Testim/Endor
Testimonial’s
I came across Second Chance To Live as I was researching for a link regarding the “identified patient.” I was writing a blog regarding my own journey and recovery from neglect, and spiritual/emotional/verbal trauma and abuse; thus my search for a link. I wanted a link that was heartfelt, validating, informational, and empowering. I found several links and looked them over. One of Craig’s web post deeply resonated with me and I picked that particular article as the reference link on my blog. At the time, I also read other articles on Second Chance To Live. Shortly thereafter I met Craig via email and we have exchanged correspondence on and off. His correspondence has been genuine, respectful, down-to-earth, and inspiring.
I am not challenged with a traumatic brain injury, yet Craig’s sharings are helpful for trauma across the board; not only traumatic brain injury. I find his approach and empathy, mixed with responsibility and valuable tools to help a sufferer learn to live again, empowering. I refer to his sharings from time to time to assist me in my own continued journey of re-discovery of life.
With deep gratitude and hope,
Carol Welch 2009 /10 /11 10:51 pm
http://tossandripple.blogspot.com/
Sometimes when we least expect it, we are blessed to cross paths with an authentic being who has the ability to leave a lasting deposit of love in our hearts as well as in our lives. Craig Phillips is such a person. Like many others who have written, I have had several brain injuries and complex PTSD. One day I found Craig in my email..I do not know how he got there…neither did he. Divine intervention I suspect. I was fighting for my life. My will to live was gone to the point where I had experienced a full life review while in a state of deep prayer. Craig directed me to his writings and reading them helped me. Then he started writing to me every couple of days. A joy. Over the past six months more of my soul essence has returned, and I am starting to feel better. Craig gently confronts me when my thinking is distorted…and reminds me who and what I truly am..because I forgot…His peaceful spirit,unconditional love and compassion have played a huge role in my ongoing healing…I am no longer hopeless or helpless. I even laugh occasionally. Craig is a blessing to me, and to all who connect with him. The essence of holiness is love. Craig embodies love. When you have been blessed by Craig, be prepared..your life might just change. Mine has.
Lea Strongheart 2009 /5/28 11:00 pm
Craig has truly taken his second chance and made it a model for living with purpose. He is living with the essence of empowerment – embracing circumstance and creating from it a life which is not less but, more than it ever would have been.
I founded Dreams for Kids 20 year ago as a place for youth to be empowered and to live a life of infinite possibilities. There are those who seem compelled to remind us what we have lost and what we cannot do. Craig reminds us that life is lived in the moment with the gifts we are given and the opportunities which are ever present. His principles of acceptance and empowerment are text book examples of how to live a full live. In making each day a good day, you have made your life a good life Craig, and quite an extraordinary one.
Tom Tuohy 2009/4/10 4:14 pm
Dreams for Kids
http://dreamsforkids.org/
I have only known Craig for a little a short time, but from the life experiences he has posted, he has a great attitude. Living with a disability is not always easy (I should know I have Spina Bifida), but Craig chooses to take the negative and turn it around to empower himself and others. I have added his blog to my own website, Empowering Jews With Disabilities. His message crosses all boundaries and religious beliefs. My life, and my friend’s lives that I have made through my own website are enriched by his online presence. He brings a voice to TBI that no one else does.
Marlee Kivens 2009/3/25 at 11:55 am
Empowering Jews With Disabilities
empoweringjewswithdisabilities.org
My name is Jenny and I suffered a serious closed head injury in December 2004 when the car that I was driving hit a tree. I was unconscious when they found me and I wasn’t expected to survive the night. I spent 9 months in a rehabilitation hospital learning how to walk, talk, swallow & eat & use my fine motor skills again. 4 years later and I’m much better than I was, but I’m still not there yet.
Talk about a challenge!
I live in the small town of Batemans Bay which is in Australia. Batemans Bay is about 5 hours down the coast from Sydney in New South Wales and I felt totally alone until I found Second Chance to Live.
Almost 4 years into my new life as a brain injured soul a social worker gave me the link to Second Chance to Live.
