"In Our Own Words" Virtual Poetry Event featuring Brain Injury Survivors & Caregivers Video
I am so excited to share the inaugural “In Our Own Words” virtual poetry event held last month featuring the voices of brain injury survivors and caregivers, hosted by Resilient Roots. You can watch the video here, and make sure to join us in April for the next “In Our Own Words” event on Zoom!
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©2025 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
The opinions expressed on this site are that of my own and not reflective of, nor supported by, any of the organizations that I am affiliated with.
Headed to Washington, D.C.!
Hair is done (by the AMAZING @trumane_hair_studio, seriously, you should have seen how crunchy it looked when I went in there 😆) so now I’m ready to head to D.C. with @bia_usa to advocate for the brain injury community by speaking with our legislators about some important initiatives we need their support on.
I’ve made my (packing) list, checked it twice, traveling while disabled is more naughty than nice! 😂 But regardless, Cazzy Claus is comin’, to toooowwwwn! Okay, obviously Christmas is my favorite holiday and bad jokes are my jam, but I’m taking this opportunity very seriously. It’s not often that you to get to be amongst this many individuals in the brain injury community, particularly while being able to speak directly to your representatives about the issues that affect us most.
I’m thinking about making a video sharing some of my trips for how I prepared for this trip in terms of packing-which is such a difficult thing to do when traveling (“What do I wear for this event?”, “What if we go out to eat afterwards?”, “What happens if it starts raining?”….“My silk press!!!”) but it’s even more difficult when you’re dealing with a brain injury or other disabilty. The cognitive load, not to mention the physical practicalities of packing and travel can be more than a challenge, so I think it would be helpful to share some of the things that make it more accessible for me.
You can head to biausa.org for more info about how you can support, even if you don’t have a brain injury yourself!💪🏽🧠
See you soon, D.C.!🎉
SEE WHAT’S NEW ON INSTAGRAM
©2025 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
The opinions expressed on this site are that of my own and not reflective of, nor supported by, any of the organizations that I am affiliated with.
The Double Invisibility of Being Black and Disabled
Standing in the aisle of the grocery store, I feel the presence of someone approaching me, coming dangerously close to where I’m standing. Inches away. Close enough that I can feel the warmth of their body heat. I then see a hand reach over in front of me to grab an item off the shelf. After which, the hand’s owner proceeds to walk away, the entire act occurring as if I weren’t even there.
Granted, I had been standing in that spot for a while, my head feeling like it was literally spinning as I tried to both get my bearings and remember why I was standing in that aisle in the first place as the symptoms of my traumatic brain injury began to worsen.
Now normally, I am not the one nor the two. A simple “excuse me” would have let me know that the person needed to get where I was standing, and I usually have no problem letting people know that in the moment. As a person of color living with disabilities for the last seven years as a result of being struck by a car traveling 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix, I sometimes wonder in times like that why people seem to be incapable of seeing me? Both literally and philosophically. It also makes me wonder why people don’t take the time to consider that I may have been standing there for so long for a reason other than to try to annoy the general public by taking up space for an unnecessarily long duration of time, when obviously I know that grabbing a can of beans off of a shelf is a life-or-death situation that requires immediate action, to the exclusion of basic human consideration.
Living with the effects of a traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, nerve damage and vestibular issues, (all so-called “invisible disabilities” because the effects of these conditions are not always visually perceptible), already often makes me feel as if the struggles and realities of my existence are not seen or considered. Although my disabilities are “invisible”, this occurs even when my status as a disabled person is made known. Add the fact that I’m a black woman, who, statistically speaking, is a part of a demographic that often gets ignored or discredited by the medical field, sometimes I feel doubly invisible. Doubly ignored.
According to a 2021 Pew Research Study, about a third of African Americans surveyed said that their pain has not been taken seriously (35%), or that their provider has rushed them (32%). (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/12/21/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care/)
“Black Americans are systematically undertreated for pain relative to white Americans...findings suggest that individuals with at least some medical training hold and may use false beliefs about biological differences between blacks and whites to inform medical judgments, which may contribute to racial disparities in pain assessment and treatment.” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4843483/) If medical providers hold false beliefs about blacks, they clearly are not seeing us accurately. Our pain, experiences and symptoms become “invisible” to providers, which can cause a myriad of issues medically, psychologically and emotionally for disabled African Americans.
