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Life Lessons Learned From a TBI

in Life Lessons, Mental Health
November 14, 2020
0
Finding Solace

by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief

A few years before my brain injury, I rescued a sweet little Yorkie from the local Humane Society. She had come in over the weekend and was underweight, scruffy, and scared. On the phone they warned me that she was mean and would try to bite anyone who held her. When they brought her to my house for an in-home visit, she came right up to me. I picked her up,and she proceeded to lick my entire face.

It was love at first sight . . . I named her Pixxie.

After my fall that caused my brain injury, I was worried that Pixxie was going to have a potty accident in bed because I was sleeping 12-14 hours, but not once did she have an accident or bother me to get up. She knew I was hurting and she comforted me. In some ways I think she rescued me. She was my reason to get up every morning, she kept me in a routine.

Pixxie traveled the country with me.  We visited 42 states plus Canada in her eight years with me. She became the face of my advocacy — I mean, who doesn’t love a cute dog with her tongue sticking out! If you’ve ever met me in person, there’s a good chance you got a puppy kiss from Pixxie!

In May I noticed several large lumps pop up out of nowhere on Pixxie’s belly. A biopsy revealed an aggressive form of cancer, and within a month the tumors had more than doubled in size. By July more tumors started impeding her ability to walk and lay down. I realized I didn’t have much time left with her and, as much as it broke my heart, I knew what needed to be done to give her the most comfort. She was her spunky little self right up until the end.

The moral of the story: it’s ok to feel all the feels and allow ourselves the time we need to process whatever news we are given. The loss of my fur baby is hard to process. I’ve had to allow myself to feel a range of emotions from anger to sadness to fear. Change and grief is hard for anyone, but after a brain injury it can be incredibly difficult. It’s OK to take all the time you need, and it’s OK to ask for help.

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Amy works with clients from all walks of life who are suffering from chronic illness or injury. She has a desire to help them find their individual path toward wellness and creating a life that makes them feel joy by integrating coaching with yoga, mindfulness, meditation, reiki, crystals, and extreme self-care to complement any traditional therapies that they may be undergoing.



She has her 200-hour RYT (yoga teacher training) and is currently working toward her 500-hour. Additionally, she is a level one Reiki practitioner working toward her Reiki Master. She has also completed training and certification in Mindfulness, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and crystal healing. 



She believes in all things holistic and natural, and has a soul-burning desire to share them with others who are ready to stop being a victim of their circumstances, and start being a thriving beacon of light in the world while living their life to their fullest potential. 

After sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2014, Amy Zellmer made it her mission to help others find resources and alternative treatments sooner, rather than later, in their own recovery. It was during her remarkable recovery that she learned you have to be your own advocate and blaze a path for yourself.

Her message to those struggling to find their way is that wellness comes from within, and we all have the innate ability to heal ourselves . . . if we
  • My New Year
  • Do you have a Christmas Morning tradition? If so, what is it?

 #holidayspirit #christmasmorning
  • Be the reason… today and everyday!

 #wordstoliveby #smile #spreadlove #uplift #positivevibes
  • If you had to choose one, which one would it be?! 

#holidaydrinks #hotcocoa #eggnog #applecider
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  • Spending the afternoon learning from @jen_gottlieb and @chriswinfield in the #beontvbootcamp ... it’s time to get more media appearances and raise awareness about TBI 

#tbisurvivor #tbiawareness #tbirecovery #tbi #braininjurysurvivor #braininjurysupport #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrecovery #concussionrecovery #concussionawareness #concussion #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #postconcussionlife #author #writer #blogger #publisher #editor #magazine #advocate #advocacy #trailblazer #solopreneur
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  • It happens in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s a fall, a car crash, assault, or even a stroke. There’s little to no warning. All of a sudden your entire life is completely different. 

The traditional medical world doesn’t seem to understand the long-term consequences of TBI. Many are sent home and told they’re fine. While others might be told it’s all in their head (oh the irony). It’s a long, lonely road ... and one that friends and family often give up on. 

I mean, if doctors don’t seem to understand, how can we expect others to get it? It’s isolating and depressing. It’s a viscous cycle until one day you finally find the right kind of doctor that knows how to help you and you can finally get off the rollercoaster. 

But at some point you have to allow yourself the time to grieve. If you continue to be pissed off at the world you will never get better. You must allow yourself the time and emotions to process all that you’ve been through. Then it’s time to focus on healing and moving forward. 

#tbisurvivor #tbiawareness #tbirecovery #tbi #braininjurysurvivor #braininjurysupport #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrecovery #concussionrecovery #concussionawareness #concussion #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #postconcussionlife #author #writer #blogger #publisher #editor #magazine #advocate #advocacy #trailblazer #solopreneur

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