I was heading to Parker, Arizona to show my brother & sisiter my new baby girl. and my kids were in the Van and the driver was starting to run out of gas & I told her where to get gas and she turned off the road and all off us fell out and I lost my little girl. My kids were hurt and my son-in-law was hurt and the driver kept saying that I was driving and thank goodness I am good friends with my attorney and we proved that she was driving. The accident happened in Kingman, AZ and they flew me to Kingman hospital than Las Vegas. I was in a coma for six months and they flew me to Swedish Hospital in Colorado and then Arizona. I got out of my coma and I divorced my husband and have no rights to see my three live kids. When you nurse them you are more bonded to them and thats where I get so bitchy because I can't raise them. In August I got to ?????? and I feel so bad that someone has to take over handling my money and it hurts as I was good at Math in school. Before my accident I lost my parents and all these loses really got to me. the only ting that keeps me going is to have faith in the Lord and go to church often. I feel that my ex and my kids and me are so sad for my accident and thats why I get so bitchy, I feel ________
Where I am Today
Today, I am 11 1/2 years post brain-injury. Through recovery, rehabilitation and private tutoring, I am becoming me again. I have relocated to my original home, Denver , Colorado from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and am taking back my power. I can remember details for the most part. My sleep is consistant and requires less medication and will be resolved, a fact hidden for 7 years. My weight gain is starting to leave me, my energy is up, and I will even look like myself again. I am attracted to and am being found attractive by the opposite sex. I am getting my own place to live, one that I own, and I will not have to move ever again, unless I choose to. I am not at the point of being able to work part-time yet, but it is not far away. I feel that more bad is behind me and more good is in my future. It is like the scales have tipped in my favor. I have found a church, friends, a support, brain-injured personal friends, a meditaition group, and have started dating again. I am able to write and share my experiences without feeling pain and sorrow. My friends are not ashamed or embarrassed of me. I am becoming my own person again. I am feeling creative again. I am getting into my sewing and music again. I can follow plays and have quiet in my head to hear the symphony. I can rest after a busy day. I am becoing whole. I am a new creature, thanks to God. I am actually looking forward to my future. It HAS been a long and windy road.
Heidi Schmitt
June 1995
I asked God for discernment, enlightenment, and thought God placed me here so I could feel through the fog, the confusion to know what is real-what counts. God's gifts come in many forms and circumstances that cannot know until we feel the gift.
We ask, we pray,
But we must wait for the true vision is not temporal but internal and is the soul-the core
"For this purpose I have come to this hour."
" Teach me that which is mine to Know"
Life is a big battle. Calling to the lord. Life is a blessing and look up to God. Losses over my mom and Dad.