How to Students Can Help with TBI Victims While going to School

In an article on Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, “The Impact of a Recent TBI on Family Members and What They Can Do To Help With Recovery,” Thomas Novack, PhD writes about how families can help loved ones during recovery and learning roles in the process.

With college starting this coming week, what is known as a happy and loving time may be a little shakier when having a family member who is suffering from a TBI. What can you do to make them more comfortable and help out in the recovery process while you’re focusing on school?

• Recognize stressful situations and cope with them – don’t avoid them.
• Learn to relax.
• Learn coping strategies (regular schedules, take breaks, maintain sense of humor)
• Provide structure for the victim.
• Provide support in a respectful way.
• Make time for yourself, and have a helper.

Use this distance to realize that this is a time to be thankful for those around you, be thankful that your family member is a survivor and is gradually getting better, be thankful for the love that is around you and for your health. Understand that you’re just one person. Don’t make yourself feel as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Don’t feel weak for asking for help.

Check out the entire article here.

---

For those who are interested in owning Amazon’s Best Seller, “Plaintiff 101” as a valuable resource:

Click here to >>ORDER<< your copy TODAY!

 

Kind Words for Karen Mertes from MADD

Recently, Karen received a hand-written thank you note from the point of contact at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) that she has been working with —

“Thank you for sharing your story with us.  Your determination and drive are really inspiring.  You have touched many lives, including mine.  I know that your story changes people and will continue to help us fulfill our mission of working towards 0 victims.

Regards,

Viridiana Medellin, National Victim Services Specialist, Mothers Against Drunk Driving”

Karen shares her story to inspire others that there is hope after tragedy. Check out Karen’s entire spotlight with MADD here.

The Responsible Driving Campaign (RDC) – Karen Mertes Spotlight

The Responsible Driving Campaign (RDC) will continue to focus on informing/reinforcing El Paso Sector Employee’s responsibility while operating a vehicle.

Voices of Victims: Air Force Service Member Karen Mertes

By MADD July 5, 2017

 Victim Stories

For Karen’s full story: http://www.madd.org/blog/2017/july/vov-karen-mertes.html

M. (n.d.). Voices of Victims: Air Force Service Member Karen Mertes.

Retrieved July 20, 2017, from http://www.madd.org/blog/2017/july/vov-karen-mertes.html

A DUI is extremely costly. It is putting your life and the community we swore to protect at risk.

 

·       Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash

·       On average, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime

·       Every day in America, another 27 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes

 

Call a ride, have a plan;  it is a mistake that cannot be undone.  

 

The RDC is for you, your family’s and community’s safety.

Business Builder Grants awarded to four Operation Startup members

The organizational team at Operation Startup is a unique blend of military, business and education experiences folded into dynamic personalities with tireless devotion to Veterans. Utilizing their technical skills and business acumen, this team tries to move the unmovable for every Veteran member of Operation Startup.

Check out Fulfill Your Destiny’s Grants for Start-up Members here!

MADD Spotlight – Voices of Victims: Air Force Service Member Karen Mertes

Last week, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), wrote a spotlight on drunk driver victim, Karen Mertes, and told her story of recovery and triumph after her accident.

Here is a snippet of the MAAD spotlight of Karen Mertes —

“February 7, 2007 was the day that forever changed Karen Mertes’ life path. Karen, a Lieutenant Colonel serving in the United States Air Force, was driving the speed limit on the interstate when she was struck from behind by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph.

He had a blood alcohol level of nearly three times the legal limit and the crash resulted in both vehicles being totaled. The axle in Karen’s car snapped in half, and her vehicle’s undercarriage dragged creating sparks on the interstate for several hundreds of feet.”

Read the rest of Karen’s MADD spotlight here!

A few photos and kind words from Karen Mertes’ Commencement Address to South University!

Karen Mertes always jumps at the chance to inspire groups with her story. She recently spoke at South University in Tampa to the graduating class. Here is a snippet from the letter that Campus President James McCoy sent her —

“Your story of overcoming life’s challenges was an incredible message to our graduates, who will all face challenges/adversity in the years ahead. Additionally, your message was a source of inspiration to so many and provided a road map of how we all should promote ourselves.”

Karen R. Mertes turned a life altering tragedy into a life purpose with her organization, Fulfill Your Destiny.  Karen is a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) from our United States Air Force, serving as the Squadron Commander in two back-to-back command tours as well as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a $169 million dollar budget at an overseas base.

In 2007, Karen’s car was struck by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph on I-75 resulting in Karen suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  Facing the consequences of this life-changing injury, this would be the genesis which led her to create Fulfill Your Destiny.  Its signature program awards ‘Business Builder Grants’ to local entrepreneurs desiring to take their businesses to the next level.

 

Karen is a highly regarded Professional Speaker; Award Winning, Best Selling Author; Certified Entrepreneur, Leadership and Business Consultant all to benefit Fulfill Your Destiny. Karen is the creator of Fulfill Your Destiny’s annual premiere event, Spring Chari-Tea held each year in March.

 

Happy Independence Day!

Thankful for all of those who have and are serving for our country!

Have a happy and SAFE 4th of July!