4yrs; Day 1529 – from Corey; conversation with the NeuroPsych Doctor
Hi Everyone,
Monday, after Bryn Mawr, we headed down to DC for an appointment with Dr. G today. I must say, I’m very impressed…he “GETS” Corey! Anyone that truly knows Corey’s personality and/or has ever taught her, worked with her or coached her, knows exactly what that means.
Corey was less cooperative with Dr. G today…she figured him out too.
We are working with Dr. G, neuro-behavioral psychologist, to help Corey manage her emotions.
Every individual, at sometime or another, has had difficulty coping with challenges and the residual emotions they affect. Corey’s injury was so severe, her ability to control those emotions and impulses has been damaged as well.
Behavioral outbursts are common in the TBI world. Learning to manage everyday stressors (including making simple daily decisions) can be more overwhelming to a survivor then an uninjured individual. Heightened anxiety is a typical trigger and side effect.
Corey was on-edge most of the morning anticipating our appointment. She is a ‘checker’. By that I mean, she will repeatedly ask what we’re doing, what the point of the appointment is, where JohnPaul and Caitlin are and then rapidly repeat the same questions multiple times. This pattern is typical for therapy days but more manic when we travel and/or change our routine.
Corrine decided to join us for several moments during our visit today. Dr. G liked our approach of ‘naming’ Corey’s emotions but would like to tweak it a bit. The mere suggestion sent her into another rage. Corey was kicking, yelling, turned in her chair to look away from Dr. G and refused to talk to him.
Dr. G never flinched. He engaged her in conversation and waited for her to turn and give him eye contact. He further explained his suggestion giving details to its purpose. Corey maintained eye contact with him but it was obvious she did not ‘like’ what she was hearing.
Dr. G – Corey I can tell by facial expression you’ll never be a good poker player.
C – (taken off guard, she smiled and turned up the palm of her hand) WHY? (I saw a glimmer in her eye that challenged him explain is observation)
Dr. G – because you face and your eyes tell me exactly what your feeling.
Corey smirked – then it’s a good thing I want to be a Chef and not a poker player
Dr. G – I could tell you don’t like my suggestion and you don’t want to try it.
C – it’s not that I don’t want to try it, it’s just that it doesn’t sound like something I’d do. It’s weird and unusual so I doubt I would do it.
Dr. G – Corey let me first tell you that you’re miles ahead of most people that have had a bad injury. You clearly stated how well you know yourself and your willingness to learn more.
Dr. G – Let me show you a chart.
(he drew an L – the vertical line represented Emotions. The horizontal line is labeled Calm) He drew a small stick figure placed at the intersection of the two lines; “This is you Corey…I bet you wonder why I went into neuro-psychology instead of Art School, right?)
Dr. G – (connecting the stick figure to a line placed slightly higher then the horizontal line) this is you going about you business, you’re traveling on the Calm line. Suddenly something bothers you. (he stops drawing)
Dr. G – you have two choices at this point. (he draws a slight elevation then brings the line back down) whatever the issue, you start to get upset but can talk through it, handle it and move past it. You’re in control of your emotions and stay steady on the calm line. Now…(he pauses for affect) I’ve noticed your 2nd choice goes from calm to explosive in a matter of minutes. I’ve also witnessed you can talk about it and bring yourself back to a calmer level. What I hope we do together is stay at that point just before you soar off the charts.
Corey turned to me, “When I hit that point you can’t understand what’s bothering me, can you Mom”?
Dr. G – When you get that angry that quickly it doesn’t feel great does it?
C – no, but that’s only part of it
Dr. G – tell me the other parts, what do you feel when you hit the top of the chart?
C – I’m afraid, it’s scary to tell someone you’re afraid
Dr. G – Corey, your intellect astounds me
I truly believe Corey is at a pivotal point in her recovery. If we can help her control her reactions to respond appropriately, along with her physical strides, she will certainly reclaim her independence. Today’s visit does not represent the ‘light switch’ affect Hollywood portrays but it is one of those momentary sparks I’ve tried to explain in past entries. The wires are reconnecting; she doesn’t have full power yet but it gives me hope, xoxo
4yrs; Day 1527 – It’s not the challenge you face but how you face the challenge
Hi Everyone,
Nine years ago, on 12/6, my mother passed away. Today, 12/7, she would have been 89 years old.
