Speaker
Hello. My name is Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA and I am a traumatic / acquired brain injury survivor and a motivational speaker with a message of encouragement, empowerment and hope for anyone touched by abuse, trauma or adversity of an emotional, physical or spiritual nature.
As a motivational speaker my focus is to inspire, encourage, motivate and empower individuals to thrive in life because of the way their circumstances look at the present time. I have come to realize that our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up.
The below programs would be ideal for brain injury associations, disability related organizations, rehabilitation programs, brain injury support groups, churches, in service programs, professional health service organizations / associations, civic groups, human service organizations, high school (s), colleges, vocational programs, and universities.
Popular Programs
What is my Destiny? — Is life like a box of chocolates to you? Are you staring at a closed door? Are you searching for your meaning and purpose in this life? Are you trying to make sense of your experience. Are you stuck in drama? Do you feel victimized by your circumstances? Would you like to be able to follow your bliss? If so, this program would be ideal for you and your organization.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Denial — My Perspective as a TBI Survivor — In this program I share from my experience, strength and hope. The focus of this program is to encourage, motivate, empower and inspire individuals with and with out disabilities to pursue their dreams and their destinies. In this program I provide practical strategies and solutions to empower the individual to pursue their dreams and destinies.
Thriving with a Disability — What are you looking for? Are you willing? What do you see? How can I use what I have, now that I am Disabled? What does it mean to thrive given my circumstances? How can I thrive when I think I am limited? Do you feel limited by your limitations? Do you wish you were not disabled? If so this program is for you.
Whose Life are You Living? — In this program we examine the concept of identity and how that is formed. We also examine family system roles, the three rules that keep us trapped, the power of shame, the dance of unhealthy relationships, shame transfers, displaced sadness, the power of triggers and how to avoid being exploited and bullied. If so this program can be of service to you.
The Flight of the Butterfly — What are the stages of change? What are the emotional stages of change? How do we frame change? How to make changes? How to move through change? How to celebrate the process of change? Do you wish you could fly higher? Are you tired of the same old flowers? Do you have a hard time letting go of the past. If so this program can help you find serenity.
What is Keeping you Stuck? — Is denial driving your life? What part does drama play in your day to day living? Do you find your self in a role? Are you practicing limiting behaviors? Do you find yourself taking other people’s temperatures to find out how you are doing? Are you stuck in a role or an identity? Is your life ruled by unrealistic expectations? If so this program will shed light on why and how to break free.
The Power of Hope — Do you see the glass as half empty? Do you want to learn how to live life on life’s? terms but can do not know how to do so? Do you feel victimized by your circumstances? Are you stuck in a rut? Do you believe that your dreams are lost forever? Are you living in fear? If you so then I have a message of hope in this program.
In the event that you would like me to design a specific program per the needs of your organization and / or those of the individuals that you serve, please let me know.
I am available to speak to your brain injury association, to your hospital staff or rehabilitation team, to your organization or professional association, to your corporation or company, to your church, synagogue or mosque or before any other venue that will help to empower your mission and expand and enhance your vision.
Please let me know how I may be of service to you and to the individuals that you serve.
For a short 17 minute interview click listen and then click on Play.
For an interview with Gil Gross of ABC RADIO San Francisco KGO AM 810 click listen and the click on Play. I am interviewed during the 16-20 minute segment.
For more information you may visit my Media Page and Service Page.
I look forward to hearing from you! Contact Page.
Have a simply phenomenal day.
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up!
ENDORSEMENTS / TESTIMONIALS
ENDORSEMENT # 1
Spring, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
This open letter endorses the powerful message Mr. Craig Phillips, MRC, BA, eloquently writes about as creator and author of the website, Second Chance to Live, (http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/), and speaks about as an advocate and motivational speaker for people living with brain injury. Hinds’ Feet Farm is thankful that Mr. Phillips is part of our innovative, post-rehabilitation, community-based, day program as a contributing educator to our community.
The Hinds’ Feet Farm Day Program is a paradigm shift from the traditional medical, treatment, model for people living with brain injury, to a model that embraces a holistic health and wellness orientation, empowering members toward occupation and meaning in life post injury. Hinds’ Feet Farm is a person-centered, member empowered, self-determined, free choice, conceptualized and driven program. Members are self governing through the fluidity of the program by self-designing opportunities to engage in reestablishing and empowering occupation. Program staff, family and professional caregivers, in-kind community volunteers and student interns are guides for members in opportunities for exploration, discovery, confidence and self-esteem in their new identity and meaning in life post-injury.