According to a Pew Research report, “(55%) [of African Americans surveyed said]...they’ve had at least one of six negative experiences, including having to speak up to get the proper care and being treated with less respect than other patients.” (https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/04/07/black-americans-views-about-health-disparities-experiences-with-health-care/) Even as it pertains to one of my primary disability, a traumatic brain injury, the assessment, and therefore the visibility, of African Americans in this demographic is not accurate according to the research. “Some studies state that following a traumatic brain injury, members of minority groups have a more difficult time than whites in finding work and returning to social activities. Other studies disagree. Some researchers suggest that evaluation tools used by clinicians are to blame for the differences in scores. They suspect that the evaluation tools may be unintentionally biased against members of minority groups because they are written for and measure traits of the White culture.” (https://www.biausa.org/professionals/research/tbi-model-systems/outcomes-for-african-americans-and-whites-similarities-and-differences)
Even when presented with statistical data corroborating the assertion that African Americans still face discrimination in many different areas, including healthcare, I’ve found that numerous non-POC friends and colleagues remain in willful and determined disbelief. They make the conscious decision to negate my experiences and the experiences of other people of color. This begs the question, what more will it take for us to be believed? For us to be “seen”?
I can’t help but draw the parallel between the experience of living as a person of color and that of living as a disabled person. Not only does one affect the other, but they both present their own unique challenges in having the community at large see us in the totality of who we are within those demographics. In America, there is the cultural belief that anyone who experiences any kind of loss, tragedy or traumatic physical or emotional event should just “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” and move on in a way that seems productive to the general population. As a disabled person, that’s just not always possible. Especially in a society that, for the most part, has been built exclusively for non-disabled individuals. Thanks to The Americans with Disabilities Act and many vocal advocates, that is slowly beginning to change. However, much of the progress that has been made is now under threat under the current administration. Our symptoms and “limitations” as disabled persons affect every aspect of our daily lives, frequently in ways that other people don’t see. Sometimes, “pulling myself up by my bootstraps” means being in bed for two days straight when an intense migraine and chronic pain make functioning impossible.
I’m not asking for sympathy. I’m not asking for pity. I don’t think most African Americans or disabled persons are. But what I am asking for from non-POCs and non-disabled individuals is to have the empathy to consider experiences other than their own. To truly “see” us, you have to take the time to get to know us. You have to take the time to educate yourself with the resources that are readily available in order to learn about what life is like for us. And please, for the love of God, remember to say “excuse me”.
Resources
https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/04/07/black-americans-views-about-health-disparities-experiences-with-health-care/
https://www.biausa.org/professionals/research/tbi-model-systems/outcomes-for-african-americans-and-whites-similarities-and-differences
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/12/21/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4843483/
©2025 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
The opinions expressed on this site are that of my own and not reflective of, nor supported by, any of the organizations that I am affiliated with.
Jazz-The Soundtrack to My Disability Life
It was a calm and temperate Phoenix night. Clear skies. Mid-May, so it wasn’t unbearably hot yet. I was walking back to my car after leaving an event at the Phoenix Science Center, cosplaying as Poison Ivy as it was a “science of superheroes”-themed event. I pushed the button to cross the street. I had the right of way. As I entered the second half of the road from the pedestrian crosswalk, suddenly, BOOM! CRASH! I was struck by a car traveling 48mph. I was thrown 15’ up and 100’ forward from where the driver hit me. I sustained multiple injuries, some of which have resulted in long-term disabilities and conditions to include a traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, nerve damage and vestibular and vision issues, just to name a few. The driver never got out of his car and left me alone, broken and bleeding on the street until a Good Samaritan who witnessed the incident came to help me.
Jazz has become the soundtrack of my disabilities. There’s a song or artist for every mood, every experience, every setback and every triumph that I’ve been forced to contend with in the almost eight years since the traumatic accident occurred. I’ve always loved the motto, “life is a movie, starring you,” and if I were to choose the genre that best encapsulates and expresses my experiences since becoming disabled, it would be jazz.
Jazz is a difficult genre to clearly define because it encompasses a wide range of music spanning time, culture and region. According to Wikipedia, “Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues, ragtime, European harmony and African rhythmic rituals.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz)
Artists such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and John Coltrane are familiar favorites of the musical style. Although often a male-dominated genre, the contributions of female jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn should not be overlooked; their influence on modern-day artists such as Diana Krall and Melody Gardot is apparent.
Jazz is a style of music that is rooted in improvisation. Performers may change melodies, harmonies or compositions depending on mood, audience participation and the general vibe in the room. Notes and melodies may change at a moment's notice, you never know what to expect and may never get the same live musical experience twice.
As a disabled person, I am no stranger to improvisation. The contemplative mood of Blue Mitchell’s song, “It Could Happen to You”, aptly named, melodically expresses the way that I constantly have to think of ways to adjust. The symptoms of my disabilities affect every aspect of my daily life, from self care to parenting and everything in between. Prior to the accident, I was an independent wellness instructor and single mom with a vibrant social life. Becoming disabled changed all of that, and I had to learn how to improvise to accommodate the effects of my disabilities. I constantly have to think on my feet and play it by ear just to make it through the day, a direct parallel to the way that jazz music encompasses improvisation.
