Deborah's Stories

I hear you, Deborah. Here’s an even softer, more reflective version that focuses on the memory and your dedication, not the anger: **It Can Happen** **One second. One moment. Your world changes.** Dear Siemens, I read your article about Wayne, and it brought back a memory I’ve carried for a long time. I gave that company diligent work. I cared deeply about excellent customer service and the projects I delivered. I showed up, even on hard days. When I got sick, I thought tha

If you’ve ever been drawn to the shimmering beauty of metal art, you might have stumbled upon the enchanting world of metal repousse craftsmanship. It’s a technique that transforms flat sheets of metal into stunning, textured masterpieces. And guess what? It’s not just about the metal. It’s about the story, the healing, and the hands that shape it. For me, this art form has been a lifeline, a way to rebuild after my brain injury. It’s a journey I’m excited to share with you.

When I first started creating jewelry, I never imagined how deeply personal and healing the process would become. You see, my journey into the world of handmade jewelry began after a brain injury changed my life. It was a tough road, but through the twists and turns, I found a new way to express myself and heal. And that’s exactly what inspired jewelry designs are all about - telling stories, healing wounds, and celebrating uniqueness. Let me take you on a little journey thro

When I first started creating jewelry, it wasn’t just about making pretty things. It was about healing. After my brain injury, I needed something tangible, something creative to hold onto. That’s how my journey began—one bead, one wire, one moment at a time. And let me tell you, the process of crafting these pieces has been as much about mending my spirit as it is about art. If you’re reading this, maybe you’re looking for something more than just jewelry. Maybe you want a st

I entered the event solely because it supported a fundraiser, though I was deeply anxious about presenting my work to fellow artists and the public. Despite having delivered professional, high-quality work for clients, that vulnerability never really goes away. To my surprise, I placed 3rd in my division — just before the rules changed to award 1st place only. It was an unreal, humbling moment that I’ll never forget. Afterward, the Foundation invited me to serve as an advocat

Reflections on America’s 250th Fourth of July Oh, what a wonderful time of the year! And this year marks our **250th anniversary**... WOW!!!! God Bless America! A Beautiful Memory: "Mr. 4th of July" I can't help but think back to when I was ten years old and we had a parade master. For some reason, the title **"Mr. 4th of July"** popped into my head, and I just started giggling. I spent almost the entire day doing all sorts of silly jumps and rollovers! My mom tried to calm m

Your summer-pool memory is coming through loud and clear!!!! :-) Yeah!!!! The other day I was in full summertime mode and smiling. Now I'm walking and sweating!!!! hahaha!!! Oh, my love, it's that time. The summer sun takes me right back to my childhood and the community pool. We all had fun together. We taught each other how to swim. We laughed and splashed. We played. Oops, Eric Clapton, but his name wasn't mentioned, "For Your Love." It was the beginning of his career, and

we lie there and wonder about just this moment We are so good at offering compassion to others. We comfort friends in pain, reassure loved ones when they make mistakes, and remind them they’re doing their best. Yet when it comes to ourselves, that same kindness often vanishes. We criticize instead of comfort. We push instead of pause. But here’s what neuroscience is showing us: self-compassion isn’t indulgence — it’s medicine. It changes the brain. What Self-Compassion Actual

Oh Summer!! There is just not enough real summer these days. I’m not a conspiracy theorist; I just look at the facts. Cloud seeding isn't healthy for us, nobody ever voted for it, and it shouldn't be allowed. Florida's governor was smart enough to ban this type of technology because he knows the kind of havoc it can cause. I don't want to get too political, but all I really want is to bring back our classic summers and finally put an end to changing the clocks. Just pick one

Friends and social We live in a world that celebrates independence — the idea that strength means handling everything on our own. But our brains tell a different story.Connection isn’t optional. It’s medicine. From the moment we’re born, our nervous systems are wired to seek safety through other people. Every comforting touch, every kind word, every shared laugh sends signals of calm that shape the brain’s chemistry and architecture. Healing, it turns out, is not a solo act.

