Workshop Feedback
This site is accessible to any browser or internet device. It will look much better in a browser that supports web standards. This message is not displayed in browsers that support web standards.
The Harley Davidson Eagle in the sky confidently holds the title of the art piece, "God's Work." The composition has many symbolic images that represent components one can face after sustaining traumatic and acquired brain injury. The mountains, the sky, the many figures all personify the diversity of living after injury. A grand river divides the composition, representing the natural flow of life that occurs and also that one often feels divided from others. Internal peace and acceptance are essential aspects of the recovery process. A black road, a bridge, a bull, a motorcycle and a wheelchair all hold significant components of life. The church of Christ renders the importance of Spirituality and God. One can get lost on the road, as well as find direction towards recovery and family. Some past abilities are lost, some new abilities are gained. Appreciation for the importance of getting out in the local community is represented. Family and friends are very important to the group members, yet the broken home is portrayed as well. Too many times the home is broken by the strains of coping and adapting from brain injury. The seven people who created this are very courageous and beautiful. I learned from them, I respect them, I feel honored to have had the opportunity to support them to express themselves visually and verbally.
THE LOST SOUL
She's lost,
confused,
not wanted,
she feels like shes in no-where-land,
all she wants out of life is,
to have her children to raise,
a good man with gentle hands,
and who accepts her as she is
The only thing that seems to help
her deal with the pain of lonliness
is drugs, alcohol, and laughter.
She learned the hard way.
Talking doesn't always help
By Ms. Holly DePottey
...Car accident 10 month after my mom passed away. 3 months bought it before my 29th B-day I guess I came across Black ice on Country Road I totaled my car on a light pole or was it a telephone pole? Just left chyropractor at 10 a.m. and was headed for work at Wendy's in B.G.....was life flighted to Saint U's in Toledo. Was in a coma so I'm told 2 weeks and 2 days. I think more of 1 1/2 months.
I have changed in all ways. Physically, spiritually, definitely, I believe in him more and stronger.
My future plans are live here at St. Francis for 2 years. Plus get a job here when they get done building the Greenhouse is done. I'll even volenteer my services plus save a good deal of money to afford a place of my own.
Less.....cause I can't live on my own. Dr.'s don't believe that I can. I know I can!
I feel grateful. My lifestyle isn't as ruff or hard-only lonely!
I had a motorcycle accident, a Mack truck hit me. The guy was drinking. I stayed in a coma for two months plus. I am paralyzed on the left side. Brain damage on my right side. I cannot read or write (except my name). I was in the army at the time. I was at my friends house. I was 20 years old. I am thirty six now. I can't go home to live so I am at the nursing home. I live here and I'm a good one armed pool player. I have won one trophy. I just take my time. I try to take my time, call my pocket and I like to bank. I feel pretty good about being a one handed pool player. It 's hard.
I have four sisters, my brother died at child-birth-a miscarriage, I am the only man in the family. My dad lives in Vermillion and my mom too. I was in the army in Alaska, its beautiful. Its a different kind walking in my room. I try to please everybody. I try to please God by pushing other people's wheelchairs. I please everyone here. I live here, I can't go home. My future dreams are to smile. I want to be a good friendship for everybody here. I want health, my left side is paralyzed.
I appreciate life, because I an't died yet. I'm grateful I am living. My accident was a long time ago. I try to please everyone here, I have pottery. I'm gonna finish the art piece. I am other people treat me good. They treat me like a human being. I introduce myself to strangers and they are good to me. My family treats me fine, I am a great-uncle. I just try with the limitations I have. I feel my calling in life is to please everyone here.
-Rodney G. Pine
Butch
The store of my head injrace as frae a I can remeber I was in a ??? coma for 6 month, felt, like 7. " I remember nothing." I was in a motorcycle, rode a motorcycle a car ran a stop sign and then it hit me, it went "boom". The girl was sixteen. She hit and killed a grandmother and two grand kids next to B.K. two weeks before and then she hit me. She thought it was funny and laughed she got a ticket, is all.
If I could affect others this is what I would tell them, to wear a helmet, constantly, always while riding a motorcycle. I had a honda Gold wing motorcycle. I am in the process of fixing the motorcycle. My mom says its a lost cause. She doesn't like it.
I have chnged emotionally. I joined a church. I have changed physically, yet I haven't. I'm trying to do what is expected of me. I'm just as smart as ever. I changed mentally, I am thinking alot clearer.
I have changed spiritually. I go to church every other week.
My future plans are to be a millionaire. I wiil move somewhere nice, buy a cadillac. I have a son who is nine years old. I haven't seen him for nine years.
I appreciate my life more now, I see everything that I missed out on before. It's a toss up If I am grateful for these changes.
I am thankful for the way others treat me. I am frustrated by my limitations b/c I can't do the things I want to or like to.
Wear a helmet. Don't worry about it.
I was driving and I was told that I ran a light and was hit on the driver's side. I don't really believe this but this is what a witness reported. I don't remember the car or accident.
Be careful. Watch out for the other person. Don't run a red light.
Since my accident, I can't walk, can't use my left arm as well, pain in the hip.
Emotionally I enjoy sentimental movies now.
Memory not as good.
Spiritually, I'm more into the bible.
I'm more caring now, care about the little things.
Goal is to be successful, complete college, be basketball coach or be physical therapist sports braodcaster are my career goals
Dream to be basketball palyer, football player
Like to get married, have a family.
Appreciate life more now. Thankful to be here. Could have been dead. Would have missed chance to enjoy life.
Grateful for experience to learn to finish something I never finished things before. lso know who cares about me.
Ungrateful because of pain I'm going through.
Frustrated about being in a wheelchair, people stare and whisper when they see me.
Don't like idea of not being able to walk
Everybody else walks so I should too.
Just want to finish something now. Maybe this will spark me to do this.
I didn't finish college.
I didn't finish the air force.
Chris Pugh
I became ill and had a stroke on April 19, 1995. I would tell people to be aware of their own body's warning system. Take better care of yourself
I'm just different now I dry easily, laugh a lot longer. I don't like being like this.
I feel different like I'm inside myself more trying to get out.
I want to go home and be a mother again to my daughter, play with my three cats.
I appreciate life less because I no longer feel the same as I did.
I'm ungrateful for the changes in my life but I don't blame anyone.
I am thankful about the wya my family, friends, and strangers treat me. They seem to be very understanding.
I can't do what I use to. I can't walk this bothers me a great deal.