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.!🎉
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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.
“Disabled & Elegant”
I have struggled these past few months with keeping my blog updated. Both physically & directionally. I’ve been endeavoring to post on my TikTok every day, have become an active member of the Brain Injury Association of America’s Advisory Council, have speaking events scheduled & I have an amazing Super Senior who is active & preparing for college. Needless to say, all that has been taxing on me physically & I haven’t been able to keep up with posting here.
I’ve also struggled with the direction that I want to take the blog in. I don’t feel like my previous posts, although many have been popular (“The Gentlemen’s (Southern") Spicy Pickled Eggs” from 2022 remains a top hit), I’m in a different place style-wise, & mentally as well.
When talking all this out with my Advisor (aka my much cooler than me Gen Z son), he said, “make it be about how you’re disabled and elegant. That’s you.”
Could it really be that simple?
He’s not wrong, that pretty much encompasses where I’m at in life. As a disabled person, especially as one living with invisible disabilities, there was a big part of me that felt like I had to present a certain way. Not dishonestly, but certainly holding back & not showing the real me for fear of judgment & negative reactions. (Which I have experienced more than my fair share of as a disabled person.
The real me loves fashion, luxury beauty (luxury anything really), etiquette, entertaining & dressing up for no reason other than that I’m grateful to be alive & realize what a blessing that is. Especially after being struck by a car traveling 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix. A traumatic event that could have easily taken my life. I’m no longer saving things for a “special occasion” because every day that God gives you is a special occasion.
Going forward, this blog will share even more about my experiences of living with disability, all from the perspective of an individual #SurTHRIVE-ing with elegance, grace & the vulnerability of showing who I really am as a person. Secondhand Chanel pumps and all. (Eco-friendly & cost-effective!)
All this means that there will still be recipes, but also tips for hosting easy & elegant dinner parties (hello, cloth napkin folding!) & maybe some outfit & beauty posts added for good measure. And of course I’ll be talking about life as someone living with traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, nerve damage & more.
I hope you’ll join along with me on the next part of my journey.
©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.
ANNOUNCEMENT: MSKTC TBI Ambassador
I’m pleased to announce that I am now a TBI Ambassador for the Model System Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC).
MSKTC Offers Free Research-based User-friendly Resources for People Living With Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury
The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC; https://msktc.org/) offers free research-based user-friendly information resources to support individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI; https://msktc.org/sci), traumatic brain injury (TBI; https://msktc.org/tbi), and burn injury (https://msktc.org/burn). MSKTC collaborates with researchers from the SCI, TBI and Burn Model System Programs to develop resources that cover a wide range of topics and are available in various formats such as factsheets (in both English and Spanish), infocomics, videos, and podcasts. MSKTC resources may be reproduced and distributed freely with appropriate attribution; prior permission must be obtained for inclusion in fee-based materials. Both the MSKTC and Model System Programs are funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health and Human Services. For questions about MSKTC resources, please contact msktc@air.org.
Disclaimer: The contents of this resource were developed with funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this resource do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. 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.
From Wreckage to Resilience: Celebrating Another Year of Overcoming and Embracing Life's Second Chance
They say that surviving a near-death experience changes you, and it couldn't be truer. Today marks the six-year anniversary since I emerged from the wreckage of a traumatic car accident, being struck by a car at 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix in 2017, and as I sit here, reflecting on the past year, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and resilience. Join me on this journey as I share my thoughts on this significant milestone and the lessons I've learned along the way.
Gratitude: Surviving a traumatic accident has taught me the true value of life. It's easy to take our existence for granted, but when faced with the fragility of our mortality, gratitude becomes an essential part of our daily lives. Every sunrise, every laugh, and every embrace takes on a newfound significance. I am grateful for the simple joys and the chance to experience them once more.
Resilience: The journey to recovery has been challenging, both physically and emotionally. But through the pain and the obstacles, I've discovered an inner strength that I never knew existed. The human spirit is remarkably resilient, and it's during our darkest moments that we find the courage to persevere. I've learned to face adversity head-on, embracing the challenges and transforming them into opportunities for growth with the help of God, my family and friends.
Perspective: Surviving a traumatic car accident has gifted me with a fresh perspective on life. The trivial worries that once consumed my thoughts have faded away, replaced by a profound appreciation for what truly matters. Relationships, love, personal growth, and making a positive impact in the world have taken center stage. I've learned to let go of the insignificant and embrace the beauty of the present moment.