I was very lucky to spend a great deal of time with her during her last 3 years of fighting cancer. She and I would spend endless hours talking about any/every subject. She taught me so much throughout my life but not always with lectures. Her daily actions were more influential than her words.
Mom was a great listener. For years I thought she had the answers for the troubles I brought to her but in truth, she only asked leading questions allowing me to work them out and come up with my own solutions.
She had a dry, quick wit and always delivered a retort with precise comedic timing which caused you to laugh out loud as she would mischievously grin at the fact she caught you off guard.
Mom once explained death to me through a story. “Look at your shoes across the room on the floor. Can they move around the room without your feet in them”? Of course I agreed they could not. “You have a soul. That soul and its energy is always with you. On earth, whatever you wrap yourself in comes alive. When you put your foot in your shoe, you bring it to life, it’s apart of you.” “Your soul brings your body to life too. When you leave your body, you do just that, leave your body; but your soul continues to live”.
She also believed that everything that happens in your life, happens for a reason. Every person you meet is there for a reason, too. You may not know what those reasons are? They might be in your life to help you or maybe it has nothing to do with your journey. Maybe you’re in their life to help them? It is not our job to figure that out either. Our job is to do the best we can everyday, mistakes and all, and live to our best potential as we contribute to the lives of others.
When Mom passed away, I missed our talks. On more then one occasion, I found myself reaching for the phone to call her. One day I decided to buy a small journal to keep in my handbag and write everything I wanted to tell her. This 3×4 book was the beginning of new conversations…with myself. Rather then write sad, negative thoughts I decided this book would reflect Mom’s mantra; “It’s not the challenge you face but how you face the challenge”. It would be filled with only positive, humorous, inspirational words, thoughts and phrases that I could catalog and reread when ‘the going got tough’ and I had to ‘snap out of it’.
There are now four ‘little books’ and little did I know then, those entries would be my lifeline today. I randomly page thru and stumble on an old entry I swear Mom mystically highlights.
Although some entries are original, there are thousands of quotes and inspirational thoughts from friends, family, poets, world leaders, comedians and a few sayings from my favorite Hallmark cards.
Tonight I found an entry dated this week in 2010. Corey and I were living at Bryn Mawr. She was two months post injury.
‘Today has a reason. Even though the circumstances of today are not what I would choose, today has a reason’.
‘I can live with love, joy and receive fulfillment only by choosing to live in today’.
‘I won’t find these gifts in isolation. I need others to learn from, laugh with and share my day. That is the value found in the day. The reasons will reveal themselves’.
Challenges will continue to appear everyday; that’s life. But, if we take a minute to pause and choose the approach of looking for something positive within them, it will be much easier to battle each one.
“Pick your battles”, right Mom? I don’t understand any of the reasoning behind the last four years but I do understand I can’t be like my shoes sitting lifeless on the floor across the room. I have to continue to focus on wrapping myself around the positive energy of living life, today.
Thanks for reminding me to celebrate life, Mom. Call you tomorrow, xoxo
4yrs; Day 1523 – from Corey; on fear
hello everyone, it is corey. i have been away for awhile working my tail off at therapy and sometimes i don’t know what to write or i’m just to tired. tonight after i read everyones responses i really felt like writing. i want to tell you don’t be afraid to dream big.
when i was in high school i decided to be a chef but then i had an accident. people originally thought that i might not get better. they also thought i would not be able to walk until one day i did.
mom tells me i didn’t just get up and walk one day, i had to work really hard to make that happen. i’m not just going to walk into a kitchen and start cooking either. i have a lot more work to do to make that happen also.
some people are afraid to dream big. some people dream big but are afraid to work to get what they want. i am a little bit of both but at the same time i do work hard because i want more then anything to be an independent chef.
being afraid is normal but you can’t let it get in the way of everyday activities or you will not achieve anything.
everybody should have something to dream big about because it will keep you going when times get hard. when i want to quit i think about wanting to walk all by myself and drive a car all by myself. those are not even my big dreams, my dream would be to be all the way better. the only way i am going to get it all is by not giving up and trying not to be afraid to keep trying.
so tomorrow get up and do not give in to the bad thoughts in your head. You can do it and just keep thinking you can accomplish whatever you are trying to do, xoxo
(side note from Marie; Corey asked me to read her note out loud so she could edit. When I was finished she said, “that’s a good one”! Hahahaha, from the author herself…have a great day and dream big)
4yrs; 2 months – from Corey
Hi Everyone,
We’ve had a successful two days. Monday Corey participated in both her therapy sessions without needing me present. This is a significant emotional step we hope to build on. Both Natalie and Anne report Corey is back at the physical level she reached just before the medication change.
