Busy Brain

Published March 3, 2017 by helentastic67

busy-brain-1

Busy Brain

It’s not something I’ve been officially diagnosed with and I’m sure other Mental Health related conditions might experience these symptoms, but in my case my mind is always (for want of a better word) “ON”.

Planning, problem solving, writing, scheduling, busy, busy, busy! Bills to pay, rent due, incoming, outgoing. People I want to see, people I have to see, brain training, appointments that keep me mobile. And I’m very lucky I can do all these things, hear me?

BECAUSE THEY KEEP ME INDEPENDENT!

independent-living

But at the end of the day, I sit on the couch, amongst my ‘In Tray’ and I attempt to catch up on my admin.

Attending to the mail, scheduling when bills are due, when they need to be paid, brain training (OK-pirating) and brain training (word finders, puzzles, list making) and often it’s around 9 pm, I have dinner.

busy-brain-3

And then I settle into email-mode! I know, ridiculous. And then I have to start trying to turn off the busy brain! And that’s why I like to finish the night with a TV show where I don’t touch a remote or my iPad or my phone or anything.

I call it ‘Single-Tasking’.

Impossible being One-Handed…

one-handed

Jealousy

Published March 1, 2017 by helentastic67

coffee

Jealousy
I just sent this photo to a friend with one word attached. “jealous?”

He replied in all uppercase.

HATE YOU!

This was the photo…….

High Functioning

Published February 27, 2017 by helentastic67

high-functioning

High Functioning

I’m considered a high functioning ABI! (Have you ever heard of such a thing?) some guys I’ve met over the years say ‘Yeah’ I’m high functioning! Because they can build a computer…

abi

To be clear that does not qualify you as high functioning. I cannot build a computer! But I live independently. I pay my own bills and rent. I go shopping and get groceries and the food lasts a week.

independant-living

I think part of this is because I’ve not had ‘Trauma’ to my brain. No one has taken a can opener to my brain to rummage around inside there to fix things…

tbi-angel

Where Was I?

Published February 24, 2017 by helentastic67

where-was-i

Where Was I?

I gather you have noticed my departure from my main message, which was to educate about ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) and disability. There has been a perfectly sound reason for that. And that is two things, if it were to be all about being popular, brain injury/disability is not popular!

education

Brain injury and disability and these 2 things for which I qualify will never make me a million dollars. I will try to prove that statement somewhat incorrect because as I see it, I need at least a million to afford a home in a suburb I would like to live in. I live to prove people wrong – You Know It!

myth-6

And because ABI/Disability are not Sexy!

I’ve had several ‘lives’ in terms of my ‘Poor Art Student’ years, then the poor but busy and happy club years, then my “Oh My God” Real money admin years when I’d go home and be happy to not pick up a phone era. And mostly people think I’m only banging on about brain injury now because I have one!

To this I say, “FUCK YOU!” At least I have what I’m selling…

readathon

And number two! When I was about 8 or 9, I did the MS Readathon like many Aussie kids. I have never had MS, I’ve never been diagnosed with MS! MS is that “thing” I like to suggest is worse than ‘my’ ABI. Apart from all the other ABI’s that seem worse than mine. I know, don’t ask me to grade a crappier ‘ABI’ than what I have…

I would suggest having most my independence, lost my ability to manage my own money, pay my bills, speak for myself (ever) that would SUCK!

butterfly-ribbon

So, for a while, I’ll return to my original aim of educating people about ABI.

I’m not going to tell you an ABI can easily be avoided. Some can, come can’t.

If I told you to not drink or smoke, and you could avoid a stroke, that would be a lie.

Do I suggest never getting in a car or on a motorbike and therefore you can avoid a TBI? (Traumatic Brain Injury), apart from it’s too late, it’s very unrealistic.

You won’t get hit by a bus if your never leave the house, but you can die just as likely by not leaving the house.

prove-them-wrong

You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

If you want further information about ABI/TBI, this is not the right blog for you. Luckily, there is someone who does that already, does the appropriate research and you can find his blog here www.brilliantminds.com

I, on the other hand do simple stuff about ABI for the common person.

Brain Injury – bad!
Not all brain injuries are avoidable.
Every ABI/TBI is different. Not all ABI’s get funding.

puzzle

Family

Published February 23, 2017 by helentastic67

family-1

Family

I’m yet to unpack and draw a picture about my family and I’m getting there but things come up all the time so……

My Mum is my biggest supporter and occasionally my biggest critic, but Truly Ruely.