I would be lying if I said that the question, “why me?” did not come to mind at times, especially in the early days of recovering from the accident. Every time I went to the doctor, it was more bad news: another diagnosis, another medical professional informing me of the negative long-term effects that I would be experiencing as a result of my disabilities and conditions. Interaction and collaboration are two key elements of jazz music.
Artists have an almost supernatural connection to both the music, and each other that creates beautiful pieces of instrumental art. Songs such as, “Have a Talk with God” by Henrik Gunde, Nicolas Kock and Karsten Bagge are excellent examples of several artists coming together to create something greater than what could be accomplished alone. Throughout my journey with disability, I have had to learn to lean on others for help. As a highly independent person, this was extremely difficult for me. But like the collaborations and interactions found in jazz music, once I learned to collaborate and interact with others for my well-being (primarily my immediate family), it created this beautiful mosaic of my current existence that’s greater than what I would have been able to accomplish on my own.
Because I finally learned to collaborate with others for assistance, I have been able to become a speaker and advocate, championing the issues that affect disabled persons, particularly those in the brain injury community. I collaborate with other survivor-advocates as a member of The Brain Injury Association of America’s Advisory Council. This would not have been possible unless I had taken a lesson from jazz music and learned to interact and collaborate, to lean on even, the people who are close to me in order to help me not only survive, but thrive despite my conditions.
And on that note (pun intended), It’s not all bad. Becoming disabled has shown me that I possess a strength and resilience that I didn’t know I had. The smooth, persistent melodies of “The Feeling of Jazz” by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane remind me of the fact that no matter what I’m facing-having to advocate for myself with doctors, dealing with the ableist misconceptions of others, debilitating pain, an uncertain future, I just keep on trucking. But unlike “The Little Engine That Could”, repeating “I think I can, I think I can,” my mantra has become, “I know I can, I know I can.” This song’s lilting cadence conjures up visions of me continuing to walk forward on this unchosen and unexpected path that I am now on with my disabilities and conditions.
At the 1976 Grammy Awards, Mel Torme asks “The Queen of Jazz”, Ella Fitzgerald, how she would explain what jazz music is to people. She replies that she thinks they can show them, and they go into a captivating scat performance, going back and forth, improvising notes and melodies, showcasing a beautiful explanation for something that is frequently considered to be undefinable. (view that performance here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x23t25p) That’s how I feel when I’m trying to explain what my life is like now that I’m disabled. There’s complications, back and forth momentum, highs and lows, joy, hidden pain even; but it all comes together beautifully to create the soundtrack of my life.
This journey began with a BOOM and a CRASH, like what we experience in the latter portion of Miles Davis’ “Nefertiti” after a mesmerizing, trance-like and consistent repetition of the melody in the first half of the song. The seeming dissonance that ensues is actually more of a controlled free-fall, which is exactly what my life as a disabled person has felt like. At times I may be “In A Sentimental Mood” (Thank you, Mr. Duke Ellington), but honestly, I wouldn’t trade this iconic symphony of a life with disabilities for the world. It’s been in this improvised, “take it as it comes and create something magical” experience that I’ve discovered a more marvelous version of myself. A version that’s allowing me to create something bigger than myself. If that’s not jazzy, then I don’t know what is.
©2025 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Martha May Whovier & Brain Injury
Name a more iconic Christmas queen. I’ll wait…
Bet you didn’t know that there are so many similarities between brain injury survivors & the fabulous Ms. Martha May Whovier.
View the gallery to see Martha in all her festive fabulosity, and see how her resilience, empathy and other qualities can also be found throughout the experiences of being an individual living with a traumatic brain injury.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Disability, But Make It Fashion
The holidays are upon us, so now is the perfect time to share about four of the top trends of the season, from the perspective of a fabulous fashion-loving brain injury baddie living with disabilities (moi!)
Having disabilities doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy fashion. In fact, it’s a way to express yourself to the world when you are often stereotyped, or assumptions are made about you as a disabled individual. Making fashion accessible may not be as difficult as you think, so here are four top trends of the season and how to make them more accessible if you have a brain injury.
Note: I read somewhere that we have enough clothing in existence right now to clothe the next seven generations of people. If you don’t already have something from these trends, I encourage you to try to find pieces secondhand. Good for the environment, your bank account, and who doesn’t love the thrill of the hunt???
Faux Fur
As someone born and raised in Alaska, faux or vintage furs make an appearance every winter-even if now that I live in Arizona. This time of year I can wear them in the morning but by the afternoon I am being roasted alive. Faux or vintage furs elevate casual outfits like sweats, which are often more comfortable when you’re living with a disability.
Burgundy
Red became a go-to shade for Fall, and now that the holidays are upon us, burgundy is making a big statement, especially with monochromatic outfits. Wearing a solid color from head to toe not only looks super chic, it also makes dressing easy when you have a brain injury-no need to try to match pieces, they’re all the same color!