Now the hard work begins. We have limited time left to make major strides forward. The affects of the Botox are wearing down and the next series will not happen until the end of December. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and nervous.
The physical gains are only part of Corey’s recovery. I finally feel she’s not only ready to start the emotional therapy but we also have a good Dr. to work with as we begin this next phase.
We met with Dr. G for 90 minutes. Corey cautiously participated in her session, politely answering his questions. She deflected some pointed questions to me with more then one humorous response.
Dr. G commented, “in the short time we’ve been together I have learned 3 very important things about you Corey”.
“1. you have a great sense of humor, 2. you have definite opinions and thoughts about most subjects and 3. you have a strong will”. I laughed out loud…in just under the first 15 minutes he summarized every parent/teacher conference I’ve attended for her since pre-school!
Corey admitted she feels like an adult but doesn’t feel as if others view her as their equal. She is tired of working with therapists and having so many people around her. She is afraid when I leave I won’t come back and she is nervous she won’t ever get well enough to be on her own.
At one point, I saw the veil of Corrine begin to drop. I asked Corey if she was becoming overwhelmed. She lurched forward and reached her hand to grasp my leg as she tried to bury her head in her arm. Dr. G knelt down next to her and asked, “give me a word that tells me what you’re feeling”.
C – fear
Dr. G – do you feel the fear physically?
Maintaining her grasp on my leg, Corey looked up at him, “yes”
Dr. G – can you tell me what your body feels like when you use that word?
Corey slowly sat back releasing my leg. She was quiet for moment processing her answer then looked at Dr. G
C – I feel pressure in my stomach and my heart jumps around
Dr. G – Do you know what I just saw?
Corey maintained eye contact.
Dr. G – I saw you sit back, take a breath and reclaim control of an emotion by talking through what overwhelmed you.
Do you know what else? This is a big change in 2 months; you wouldn’t look at me when we first met nor try to help me understand how you felt.
Corey looked over at me, smiled and returned her eye contact to Dr. G. In that moment, I knew she allowed herself to trust him; another step forward.
Persistence is not a complicated strategy. All it requires is to keep going. What’s difficult about persistence is on a bad day we’d like to set the table for a pity party and on a good day we’d like to take a few days off to rest; but we have to keep going regardless.
Corey, we could choose to look back, have resentments or get in the habit of making excuses; that would be easy. When have we ever done anything the easy way?!
Fortunately, we choose to look at life and see what’s possible. You had a dream and it hasn’t changed, it’s still your dream. Every day you take action to turn it into a reality. Do you stumble, trip and fall with each step forward? YES, everyone does, brain injury or not. You use those mis-steps to re-adjust, become centered and keep going.
Dr. G saw your strong will immediately. If I had to define it, it’s the never give up, never give in attitude that keeps you going forward even on days when there’s nothing left within you.
You know the person you want to become. You keep your daily focus on your dream and I know you can hear it calling. We will keep working to find whatever you need to answer it with, “I DID IT”! xoxo
4yrs; Day 1514 – from Corey
Hi Everyone,
We will see Corey’s new DC team this week. It will be her first meeting with Dr. G; neuro-behavioral psychologist. Dr. G works with many young survivors on life skills, community integration and coping with the lingering challenges of their injuries. Our focus will be Corey’s stranger and separation anxiety. Her medication changes has made a significant improvement with tantrums during stressful situations but she still needs to strengthen the bridge from emotions and reactions to reasoning and responses. I’m hoping Dr. G will help us learn how to diffuse Corey’s triggers as well as help her develop confidence and autonomy.
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Normally we travel to New York to see family but this year we celebrated at home.
Thanksgiving is a special day and we are trying hard to practice its meaning everyday.
