MAY 2019
Last Day Lagniappe
BROUGHT TO YOU BY ...
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Are Things Not Going Your Way?
5 Strategies to Pull Yourself Out of A Bad Mood
Pinpoint What Is Wrong
Look for triggers that caused the gloomy mood you are in. They be physical, from drinking too much coffee to a stomach, or they can also be emotional, such as unresolved conflicts with somebody close to you. Whatever they are, identifying the cause to your mood helps you identify steps towards a solution.
Analyze Your Emotions
Take a step back from your immediate emotional response and reflect on the situation that you are in. This step back can be as simple as asking yourself "Okay, what do I need right now." Distancing yourself from your reflex response helps you gain more control over your emotions.
Practice finding the Upside
Focusing on positive things is a habit that takes daily practice. For good practice, at the end of every day write down 3 things that went well and write down your role in those three things. Training yourself to do this helps you to respond to negative situations with positivity.
Give the Benefit of the Doubt
When you are in a bad mood, it can be easy to respond to other people negatively. Remember that you do have a choice- you can choose to be empathetic towards the people around you that are stressing you out. Practicing empathy can help you step back from your own emotions. Of course, this ability to respond with empathy requires practice- so don't give up!
Cut yourself Some Slack
Pulling yourself out of a bad mood can be difficult, but beating yourself up over your mood isn't productive. Be kind to yourself! You can't control everything! Take a break, get some water, listen to your favorite music, whatever you need to do, to help yourself work through your emotions. And remember, your track record of getting through rough patches in the past is 100%, you got this!
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Ten Ways to Cope With Depression After a Traumatic Brain Injury
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Talk
Talk to your family and friends about how you feel. This can be face-face, through an email or a letter- whatever you feel comfortable with.
Avoid Isolation
Make a point to spend time with the people. Attend a support group or arrange to meet a friend at a quiet location.
Engage
Engage in hobbies that you enjoy doing- painting, reading, whatever it may be.
Educate Yourself
Learn about your brain injury and management strategies. Understanding your injury is the first step to acceptance.
Exercise
Even if it is just for a few minutes a day. It can be some gentle stretches or a short walk- whatever you feel you can handle.
Seek Support
Support Groups for brain injury and/or depression are a great place to start.
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dentify Causes
Why are you feeling this way? Do you have financial struggles or strains in your relationship? Reflecting on these causes is the first step to solving them.
Make a "Soothe" Box
Put things that make you feel better into a box. This could include soothing perfume scents, photos or letters. When you are feeling depressed, open this box!
Use Wellbeing Techniques
Yoga, Meditation or Mindfulness are common techniques used by brain injury survivors! Make sure to speak to an expert if you are unsure how to properly use these techniques.
Be Healthy
Make sure you are eating right, drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep!
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FINDING EMPLOYMENT AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY
Firstly, remember that when looking for and maintaining a job with a SCI is that the law is on your side. You are protected by the Americans With Disabilities’ Act (ADA), and employers cannot discriminate against you solely because of your SCI.
In addition, there are many resources out there to help you- a main one being vocational rehabilitation. Vocational rehabilitation programs can help individuals with disabilities obtain employment. These programs can help you identify your career interests and skills, gain the relevant education or training for those jobs, find and apply for jobs, and help you navigate and negotiate work accommodations for you once you are employed.
Vocational Rehabilitation Process
After getting placed with a vocational rehabilitation counselor, your counselor will help you evaluate your interests, skills, limitations, health needs, work and education histories, and whatever other information is relevant to your situation. Your counselor will also help you set long term goals, identify intermediate steps for you to reach these goals and create a detailed plan with you. They may also set up real life opportunities for you to test the waters with a particular employer.
Many times, this is through a “trial” work situation for you with a potential employer for a specified period of time to see if you are able to do the job, if you like the job, and what accommodations you might need. These trial situations often lead to long term employment. Your counselor will be there for you throughout your employment itself in any way that they are able.
If you have any further questions regarding your rights or accommodations, specifics on the vocational rehabilitation process or insurance coverage, please click the link to read more.
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We are excited to announce that our Ms. Wheelchair Louisiana competition will be held in Baton Rouge on November 2nd. A very special thanks to United Spinal Association, in collaboration with the NuMotion Foundation for sponsoring this year's event. Interested in participating? Email kim@biala.org
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Representatives from BIALA will be traveling to Washington DC in June to participate in United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill. Meetings with Louisiana lawmakers will take place to discuss specific needs for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 13TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE...
TOGETHER TOWARD TOMORROW
MARCH 27-28, 2020
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BIALA will be participating in an Advocacy Day at the state capitol on June 5th. If you are in the area, come by and be a part of our advocacy group. Louisiana's Unmasking Brain Injury art exhibit, sponsored by TASS Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, will also be on display.
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CONNECTIONS CIRCLE program will offer two enrichment and social events this summer in hopes to connect individuals with brain and/or spinal cord injuries to existing support. Moreau Physical Therapy is hosting an art enrichment event for brain injury survivors on July 10th in Lafayette. On August 15th, for individuals with spinal cord injuries, Bert Burns with UroStat Healthcare will be hosting a talk on urology and sharing his inspirational story followed by a fun afternoon of bowling. Email: kim@biala.org for detailed information.
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Everyday may not be the best, but you can always find the
best
in
everyday.
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Disclaimer: This website and resource guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of treatments, individuals, businesses or programs which appear herein. Any external links on the website are provided for the visitor’s convenience; once you click on any of these links you are leaving the BIALA website. BIALA has no control over and is not responsible for the nature, content, and availability of those sites. The inclusion of an organization or service does not imply an endorsement of the organization or service, nor does exclusion imply disapproval. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, we make no guarantees. If information provided is inaccurate or dated, please send an email to
info@biala.org
with any corrections.
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