Starting a blog following a brain injury is difficult, but it is achievable.

Michelle #jumbledbrain — Mon, 22 May 2017 12:54:17 +0000

Most of you will know that my motivation for starting this blog, was to raise awareness of brain injury. Based on my own dismal understanding of it before my car accident, I figured it’s likely that the majority of people are the same. As I explained in Trying to understand what’s wrong , blogging was the only way I could think of being able to get my message out there. I knew that with time and effort, it is possible to find an audience. The problem was I had no experience. I understood how to use keywords to search for what I want on the internet. But I didn’t have a clue how to set up a website.

I even had to take short cuts in my research.

Even though I was planning on doing this with no support, I decided I was definitely going to do it. My brain injury made me have rigid thinking, so once I set my mind on it, there was no going back. My starting point was to find what other bloggers recommended.

There are so many options out there, and I didn’t have the concentration to delve into it. What I did learn quite quickly was that if you go for a free site, only do it as a hobby. The reason is that as you aren’t paying for the domain name, the host can sell the name to someone else at any point. If it is just a short term thing you want to do, that’s fine. But I knew I didn’t want to one day type in my web address and find another persons site open up in its place. For more details on Free vs Paid, Should I choose a Free or a self-hosted blogging platform? does a great job at outlining it for you.

Next it seemed the WordPress program was the most widely used for blogging. It you want to see a list of all the options, with their pro’s and con’s How to Choose the Best Blogging Platform in 2017 (Compared) does a great job at doing this. Again as I didn’t have the ability to complete my research from scratch, I decided I would go with the people vote. And the most recommended host site was Bluehost. As I knew nothing about how to do this, I needed a platform that would make it as easy and idiot proof as possible. But this isn’t an advert for Bluehost. Yes I paid good money so I could have a better chance of starting on the right foot.

A brain injury can make learning new things more challenging.

There were lots of terms I didn’t understand, it was like learning a new language. But I had time on my side, so just kept plugging away. Initially I just used images I found on Google and added text to them. But even if your blog isn’t generating money, you can be sued if you aren’t licensed to use that image. However it turns out there are some sites that have images you can use for free. I like Pixabay because it also is happy for you to alter the images.

As I write to support other brain injury survivors, I had to try to reach my audience. Facebook groups have been the best approach for me so far. Mostly because as they are support groups, their members want to talk about living post brain injury. But I know there’s many others out there. I’m still trying to work out how to reach those who favour other social media platforms.

Other than Facebook, I was a complete beginner when it comes to social media platforms. I had never sent a tweet, or even understood why people followed complete strangers. But that’s where my blog has taught me something new. There’s lots of amazing people out there, it’s amazing what you can learn from them. I have been lucky enough to receive a warm welcome from some wonderful people. I didn’t know them before, but they still offer me so much, through useful suggestions, and their open hearts.

If starting a blog something you really want to do, you can make it happen.

Whether you want to write it for your own therapy, or you want to make an impact, there are options out there for you. Yes it’s confusing, so be patient with yourself, and be prepared for the fact that you are always learning. Unlike a book, there is no ending with a blog, only how long your commitment lasts.

If you want to read more blogs from me, check out my column with CFG Law here>> www.cfglaw.co.uk/blog/author/michelle-munt

Have you been thinking of starting a blog, or have you already had one? Is there anything you wish you had known before you started?

The post Starting a blog following a brain injury is difficult, but it is achievable. appeared first on Jumbledbrain.

Lucky: Confessions of a brain injury survivor

Michelle #jumbledbrain — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:55:45 +0000

Now that I have accepted that my life has changed, my goals have too. My career used to be so important to me, but as I never know what to expect of myself each day, I can’t decide what I would like to do.

But actually I now understand that although a career is important, there are things that are priceless that I was taking for granted. I’ve realised that I should consider myself lucky.

Many of us have encountered hard times. Whether that’s a disappointing exam result, the loss of a loved one, or having to battle an illness or injury, just to name a few. But we learn so much from those experiences, and it is possible to put that to good use.

When we have suffered ourselves we are able to empathise more for others. That makes us better listeners, and that is a gift. Think of the times you have wanted to talk to someone about how you are feeling. It’s not that you expect them to magic away the pain, or even to have an easy solution, but just to be heard, and maybe have a hug.

To know someone is there for you is such a powerful thing.

So yes I am lucky to have survived my accident, and to have a roof over my head but but I knew that already. But now I can see, even if it’s in some small way, I have grown as a person and can offer something to others.

People still ask me if I have returned to work yet. That causes a twinge inside me when I say no, and then try to justify why. But that’s just because we are people who are hard working, want to earn their own livings and be a part of society.

But what if your calling is bigger than joining the rat race?

As humans we are one of the most adaptable species to call Earth our home. We have survived ice ages, and have gone from early cave man, to who we are today. But the journey doesn’t stop there. You never know each day who you are going to meet and how you might be able to help them.

Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Darren DeMarco probably thought his change of career to become a lorry driver meant his experience of dealing with emergency situations wouldn’t be used again for a long time. Until recently, when he witnessed an accident and saw a woman stuck in her overturned car. He knew he could help. He used his lorry to block the 3 lanes of the M1 they were travelling on, and helped her out. Other motorists were angry that they couldn’t pass, but Darren knew that wasn’t important. He had helped injured colleagues in dangerous situations before. So he realised the faster someone acts, the better the prospects for the victim.

So just because we might find we have changed direction, perhaps that is for a reason. I’m sure that lady was glad Darren was driving that lorry that day.

I’m beginning to think that perhaps I could use my career of direction as my next career. Read how in Next chapter after brain injury, am I in it now?

I'm lucky because I know I have helped some by being that listening ear. How have you been able to put your bad experience to good use?

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