Category: Blog

Hello Warriors and Battle Buddies! Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 161 with today's special guest Heather Rendulic. For today's conversation we had to go without Terry unfortunately, she was having a bad case of "Brain Drain." Despite that we are able to offer a fantastic conversation today with Heather Rendulic! This special Warrior takes us through her journey of suffering 5 strokes and having to experience an addition brain surgery at the ripe old age of Twenty-Two. These happenings occurred back in 2011 and she has been after it ever since. Heather takes us through those hard times in the beginning, the ongoing recovery and desire to have a positive outlook despite the harsh reality of the situation.Heather speaks open and honestly about the love or her parents as well as…

Hello Warriors and Battle Buddies! Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 160 with today's special guest Anessa Arehart The native of the Bluegrass state of Kentucky allows us to peek into her world today! The artist tells us of her two brain injuries over a 53 day window affected her and her life. It is clear to Anessa that Second Impact Syndrome was the culprit. Anessa vividly takes us on her journey which went from living in a city to the quiet of the country. From not even being able to writing her name to writing a book, how her injuries have significantly impacted her art whether it is her painting or her photography. She also takes us through why she feels nature has lead to her healing and the…

Hello Warriors and Battle Buddies! Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 158 with today's special guest Gregg Grossman. Gregg the native New Yorker, living in Texas has quite a unique story to tell.  He has been a part of the TBI community since 1988 because his brother was in a serious car accident, which left him with a significant brain injury. Gregg had spent the years since as a Battle Buddy to Todd, but to complicate things, Gregg has his own injury to deal with as he was hit by a car jogging in 1992! Gregg takes us on the journey of caring for Todd, healing from his own injuries, and how these events drastically changed his life. Born a Jewish man, Gregg becomes deeply connected to a Christian faith,…

Hello Warriors and Battle Buddies! Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 157 with today's special guest Kevin McDonald. This is Kevin's second visit to the program. Back in 2019 we shared Kevin's story and all the advocacy work he was doing to help others in episode 44 & 45. Today Kevin updates us on how he is doing, the fact that his non-profit is back at the advocacy, and he also tells us about the new L.A.N.D. program Restart Your Life/Renew Your Mind is rolling out. As we continue on with Brain Injury Awareness Month, it is important to realize that creating awareness also includes advocating politically and within society in general. These are in Kevin's wheel house and his focus. If you are interested in the advocacy side of…

Hello Warriors and Battle Buddies! Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 155 with today's special guest Thea James. We finally get to have Thea on the program! The high energy and positive Warrior tells us a bit about her journey to date. The road traveled includes her Dad having a stroke in the middle of her four concussions in a two year window. We learn about how they help each other to this date. In addition, Thea explains how having a close friend who also has experienced a TBI has been beneficial to recovery. Thea also tells us how she has changes since the injuries which includes going from a painfully shy person to someone full of confidence with zest for life as well as a change professionally. To top…

Hello Warriors and Battle Buddies! Welcome to A BATTLE WITHIN, Episode 153 with today's special guest Deb Brandon. We got to have this amazing conversation today due to previous guest and Battle Buddy Donna O'Connell Figurski and Terry and I are grateful as she put us in touch. Deb is a warrior who back in 2007 had endured three necessary brain surgeries in a three week window. We all know that one injury is enough let alone three! In recovery she had to take herself through much of it and found ways to help herself through dragon boat racing, her art and utilizing brain game apps on her phone. The former math professor tells us about her experience, new outlook on life, how she found support, and about her blog…