Corey has trouble from time to time thinking of the ‘good things’.
C-when can I stop wearing this leg brace and wear normal shoes?
M-you used to wear a leg brace on your right leg too. We can be thankful it worked and you don’t wear it anymore.
C-when can I stop going to therapy
M-we’re very lucky you keep getting stronger because of the therapy. Imagine if we stopped?
C-Mom, can I please just be mad for these things?!
M-Sure, I’ll give you 10 minutes but for every bad thought you say, you have to match it with something you’re grateful for (suddenly, the complaining stopped).
It’s much easier to create a gratitude list after you’ve passed through a challenging time. You appreciate good health after a long illness. You enjoy the sunshine after a week of rain. You feel relief after working hard to pay off a debt.
The real challenge is to appreciate what you have while you have it. Don’t wish it away or constantly look to the future waiting on ‘someday’ to come true. Pay attention to today; its a day to be thankful for, xoxo
4yrs; Day 1514 – from Corey
Hi Everyone,
Tonight you get us both! It was a good monday for a few reasons.
On our route to Bryn Mawr, we drive past Corey’s elementary school. She not only recognized it, she noticed the parking lot was full with parents mingling outside.
C-why are all the parents at PLE?
M-It’s parent-teacher conference time.
C-(using a tone of painful dread) I remember parent-teacher conferences
M-You do?
C-Yes, they always scared me
M-why?
C-because I never knew what they were going to tell you!
(I laughed out loud as I remembered the reports of her ‘independent, creative learning style’ which actually began in pre-school!)
Corey had a good session with both Natalie and Anne. During Anne’s session we were talking about the sparks in Corey’s memory. We started to discuss ideas about how to practice improving her retention. I shared we are starting to play Price is Right. I use items in our pantry for Corey to guess their retail cost. After she identifies them, she has to add them, pay for them and calculate the change. She is having trouble identifying coins but is beginning to be more consistent recognizing bills.
Corey began to get upset.
C-why are we talking about this? why is it important?
M-besides grocery shopping for yourself, when you get a job at a restaurant or a bakery or go back to work at the candy store, before you get a degree in culinary, you will need to wait on customers and have to use a cash register.
M-for instance, what if you were at the candy store and a customer wanted to buy candy. Let’s pretend its 3.95 a pound and they want 4 pounds.
C-(corey interrupted almost immediately) thats 15 point something…
M-(I took out my phone and calculated the example…) okay Rainman…It’s 15.80
(whenever Corey does “fast math” we tease her by calling her Rainman)
M-what if the customer gave you a $20?
C-(she paused for a few minutes) their change is 5.20
M-close! 4.20. You’re right 15+5 = 20 and .80+.20 = a dollar but…
C-I was over by a dollar
Anne asked if Corey is having any challenges reading. We discussed she is still having issues with isolating words, sentences and comprehension. Anne asked how she does on the phone. Corey is great on the phone. Her speech is still ‘stroke-like’ but if she speaks slowly she can be understood.
Anne described a technique she uses with patients. She goes into a different room, dials the patient and gives them a list of items and/or has a brief conversation with them. They disconnect and Anne physically joins them immediately. They then work together to try and recall the conversation and/or list.
Anne explained that speaking with someone in person is ‘visual learning’. You get the benefit of seeing expressions, mannerisms etc., which often helps memory recall. But when you speak to someone on the phone without the face-to-face, it’s auditory learning and that uses a different part of the brain. Anne suggested, if she can’t read a recipe or list, Corey could try listening to the same information and perhaps she could retain the information for more accurate comprehension.
Corey became very upset with Anne and her suggestions. Although she was starting an anxiety-based outburst, it was not at the level it used to be. She insisted she wanted to go home, get away from Anne and never try her suggestions.
I pressed her to peel back the emotional onion.
M-why is this overwhelming you? which part of that suggestion set you off?
C-ALL OF IT
M-ok, what was the first thing that made you upset?
Corey was insisting to go home but I wasn’t going anywhere until she revealed what was the origin of her reaction.
C-(after a few minutes of repeating the trigger questions, she answered) I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it.
M-THANK YOU. That was important to tell us and I’m so glad you can recognize it.
C-I’m afraid I will make a mistake. I’m afraid to get better because I don’t know how to be and adult and be on my own.
