It has been roughly two years since I was first given the chance to share my story and deliver a keynote speech to the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association in Raleigh, North Carolina. Comatose from a severe traumatic brain injury just two years prior, my presentation to NORA represents a significant achievement in the course of my recovery, and in my budding journey as an activist, working to spread awareness about brain injury, vision therapy, and rehabilitation.

So when Curt Baxstrom, founding member and Fellow of NORA, recently invited me to return and share my progress, it’s easy to imagine my eagerness and excitement to say “Oh, I’ll definitely be there!”

What’s happened since?

Not a single day goes by without immense gratitude for the many developments since my time with the NORA audience. Not only have I learned a lot more about myself and the recovery journey, but I’ve been fortunate to make some incredible new friendships, open new doors, and I’ve worked exhaustively to develop an entirely new website, podcast, and platform for sharing my story, information, and resources.

Additionally, I’ve had the great honor of working and presenting with Dr. Leonard Press (Press Vision). In March of last year, I had the pleasure of interviewing good friend and vision therapist Robert Nurisio on my podcast to share his insights about the Vision Therapy process and his work with brain injury patients — an episode which continues to gain attention and praise. And, of course, there was the time personal hero and vision therapy icon Susan “Stereo Sue” Barry wrote about my story and efforts on Psychology Today!

Coming Back

I’ll be speaking with the NORA audience again on Saturday, January 16th, 2016, in Austin, TX.

The current schedule appears (8hrs CE):

• 8:00-9:40 CS I, II and Advanced
• 9:40-10:00 Break
• 10:00-11:40 CS I, II and Advanced
• 11:45-1:30 Lunch-Cavin Balaster
• 1:30-3:10 CS I, II and Advanced
• 3:10-3:30 Break
• 3:30-5:10 CS I, II and Advanced

 

As one would expect, I plan to begin by giving context and sharing a bit about myself, ambitions, and my personal recovery story. This time, however, I’m going to talk about my current stages with vision therapy, what’s changed in two years, and some learned lessons since.

I am truly grateful to be returning to the NORA audience, and I only wish I could take you with me!

Stay tuned for an update!