After a recent round of therapeutic treatment I was able to purposefully move my left pinky finger, for the first time in over five years. This may not seem significant to many, but to me this was monumental. I have not been able to control any of my left fingers, whole arm actually, so this control felt significantly momentous. Now I have to try to keep it going. I think I might even start rocking a pinky ring, a look I’ve always quietly admired actually. If you know me and see me wearing a pinky ring please ask me to show it off as this will prompt movement 

This idea for a pinky ring is akin to a therapeutic move I made to wear a watch on my left wrist. I recently discussed this therapeutic strategy with my brother-in-law Justin, while he assisted me with getting ready for my buddies wedding. He questioned why I chose to wear my watch on my unfunctional left wrist. I explained that it prompts me to try to move it every time I want to check the time. After explaining how the movement may help, he then asked me what time it was. ‘Movement is life’ is the mantra of a neuro rehabilitation center I attended in Honolulu, island neuro fitness, and that’s the crux of this therapeutic idea.

The man who became a father figure, Frank Vanore MD, after my own father had passed, used to enjoy having a soda together with me at the end of a long day. He would always prompt me to raise my pinky whilst sipping. This was an homage to his Italian heritage. At the time I thought it was pointless and kind of stupid, but now I would like nothing more than to show him this progress by raising my pinky while enjoying a favorite beverage with him, RIP

Oxygen is my drug of choice, shoutout to the International Hyperbaric Association (IHA). I’d also like to shout out Mana Warrior Health, this company, one of the few hyperbaric treatment companies on the island of Oahu, enables me to regularly continue hyperbaric therapy. Serotonin is another chemical that I find extremely helpful in my TBI recovery. This new found pinky movement has released a good deal of serotonin in my traumatic brain #tbi Serotonin can be otherwise known as the happiness molecule. 

My most recently produced blog entailed how I should be practicing stillness and patience. I’ve admittedly done the opposite recently, however, attending a good friend’s wedding (shake your Jay Jay tho tho) and trying another round of therapeutic treatment. Both these events released a significant amount of serotonin. So, while I still plan to slow down, focusing on what’s important. I’m also planning on scheduling several more upcoming hyperbaric sessions with mana warrior to work on my pinky movements whilst inside, thus releasing serotonin 

 While I now view television consumption as frivolous and being a waste of valuable time #tbi the title of this blog pays homage to a classic 90’s cartoon show. Take this as a reminder to have fun with what you are doing. Traumatic brain injury #tbi can cause a lot of stress, anxiety regarding the future. Sometimes it’s important to just live like a child. Forget about all your troubles, just have fun. You don’t get a second chance, lite is no Nintendo game #tbi So enjoy reruns of your favorite cartoons or rewatch the Sopranos for the 115th time, if that’s what brings you joy. Whatever enables your brain to release serotonin thus bringing out the elevated emotion of joy, just do it. That is the advice from this traumatic brain for this blog