Search

Home > Articles > >

---

What I've learned Since Brain Injury

by Shaun Best

Challenged Conquistadors, Inc.

Smackover, Arkansas, U.S.A.

Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.
(NIV)

Often in my life, I've found Gods' blessings to produce many miracles. The first was to dream of participating in both the Olympics and the US Air Force. Those dreams were not to be in my lifetime. However, the new dreams that have been realized are often incomprehensible. Relearning to walk, talk, breathe, and think were privileges. Many doubted that they were possible; however, the Father never doubted . . . "Believe and ye shall Receive" . . . Believe, Achieve, Receive Success. The most recent miracle is the new medications I'm currently taking, which are allowing me to do things I have not done in 30 years. Other miracles are marriage and driving. God's hand has touched my life beginning with open-heart surgery in 1969 and traumatic brain injury in 1977, and without Him I'm nothing.

How Challenged Conquistadors, Inc., Came About

My folks divorced in the mid-1970s, which left my brother and me confused. My mother thought that getting us a three-wheeler would ensure that we came to visit her more often. Never did she think I would get hit by an automobile. On September 25, 1977, my brothers and I were riding the three-wheeler with no helmets when an automobile left the road and hit me in the right side of the head. I was killed immediately; then I lived and died daily, having breathing problems, broken bones, and other difficulties. I stayed in a deep coma for three months while my father prayed daily for my recovery. Someone asked if I had a girlfriend. I had broken up with her, but no one knew this. However, they brought this young lady to see me, and the biggest smile came across my face around the 15th of December.

I woke up by Christmas and walked on my toes for the first time (a miracle) on Christmas Eve 1977. I recovered my skills slowly. My father exclaimed, "They said he would never do this--walk, talk, and those other things--and look at him now. I'm thanking God Almighty. He is showing signs of a full recovery." During the coma, there were many school children (including many footba ll opponents) who wrote letters/notes expressing concern over my recovery and sending up prayers on my behalf. I will forever be indebted to them.

After this injury, things changed, and individuals started calling me brain damaged. But wasn't everyone proud of my accomplishments God had secured? This negative terminology didn't paint a positive picture of my recovered skills. Then I made the mistake of looking those terms up in the dictionary. They are negatively defined today but were especially so 20 to 40 years ago. This is when I started using the term "challenged" to represent my recovered skills vs. disabled. Challenge means "to demand as due or deserved; to stimulate by presenting with difficulties," which is better than the terms in the legal disability environment, for example, disabled ("deprived of legal right, qualification, or capacity"), retarded ("slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress"), and handicapped ("having a physical or mental disability that substantially limits activity").

The terms in the disability environment don't speak well of God's creations. I conscientiously started turning these negative terms into positive aspirations (mentally/psychology); or as another way of looking at it, these negative terms were confused and needed to be redirected toward the Light. Some say, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," but the reality is that words were created to dist inguish between two items or bodies of information. How cruel are we? That is when I saw the need for beneficial terminology, thus "Challenged Conquistadors, Inc.," since we all are conquerors through Christ over challenges/disabilities, difficulties, differences, etc.

Goals and Objectives of Challenged Conquistadors, Inc.

The main goal/objective is simple: serve God through positive/beneficial works that respect His creations. Also, we serve as positive role models for those traveling the difficult road of rehabilitation. With a brain injury occurring in the USA every 23 seconds and every15 seconds in Canada and some costing more than five million dollars for rehabilitation, every second wasted costs.

I now call the movement I started in 1992, Positivism (challenged) as opposed to the Negativism (disabled, retarded, handicapped) created by the legal negative educational self-fulfilling prophecy/disability environment. This perspective is psychologically based and is explained by the optimistic explanatory learning style. It is illustrated by the difference between seeing the glass as half full and seeing the glass as half empty. Please feel free to contact Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D., at the Positive Psychology Center for more on this research. My research, when I was allowed in the schools for research purposes in the mid-1990s proved this point (challenged was a more pleasant term/classification than disabled, retarded, and handicapped). In 1995 Challenged Conquistadors, Inc., was lead presenter at the Kappa Delta Pi International Conference where Howard Gardner was the keynote speaker on our multiple intelligences. I was eventually honored with my work being referenced in Gardner's book, The Unschooled Mind.