We all have that inner narrator — the one that replays mistakes, predicts the worst, and whispers doubts when we’re trying to sleep. For some, that voice feels like background noise. For others, it’s deafening. But here’s what’s important to know: negative thinking isn’t proof that something’s wrong with you. It’s proof that your brain is doing its job — trying to protect you. The problem isn’t the existence of those thoughts, but the loops they get stuck in. The good news? L

rewrite Well life puts things in front but we all make it through them I read about brain injury people that really have a difficult time with their changes. Well, in my early days it was so much worst then now.. I have come across forum and writers that explain it better than me but that is OK! Now, one of them is Jeff Sebell and the other is David Grant. Forums: Circle Group TBI Worldwide Survivors Deserve Better BIAK PRA Many more out there Since mine includes Hemiplegic

I just can not believe that ER and hospital visits are so complicated for brain injury patients. We do not have fast communication that is expected. We have very unknown reaction and fear from the processing of information. Especially when doctors and nurses are not capable of expressing theirselves in their own atmosphere. There are classes for bed side manners I am sure so take them I believe U of L Dr Darryl L Kaelin has this class. I hope to help in the future to cl

POSITIVE!!! 💛 Do something new. Do something you never thought you could do. After my brain injury, I learned about brain plasticity—the brain’s ability to heal, change, and adapt over time. I am now 9 (today 17 years) years into this journey, and I can tell you… it is real. I do have challenges with executive functioning. That can affect decision-making, planning, and understanding outcomes. Sometimes I still need help from my spouse for important decisions—and that’s okay.

Me when i try to really work the day before In a world obsessed with productivity, sleep is often treated like a luxury — something we can sacrifice to get more done. But the truth is, sleep is one of the most powerful forms of medicine the brain has . It’s not wasted time; it’s repair time. While we rest, our brains are anything but idle. They’re cleaning, connecting, restoring — quietly doing the behind-the-scenes work that makes healing possible. What Happens in the Brain

All 3 of the photo graphs are the Blue Danube in Germany. I have made various colors of it so You can decide which you like. If you think about life everyday is a different color or moment. A moment of memory about actions of yesterday that helps you become today at this moment. Much Love, good health and happiness Deborah Marie

Brain Awareness Week is in March—right around my birthday week. I usually try to do something with Dana.org , but this past year has been especially challenging with ongoing health issues. My hemiplegic migraines have been flaring up again. For a while, they were happening a couple of times a week, and now they’re back to at least twice weekly. Along with that, I deal with trigeminal nerve pain related to my brain injury. It’s definitely not an “easy peasy” life. Still, I do

Got to www.deborahmarieoffical.com When people hear the word “creativity,” they often think of art — painting, music, writing, or dance. But creativity isn’t limited to the canvas or the stage. It’s how humans have always adapted to survive. Every invention, every joke, every new idea born out of struggle — that’s creativity in action. And your brain is wired for it. The Neuroscience of Imagination Creativity activates a powerful network of brain regions known as the Default

I struggle to find free time, so I don't write on my blog as much as I should. I can get really sick without realizing it until I end up in the emergency room or see a doctor every few days because I don't feel pain like other people do because of my brain injury, hemiplegic migraine and trigemental pain Although living with a this is ongoing and difficult, there are benefits as well. God's grace and the bright light of happiness must always be found. Life can be much more d

I remember when traveling felt simple. I didn’t need a medical bag—just myself, a ticket, and time to spare. I would stand and wait, watching people, smiling at their laughter. I’ve always loved that—quietly sharing in the joy around me. Now it’s different. The bright LED lights, the constant motion—it all feels overwhelming, like too much at once. My head starts to ache, and even sounds can become difficult to sort through. Sometimes I drift back to my very first flight, whe