Healing: Physical and emotional healing takes time, and it's a journey unique to each individual. As I reflect on my healing journey, I'm proud of the progress I've made, both physically and emotionally. Healing is not linear, and there have been many setbacks along the way. But with determination and the support of loved ones, I've learned to navigate through the ups and downs, celebrating each milestone as a victory.
Empathy and Connection: Having experienced the trauma of a traumatic pedestrian-car accident, I've developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I now understand the importance of reaching out and supporting those who may be facing their own struggles. Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences has been invaluable, reminding me that I am not alone and that together, we can find strength in our shared stories. I am blessed to now be a speaker, content creator and disability advocate, sharing my experience and advocating for the disability community.
Surviving a traumatic car accident has forever changed me. Today, as I commemorate the six-year anniversary of that life-altering event, I am filled with a mix of emotions. Gratitude, resilience, perspective, healing, and empathy have become my guiding forces. The journey has been challenging, but it has also been transformative, reminding me of the incredible power of the human spirit. I look forward to the future with renewed determination and a deep appreciation for the precious gift of life.
©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. 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.
National Distracted Drivers Month
Trigger Warning: Photos of facial trauma and injury after pedestrian-auto accident are shown in this post.
April is National Distracted Drivers Month, with the last week (April 23-29) being National Victims of Crimes Week. I couldn’t let this month end without sharing my personal experience with both of those traumatic subjects.
On May 19th, 2017 I was struck by a car traveling 48mph by a distracted driver who claimed to not have seen me as I crossed the street in a pedestrian crosswalk in downtown Phoenix.
The above photo shows what I looked like in the hospital after one of the top plastic surgeons in the state of Arizona spent two hours sewing my face back together. I sustained numerous injuries from the accident which have also resulted in several disabilities, including a traumatic brain injury, nerve damage and chronic pain-the effects of these conditions I deal with every single day.
Fast forward to 2023. Although my “invisible disabilities” still severely limit my activity, God has truly blessed me. I am grateful that I survived the accident at all, even though I must live with the negative effects of it every single day. The same night that I was hit, a man on a bicycle was also struck by a car but unfortunately he did not survive. So even though it’s difficult, I count myself blessed. Especially as a single mother, living with disabilities is not easy, but through my faith, family and friends I am able to endure.
Although I am unable to work due to my disabilities, when I am able to, I do speaking engagements and disability advocacy with the goals of not only educating the world about what the disability community faces (and how to make the world more accessible for us), but also about overcoming any kinds of adversities someone may be dealing with. The advice applies even to able-bodied persons. And I show you how to move forward with elegance and sparkle of course because that’s what makes all the difference, right? 😉
You can see the Events page for my upcoming speaking engagements, including the Rays of Hope Conference in Phoenix, Arizona and the International Space Development Conference in Frisco, Texas. Feel free to reach out to me and be sure to join me on my social media outlets where I share more lifestyle and disability content. Keep growing and glowing, friends!✨
©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. 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.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Speaking at the 2023 National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference
I’m honored to announce that I will be heading to Frisco, Texas to speak at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference (ISDC) this summer to keynote on the topic “Disabled in Space: Accessibility Considerations on Space Settlements”. It's truly an honor to participate with visionaries & top personalities from NASA and newspace. The Society is doing incredible work by being dedicated to the creation of an all-encompassing spacefaring civilization. It is my privilege & blessing to continue to advocate for the disability community, even on the final frontier. See you soon, Texas!
©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. 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 Awareness Month Intro
Hello Darlings!
It has been quite some time since I’ve shared with you and I’d love to give you an update, but that is gonna’ take some time! March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and I’ve been sharing some great posts all about the subject on my Instagram, TikTok and Facebook pages.
Check out some of my tips below (stay tuned for part 2!) and look forward for more great ideas about how to be a #TBItastic #SurTHRIVEr after brain injury!
©Cazoshay Marie, 2022. 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.
Early September Update
I never really know how much personal stuff I should share here on the blog. Do people just want the recipes and DIYs and don’t really want to hear about my journey with the accident and living with chronic pain and invisible disability? I feel like I’m doing everyone, including myself, a disservice if I don’t share about those things, especially since they still affect my daily life so much. One of the most frustrating things about my situation is that I have so many ideas! There are so many things that I have in the queue for you guys as far as recipes and projects go, but as you can see, I’m not able to actually get things posted on here as frequently as I’d like to, and that is because of my current physical state.
