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BEST’s Robin Spicuzza leads Soup Group at Our BEST Space. Healthy food, snacks and nutrition information and discussion are at the heart of Soup Group.
Robin put together a virtual Soup Group experience for you to enjoy! Check out her video below. Thank you Robin for the fun and easy recipe!
Posted in BEST Updates, BEST Wishes, Our BEST Stories, Special Events, Support Groups
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Superheroes use their creativity, helpfulness and positive energy for the greater good and to help others soar.
Jennifer McCarthy (photo by K.Thompson)
Our BEST friend, Jennifer McCarthy has those superpowered traits, most definitely. As a language instructor, artist, musician and brain injury support group facilitator in Washington State, she creates a warm, positive and welcoming environment that encourages others to learn, grow, and to tap into personal creativity.
We are so honored and delighted to announce that Jennifer has been named our BEST Superhero of the Month for April 2020.
Here’s what Jennifer’s nominator had to say about her:
This real-life superhero offers support, passion, positive energy and love through teaching, mentoring, education, music and art.
Jennifer McCarthy is that very superhero!
As a college instructor, Jennifer’s love of teaching languages and mentoring college students in fun and creative ways is infectious. Her campus “musical flash mobs” are iconic and delightful!
Jennifer is an accomplished musician, singer and artist, who regularly performs her music and shares her art with the public.
Jennifer is the support group facilitator for the Moses Lake Brain Injury Support Group. As a brain injury survivor herself, she serves as superhero mentor through her kindness, care and uplifting spirit.
We applaud this amazing, multifaceted superhero and appreciate her sharing her time, talents and love with the brain injury community and beyond!
Merci and Danke!
Thank you, Jennifer, for all that you do to help others soar to new heights!
Know a real-life superhero in the brain injury community? Nominate them by clicking here.
She agreed to provide an upcoming video response on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Questions were due for this video by questions due by Tuesday, April 28,2020 at 5 pm.
The questions came in, and below, is Kim’s video response!
If you missed the deadline noted above, don’t worry! We’ll continue to put videos and other features (live video on Facebook and Instagram) out as long as you have questions.
Do you have questions about:
Let Kim know!
There’s more: Kim will also take questions outside of BEST and brain injury.
Kim has a background in writing, journalism, social media, communications, and caregiving as a family caregiver.
She would be happy to answer your questions about writing, writing activities, social media safety and tips, and caregiving tips and encouragement.
Email your questions in advance to Kim. Her email address is kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org.
In the video below, Kim references a special social media article that was published on the BEST blog. You can click here to read it.
Thank you for watching!
The results of our recent wellness survey (see below): Most popular response (by a LOT): ALL of the ABOVE! Thanks for letting us know your strong interest in wellness issues. We’re on it! 💚😉
Posted in BEST Updates, Brain Injury Awareness, Caregiver Matters, Our BEST Stories, Special Events
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Do you have a question that we can help answer?
BEST Communication Manager, Kim Thompson, will take your questions and in turn, she’ll provide an upcoming video response on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 29, 2020 (questions due by Tuesday, April 28,2020 at 5 pm).
If you have questions about:
Let us know!
Kim will also take questions outside of BEST and brain injury.
Kim has a background in writing, journalism, social media, communications, and caregiving as a family caregiver.
She would be happy to answer your questions about writing, writing activities, social media safety and tips, and caregiving tips and encouragement.
Email your questions in advance to Kim. See below for her email address. We can’t wait to hear from you!
(Editor’s note: Writer and BEST blog contributor Isaac Peterson has come up with a creative way to spend his time at home right now; challenging himself with brain teasers. Try them out yourself below. KT)
Like most people right now, I’m mostly stuck indoors having the opposite of fun.
Everyone who lives in this house is stuck in here with me, and all the people, and the sound that goes with it, is really giving my traumatic brain injury (TBI), a good working over.
How am I going to last without going stark raving loony from the sensory overload?
At least I like to read, and between books and the internet, I have plenty of reading material, .
Looking through my books for the next one to read reminded me of a book I used to own, and like, as a sixth grader. The book was called One Minute Mysteries and contained fictional situations and challenged the reader to come up with explanations for them.
Most of them weren’t really obvious, either. They took some real thinking outside the box; some of the answers would cause someone to do a face palm because the explanation was so obvious once you found out what it was.
Here are some one minute mysteries, I found, also called brain teasers (just the thing for people with brain injuries, eh?).
Want to see how many you can solve?
