Category: Rewards

Happy Puzzle Day!

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Happy National Puzzle Day! I can’t recall doing many jigsaw puzzles growing up. My first recollection of puzzles filling a need, was during the time my dad was fighting cancer. 

The hospital in Buffalo, NY where he was treated for five months, had a large waiting room where my mother and two sisters would gather until the next time we could see him. There was always a puzzle set out on the table. I found it a wonderful way to pass time, settle my mind on something other than the trauma our family was going through, and a small reward each time you found the right piece for the right spot. 

I picked up puzzles again, a few years ago after having a difficult couple of months where we had to say goodbye to our two beloved senior kitties within months of each other. I reconnected to the calming and challenging influence finishing a puzzle had.

As a brain aneurysm survivor, I also take comfort in knowing my brain is being exercised while working on puzzles.

According to many reputable online sources, working on jigsaw puzzles can help keep your brain healthy by improving memory, problem-solving skills, and cognitive function. Engaging in puzzles activates different parts of the brain, which can enhance overall mental sharpness.

Cognitive Improvement

  • Memory Enhancement: Jigsaw puzzles help improve short-term memory by reinforcing connections between brain cells.
  • Visual and Spatial Reasoning: They enhance the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in your mind, which is useful for tasks like reading maps or driving.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Regularly solving puzzles encourages creative and effective problem-solving through trial and error.

Mental Health Benefits

  • Stress Relief: Engaging in puzzles can reduce stress levels, similar to meditation, by allowing the brain to focus on a single task.
  • Mood Enhancement: Completing puzzles increases dopamine production, which improves mood and concentration.

Overall Brain Health

  • Cognitive Delay: Regular participation in puzzles may delay the onset of dementia symptoms by up to two and a half years, although they cannot prevent dementia on their own.

Not all puzzles are alike, however. Some have thinner pieces, some have pieces that are the exact same size and shape, and others are frameless. I prefer ones with a straight edge frame, slightly larger pieces that aren’t too thin and that are cut in different shapes. I was gifted a hand-made puzzle and could not finish it. Not only was it printed on a glossy surface, which made seeing the pieces difficult, but they were all the exact same size and shape and very thin, which made it easy to misplace or slip out of my fingers. I ended up abandoning it because, although it was a huge challenge, it wasn’t fun or relaxing in ANY way.

My favorite puzzles are from White Mountain Puzzles in Vermont. I like to do 1,000-piece puzzles that are beautiful scenes or subjects that interest me like the ocean, cats, birds, or tea. The large, portable puzzle table I purchased also provides a safe place to house the puzzle and its pieces from our new kitties we adopted.

There is a true sense of accomplishment when I finally place that final piece.

License to Advertise

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I’ve had a “Brain Aneurysm Survivor” bumper sticker on my cars for many, many years. I find it can drum up conversations with people on occasion. The same thing with my survivor button on my purse. I forget it’s there and some random person will see it and tell me about their survival, or a family member or friend who survived, or sadly did not.

This year I had some new ones made with our URL (MaineBA.org) on it. I’m not happy with the colors on it, but it’ll do. This past weekend I went grocery shopping with said new bumper sticker on my car. As I pulled into my spot, another white car was backing in the spot immediately next to me. A little too close, so he pulled up and re-backed the car in, which I was thankful for.

As I waited to him to park and exit his vehicle, I gathered up my purse and shopping bags. After he got out, I started to open my door and noticed in my side-view mirror that he was taking a photo of the back of my car before he continued on. My first thought was “Uh, oh!” that I cut him off in traffic or something and he was recording my license plate number, then I realized he had the camera pointed down on the bumper and was taking a photo of my bumper sticker. At least that was my assumption.

My bumper sticker

Because he had a little boy with him and seemed in a hurry to get into the store, I never caught up with him again in the store because groceries is still an “adventure” for me, and by the time I got out back to my car, his car had left. So, I’ll never know. 

HOWEVER, I hope it was someone local. I hope they went to our website and found the information they were looking for, for themselves or a loved one and found it useful and comforting. THAT is why I “advertise” that I am a brain aneurysm survivor on my car and my purse. You just never know who it may attract and the conversations it can fuel and help. 

The Big Picture

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Yesterday, Dave and I spent the afternoon at the Brain Injury Resource Fair in Augusta, Maine. This annual event, sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of America – Maine chapter, was the first held since the pandemic. Our brain aneurysm group had a table along with many, many vendors from different areas of Maine and New England.

The program director of the Maine chapter of the BIAA is headed by Sarah Gaffney who is a spark plug of encouragement and energy. As usual, she and her team did an amazing job with this event. Sarah’s advocacy is motivating and impressive. I was honored when she asked me to tell my story in their November 2020 newsletter.

Dave and I had to shake off some of the cobwebs while setting up our many banners and table-top displays as it has been so long since we have attended any indoor events like this. It felt good!

We might be a small group, but our presence was mighty! 🙂

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces in person and reconnect with some of the many, many people whose daily focus is to assist the brain injury community here in Maine.

These events are always a challenge for me, mainly because I’m better with faces, but horrible with names. Dave, on the other hand, has a great memory and all of his faculties when it comes to matching names to faces. I didn’t see much of him during the 3-hour event because he was busy catching up and networking with other vendors around the large arena at the armory. This is one of THE best events in the state for doing that.

We got reacquainted with our table displays again.