It is frustrating to say the least. I recently had a medical procedure that did not go as planned that left me literally bedridden in excruciating pain for over two weeks. I was unable to drive, cook, clean or really do much of anything to care for myself due to the overwhelming pain, and I’m still not really back to where I was before the procedure.
If I’m being totally honest, it can really be hard to keep the faith at times. I have doctors who I do believe are trying their best to help me. But I have been dealing with these issues since 2017, when I was struck by a car at 48mph while crossing the street after an event I attended with a friend at the Phoenix Science Center. As difficult as it can be, hope and faith are my only options, because giving up just isn’t something I’m prepared to do. I have a sixteen year old son who has been by my side throughout this entire ordeal, as well as friends, family members and even strangers who I want to know that even though you get knocked down, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.
I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel useless sometimes, a shell of my former self. Before the accident I was a wellness professional teaching yoga and meditation classes, cooking classes, training for the San Francisco Giants Half Marathon, the list goes on. Now, some days I struggle to even get out of bed due to chronic pain, migraines, vestibular issues and complications from the traumatic brain injury and concussion as a result of the accident.
As a part of my healing journey, I became involved with the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona and other organizations. I began doing speaking engagements and events sharing my experience of living with a traumatic brain injury and invisible disabilities. My son has also had an opportunity to share his parallel experience of healing right along side me as he was affected by what I was going through as well. I’ve spoken to occupational therapy students, at conferences and have been interviewed for podcasts and magazines. While I would not wish this experience on my worst enemy, (I actually don’t have any enemies so that phrase isn’t really relevant lol) I am so glad that God has allowed me to use this experience to help and inspire others.
Photo by Paul Markow
If I could leave you with one thing today, it’s that not only is there light at the end of the tunnel, but you don’t have to wait to be out of the tunnel to find joy and peace right where you’re at now. It might not be easy, but it is possible. I’m living proof of that and I hope and pray that you’re able to find the hope in your own situation, whatever you may be going though.
Keep growing and glowing, friends!
Check out my latest posts on Instagram!
©Cazoshay Marie, 2022. 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.
Update: Art+Life
©2017 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this image without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Coming from a family of creative individuals, art has always been a part of my life in one form or another. After a traumatic experience as a child, art became not only a form of self-expression, but also a form of therapy & even of communication as I strove to make sense of the world around me. On May 19th while leaving an event at the PHX Science Museum I was struck by a car traveling 45 miles per hour while walking in a pedestrian crosswalk. I was thrown 15 feet in the air & 100 feet forward. Although my injuries were extensive & my recovery is ongoing, I’m blessed to still be alive & know that God truly has a purpose for my life.
Until very recently, due to the severity of my vestibular injuries, I have been unable to create art. To have lost my ability to express myself in that way was devastating; especially during this difficult & uncertain time of healing. Art has always been an outlet of expression for me as far back as I can remember, & to have that taken away as a result of the accident was emotionally challenging.
I’ve now been cleared to begin creating art again on a limited basis, & the accident has had a profound influence on my style as an artist. Before the accident, one thing that made me stand apart from other artists is that I did not have a finite, consistent style in my drawings & paintings. Even within the same medium, my art varied so much from piece to piece that it was not obvious that the same artist created them.
I do still believe that the variance in my art style provides for visual interest and allows for the evolutionary process to be at the forefront of my development as an artist and individual. That being said, since the accident, I have specifically been exploring the style of continuous line drawing. I perceive a direct parallel between continuous line drawing & the process of life itself.
©2017 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this image without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
With continuous line drawing, a single, unbroken line is used to create the piece. You at times have to stop & look at where you’ve been in the piece, to see where you are going. You never lift your pen or brush to stop & change what you are creating; meaning that it might not end up the way you wanted or originally envisioned, but you keep going & it ends up being something beautiful. Life, too is a continuous journey. You sometimes need to stop & look at where you’ve been to see where you are going. And although your path may not end up the way you envisioned, if you persevere & keep going, it will end up being something beautiful.
Now that I am cleared to begin creating art again on a limited basis, I'm excited to further explore & cultivate my career & expression as an artist. By using art to be connected to & serve the community, I will be able to not only use it to help heal myself, but to help others heal & peel back the layers to discover their own true essence.
You can see more of my art here, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the near future. 💕
©2017 Cazoshay Marie. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this image without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.