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 derived from my brain injury.  It is therefore wrong to identify myself as n

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 permanently occupied, by a teenager, sending texts!   ·        Since the accident, I have been a me

“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 this, permit one-to-one (or smaller grou

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 perspective, I have needed (and to an extent, continue to