Hinds’ Feet Farm initially invited Mr. Phillips to be a one time, guest speaker at our program. However, after hearing his message of hope and inspiration, members of our brain injury community wanted to hear more of how they too could embrace a second chance to live. With the driving force of triumph and celebration of the human spirit post brain injury, Mr. Phillips joins us monthly to share his life’s wisdom. Mr. Phillips’ is a peer mentor and life coach cheering our members on towards greater life fulfillment.
Mr. Phillips has a unique role in the local brain injury community of Charlotte, NC, and internationally, as a person living with a brain injury and as a professional in the rehabilitation counseling field. He knows first hand the brain injury continuum of care both as survivor and now as a “thrivor”, and also as an employment and psychological counselor. This dual role empowers Mr. Phillips to immediately identify with survivors and professionals simultaneously.
Mr. Phillips tailors each of his monthly session to our community’s needs and based on his blog postings, such as The Flight of the Butterfly, Traumatic Brain Injury and Isolation, What is my Destiny?. Mr. Phillips invites the members of our brain injury community toward a greater quality of life and their own second chance to live through well formatted presentations, opportunities for introspection to rediscovering one’s mission and vision in life through meaning and purpose, employing professional counseling skills, harnessing the power of group dynamics and process. Ever sensitive to and conscientious of his audience, Mr. Phillips welcomes the immediacy of feedback and lively dialogue. Mr. Phillips’ heartfelt message is masterfully crafted, awakens his audience to “carpe diem,” to pursue our dreams, and to live life to the fullest.
Hinds’ Feet Farm endorses and appreciates Mr. Phillips’ message that invites and empowers persons living with brain injury toward their own health and balance in their life journey. We are thankful for our reciprocal relationship with Mr. Phillips. Thank you Craig!
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Martin B. Foil III, CBIS
Executive Director
William P. DeGrauw, MS, CRC, CCM, CBIS
Day Program Director
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2842, Street Address: 14625 Black Farms Road Huntersville, NC, 28070-2842 Office (704) 992-1424 Fax (704) 992-1423 www.HindsFeetFarm.org
ENDORSEMENT # 2
Brain Injury Association of Niagara
Normandy Resource Centre, 111 Church Street
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 3C9
Phone: 905 984-5058 Fax: 905 984-5354
Website: niagara.com/bian Email: bianstaf@niagara.com
September 4, 2008
Craig J. Phillips
Subject: Second Chance to Live
As program director for The Brain Injury Association of Niagara, one of my responsibilities is to serve as facilitator for the peer groups for individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury.
We appreciate your expressed consent to allow us to share a selection of the articles in your Second Chance to Live blog with our participants.
Craig you personify not only what it is like for individuals who have sustained brain injury, but more importantly, to strive to be the best you can be, and make the most of your talents and gifts that you so generously share through the process of reciprocity…….by giving back so others may learn………families, caregivers, and especially providing enlightenment for those individuals who have sustained brain injury, who may identify, learn and gain wisdom from your insightful writing. It is important for us to promote awareness about brain injury as this does not resonate with the general public, unless it has touched their lives on a personal basis, as opposed to the topic of cancer, or diabetes for example.
You serve as a beacon to show the way……….reminding us that we do have control over the choices that we make…how we choose to act as oppose to react, maintaining a positive attitude and “by” not being limited by our circumstances or situation but encouraging us to look at our possibilities. Living life one day at a time and applying these strategies become an integral component in order for us to continue to moving forward in our personal journey post injury and that there is life after brain injury with many possibilities yet to unfold.
Your inspirational blog provides opportunities for others to abstract and apply some of these positive messages in their daily lives, and we hope that you will continue to share your messages of hope and encouragement by inspiring others to strive to new levels of achievement by turning adversity into opportunity! While we cannot change the direction of the wind, we can adjust our sails to meet the winds of change. Craig you remind us that those who weather change best are those who choose to embrace and adapt to it. Your inspirational messages continue to inspire others to chart their own course.
