The Well Brain

12/09/2025

Anyone confused about brain fog or neurofatigue?

One of my favorite topics to unpack...

The hard truth is that although you no longer take your brain for granted, it's likely that you are taking your brain's job for granted when it comes to cognition.

Attention, memory, problem solving, executive function are all part of a major cognitive workout that we do everyday all day.

The difference after brain injury is that cognitive endurance also needs to be rebuilt and there may be a new threshold, just like physical endurance.

So stop and think about all the things you did yesterday that required cognition...

-attention
-reasoning
-sequencing
-problem solving
-insight
-planning
-self-correction

You're now thinking, well that was a lot! 😉

In addition the truth is that understanding what impacts in our fatigue is just as individual as brain injury itself.

We have to consider priorities, motivation, expectations, daily variables, other symptoms, and so much more.

So now do yourself a favor and give your brain credit.

12/05/2025

What to do, what to do???

We have all been in this situation. In each situation you have options and it can vary from experience to experience and person to person.

Laying them all out can be helpful to see all your options. .rheaume gets a shout out for our constant collaborative conversation about this topic!

You get to decide what's best for you...

1 accept and move forward because we're all humans first and sometimes we have a bad day. What's important if you are going to make this choice, that you truly do feel comfortable to move forward.

2 say something in the moment because there's no time like the present. Remember that as human beings we are far more likely to receive constructive feedback with openness when it doesn't feel like an attack. The provider did do something right, so let them know what they're doing right and then let them know that you were not feeling heard or respected. Because you're doing it in the moment you'll have the ability to have shared contacts for an example.

3 say something afterwards electronically by going home and processing or even talking with a trusted person in your world and create a message to be sent by email or portal message. Use the reminder from example number two for constructive feedback. It's also important to state if it's important to you to take this opportunity to grow and improve your provider and patient relationship for the future.

4 say something at the next appointment because when you got home you processed or talked with a trusted person and created a message that you put with your calendar reminder for the next time you see that provider. This would be better if you see this provider sooner rather than later because the context will really get lost if it's too long between appointments.

*Bonus- you can let the provider know that you will not be returning because you did not feel heard and respected. This might help the next person have improved care.

What if by speaking up you deepen the relationship with the provider giving them the opportunity to be one of your best supporters????

12/04/2025

✨ Thinking about joining NASHIA? Here’s what our members say… ✨
If you’ve ever felt isolated in your work, wished for more trusted colleagues to learn from, or wanted a stronger network to support the individuals and systems you serve - NASHIA membership is where connection happens.

Our members consistently tell us that community is the most valuable benefit: collaboration, shared problem-solving, and a nationwide network of leaders who *get it*.

💡 Join NASHIA and start doing this work with a community behind you.

Learn more or become a member: https://www.nashia.org/membership

11/14/2025

If only brains came with a reset button...

Here are some things you say about appliances that we wish were true about:

🔌 Just unplug it and plug it back in and that will fix the problem.

🧰 Free item! Not currently working but fun to fix

💤 It's just in sleep mode, wiggle the mouse and it will load up.

🥵 It overheats when used too long, just wait a bit and it will be fine.

Of course it's nowhere near that simple. It's not always visible, but it's real, and it's worthy of patience, respect, and of course humor for sanity sake 😂

Share with someone who gets it 🧠

11/12/2025

Moving beyond the terms mild, moderate, and severe brain injury is a work in progress.

It's s time to be part of the movement with education and sharing.

This joint statement was shared at the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators conference. It was created by a group of brain injury advocates, individuals with lived experience, and professionals.

These 12 points help to break myths, share the facts and validate the journey of so many people living life after brain injury.

Here's what you can do today...

Share this post

Click the link in my bio and download the full document and bring it with you to share far and wide with all the providers and Care partners you meet.

11/03/2025

November highlights caregivers and the incredible role they play in the family dynamics.

When a loved one sustains a brain injury the family caregiver is thrust into the brain injury world.

Ali and I are so passionate about the role communication has in this journey.

Join us as we present at the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts virtual survivor and family caregiver conference.

Our topic is communicating effectively with your care team

Thursday November 13th

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. eastern time

Registration can be done on the Brain Injury association of Massachusetts website.

Www.biama.org/forcaregiversandsurvivors/

10/31/2025

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators - Nashia serves as the leading source of information and education for state employees who support public brain injury programs, NASHIA provides information on national trends, best practices, and state contacts to federal agencies, state and national associations and brain injury partners across the country.

I walked away knowing I am part of something bigger, yet so many incredible individuals never let me get lost in the crowd. I wasn't a small fish-I was part of the current- the current of collaboration, information sharing, all with the shared passion of supporting the needs of individuals with brain injury and their support system.

Extra thank you to Amanda Tower for encouraging me to join NASHIA. To Beth Dauber and Maria Crowley and the other incredible individuals on the teaching and education committee, I am so grateful for your inclusion of me and my baby, The Well Brain.

10/14/2025

Progress, healing, wins, expanding.... Whatever you want to call it, we celebrate it.

These kinds of text messages are the best!!!

Ready to expand????

09/14/2025

When the world feels heavy we need to check in.

Here , I've taken time and reflected on what I've needed and what I've encouraged clients to do as the depth of things has weighed heavy on all of our capacities.

Please know that regardless of navigating life after brain injury or not we all need to be aware of how we're showing up for ourselves.

I'm encouraging you to check in on these 4 things for yourself:

Cognitive self
Emotional self
Physical self
Spiritual self

Every part of you deserves awareness and attention.

Release
Express
Move
Pray

Before anything else, we're humans first, regardless of anything.

08/03/2025

✨ Highlighting an updated resource! As part of the sustainability plan for the “Improving the MA Systems of Care for Elders Sustaining a TBI” grant, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) developed a free web-based course on brain injury in adults with a particular interest in elders.

Get more information and access at NASHIA's Resource Library: https://www.nashia.org/resources-list/ma-bi-web-course

07/28/2025

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators - Nashia has been so welcoming as a private practice and the connections I have made have a huge impact directly for clients.

💬 Your Voice Matters!
Have we helped you, inspired you, or provided valuable resources through our work? Let us - and others - know!

Leaving a review on our page helps us:
✅ Reach more people affected by brain injury
✅ Show the impact of our mission
✅ Improve and grow our programs

📝 Share your experience today: https://www.facebook.com/NASHIAORG/reviews

07/15/2025

Are you stuck in too tight of a routine????

Recovery after brain injury is a journey of recalibration - finding confidence and consistency while learning to flex, shift, and live beyond the edges.

If you're navigating the push- pull of healing and daily life you are not alone.

Let's explore the wisdom of routine and the grace beyond it.

📥DM me to dive deeper - my brain is all in!