This is the best and most personal site that I’ve ever come across and I wish to applaud the creator (Craig J Phillips) for his tireless efforts in creating articles and offering unconditional support and encouragement to anyone involved in some way with a brain injury.
There is no particular story that stands out to me as I quite often find myself agreeing with what he says. He has a way of articulating what many BI survivors are thinking.
Craig (the creator) did say one thing that has made a huge difference in the way in which I live my life though. That statement will always stay with me. He said “life is for living, not merely surviving”. When I read that statement I realized that in the 4 years since my accident I had been hiding away from the world and just surviving, when I needed to be out there living my new life. I have been doing just that ever since and it has made a big difference to how I feel about my life.
His words of encouragement and first hand experience have helped me enormously, so thank you for creating this site offering encouragement. Many people would feel “doomed” and think that the best of their life is over (I know that I once did), but you encourage people to make the most of their deficits/limitations and to use them as best they can to create a fantastic new life.
Thank you Craig.
He inspires me to remember that having a brain injury just makes me different and that I need to accept who I am and create a wonderful life for myself based on my capabilities.
Craig suffered a brain injury over 40 years ago, so he has lots and lots of practical experience.
He is more than happy to give unconditional support and encouragement, and I’ve found his articles to be a valuable reminder that I’m a special & unique person.
I urge you to tell people about this site as it is by far the best brain injury site that I’ve ever encountered.
Thanks Craig for creating Second Chance to Live.
Jen 2009 /2/15 at 6:58 pm
Batemans Bay.
Lori aka: RisibleGirl
http://www.mostlyrisible.com wrote:
This guy is simply awesome
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
Hi Craig, Jan here.
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
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!
Endorsements
Endorsement # 1
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
Endorsement # 2
Hinds Feet Farm
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
Ian Elliot said
Greetings from ‘neath Montana Skies!
I was introduced to your site by a recent acquaintance named Kat whom I met online when joining the TBI Survivors Network Project. After hearing my own personal story of TBI recovery, she felt you and I were cut of the same cloth so to speak and might benefit from getting in touch with one another. After reviewing this 2nd Chance site, I heartily agree with Kat’s suggestion. Craig, I sustained a TBI on May 16, 1994 when I fell asleep at the wheel of my Dodge Caravan travelling 80 mph just West of Livingston, MT. The speed was verified by the cruise control setting at the scene of the accident. I was founder/director of a performing arts organization that presented a wide assortment of dance, concerts, theater productions, and BIG screen movie classics for the 800 seat historic Babcock Theater here in my home town of Billings, MT. I “woke up” three weeks later in a Billings hospital with a torn shoulder cuff, fractured pelvis, multiple bruises and a serious TBI. Thus began my slow but steady rehabilitation process which, as you know, continues to this day. Before I continue, I wish to hear if you are interested in establishing an additional relationship via correspondence for starters? I now serve as Montana’s TBI Project Coordinator and as Vice Chair of the MT Governor’s TBI Advisory Council. In Spring of 1998, I earned a Masters Degree and certification in Rehabilitation Counseling, and currently serve as a volunteer Facilitator for the Billings brain injury support group and a Past President of the Brain Injury Assn. of Montana. I also own and operate a performing arts production/presenting company known as Arts Partners Unlimited and I am currently in the process of building and launching an APU website. Over the past decade I have presented a host of professionally staged events, including my own original theatrical production relating to my TBI recovery entitled, STARFIRE…An Empowering Journey Through Trauma. I hope this serves as a starting point for meaningful communication between us, Craig, and I commend you for moving forward in positive fashion from a place I can certainly relate to in a deeply personal way. Please consider this an invitation to further communicate via email or my toll free phone number here at the MT Center on Disabilities (1-888-866-3822). Since I work 30 hours per week as the TBI Project Coordinator, I can also be reached via home phone at. Please consider my request and let’s connect sometime that is mutually convenient, ok? By the way, I refer to myself as a TBI Thriver and have encouraged use of this self id term by my fellow TBI Thrivers here in MT, the BIA of MT and elsewhere in the world.