I've worked for 30 years on this beneficial change for the human element to realize the influence they have upon individuals' potential/humanity--positive (beneficial) or negative (unbeneficial). You can see the influence we have had in some areas/minds.

The great number of brain injuries I have sustained only reassures me that my task is not complete. There have been 34 (known) in addition to the injury in 1977. I must keep spreading the word that with the Father all things are possible; a pessimistic attitude often leaves one with nothing. True, there are things I'm not able to do. I tried to become an elementary school teacher for 15 years (1992 to 2007). This dream ended because I couldn't pass college algebra. Thankfully, your ministry may utilize my services of hope, encouragement, determination, persistence, and courage. When I started my program/ministry in 1992, I received many letters/emails of support, which total today almost 1,000.

For the record, it needs to be known that not until 2005 did the doctors find the right combination of medications for my situation. So from 1978 to 2005, I was on medications that weren't exactly right for my particular situation. Then in 2007 I finally received better medication, which is allowing me to do things I've not done in 30 years.

Experiences in High School after My Brain Injury

In high school after the accident, friends used harmful/unpleasant terms about me. In order to fit in, I started experimenting with drugs. It wasn't long until the Father upstairs showed me the harsh consequences of this life. I've realized the mistakes of others and have seen their failures, thus I've taken the high road. I was baptized. I've stumbled through many years, but my source has always kept me in His thoughts. Now, I'm a brain-rehabilitated individual and work to spare others the errors of life. We all fall, but the Father takes delight in how we stand for Him.

I once visited hospitals to see if there were any brain/cognitive injury survivors at the facilities who might be able to use a word of encouragement on their road to recovery. Oftentimes there were no individuals in need; however, every now and then, I would find an individual, and we would communicate through words or family members about brain recovery/rehabilitation from God. This close relationship with the Father started my ministry. Whenever you've been blessed to recover from my many brain injuries, you know someone has a purpose for your life or you would have died long ago. The Lord has promised good to me, and I must wait patiently upon His timing. As a miracle, it is my job to give God all the glory for His creation and saving grace. An example of His blessings confirms to me that my labor will not be lost.

I learned a long time ago, "Do unto others," which directs my actions toward everyone I meet because it could be tomorrow when you will need direction. My walk has taught me that my witness must never die, because God never failed me. He has tried me, which has made me stronger for Him.

Printer Friendly Page

---

Comments:

Hello Shaun, thank you for sharing your story. Keep up the great work that you do! You are an inspiration!
Anne Fleming

Bro. Shaun your information and your life is and example of what God can do. He has given you an ability to encourage others and I have been Blessed to know you and work with you. Your Pastor and Friend, Bro. Mike Senn
Mike Senn

Shaun, I am so proud of your many accomplishments!
Sandra Dupree Campbell

Great article, Shaun. May you be blessed in your ministry! Rhoni Standefer Joni and Friends Knoxville
Rhoni Standefer

Shaun, I am touched by your story and inspired by your spirit ! I am so looking forward to meeting you and Belinda. Sincerely, Judi
Judi Stuart

Hi Shaun, Thank you for sharing your story. I am proud of you Shaun. May God give you wonderful opportunities to share your experience, strength and hope. God bless you. Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA

Good job, Shaun. Just let me know what you need; I am here for you.
Priscilla

Congradulations, on your success. I am a Multiple Head Trauma/Traumatic Brain Injured, survivor also. I can definitely relate to your story. Mine, was a little different. in that I looked ok, and did not get the hospitalization time I really needed. My father made me leave when the ER Doctor wanted me for observation, and I hardly got the glass out of my eyes before they took me home. I have been re-injured several times and keep relapsing with memory problems and balance issues, and lots of chronic pains. I worked my but off and kept struggling to be successful. I have graduated college. I was working, did an excellent job, have numerous letters of my great work ethics. Now, I too am after all my accomplishments am being called retarded. A Mental Case, etc. I am handicapped and I related to your story a lot. You made me feel like I am not alone. Thank you Deborah in Ft. Lauderdale, FL May the Lord Be With You!
Deborah Wilcox

My group here at the Next Step day program, Ballston Spa, NY came upon your story and website on motivateus.com. I am an independent living skills trainer here at the program and my "members" are TBI survivors. We found your story inspiring and motivating. It's interesting how you have accepted the Lord and take such a positive approach to life. Keep on! It's great how you press on.
Mary Gast, ILST