Each numbered mystery is directly followed by the answer.
Posted in Brain Injury Awareness, Caregiver Matters, Education, Second Life
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Looking for some free things to do online?
Here is a guide with links with some virtual ideas on activities and educational opportunities.
Read:
The Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is proud and honored to have connections with so many fantastic writers in the brain injury community throughout the world. From brain injury survivors to caregivers, to subject matter experts and community partners, our writers cover a variety of topics close to our hearts. Click here to view our article on these writers and be sure to check them out. You will be glad you did!
Our most popular topic on the BEST blog? Self-care. Click here for a library of articles and ideas on self-care on the BEST blog.
Looking for a terrific library of brain injury awareness and caregiver articles? Try these sites (click on the words below to view):
Lash and Association Publishing
View:
Our wonderful BEST friend, the Tacoma Art Museum has a terrific at-home program right online. By clicking here, you can view exhibits, learn about art, get art resources, and create your own DIY project.
Looking to do some more art museum tours? Click here for a few of the most iconic (and free) virtual art museum tours in the world.
Looking for the ultimate staycation, where you can travel the world virtually? Click here to do just that.
Enjoy poetry? Our BEST friend, brain injury support group facilitator and instructor, Jennifer McCarthy, shared her poetry for a special poetry challenge at her college, Big Bend Community College in Washington State. Check out the beautiful virtual book of poetry the school is putting together by clicking here.
Learn:
BEST has created a virtual presence for reaching out to those with brain injury and their caregivers. BEST hosts a variety of social events, small group discussions, workshops, and skills training. Our goal in Second Life is to support those with brain injury engage in alternative and meaningful learning and PEER support. Our office can be found on Etopia Island in Second Life. Click here to learn more and join us today.
Looking to learn something new? Click here for 25 options for free online education.
Virtual field trips are a great way to learn and have fun! From theme parks to zoos, take a trip from the comfort of home by clicking here.
Check out self-care programming from spas, including virtual spa retreats, as well as yoga and wellness programs by clicking here.
Listen:
Listen to a book. Click here to learn more about libraries of free audio books.
Love listening and/or watching musical or theatrical performances? Check out this article by clicking here for some great links and ideas on just that.
Move and Breathe:
The Love Your Brain Foundation has free yoga videos to check out. Click here to view.
Interested in meditation? Click here to learn about beginning mediation classes that are online and free.
So, we will leave it here for now. We know there’s a lot to digest here.
Have additional ideas? Share them by email with BEST Communication Manager, Kim Thompson at kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org as we are going to continue to expand this guide or create additional guides in the future. Thank you!
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, to share support for environmental protection. Earth Day began exactly 50 years ago tomorrow, is now a worldwide movement which is celebrated in nearly 200 countries.
At the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST), not only are we passionate about providing superhero support for each other, we are passionate about providing superhero support to the Earth 🌍, too.
For more information on Earth Day, and for 24 hours of virtual programming on Earth Day, tomorrow, April 22, 2020, visit the official site of Earth Day, earthday.org.
There’s more. Our BEST friends and virtual community partner, Etopia EcoCommunity in Second Life, is celebrating Earth Day online for two days of education, sharing and fun.
Etopia is home to the BEST PEER Center and BEST virtual offices.
To join Second Life and visit Etopia to join in, click here.
Here’s the Etopia Earth Day schedule below:
** Wednesday, 22 April **
9:30am SLT – Tai Chi Morning
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/129/32/23
Join Namaara MacMoragh at Serenity Park to start your day with tai chi and a presentation on the health benefits of this ancient art.
11am SLT – Permaculture & Systems of Resilience In Today’s World
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/99/235/23
fate Paule will share the importance of a holistic view of community ecosystems in this exploration of how all forms of ecological diversity interact to produce a prolific, ecologically-sound, and regenerative system that can support itself and life indefinitely.
12:30pm SLT – Protest for Change
Slurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/99/235/23
Join in the fun and the energy that this protest for change will create. We’ll dance with our signs, share our stories, and look toward the future.
2pm SLT – Earth Day Open Mic
Slurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/84/157/23
Share your writing: fiction, non fiction, poetry, essays about what inspires you about the Earth. life, climate change, and sustainability. It can be your original writing or the writing of your favorite author. You can read yourself, have someone else read for you or just come to listen. Join Bhelanna Blaze & Namaara MacMoragh at the Bayview Ampitheater.