Yours in Empowerment!
Ian
secondchancetolive said
Hi Ian,
Wow. You are truly an example and it does sound like we are cut from a similar cloth — indeed! Thank Kat for connecting us. Thank you so very much for sharing your story with me and your involvement in empowering the lives of individuals. You are truly a blessing to many Ian!!! You are a walking, talking miracle. I am honored by the opportunity to learn from you. I look forward to being of assistance to you or to any other staff or individual.
Please consider this — as you have aptly stated below — an invitation to commence communications. Thank you for your words of encouragement Ian. I am honored by your time and kindness. My phone # and I live in Charlotte, NC. I left a message on the voice mail at the 1-888 # that you gave me below and asked her to transfer the phone message to you Ian. I agree with you — 110%. Life is for thriving not merely surviving because our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up.
I look forward to hearing from you and being of service. Please let me know how I may do so Ian.
Have a great day my friend and God bless you!
Craig
Hamish Henderson-Bhindie said
G’day,
Another Aussie here although I live in the States and I had my accident in Miami! I had a motorcycle crash, there is no helmet law in Florida hence how easy it was to have a Traumatic Brain Injury. The accident happened on the 28th of August 2006. Along with the Brain Injury, I had nerve damage, a piece of skull was taken out due to being dirty, and a collapsed lung.
I was pretty much dead on arrival and slipped into a coma. Six weeks I was in a coma, and another two months in hospital. I shocked everyone by coming out better than expected. I had to re-learn to walk, re-learn my math skills etc. My Brain Injury is invisible, my speech is fine, I can construct proper sentences etc but the way I understand or explain things even sounds fantastic but very unorganized. I think in images now, music lyrics seem to be the only way I can explain my emotions properly. I can understand them but no one can.
The constant battle to legitimise my injury because people can’t see my brain. I feel like an outsider and it’s so bloody frustrating. I’m not crying the blues but it is really frustrating when your family and friends live in denial about the injury. No one has taken the time to do some reading on the effects of the Brain Injury. My Mum, well she was the only one reading up on Traumatic Brain Injuries as she was an R.N.,my father and my sister haven’t bothered reading up on it.
I’m not playing the blame game but understanding the injury is so helpful in the recovery process. It’s been bloody tough with moments of feeling like I’m finally healing and then the rug is pulled under me and then I finally get to the next level thinking hey I’m getting better, then boom, back to going back ten steps. You also have to realize how frustrating it is for others because they do want to help but they even feel useless.
You start to want to give up, just like a week ago and then I stumble across this site and wow, you are so bloody right. I’m so fortunate to come across this.
I’m a fighter, even when it feels like I get knocked down, I always end up brushing it off and moving forward until the next time and then I repeat! Persistence is the key, please believe me. I used to surf everyday there was surf and now, I’m building my body back up to start surfing again.
Setbacks, always feel like failure at the initial time it happens and then when you have a setback, you move forward. I have to say that you have to look at like a blessing even when you can’t. You are right, in time the right tools come to you with but it’s a long process!
Anyways, CHEERS MATE! You’re a LEGEND! Big ups!
secondchancetolive said
Hello Hamish,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your story with me. Wow. You have been through a tremendous amount. You are a walking talking miracle my friend. I am completely identify with your frustration per family members — Big Time. Family members sometimes just do not want to come out of denial because it is too painful for them. But that is not our fault. My family was the same way for many years. Because they could not see my disability I felt minimized. Through my process, I discovered that I had to be the one to accept my own reality. After years and years my Mom and brother are beginning to accept my reality. My Dad passed away January 10, 2007 and he continued to think that if I just tried harder I could overcome what ever was holding me back.
Because I did not know that I was impacted by a brain injury for nearly 36 years post injury I found myself buying into my family’s denial system. I carried a tremendous amount of shame for many years because of my own lack of acceptance per my reality.Through my recovery process over the years I have discovered some information that has helped me tremendously. I have a Site Map http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/site-map/ that has 388 titles listed. You may like to spend time reading through those articles — as I believe you will be able to identify with me my friend.