As the general public started to arrive, you’re quickly reminded why we were all there: to offer much needed education, outreach, information, and resources to those who desperately need it.

I do relatively well when people ask questions regarding brain aneurysms, but when a question is thrown my way that I wasn’t expecting and haven’t had to answer before, I can often struggle. I feel bad I may not give the answer the person was looking for, but I try my best. Dave is much better at that than I am. When I get tired, I can also start to fumble with my words. But I think I’m among friends here who are more forgiving.

Every type of brain injury is represented at this event and every type of service can be found, but knowing where to look is one of the biggest problems, especially in such a rural state like Maine.

Since the pandemic, our brain aneurysm support group has only been held virtually, via ZOOM. So it was wonderful to meet two newer members of our support group in person today for the first time as well as meeting one of our previous speakers in person. I’m very proud of our small group. I KNOW we’re doing good work and today only validated that. If we can help one person feel better, find resources, or navigate a challenge, it’s all worth it.

The general public and other vendors appreciated the brochures.

The term “brain injury” encompasses a wide range of issues from mild concussions to debilitating damage from severe trauma, stroke or tumors. The struggles survivors endure can be very similar, but every story, every injury is different and requires different needs. Witnessing the strength and daily commitment of survivors and their caregivings is an inspiration. It’s not easy. It’s frustrating, scary, and complex. Knowing where to go for support and care can improve the daily lives of not only the person who is struggling, but for their families. Events like todays are so important and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

I created this short reel some time ago to highlight some of those struggles survivors deal with.

Lending a Hand

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We spent the day yesterday down in the beautiful coastal town of Wells in the southern Maine attending a fundraising event for a Well’s resident who suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in March.

Due to Covid19, our MBAA group have not attending any of our usual brain conferences, fairs, and support events since March of 2020. So, we were looking forward to pitching our tent once again. And hugging! There was hugging!

About two weeks ago, I saw a news report on TV about fundraising efforts benefiting Bob Hoffman, who along with his wife, and another couple, own and run the Living Wells Farm, a horseback riding and boarding center. Bob suffered a serious brain aneurysm rupture in March and continues to heal with rehabilitation therapy at home.

Once we saw Bob’s story, we wanted to make sure he and his family were being looked after and had all the information and medical assistance they needed during this critical recovery period. The #BobStrong Fundraiser offered the opportunity to introduce ourselves and offer our help in anyway.

A small segment of the #bobstrong team

We contacted Katie from CrossOver Fitness Maine who, along with her husband Andre, were organizing the event for Bob at their fitness center in Wells. Thankfully, there was a quick response which also led to Bob and his wife attending a timely brain aneurysm support group meeting with us over Zoom this past week.

A cookout, bike-a-thon (31 miles!), and indoor cycling/rowing all took place

It’s so important for survivors and their caregivers to know they’re not alone during these critical periods of after-care and healing. We were really please when Bob and Amanda showed up on our computer screens for the support group.

Everyone is different. Every aneurysm is different. And everyone responds to a ruptured brain aneurysm differently. Some are receptive to help, others can walk out of the hospital on their own and never look back or look into what may have caused the aneurysm and how it has effected their brain and their families. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. You can lead a survivor/caregiver to a support group, but you can’t make them share their story or be open to receiving assistance and education.

Thankfully, Bob and Amanda were receptive to our group and were engaged and open with us. We were also highly impressed with the path to recovery Bob is currently on and the services he has been offered through some very tenacious efforts by Amanda and their rehabilitation center, Rehab Without Walls.

Yesterday’s fundraiser was a beautiful example of a community coming out to support one of their own and how they have wrapped their arms around this young family in their time of need. We met Bob’s parents and children and some of the good friends helping the family on their brain aneurysm journey. I am reminded, yet again, how the physical brain aneurysm happens to one person, but the entire family suffers the results as they are often confused and scared by all they have seen.

Knowledge is power. The more you know.

Our group tries to assist survivors and families in understanding the recovery period and what one can expect. We NEVER give them a timeline on when their recovery will be complete. No one can tell you that. But, if you put in the time and educate yourself on how best to help the survivor, it can make that journey easier and perhaps quicker to achieve better results.

#BobStrong t-shirts and some amazing cookies made by local bakery Mainely Cookies

Dave and I were joined by two of our committee members, Amy and Linda for the day and we were impressed by the over 200 people who participated throughout the day and brought such a loving and caring attitude. We were asked many questions and met a few people who had also been touched by brain aneurysms in their own families.

Linda, Dave, Heidi, Amy, and new survivor, Bob

Bob is a very fit and strong individual. Both of those traits should benefit him greatly during recovery, but it’s not a quick process. Reading my own blog from my first few months is a quick reminder of how frustrated and depressed I got. Having that strong support group around you is a huge benefit and I think Bob is one very lucky man after what I experienced yesterday.

Spending the day with Linda and Amy also allowed us some catch-up time and the chat was mostly about our experiences with brain aneurysms and our combined efforts in the state to educate people. I have something in common with both of them: Amy is also a survivor and Linda lost two loved ones to brain aneurysms – both of her parents. It’s interesting how easy it is to discuss these difficult topics when you know the person you’re speaking with has also endured similar difficult experiences.

Linda, Dave, and Amy

It felt GOOD to be out there doing GOOD again. It felt GOOD to load up the car, pitch that tent, lend a helping hand where we could, and hug people again.

#bobstrong