September 2022 Newsletter

*This newsletter was written by a Communicare Michigan member.

Written by: Author Frank A. Throneberry, which you can email me at Throneberryfrank@gmail.com for suggestions in future Newsletters.  I promise your suggestions will be greatly considered, as well as appreciated too. 

Month of September 2022 Newsletter for

 Is why TBI (Traumatic brain injury),

is not a total roadblock

In a Survivor’s life, but is

 actually just a new beginning!

Well now, alrighty then, and all that good stuff.  I must say, I was feeling quite fortunate one day.  It was just a regular day like any other and I went to see my Occupational therapist, “Mishka Saijadi,” who is a very nice gal.  Well, today was a little different and I could tell something was up.  Mishka had a strange look and smile on her face.  Now, usually it’s natural, I mean, I have that same effect on most women, but this one lasted for quite some time, by the way, did I mention the fact that, “I’m also a legend, but unfortunately it’s only in my own mind 😊!  

Therefore, I questioned her about it and when I did Mishka just could not hold the surprise in any longer, but she blurted it out and said, “I set you up with an interview with an athlete at the University of Michigan!  I mean this wasn’t just any athlete, which she knew I was a Michigan fan, but it was a player for one of the Michigan teams too, which of course I was all about doing the interview.

 However, I must say, I didn’t act like it, because I have an image, you know,  but I was pretty damn nervous.  I mean, I’m an author and everything, but I don’t usually have to interview anybody.  Then my occupational therapist hit me right in the heart, when she said, “It is for this young lady, “Laura Stark,” who plays for the “Adaptive Sports and Fitness Department,” at the “U of M!”

Of course, that made me feel a bit less tense, more relaxed, and a little at ease.  One of the main reasons is, because we both are a little better than most.  I have a great deal of respect towards her, more than a professional.  She does what she does, and is as good as she is, even though it takes twice the energy, but pays nothing.  Of course, I haven’t interviewed her yet, but the fact that I’m TBI might have an awesome impact on the two of us.  That is because I am a survivor first, which eventually became an author, which puts the two of us, Laura as well as myself a little more on a par.

So, in the anticipation of the day of the interview, I thought, and thought, and thought.  Plus, I wrote down some questions, which were a total of twenty, and  I had a little help from Drew Ford too.  Of course, I could only imagine that she wasn’t expecting to be asked any of the questions we came up with.  Then besides that, like I said, I have therapies, which every therapist wants to talk about it and ask’s  your opinion, see how you’re feeling 

I mean, after all, that is their job and their all very good at it, which I should be thankful for.  Yeah man, I’ll tell ya, I sure am glad I have a great team of folks on my side, that are looking out for me.  If that wasn’t the case, I would never have gotten this opportunity in the first place.  However, Mishka, my Occupational therapist thought of me for the person to do the interview, which I don’t know why, but she sure did, and it is like a blessing in disguise, so, since I’m a Christian, I say, 

 “God bless her!”

Preparation for the interview

Ok now, here’s how it happened.  To get myself prepared for this interview, I mean I had never done one before.  So, therefore, I had to do a few things.  Such as, use my printer to print out on paper a list of the questions, which I planned on asking.  I couldn’t read them off the computer screen and see this Laura young lady at the same time.

Besides that, even though I wear glasses, most of the time I can’t see totally what’s on the computer screen anyway.  So, therefore, for that reason I had the questions printed out on paper with a large font.  Also due to the fact I don’t type as fast as she might talk, I had Drew Ford here for that too. Drew Ford is part of my team to help me out.

Plus, Mishka was in her office sending me questions over the computer screen, which wasn’t really helping me out, but she was trying.  Anyway. after it was all said and done, I’ll tell you something that I really appreciated and that was all the support I had from my team.  Therefore, I wasn’t all alone by far, but I had a team of people, which deserve credit for a successful interview.

I mean first off, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if, “Mishka Saijadi,” hadn’t chosen me to do it. Which for some strange reason she did.  I mean, I have a speech impediment and everything, but it must not be as bad as I think it is.  Of course, this is not the first time I have been asked to do public speaking, but it is my first interview.

Anyway, but as it were, there is this one guy, “Drew Ford,” which I can not thank enough that works here.  Fortunately, Drew already comes over to help me brush up on my computer skills as it is.  However, how it is or has been lately, with this interview coming up and quick too.  Drew has been trying to help me think of other questions, practice saying the ones I have and attempting to enhance my confidence, within myself too.  Norm-ally, I would not have a problem with that, but normally  I would not be doing an interview either.  

August 11th, The Day of the Interview!!! 

Wow, so here it is!

I must say, I was a little nervous!      

At any rate, she came on and took right over, which the interview was over the computer on zoom, if you’re familiar with that, and if not we were having a conversation over the computer screen.  So, therefore, if the truth be known, it wasn’t really an interview, it was more like two people, which had a lot in common carrying on with a great conversation.

I had no idea what she thought of me, but she was a great person to talk with.  As far as those questions, which I drew up, within her first statement she answered three of them.  During the interview, I was sitting in my garage talking with her by the use of my trusty laptop. 

Yeah, I’ve been through six or seven of them in the course of five years, but I’ve learned the expense of them screws things up a bit.  However, I’ve had this one for a long time now and wrote a couple books on it. Whoa, “I’m sorry, let me get back to the interview, sometimes I get off track a little, lol😊!”

