S3E22: Navigating Recovery: Cody Bryant's Journey Through Brain Injury and Healing

Making Headway

Join Cody Bryant, a brain injury survivor, as he shares his recovery journey, including his accident in Spain, challenges with care, and neuro rehab experience. Cody discusses the changes in his personality, relationships, and emotional regulation post-injury. He emphasizes self-care strategies like meditation and explores topics such as diet, supplements, TMS, physical therapy, and navigating the healthcare system. Cody and Eryn also highlight the importance of community support and vulnerability in the healing process.

Keywords

brain injury, recovery, challenges, care, personality changes, relationships, emotional dysregulation, self-care, meditation, brain injury, rehabilitation, diet, nutrition, supplements, grounding, transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, physical therapy, healthcare system, community, vulnerability

Takeaways

· Brain injury survivors often face challenges in receiving proper care, especially when abroad.

· Personality changes and emotional dysregulation are common after a brain injury, and it can be difficult for loved ones to adjust to these changes.

· Self-care is crucial for brain injury survivors, and finding strategies like meditation can help manage the effects of the injury.

· Social engagement can be draining for brain injury survivors, and it's important to find a balance between pushing oneself and avoiding brain fatigue.

· Diet and nutrition play a significant role in brain injury recovery, but healthcare professionals often overlook this aspect.

· Supplements and grounding techniques can also support brain injury recovery.

· Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may improve social stamina and have positive effects on depression and PTSD.

· Neuro IFRAH is a systematic approach to physical therapy that can help regain motor function after a brain injury.

· The healthcare system often fails to recognize the long-term nature of brain injury recovery and the need for ongoing support.

· Sharing experiences and being part of a supportive community can provide motivation and a sense of purpose in the recovery journey.

Sound Bites

"I thought everyone was trying to kill me and I thought they were trying to steal my genetics."

"I was ripping out my IV and catheter constantly."

"People closest to me basically had to grieve the person I used to be."

"I started reading that book and that was kind of my initial start of recognizing that nutrition played a big role in recovery."

"I do like a urine test every morning to make sure I'm in ketosis."

"I wear this helmet that puts these electromagnetic waves through my brain for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour every day."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Apology for Guest Absence

01:07 Guest Introduction: Cody Bryant

01:39 Cody's Accident in Spain and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

03:42 Challenges in Receiving Proper Care

05:18 Fear and Delirium in the ICU

08:35 Transfer to Neuro Rehab and Limited Stay

10:08 Difficulties in Recognizing Brain Injury

11:49 Struggling with Identity and Personality Changes

14:29 Impact on Relationships and Grieving the Old Self

17:39 Emotional Dysregulation and Mood Swings

19:23 Navigating Relationships and Understanding Triggers

21:23 Using Meditation as a Reset and Self-Care Strategy

23:25 Balancing Pushing Oneself and Avoiding Brain Fatigue

26:52 The Role of Diet and Nutrition

29:29 Supplements and Grounding Techniques

32:06 Exploring Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

33:08 Navigating the Challenges of the Healthcare System

38:21 The Power of Vulnerability and Community

Reach out to

Cody on IG @codys.combeack

Tick Tock codys.comeback

Neuro IFRAH: https://www.neuro-ifrah.org/

Eryn on IG @eryn_makingheadwaypodcast

Alison on IG @alison_maknigheadwayodcast

MHP on IG @makingheadwaypodcast

Go to our website www.makingheadwaypodcast.com for full show notes and resources

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