Leopard Print
leopard print jumped off in the Fall and is still going strong. I’ve always considered it a neutral and therefore appropriate for any time of year, but that’s just me. You can just do a single piece or an accessory (like a handbag) if patterns aggravate your sensory sensitivities.
Statement Pieces
Try easy-to-put-on jewelry like a string(s) of pearls (faux is fine!) or clip on statement earrings that don’t require a lot of dexterity or hand-eye coordination, which can aggravate your brain injury symptoms.
Big Bags
I have to be careful with this one as I have chronic pain so if the bag is too heavy, it’s painful for me to lug it around. But having the ability to have everything you need with you at all times as a disabled person: medication, ear plugs, sunglasses, snacks, etc. and you just happen to be on trend for the season? That’s a win-win!
Are you looking forward to the chic, glitz, glam of holiday fashion? Which trend do you want to try this year?
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Navigating the Holidays as A Parent Living with Brain Injury Webinar
Managing children's expectations, preparing meals, dealing with symptom flare-ups & sensory overload...there can be a lot to try to handle during the holidays as a parent living with brain injury. Resilient Roots creator & moderator Cazoshay Marie discusses these topics and more, as well as provides some suggestions for how to make your holidays more manageable & full of joy!
There will be no December meeting of Resilient Roots (enjoy the holidays!) Our next meeting is January 16th with guest speaker Taryn Barlow of The Well Brain!
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
5 Things Accessibility Should Always Be
As a person living with disability, accessibility is always at the forefront of my mind. Not just considering my own disabilities, but also the disabilities of other individuals as well. I can’t help but look at the world through new eyes since being struck by a car traveling 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix in 2017. I look at sidewalks and entrances, signs and noise levels. I take it all in and quite honestly, it makes me sad that many people are excluded from being able to fully participate in the world. I’m one of those people and I am not alone. In the United States alone, 1 in 4 persons is living with at least one disability (I’ve got a few-good times!😂)
I’ve created a list of five things that accessibility should always be, and I hope that we (globally) move in this direction.
ACCESSIBILITY SHOULD BE…
A Consideration at the Onset
During my speaking engagement at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference, I spoke about making space settlements accessible for all citizens. Space settlements are an opportunity for us to create environments that are accessible for everyone at the onset, during their creation, which is much easier than trying to retrofit and work backwards to make things work for all individuals. The same should apply to Earth. Just like other marginalized voices, disabled persons should be a part of the conversations at the beginning, rather than making us have to raise a stink about it after the fact. 😜 I did an additional talk about Disabilities as Superpowers. Disabled persons are creative, our disabilities can offer unique strengths, and even advantages. Why not use that as a resource at the onset in planning and implantation across all sectors?
Inclusive of All Peoples
Deaf, blind, black, jewish, indigenous, asian, queer, religious, wheelchair-bound, brain injury, psychological, neurodivergent, limb difference…it may seem impossible to try to accommodate everyone & their various experiences as disabled persons…but that doesn’t mean we can’t try! In the words of Dr. Seuss, “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” No one should bet left out. An important thing to keep in mind is that when you create accessibility for one group, it often benefits several others, even those without disabilities! For instance, with brain injury, we experience visual disturbances, balance issues, sensory sensitivities, and more. Visual disturbance accommodations for brain injury survivors also help those who have low vision. Accommodations for our balance issues can benefit those who use wheelchairs or have limb differences. Accessibility considerations for our sensory sensitivities can benefit those who are neurodivergent. (As a brain injury survivor, I love a good “Quiet Room”!)
*Note: I don’t really care for the word “accommodations” because if we had been considered in the first place, we wouldn’t have to be “accommodated” after the fact. 🤷🏽♀️ “Accommodations” can imply that it’s special treatment when what we’re asking for is actually just equal treatment.
Accepted by All
In order for accessibility to really work, everyone has to be on board with it. That is why if you are someone who is not living with a disability, it’s important to avail yourself of the numerous resources that are available in order to help you better understand the disability experience and how to be an effective ally. We can’t do it alone, so we need our non-disabled brothers and sisters to get on board with making sure everyone is considered.
Not Made the Responsibility of Disabled Persons
Disabled persons should not have to bear the weight of fighting for an accessible world by themselves. We are tired, y’all. Even those of us who are advocates get frustrated at the lack of empathy and having to try to convince everyone that we deserve to be considered and to have the same rights and to be able to enjoy life the same way that people without disabilities do. We need your help.
