Phil version 2.0

“I refuse (absolutely) to be limited and defined, by what I can't do ...”   (Craig Lock 2015)     This post will be, little   more than an important; and stern pep talk, to myself.   I will start with (what is for me ) a very bold statement:   “I am not defined by my brain injury”!   “.. and most certainly, not by any (self-perceived), negative outcomes of it”   I really need this pep talk, because it is a view that I have   really  struggled with  and (albeit it to a reduced extent) continue to find,  rather problematic. Much of the reason for writing this, is a desire to firm up on that belief - maybe,  if I say it often enough, I might start to believe it!   So - being positive (for a change!) ...   What really defines us, is the holistic sum of our many characteristics (be they practical, physical, or mental - including, of course, our actions).   Only a certain number of these can be said to have been d...

Here’s one I made earlier ... Not! But I am, nevertheless, working on a “ripped beach body”!   I suspect that this is more likely, though!   Strange as it might sound to those who are familiar with my, otherwise unhealthy lifestyle, I do, take  a lot of pleasure in exercising  ...   Since the arrival of Phil v2.0, this has, rather changed. As I keep saying though, “ different isn’t necessarily worse.”  And, in the case of exercise  -  different can indeed, be better!   The main reason for this, is  that I now have a lot more time on my hands , in which to engage in it - and as we’ll see, that’s a good thing!   I am fortunate enough, to be able to participate in several sporting activities. For example:     ·        I am a member of a nearby gym. During lockdown, I have however, been restricted to dumbbells in my kitchen. At least though, I can use a weights bench without it being, almost perma...

“Say hey, good lookin',  What you got cookin'?”  (Hank Williams 1951) ... there is certainly some cooking going on, but I’m not sure that I share the sentiment expressed in the first line!   The event which lies behind this post, was a barbeque, that I attended last night. It was a birthday celebration for the spatula wielding chap, in the above photo – attended by a few old friends.   Lockdown has, of course rather curtailed, all our social lives. This group of people have remained in contact – albeit online. I can’t speak for everyone else but I (at least) am getting rather “out Zoomed”. Given that the restrictions are becoming more relaxed, a gathering of this type, is now permissible, and accordingly,  the opportunity was duly taken.   Late me start with  a little positivity:   It was good to catch up with folk  and to be able to speak in a relaxed manner, for more than 40 minutes!   Unlike online chats, face to face meetings such as...

Sorry – my mind’s gone blank ... The accident affected several my cognitive functions, and large among these is  massive memory loss.   Both my long and short-term memory has been significantly and adversely affected.   Regarding the former, I now have some  very large empty spaces . For example, I no longer have any recollection of my youngest son being born.   A major source of memory related distress is a  loss of what should be, happy memories . I have little recollection of my children growing up and this includes family holidays/days out and birthdays etc. I find it very hard to remember how they liked to spend their time and who their close friends were. I can’t even recall the dates of their birthdays!   More generally and beyond that, I firmly believe that we are shaped by our experiences. I can’t help but sometimes feel, that their elimination through my accident, amounts to  theft of a part of me.    From a practical perspecti...