3:30 pm SLT – Three Sisters Gardening In Today’s World
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/193/53/22
Join fate Paule at the Etopia Three Sisters Garden for an exploration of why complimentary plants, when grown together, improve each other’s health and yields. fate Paule is a permaculture gardener.
6:30 SLT – Etopia Squares
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/84/157/23
Hollywood Squares style game with all the humor and challenges of the classic TV game. Contact Namaara MacMoragh if you’d like to participate as a contestant or “square star”.
10pm SLT – Qi Gong
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/36/201/24
Join Samatha as she shows you how to perform Qi Gong movements for improved health using SL and RL instruction.
** Thursday, 23 April **
9am SLT – Bamboo Bike Tour of Etopia Island
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/193/53/22
Join Etopia’s Chief Groundskeeper, Namaara MacMoragh to learn more about some of the most popular spots on Etopia and discover some of our hidden treasures. Join Nam as she shares the story and the fun of Etopia.
3pm SLT – Think Globally, Act Locally
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/193/53/22
Take a tour of the Etopia Plaza shops as Namaara MacMoragh shares stories, factoids, and insights about why supporting local enterprises builds community resilience and profitability.
7pm SLT – Earth Day Celebration with DJ Dani
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/155/176/22
The Bored Meating has been pre-empted this weak so we can bring you a nite of pagan ritual; dancing in the forest with friends. Join us for great music, good company, and lots of fun.
10pm SLT – Qi Gong
SLurl – http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/36/201/24
Join Samatha as she shows you how to perform Qi Gong movements for improved health using SL and RL instruction.
** Other Things To Do **
— Etopia Earth Hunt (18 April – 2 May)
— Etopia Carnival
— Guided Walking Tours of Etopia Island
— Eagle tour starting from Eagle Peak
— Gondola rides
— Balloon rides starting at Etopia Prime
— Play with the physics display at the Science Lab
— Ride the Etopia Circle Line
— Play pinball at Ginny’s Arcade
— Visit the Art Galleries
— Shop the stores on the Plaza and the Coastal Village
— Spend time with friends at Tsidel’s Cafe
— Dance and Drum at the Etopia Drumming Circle
— Sail our waterways or hop on a row boat
— and so much more
Posted in BEST Updates, Brain Injury Awareness, Caregiver Matters, Community News, Education, Our BEST Stories, Second Life, Special Events, Support Groups
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Volunteer virtually for the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST)!
If you participate in a brain injury support group in Washington State, either as a support group facilitator or a support group member or participate in our BEST virtual brain injury support group and/or caregiver group in Second Life, we are seeking the following virtual volunteers:
Self-Care Ambassador:
Self-care is an important topic for the BEST community; in fact, it’s our most popular topic!
Whether you are a brain injury survivor, caregiver or community member, self-care is critical to well-being and living the best lives possible.
As a self-care ambassador, you would share your favorite self-care tips with BEST on a schedule that works for you.
Self-care tips would include things like nutrition, mental health, relaxation, rest, exercise and more!
You may also gather and share self-care tips from fellow brain injury survivors in your support group and provide those to BEST, too, as your group’s representative.
Here are the specific instructions:
These materials would be submitted to BEST Communications Manager, Kim Thompson, at kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org.
Your helpful self-care information would be shared with the BEST community on the BEST website, blog and social media to help support others.
BEST Virtual Artists (artists and photographers):
Support group members, are you an artist or photographer? Share your talents with BEST and the rest of the community.
We’d love to feature your work for a virtual art gallery! Email Kim Thompson at kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org for details.
Sound interesting? Read on for volunteer guidelines.
BEST Virtual Volunteer Guidelines:
1. Participating BEST Virtual Volunteers must be affiliated with the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) in one (or more) of the following ways:
a. Washington State support group participant.
b. Washington State support group facilitator.
c. BEST virtual brain injury support group member or caregiver support group member in Second Life.
2. BEST Virtual Volunteers understand that this is a non-paid, volunteer opportunity.
3. We ask that submissions reflect the mission and vision of BEST: empowerment, peer support and wellness.
4. BEST Virtual Volunteers will understand that self-care and/or art materials submitted to BEST may be shared on the BEST website and BEST social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube).
5. BEST Virtual Volunteers will understand that BEST reserves the right to not accept any self-care or art submission, for any reason. We will not accept materials that include any profanity, unsuitable or crude topics and language; discrimination; political content; and other inappropriate content that does not meet the mission and vision of BEST.
Here’s what you can expect from us:
Have any questions? Email Kim (see below). Thank you for your interest. You are the BEST!