Life Goes On

Announced by a British travel company, supported with research from psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall, the concept of Blue Monday refers to the third Monday of January as the gloomiest day of the year.

I’m incredibly grateful to work with ThinkFirst to “Serve NH schools and communities by providing at no cost, injury prevention presentations.”

What a blessing that by honestly sharing my experience, others can hopefully be helped. Looking back in reflection, I realize that by shifting from trying to impress and win approval from my audience, to focusing on helping, or at least providing useful information to the listeners relieved all my jitters.      

Northeast Passage’s (NEP) involvement in the King Challenge really makes it possible for the Doc King Adaptive Ride to happen. I can’t remember if it was at Krempels Center, where NEP frequently offers physical activity groups for members, that I was introduced to this wonderful non-profit; or when my brother played sled hockey while at UNH. Begun in 1990 as a private non-profit, after years of successful collaboration, NEP officially merged with UNH’s College of Health and Human Services.

After learning of Jim’s accident, Kathy and Jim reconnected. In 2013, Jim started speaking to some of Kathy’s classes where she now taught in Westborough High School in Westborough, MA. Now in 2021, Jim and Kathy decided to share their reflections on their journey from starting out as student and teacher to becoming colleagues and friends.

As I sit here typing 15 years to the day after my car crash, the fact that I’m typing a new blog post leaves me full of gratitude, let alone that I can sit up on my own in a chair. Just the possibility that sharing my experience along this TBI recovery journey can help someone in their own life, or provide even a positive thought, gives me joy!