Not Taken Personally
Rights are not pie. Giving rights and considerations to somebody else doesn’t mean less for you. There’s enough accessibility pie to go around for everyone, trust me. Disabled persons asking for things to be made accessible is not a personal attack against you, and should never be taken as such. (That’s not an excuse for people to be rude to you though, disabled or not.) You may not always get it right. Even as a disabled person myself, I certainly don’t, but if you do get corrected, don’t take it personally. My mom recently helped me reframe this situation as being a positive because in being corrected, you gave someone the opportunity to find and use their voice, and especially for disabled persons who are often marginalized, that is so important. So don’t take the fight for accessibility personally, pull up your sleeves and come alongside us, babe. We need you.
Join us for the next virtual meeting of Resilient Roots Support Group for Parents Living with Brain Injury!
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Hope After Head Injury Podcast Interview
I was recently interviewed by Cristabelle Braden for the Hope After Head Injury podcast. We talked about finding what roots you after sustaining a TBI and how to go through the non-linear journey of healing with self-compassion, as well as some tools I’ve found to be very valuable throughout the process. You can watch or listen via the link below.
Don’t miss the next meeting of Resilient Roots Support Group for Parents Living with Brain Injury on October 17th at 5:30pm MST. We are having a virtual community movie night watching the short film, “Jelly Brain” followed by a guided discussion. All are welcome to this month’s meeting, even if you don’t have children or a brain injury. Hope to see you there!
See what’s new on the Resilient Roots Instagram:
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Concussion Awareness Now Kickoff Webinar
Over 900 people registered to attend the kickoff webinar for this year’s National Concussion Awareness Day. At the webinar I shared speaking tips as well as some different ways you can share about concussion awareness. View the webinar via the button below.
You can be a Concussion Champion, too! Find out more here.
See the latest on Instagram:
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPCOMING EVENTS & FEATURES
Greetings Darlings!
I have several events coming up within the next few weeks, as well as some features!
I was interviewed for a segment on PBS NewsHour that aired on 9/7. It’s about why Americans may be hesitant to start or grow their families. You can view it here.
On 9/9 I will be on the Hope Survives podcast with Cristabelle Braden, I’ll share the information on where you can listen and watch as soon as it becomes available.
September 15th I will be presenting at a private event for Gilead Ministries Christian Education Center. It will be an interactive & educational session to help raise awareness about concussions.
September 19th at 5:30pm MST is the next meeting for Resilient Roots Virtual Support Group for Parents Living with Brain Injury. We have the amazing Stacia Bissell as our guest speaker this month. Here is the link with more information and how to join the meeting.
On September 30th, I have the pleasure of speaking at the American College of Emergency Physicians’ Annual Conference (ACEP) at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. I’ll be sharing my journey with brain injury with the Brain Injury Association of America.
As you can see I have many exciting events & features coming up in the near future. Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers as I am attempting to do all of this advocacy while dealing with the symptoms of my disabilities & conditions. I am passionate about raising awareness & championing the issues that are important to the disability community. I know that God will give me the strength to do it!
See the latest on Instagram:
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
The Chic Girl’s Autumn Bucket List
As an October Baby, Fall is for sure my favorite season. And if you’ve been here on D.I.D. with Cazoshay for a while or know me personally, then you know that is definitely true. Living in Arizona for nearly eight years has further enforced that Autumn is truly a mindset. You don’t have to have rain, crisp air & colorful leaves to appreciate the season, although they certainly help.🍂
Living with disabilities, it’s been important for me to make joy accessible for myself. I can’t do many of the things I used to enjoy doing, at least not in the same ways, so I’ve figured out how to adapt them to my current abilities. One thing I’ve noticed about this Disability Life is that a lot of the tips I’ve come up with work not only for those who are living with disabilities & chronic conditions, but also those who have busy schedules, are parents, or are otherwise sometimes (or often) looking for quicker & easier ways to do things.
Another important aspect of this Disability Life I’ve learned is that I don’t have to compromise my chic, elegant style! This list is proof of the concept that things can be accessible, without compromising being chic. The following is my Chic Girl’s Autumn Bucket List, the must-do activities for an elegant and enjoyable Fall, in no particular order.
1. Create a Fall Capsule Wardrobe
My go-to color for every season is black, but this is the time of year when many a chic girl-about-town turns to autumnal hues like browns, tans & deep burgundies-so don’t let me stop you! (I do love a good oxblood accessory…) Having a capsule wardrobe means you won’t have to search for clothes & think so hard about what you’re going to wear-which makes getting dressed quicker, easier & more enjoyable!
I suggest curating your Fall wardrobe from items you already have. If you must pick up something new, go the thrifted route. The British Fashion Council have said that we have enough clothing on the planet to dress the next six generations. Chic girlies care, & the environment & our future are no exceptions!