In the mean time I would encourage you read several of those article. I believe you will find these articles — below — to be very helpful my friend. I believe you will be able to identify with me. Be encouraged Hamish, you are not alone in your struggle my friend. Trust me on this one Hamish.
Here are links to those articles. If I may suggest Hamish, read the below articles. I believe they will empower you because you are not alone my friend!!!!!
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/05/12/traumatic-brain-injury-and-denial-my-perspective-as-a-tbi-survivor/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability-part-2/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-part-3/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/19/my-struggle-living-with-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-part-4/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-my-reality%e2%80%94part-1/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/21/having-an-invisible-disability-%e2%80%93-the-consequence-of-denying-reality%e2%80%94part-2/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-double-bind/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/05/25/whose-shame-are-you-carrying/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/05/26/displaced-sadness/
http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-deception/
Take your time reading the articles. If you have questions or comments along the way I am listening.
Thank you so very much for sharing your struggle with me my friend.
God bless you Hamish.
Craig
Marlee Kivens said
I have only known Craig for a little a short time, but from the life experiences he has posted, he has a great attitude. Living with a disability is not always easy (I should know I have Spina Bifida), but Craig chooses to take the negative and turn it around to empower himself and others. I have added his blog to my own website, Empowering Jews With Disabilities. His message crosses all boundaries and religious beliefs. My life, and my friend’s lives that I have made through my own website are enriched by his online presence. He brings a voice to TBI that no one else does.
Tom Tuohy said
Craig has truly taken his second chance and made it a model for living with purpose. He is living with the essence of empowerment – embracing circumstance and creating from it a life which is not less but, more than it ever would have been.
I founded Dreams for Kids 20 year ago as a place for youth to be empowered and to live a life of infinite possibilities. There are those who seem compelled to remind us what we have lost and what we cannot do. Craig reminds us that life is lived in the moment with the gifts we are given and the opportunities which are ever present. His principles of acceptance and empowerment are text book examples of how to live a full live. In making each day a good day, you have made your life a good life Craig, and quite an extraordinary one.
secondchancetolive said
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your kind words. Some things take a life time to learn. I will be 52 next month and I am still learning. Thank you for your kindness in writing a testimonial / endorsement for me. I believe our gifts are not of us, but they are through us. Thank you for being a part of my process Tom. You are a blessing to me. God bless you Sir!
In the event that you would like to reprint one of my articles or several of my articles from Second Chance to Live on your web site — to enhance your vision and mission — please let me know. My interest is to encourage, motivate and empower those who read my articles to not give up on hope, because more is yet to be revealed. Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up!
In the event that I can be of service to your staff, or the kids and their families, please let me know. I am available to be of service my friend.
Have a pleasant evening and God bless you Tom.
Happy Easter to both you and your family.
Craig
Lea Strongheart said
Sometimes when we least expect it, we are blessed to cross paths with an authentic being who has the ability to leave a lasting deposit of love in our hearts as well as in our lives. Craig Phillips is such a person. Like many others who have written, I have had several brain injuries and complex PTSD. One day I found Craig in my email..I do not know how he got there…neither did he. Divine intervention I suspect. I was fighting for my life. My will to live was gone to the point where I had experienced a full life review while in a state of deep prayer. Craig directed me to his writings and reading them helped me. Then he started writing to me every couple of days. A joy. Over the past six months more of my soul essence has returned, and I am starting to feel better. Craig gently confronts me when my thinking is distorted…and reminds me who and what I truly am..because I forgot…His peaceful spirit,unconditional love and compassion have played a huge role in my ongoing healing…I am no longer hopeless or helpless. I even laugh occasionally. Craig is a blessing to me, and to all who connect with him. The essence of holiness is love. Craig embodies love. When you have been blessed by Craig, be prepared..your life might just change. Mine has.