 However, believe it or not the interview went better than I thought, it was going to go.  Fact is, I’m about to tell you exactly how it went, which is totally inspiring, and it might even bring a tear or two, right to your eyes.  For starters, she asked the first question, which was, “Hello, how are you doing?”

Now, she was sitting in a wheelchair, but seemed to be quite confident and comfortable like she was.  At the time, I was thinking, boy I bet you could maneuver that wheelchair like nobody’s business, but I thought of it as rude to ask her.  I mean, she did play wheelchair basketball in it so she must have known a little bit about what she was doing.

Of course, I was nervous about saying something that might offend her. Therefore, as she apparently wished, and was pretty good at, I let her take over, which she didn’t seem to mind.  I mean, I wasn’t going to say,. “OK, we’ve heard enough from you now!  I’m doing the interview from here on out!” 😊LOL

Just kidding, Laura was a very fun and a sweet person, which I would love to remain in contact with.  Who knows, maybe I could interview her again, in another six months to a year.  We could be pin pals, or there’s always multimedia, I just think it’s a crying shame that two wonderful people can’t remain friends  or something.  I know one thing that’s for sure Laura, “I’m going to make sure you get a copy of this newsletter, which I wrote, and I want you to cherish it Please!

At any rate, when it came down to asking Laura any questions, first of all, we had already talked, which made it a little awkward.  So, I said, “Hi, I’m Author Frank A. Throneberry, which I have a traumatic brain injury, and have experienced some challenges quite like yourself, which is why I decided to interview you if that would be alright?” At that time she said, “Oh of course.”

Then along came my second question, which is when I asked her. What do you play and what drew you to the sport to begin with?  Her response was so casual and clear, which shocked me because I have a speech impediment, but she understood me quite frankly and said, “I play wheelchair basketball, what drew me to the sport was being involved in a team again.  To play with my teammates just like it used to be before my injury.  And I became a wheelchair user 6 years ago, which there went a few of my following questions, but oh well.

I then asked Laura, “Was it challenging for a person in your situation to become an athlete?”  She said, “Kind of, I think the most challenging thing was I  needed all new equipment.  Everything is so specialized and expensive. Being an athlete and being able to use what I can use.  It is very similar to what it was like before the injury.  I used to play softball growing up.

Well, since Laura pretty much answered all of the questions I had, before I even asked them, I very quickly thought of something off the wall to ask her when I said, “So tell me Laura please, “How long have you been playing, and what interested you in such a thing as this?” Which was a good question I think!  But of course, Laura must have thought so too, because she was quick with a rapid response when she said, “I have been playing wheelchair basketball, last year was my first season. It was the first season that, “U of M,” had a team. They’re just starting out, so it was cool being a part of the inaugural team and learning.

Then I asked Laura,  “So, how does your disability affect your sporting career?”  She said, “Much like everything else in life, sometimes you have to be creative. When traveling making sure hotel is accessible and being able to get into the restaurants. The logistics around it can be difficult.

       Then I asked her, “How did you get involved with U of M’s Adaptive Sports and Fitness Department?” 

       At that time Laura’s answer was, “I met the director 4-5 years ago when trying to start the program. He is in a wheelchair and was a college athlete before his injury. He wanted the same opportunity. He wanted everyone to be equally treated.”

Have you been involved in any other adaptive sports?

 Races. I try to stay active; you can’t let your disability slow you down. 

 What do you think the biggest barrier is for people with disabilities who want to be involved in sports and fitness? 

 I think the biggest barrier is find access to the equipment. U of M is very fortunate and has a bunch of equipment that they let us use. They’re trying to make it so people can get involved where they want to.

 Do you believe that sports and fitness can affect the recovery of an injury? 

 I think so. I think mentally mostly, it is the hardest part of an injury is the mentality and overcoming what you can or no longer do. Being treated like an athlete again. It helps getting out there again. 

 Did your high school or college have an adaptive sports league?

 I don’t think so. I didn’t pay attention to it as much before of my injury.

 Are adaptive sports one of the reasons you chose to come to U of M?

I’m not a U of M student. 

 I have been researching that some universities have established adapted football leagues… do you know if U of M plans on joining those ranks? 

 I have heard surveys and there are drop-in games here and there. 

 What sport would you like to play that is currently not offered? 

 I really liked wheelchair badminton when I tried that out. I think they may be looking into wheelchair softball, and I would be interested in that. 

How would you like to see people get more involved in adaptive sports? 

 I think more people who hear about it, people will become interested. Even those without disabilities will come play and everyone uses wheelchairs, so everyone is on the same playing field.  

What was it like when you first joined Adaptive sports compared to what it’s like now? 

 At U of M there are a lot more opportunities. Now the program is more developed there are more opportunities, more coaches, more equipment, etc. 

 Where do you see it going in the future?

 Not at its peak. I think it will grow bigger and better. The basketball isn’t a collegiate team yet as there are not enough students. I see more students getting involved and becoming a collegiate team.

After I asked Laura the last question, she then invited me to come out to watch her team play.  I said, “Well, I wish I could some time, but Ann Arbor would be quite a trip for me. Plus I would have to set up transportation and stuff like that, but it’s not impossible, which means we’ll see.  Laura then said, “Well, that’s all I’ve got to say,” and before I could thank her, she was gone, and the interview was over.