My Mum has been the only family who has been there when I’ve been in hospital and there is nothing worse than having my Mum look down at me with that look I recognise as “Oh my God Don’t let me watch another of my children die!”

sad-mum

And to be clear she gave me this look after my Disc bulge surgery. The nurse came in and felt she needed to remind me I could sue the morphine button. And the look my mum was giving me, having just seen my scar (covered in tape) and to let Mum know I was okay. I gave her the acronym STFU! The nurse looked started and my only interest was when I was allowed up to go pee. It was three days, I think! Three fucking days! I’m just saying. This once; THEY DON’T MAKE BEDPANS FOR WOMEN!

But more about my family soon.

family-2

BS

Published February 20, 2017 by helentastic67

BS

I call Bullshit. I’m watching Flash and Arrow currently. I wait until I have the whole season and I binge. I don’t have an eating disorder, I just have a serious problem with TV. It has replaced books and there is so much good TV to watch.

Last year I bought two new jackets for Winter. One very heavy. Good for wet weather, complete with a hood.

Putting the hood on in public when it’s raining, I find all I can see are my shoes and directly in front of me. So, shoes gazing and danger to myself. Likely to walk out into traffic.

So, watching The Arrow, pull arrows out and shoot them from his bow. Ping! Ping! Ping! And all the baddies get killed. I can’t see anything with my hood on!

I call Bullshit!!!

ADHD

Published February 17, 2017 by helentastic67

adhd

ADHD

I think I have a problem. I cannot single-task! It’s impossible. No matter how I try, I end up pausing something I’m watching on TV to go to my laptop and do a Google search. All while I write “pen to paper” for my blog, check emails on my iPad and text!

And it’s now 8pm and I’m yet to make dinner.

dinner

Guess the muffin’s I planned to make can wait.

Next!

Oh! Wait! Forgot the most important thing I was doing. It was Jamima’s bed! And she went from sleeping beauty to attack cat! And I have the scars to prove it.

cat-attack

Home

Published February 13, 2017 by helentastic67

home

Home!

If I ever want to hate myself, I Google real estate properties to rent in my dream suburb, where I lived previously for 8 years.

I know there are houses near me that cost as much if not more, but it is ridiculous.

Property

I have been called a gypsy by my Mum who has helped me more times than I care to admit, but one of these days I’d like to own and never have to move again.

Is it too much to ask to have what everyone else takes for granted?

Obviously, on the whole I can imagine planting my plants in actual soil and getting Solar Panels and a water tank. That would me amazing.

garden

And to imagine I could be more “Green” and look after the environment… And save money? I want a veggie garden.

I know the government clearly prefer everyone live on their own money, not require a pension, if they own their own home, they sell it and live in Public Housing. So, the Government can make money off us.

A girl can dream… One day…

dream-home

Acquired Brain Injury Humour

Published February 10, 2017 by helentastic67

ABI Humour

I imagine most people with a serious medical condition or a disability will find some solace in humour.

I confess I love the term “Wrong”, because it adequately covers my type of humour.

I often have a quick wit that people don’t understand or appreciate.

The other times my humour is ABI related and completely “Wrong”, it’s how I like it.

Here’s an idea of wrong……….the one I’m okay with putting on my blog at least.

I sometime get hay fever. Luckily most years at Springtime I haven’t been getting hay fever, but the last time the conversation came up at an ABI Social group I was going to, I commented; “Yeah! Haven’t had hay fever for years, but this year I’ve blown my brains out!”

The facilitator looked at me a little startled as I am one of the less “Brain Injured people of the group.” So, I guess I’m saying I get held to different standards.

I stopped “What? I’ve been blowing my nose a lot!”

I give a frown and a bit of a shrug and move on.

There are times I refer to the other “thing” which also includes a reference to Jackson Pollock, but not today…

Blessed

Published February 6, 2017 by helentastic67

blessed

Blessed

So, there is a place I go for free services. It’s a NGO (sorry, did it again! Non-Government Organisation or Not-For-Profit).

They have a board and committee meetings monthly. Not for us to attend and they provide free services to people who live in the region, to people ON low income. It is near the 3 Towers in Collingwood, which are the high-rise flats for Public Housing.

The board and the two people who work there and everything else is done be volunteers. I have been recently getting my Carpel Tunnel attended to by RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) biotherapy/massage students. Awesome!

The other services include free chiropractors, acupuncture and Shiatzu (which I also use).

I walked in the door today to my usual warm greeting. “Hello Ms Helen, Helen is in da house!”

It’s nice to feel loved.

helen-being-greeted

And heading towards the bathrooms I encounter a regular – Nigel (I’m throwing him under the bus as he’s going to be credited for his words of wisdom).

Nigel had rubber gloves on and a bucket of cleaning products. He was in the process of cleaning the shower and the toilet.

mop-bucket-man