I'm overdue in addressing the lack of podcasts on Concussion Talk, so here it goes.
I've been recording, producing, finding guests, promoting, whatever else, since 2015, over 200 podcasts ago. I started Concussion Talk blog in 2010. I've interviewed many incredible people who are working hard at improving the lives of those who've been brain injured, whatever the severity. I've also been lucky enough to have had a tremendous amount of support, thoughtful comments, energetic and focused guests, co-hosts and was able to "produce" several other podcasts. Naming one guest or supporter is unfair, but I'm going to thank Lauren Ziaks anyway. Although we've never met in person, I'm so happy we were able to connect despite the border, the mountains and the vast swaths of land between. I consider her a great friend and steadfast supporter!
I know many people have found it helpful, mostly since their struggles after brain injury. However, there are many many more people who don't know the blog or podcast, people to whom brain injury is simply another injury and those who ostensibly have no interest in learning about the myriad symptoms of brain injury. I want people to know and understand what difficulties exist, but this can be better accomplished by a group instead of me alone.
I have been listening to many of Yuval Noah Hariri's interviews and, though I've heard it before and have been thinking this way for years, it really hit home that there is such impactful strength in numbers. Organized numbers. Instead of 500 people doing their own individual thing, it's better to have one group of 50 advancing one goal. I know full well about having unique challenges. I appreciate all of the people who cope with symptoms of which I have no understanding. I understand the desire to voice frustrations. Unfortunately these are all personal issues. I tried to make Concussion Talk about brain injury in general, trying to find common ground that would reach a large audience, that would allow the public to grasp an injury that has such disparate symptoms and I hope I helped some people get there.
As I've said several times - and wrote an ebook about, I did not have concussion. I had a severe traumatic brain injury resulting in a two-week coma - I called it "Concussion" Talk to try to attract a wider audience. That type of severe injury comes with its challenges, but it also gave me an invaluable opportunity to see the world from a different perspective and gain greater insight into myself, others, the world. It's difficult, if not impossible, for individuals to see how their actions can affect anybody but themselves. It's easy to think that it's someone else's problem, someone else's fault, or that you're the only one, but it's all of us. I just want to make the point that Concussion Talk, podcast and all, would be well served by a group as opposed to just me. I feel like it's time for me to step back from Concussion Talk, even though podcasting and meeting new people (and old friends) is a lot of fun!
This would also allow me to work with others in a completely different endeavour, yet still having a positive impact on the world. I am currently helping to establish a viable seaweed farm here in my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, HoldFastNL. On the ocean, fighting climate change, providing opportunities for others, it has such amazing potential!
So that's where my head is. There are no imminent plans, although I have asked around locally (that's my priority, this place needs more awareness about brain injury, including concussions) and I'd still like to be involved, at least tangentially. Brain injury is obviously an issue that is very important to me and I think that by consolidating the many disparate advocacy and support groups we can truly make a big difference.
