This is my powerpoint presentation for my Masters Thesis project. And my personal story of overcoming adversity from a Traumatic Brain Injury and my journey in the past 12 years.

1. Holistic Rehabilitation For Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors: One Woman’s Journey Jennifer Lee Galvin College of St. Catherine, Minneapolis Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies May 2008

2. * How I was brought to this Research Project *The concept of “Holistic Rehabilitation” *My personal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and experience as a survivor Introduction

3. December 13, 1995 Herpes Encephalitis DVD from Hospital: Where and Who I was 12 years ago. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It may be caused by a number of different factors. One of the most common causes is direct infection of the brain by a virus or bacterium. Inflammation can also occur as a complication of some other disorder, such as mumps or herpes simplex. About two thousand cases of encephalitis are reported in the United States each year (eMedicine, 2008).

4. February 19, 1997 Hodgkin’s Disease February 19, 1997 Hodgkin’s Disease Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of blood vessels, tissues, and other structures that carry lymph through the body. Lymph is a bloodlike fluid that carries substances from cells to blood vessels. The cause of Hodgkin's disease is unknown. Many experts believe that genetic and environmental factors work together to cause the disease (eMedicine, 2008).

6. TBI is defined by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control as an injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury (2007, p. 2). * 1.4 million Americans sustain a TBI each year. * 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help with daily living tasks and activities Literature Review

8. My Memoir * The gift of sharing my story *An Opportunity to heal myself and others My Memoir

15. Discussion Findings Supported By The Literature: *CAM Therapies: my experience *Resilience *Faith Unexpected Findings: *The emotions of re-living the experiences *Lessons and themes emerged through the writing process *Healing through writing my story

16. Discussion Evaluative Feedback: *Feedback provided by: Eleanor Lincoln, author of Memory and Memoir: Self-Knowledge Through Writing Your Memoir (Good Ground Press, 2006) *Encouragement to write more *Complimented on my style of writing and the ease in reading my Memoir

17. Discussion Implications For Practice *Inspiration and a teaching tool on rehabilitation Implications For Community *Any community that provides services to individuals with disabilities or life challenges *Professionals in the TBI community and Rehabilitation community *CAM Providers who serve individuals with disabilities Implications For Further Research *This concept is still a fairly new idea *Teenage population *Relationship between spirituality and vocational calling after disability

18. How My Life Has Changed Due To Holistic Rehabilitation *College graduate! *Independent woman *Able to maintain full time employment and full time school *Organizational skills *Ability to manage stress *Increased spirituality and acceptance of life circumstances

19. Finding My Way: A Memoir *DVD Presentation

20. Conclusion Questions? “ So often we look at a calendar of days as merely a symbol of the passage of time. We forget why we are on this earth. We forget that there is a reason for all of the pain and all of the struggle. We forget that we were put on earth to learn something. If everything were perfect in this life, we would never learn anything new. We would not be able to elevate our spirits through the events that happen to us.” ~ From Walk In Balance By Lynn V. Andrews

21. Acknowledgments and Dedication I thank my professors, Mari Ann and Carol, who supported me through this journey of writing and personal exploration. Their guidance, leadership, insightful feedback, and most importantly , patient encouragement, aided this research project in innumerable ways. And I thank my fellow classmates for their friendship and support throughout this journey. I will forever be grateful for walking this path together. This project is dedicated to my parents, who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Who loved me unconditionally during the most challenging time of my life and their lives. I would not be where I am today without their guidance and love.