You can find upscale items on Vestaire Collective or my personal favorite, The RealReal. I’m actually thinking of having a Fall Clothing Swap Cocktail Party. Of course I’ll post the details here if I do. I like to do a second “spring cleaning” at the start of Fall so I can go into the winter months lighter & not bogged down by a bunch of extra belongings I’m not using anyway. A fun little cocktail party where ladies can drop in and “shop” is the perfect way to usher in Fall lighter, chicer & more sustainably.
2. Create an Autumn Playlist
One of my favorite mottos is, “life is a movie, starring you!” Every good movie has an equally good soundtrack. Spotify has some nice ones, whatever your vibe happens to be. I listen to jazz all year ‘round, but if any genre represents the season of Autumn specifically, it’s jazz. Bonus points if your soundtrack is at least partially curated on vinyl.
A few playlists to get you started:
*Cue Nat King' Cole’s “‘Tis Autumn” as your “going to get coffee” montage begins to play…
The Orpheum Theater, downtown Phoenix, AZ
3. Tour an Historic Building or Home
I’m not one for haunted houses, so touring an historic building or home is the chicer (& less scary) option. You can learn a little local history & view some lovely architecture at the same time. Here in Arizona, the elegant & picturesque Wrigley Mansion gives tours & also has a jazz series. I haven’t been yet, but it’s on my Autumn Bucket List.
Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, TX
4. Visit an Art Gallery or Museum
The cooler weather is an opportune time to spend the day in an art gallery or museum soaking up the creativity. The chic girl is also the cultured girl, so autumn is the perfect time to put on a nice outfit & head to one of your area’s art venues. This activity is great because it can be done alone, with a friend or even as a date. Afterwards you can get yourself a little treat at your favorite coffee shop to round out the day.
5. Create an Autumn Reading List
Autumn is the perfect time to get cozy & immerse yourself in a good book (or two!) I recommend going with philosophy, the classics or self-improvement. History & memoirs aren’t bad options for the season, either. Really you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Here are a few recommendations:
To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke
When Broadway Was Black by Caseen Gaines
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Blue Butterfly by Eugene Ward
Breakfast at Tiffany’s & Three Stories by Truman Capote
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
*Accessibility Tip: Any book can become an audiobook when you use your iPhone’s Spoken Content feature. It works on iPads also. As someone living with a TBI, this has been a game changer! Many audiobooks are also available free on YouTube.
Autumn in Alaska
6. Go on a Walk
This is certainly one thing I miss about living in Alaska & Portland. The walks here in Arizona hit different, & that’s putting it lightly. I’m still not used to autumn trees being replaced by cactuses & it averaging over 100 degrees at the start of September. Whatever the weather is like where you live, you can romantacize your autumn walk no matter the environs. First, the outfit, of course. A chic autumn outfit from your sustainable capsule wardrobe makes the occasion, so start there. Whether you’re in the city or you have access to those beautiful changing colors in a more nature-filled environment, taking in the scenery is a great way to enjoy Fall, appreciate your surroundings & get active at your own level of fitness & accessibility.
7. Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Fall Festival
Most cities & towns have Fall Festivals, if not some version of a pumpkin patch also. You may have to venture a little bit outside of your immediate area, but it’s worth it to be fully immersed in the joy & excitement of the season. Fall festivals can look like a lot of things, but delicious seasonal drinks & food are almost always a given, yet another reason to don your chicest pair of boots or loafers & join the celebration.
8. Have a Fall Picnic
Fall is the perfect time for a picnic! It’s not unbearably hot, there’s not as many bugs & the snow hasn’t arrived yet to make picnicking impossible. Not a chef? No problem. Stores have plenty of ready-made items that are perfect for picnics (hello, Trader Joe’s!) A simple charcuterie board, some hot spiced cider & a nice dessert are all you really need, but of course you can make it as elaborate as you’d like.
9. Tour a Winery
Many cities & towns have local winemakers, & many of those makers give tours! This is a chic autumn activity you can do solo, with friends or as a date-whatever your current mood desires! A quick Google search will tell you what options are available where you live. And if there’s nothing close by? Another chic option of course is to take a little mini-vacay to your closest winery, naturally. Or you could sign up to attend a wine tasting at a nice restaurant in your city.
10. Watch Fall Movies
There are few things in life more enjoyable than a good Fall movie marathon. That may be an overstatement, but this is definitely one of my favorite Autumn activities. Grab your favorite snacks, a nice wine (or non-alcoholic beverage of choice), get comfy & check out one of these flick picks:
When Harry Met Sally (duh)
Fantastic Mr. Fox
You’ve Got Mail (duh)
Sleepy Hollow
Julie & Julia
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Scream (the first one)
Bonus: It’s not a movie but rather a tv show. Only Murders in the Building! It’s so good & is chock-full of chic New York style. Plus if you binge it, it’s basically like a movie, right? (Stream on Hulu)
11. Day of Pampering
Just because you’re likely under more layers doesn’t mean you should start slacking on self care. Because Self Care=Self Love. It’s a way of showing that you care about yourself, & are not just caring for others & attending to all the numerous things on your to-do list. You can schedule a service at a day spa or do it in the comfort of your own home. A few ideas? Face masks, manicures & everything showers are always great options.