Kindest personal regards,
Pat Dracup, Program Director
Lori aka: RisibleGirl
http://www.mostlyrisible.com wrote:
I found my way to the “Second Chance to Live” site while doing searches on traumatic brain injury. The author of the site, Craig J. Phillips, is nothing short of an inspiration to me.
I think that anyone can benefit from his posts, whether it’s someone with TBI or another chronic illness. It is not an exaggeration to say that I always take time to savor what I’ve just read after reading one of his latest posts.
I especially appreciate that he knows what having TBI is like and oftentimes his posts are something that I really needed to read right at that moment.
As I previously wrote- even if you don’t have TBI, I think anyone can benefit from his posts. He’s somehow able show me rainbows while acknowledging the dark clouds. I can’t think of any other way to describe it.
That’s an awesome gift.
Diana Freeman
What a great inspiration for people everywhere to keep trying even though life may not be easy or what they want. I had something similar called ocular kerotitis and lost the vision completely in one eye and partially in the other due to a sulfa drug reaction. The doctors weren’t sure if I would get my vision back partially or completely. It is enough on top of the already difficult day to day living to know that God is putting more on your plate. It is definitely how you as an individual choose to deal with it and any other situation life throws at you. Will you fall and not be able to go on or is just another part of life? I recovered completely and take it not only as a learning experience but also a wake up to be appreciative of my vision and the world I can see around me. Craig is incredible at drawing the best out of any terrible situation. It is part of life, so accept it and move on the best you can. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
From Living Life on Life’s Terms and Winning, 2008/09/05 at 4:20 PM
thanks Craig, i read a couple more of your articles (it may take me a little time to get through them all) i still feel sad and a bit alone but knowing that some one out there ‘gets it’ and more importantly ‘gets me’ helps a whole lot more than you may realise and now i’m crying AGAIN. thank you for your encouragement, you are a special person
From The Measure of a Champion, 2008/03/04 at 9:52 PM
From what I have read on your site so far, you do much more than motivate, encourage and empower your readers.
In my eyes, you are more like the Beacon of Light emitting from a Lighthouse, beaming in the darkness, to show the way to those of us who feel lost in the sea of uncertainty….
I thank you, for shining out to me… Jan
From Traumatic Brain Injury and Extreme Makeovers, 2008/01/13 at 10:29 PM
Sandy Caudell said
I stumbled on the “Second Chance to Live” website in the course of searching for links that would benefit the stroke and TBI survivors that visit our site at the Aphasia Hope Foundation. I was blessed by reading this site! Craig Phillips, Creator and Author of Second Chance to Live has a message for all people, those who have suffered by traumatic and life-changing events and for those that care for or about those who have suffered in this way. Truly his message is a universal one. I highly recommend this site!
secondchancetolive said
Hi Sandy,
Thank you so very much my friend. You are a tremendous blessing to me. Thank you in advance for telling your brother and sister organizations about Second Chance to Live — as you get the time. I appreciate you stating in your comment that material from Second Chance to Live can be of benefit univerally:
I was blessed by reading this site! Craig Phillips, Creator and Author of Second Chance to Live has a message for all people, those who have suffered by traumatic and life-changing events and for those that care for or about those who have suffered in this way. Truly his message is a universal one. I highly recommend this site!
Many times I receive responses to the letters that I send to various organizations around the world that tell me they do not serve traumatic brain injury survivors. Consequently they do not believe that Second Chance to Live can benefit the clients / consumers that they serve. Thank you for giving your professional opinion concerning the content of Second Chance to Live. I agree with you Sandy. Second Chance to Live presents material in such a way to motivate, encourage and empower the reader — regardless of their present circumstances — to live life on life’s terms. Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up.
I look forward to being of service to anyone who contacts me Sandy. If I can be of assistance to AphasiaHope.org, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you hear of any organization needing a motivational speaker, please keep me in mind. Thank you once again and God bless you!
Craig
marlee Kivens said
You should consider syanoguges too, not just Churches. There are plenty of interfaith topics that could be touched on as well.
secondchancetolive said
Hi Marlee,
Thank you so very much for your kindness. I will include synagogues as part of the potential audiences. I would love to speak at synagogues or before other Jewish venues. If you know of any such forums that would be interested in my story and Second Chance to Live please tell them about me and my availability. Thank you my friend.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Craig