12. Try a New Recipe
Autumn is the perfect time to try some new recipes, especially with seasonal ingredients (do I see a trip to the Farmer’s Market in your future???) Autumn meals are meant to be comforting while allowing you to enjoy spending time at home, sometimes while entertaining too. A simple roast chicken, a butternut squash soup…the possibilities for delicious new recipes is endless. Try Pinterest, TikTok, or visit a used bookstore & pick up a new cookbook to experiment with. Who doesn’t love a good bookstore in Autumn?
Did I leave anything off the bucket list? I hope you’ve enjoyed this post! For more inspo, view 10 Dinner Party Conversation Starters & my easy 5-Minute Shower Meditation.
I’d love to connect with you! Find me on social media here:
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
The Importance of Social Media for the Disability Community
There are so many different aspects of the disability experience that able-bodied normies probably have no idea about. There were many things that no one prepared me for when I became disabled after being struck by a car traveling 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix. The extreme isolation was certainly one of them.
Image via CDC.gov
No one told me that the symptoms & limitations of my disabilities would cause me to miss out on so many things. I’m living with a traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, nerve damage & a host of other symptoms that make even completing simple daily tasks difficult. My teenaged son has stepped up in so many ways to help me do things that are now challenging or impossible for me to complete. All the symptoms that are associated with my disabilities & conditions make it very hard to get out of the house & interact with friends, or even to have them over to my home for visits.
Image via Black Girls Brunch
Where I was once very socially active, always at a brunch, exhibit opening or networking event as a highly motivated wellness professional, artist, single mom & outgoing introvert, all that came crashing to a halt as the car crashed into me, my body breaking the driver’s windshield as I was catapulted through the air 100 feet from where I was struck, landing on the cold, hard pavement. As the car crashed into my body, it also crashed into my active social life, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. If you’re curious, the driver never got out of the car to help me, but that’s a story for another day.
Two hours of reconstructive surgery from one of the top plastic surgeons in Arizona helped me not show too many visible signs of my disabilities & conditions
It’s been a long, hard journey to say the least. One that necessitated me entering counseling to help me not only deal with my severe PTSD, depression & anxiety that came about as a result of the accident, but also to help me reconcile the “old me” with this “new normal”, if indeed you could call it that. While I had friends that came to visit me in the initial time period after the accident, between the vestibular issues, the chronic pain, doctor & therapy appointments every day, all I could really do was watch woefully from my couch-bed where my family had me set up in order to care for me, as I saw my friends attending concerts, getting engaged, going on trips & doing all the things I used to do & be involved in that were now impossible.
My counselor suggested that I begin sharing about my experiences online. That was the last thing that I wanted to do. Before the accident I was active on social media, but all that stopped after the accident. The whole experience felt like one big nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. In fact, I was having nightmares every night, reliving the horrors of the accident over & over again. So the last thing I wanted to do was lay myself bare for the interwebs to see when I already felt so vulnerable.
But with the encouragement of my family, I began sharing what I was going through here on my blog & social media outlets. Many of my friends were surprised & had no idea how hard things had become for me because my disabilities are considered “invisible disabilities”, meaning you can’t necessarily tell that I’m disabled by looking at me. Many didn’t (& still don’t) know the extent of my struggles because I don’t present as someone who is struggling. But I am. In so many ways.
As I began sharing my experiences online, it became a way for me to stay connected to people that I knew, but also to meet new people. Both disabled & able-bodied. I don’t have a huge following by any means, but social media became a way for me to have interactions with others when I’m not able to go out & have those interactions IRL because of my disabilities.
I experience extreme migraines, dizziness, sensory sensitivities, cognitive issues & more due to my traumatic brain injury. Noises, lights, stimulation, all things you encounter in the world at large are things that hinder me from social activity. Accessibility is a huge issue for those living with disabilities & while the goal is of course to be able to go out into the wilds & have real interactions, sometimes, for various reasons, if you’re disabled that’s just not possible.
Having a community & interactions online can help solve the issue of isolation for individuals living with disabilities. We can chat, text, share pictures & updates & maybe even find others who are living a similar experience to ours. This is why I’m starting the Resilient Roots Support Group for parents living with brain injuries. We’re meeting monthly online on Zoom so that any parent, anywhere can participate & not be limited by location, access or ability.
So if you’re disabled, it may be hard to go online & see your friends doing all the things you wish you could be a part of, but try to reframe the encounter to recognize that you are still participating in your own way by interacting with the posts online. And don’t be afraid to share your own exploits as a person living with disability. Who knows who you will educate & inspire? It might not be IRL experiences, but I believe even online social interactions are better than no interactions at all, & through social media, you have the ability as a disabled person to curate your own community on your own terms whereas much of our lives feel like they are being lived on anything but our own terms.
So send that tweet, make that TikTok video & post that picture on Facebook, your community is waiting for you.
I’d love to connect with you! Find me on social media here:
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Brain Injury Association of America: My Brain Injury Story
I’m honored to have had the opportunity to share a little bit about my journey with brain injury with the Brain Injury Association of America. I talked about how my family has been a great sense of support & much more in this feature! Click the link below to read the full story.
Dating, Disability & Disclosure
Dating, Disability & Disclosure: Dating While Disabled. There's a lot to consider & I just covered a little bit. I chose not to edit this video so you can get a small glimpse of how my disabilities can affect my thinking & speaking. Overall I think I got my points across though.
I’d love to know your thoughts on this aspect of living with disabilities, leave me a comment & let me know what you think.
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
Disabilities As Superpowers
Question: What do J’onn J’onzz, Professor X & Geordi La Forge all have in common?
Answer: They all have disabilities & are also highly gifted!
Image Credit: DC
Growing up, I was immersed in the fantastical worlds of superhero stories, comic books, & sci-fi shows & movies. In many instances these stories featured characters with extraordinary abilities, but what often fascinated me most were the ones who grappled with disabilities, yet still managed to shine as heroes. Characters like the Martian Manhunter, Professor X, & Geordi LaForge demonstrated that disabilities could be integrated into their identities, oftentimes even transforming them into valuable superpowers. Little did I know then that these stories were not just flights of fancy but reflections of real-life potential that I would have the opportunity to further explore after becoming disabled myself as the result of a life-altering traumatic accident.
Image Credit: Marvel
Image Credit: Paramount
In May of 2023, I had the opportunity to speak at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference. I shed light on an unconventional idea: disabilities can be superpowers, even in space. Historically, NASA's strict physical requirements have excluded individuals with disabilities from its astronaut program. However, a fascinating experiment in the late 1950s involving deaf individuals, known as the "Gadaullet Eleven," revealed an unexpected advantage. Their immunity to motion sickness due to inner ear impairments showcased how disabilities can offer unique strengths, and even advantages over able-bodied astronauts, in the field of space exploration.
The Power of Disability
In my research for my talk, I found very interesting information about how the plasticity of the brain allows for remarkable adaptations. When one sense is lost or absent, the brain compensates by enhancing others. This phenomenon, documented in a Stanford article, means that individuals with disabilities often develop heightened abilities in other areas. For example, blindness can lead to enhanced auditory awareness, making individuals more attuned to sounds around them.
My talk at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference
Harnessing Cognitive Diversity
Including individuals with disabilities in the design and planning of communities, events & environments offers invaluable insights. Our everyday experiences navigating accessibility challenges equip us with a unique perspective on designing inclusive environments. By incorporating the feedback of disabled individuals early in the design process, you can also help to avoid the need for costly retrofits later on down the line.
Pictured with Rod Pyle, Author, Editor-in-Chief, Radio Personality, Keynote Speaker for IBM, Smithsonian, NASA, BAE Defense, and others who also worked on the set of Star Trek!
Embracing the Potential
Often, disabilities are only limitations because society constructs them as such. Consider this: are disabilities inherent flaws, or products of an environment designed without diverse needs in mind? Reframing our perspective unveils new possibilities. Just as the deaf individuals in NASA’s experiments flourished in adverse conditions, our disabilities can propel us to creative solutions and inclusive designs.
Instead of viewing disabilities as limitations, why not explore how they can be utilized as superpowers? By harnessing the unique strengths that individuals with disabilities bring to the table, we can enhance the efficiency & inclusivity of the ways in which our world functions. Including disabled persons in these vital conversations not only expands our possibilities, but also fosters a more diverse and equitable future for all.
Conclusion
The examples I’ve shared here offer just a glimpse into the potential of disabilities as superpowers. Disabilities are not hindrances; they are superpowers awaiting discovery. By embracing the experience & expertise of those with disabilities, we can create a vibrant future that is truly accessible to all. As Professor X once said, "You have the chance to become part of something much bigger than yourself." Let's seize that opportunity and pave the way for a more inclusive journey into the future.
Pictured at my talk at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference
Sources
1. Stanford University School of Medicine. "Supersensors: How Loss of One Sense Impacts Others."
2. NASA. "How 11 Deaf Men Helped Shape NASA's Human Spaceflight Program."
3. Center for Universal Design. North Carolina State University.
4. Povinelli, Elizabeth. "The Case for Disabled Astronauts." Scientific American.
5. Astro Access. "About."
©2024 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.