We assured Corey that both Anne and I are afraid too.
M-DOING things on your own is much different than BEING on your own. Everyone makes mistakes and to be honest, Anne and I are afraid to be on our own trying to be ‘grown-up’. Nothing we are practicing today means you will instantly be on your own.
What is the significance of this conversation besides the obvious intellectual component? we never would have gotten this conversation under control as quickly, 3 months ago and we never would have heard the underlying anxieties that triggered the outburst.
Most importantly, today we had a glimpse of clarity and reasoning we desperately look for everyday.
Many of you miss hearing from Corey. Tonight she wanted to share her perspective of the day, xoxo
hi everyone, i want to tell you what it is like for me to relearn everything?
i must admit, it’s a little bit frustrating to do something and not remember what it was i just did 10 minutes later.
everything i have to do everyday are things that i used to be able to do in the past, but now i don’t remember being able to do those things which is quite scary because what if i can’t do them again?
i get frustrated when there are plenty of people around trying to quietly tell me that i can do it. really, i do not ever remember doing it, so it is nerve racking because its like beginning all over again, pretty much :[
however on a good note, marie and i work as a team and if i do something good, and maybe will not remember, she can remind me. and when i actually accomplish a task that previously i may have failed i am a little bit happier.
4yrs; Day 1510 – why I look for the small things
Hi Everyone,
Every night after I help Corey go to bed I sit down to write about our day. There are some days I wonder what I will write because it seems as if everyday is the same; made up of several repetative steps. Within those steps we’re constantly searching for the one small thing that may prove our mantra never give up and never give in.
Recovery from any injury seems to take forever and recovery from a brain injury is twice as long as that! Working on Corey’s recovery reminds me of the cinematic illusion of the passage of time; the main character stands still as the world moves at warp speed around them. We deliberately look at every nuance because each detail is a source of hope that we are not standing still. Today Anne and Natalie shared their personal observations on subtle nuances they have noticed in the last two weeks.
At the beginning of OT, Anne checks in with Corey on how she’s feeling. Corey is beginning to tell Anne she is ‘stiff’ in her arm or shoulder or back. She is not only labeling the source of pain but she is physically pointing to the exact spot as well. Anne inspects the area and has noticed Corey has a muscle that needs to be stretched or massaged and is the source of her tone.
Is this a small thing? No! This is in fact confirmation Corey is becoming aware of her body and is expressing specific discomfort. This is a big thing. A huge psychological advancement.
During PT, Corey and Natalie walked through the gym and out to a very busy lobby area. Normally Corey works in a private room or hallway with her therapists because the noise, talking and hustle & bustle of the patients/therapists in the day treatment center is too overwhelming for her to process. Her anxiety causes panic and a volatile outburst. Today I witnessed what I call ‘the veil” drop. It’s the look of concentration that is processing the anxiety. I asked Corey and Natalie to pause for a minute. I moved closer to Corey and whispered, “do you need a minute”? She took a deep breath and she buried her head in my shoulder. We were quiet for a minute, then she stood upright again and began to walk forward. The transition of managing her anxiety is another milestone. She displayed appropriate self control – a sign of reconnection and healing within the Frontal Lobe.
When discussing Thanksgiving, Corey told the ladies, “we normally go to New York but this year we’re staying home and my brother, his wife and my sister will be home”. She remembered our holiday plans…a week early!
Why do I look for the small things? It is a perspective I remember learning when I attended a motivational sales seminar. The presenter opened with a question for all of us.
“What can you do to be successful”? The answer – Everything. Everything you do affects the level of success you achieve at anything you do.
Corey you are relearning how to handle Everything and its not easy. Every step, every reach, every stand, every conversation, every direction you are asked to follow and every decision you make is a detail you must manage. You ask me why I make such a fuss over the small things you do. Guess why honey? Every big thing is made up of lots of small things. Your dream of going to culinary college and becoming a Chef will be realized because of the way you handle Everything everyday. You might be moving a little slower then the world that’s spinning around you but you’re still moving forward and I’m so proud of you, xoxo
4yrs; Day 1509 – from Corey; recipe for Bryn Mawr
Hi Everyone,
I thought we’d have enough time for Corey to post tonights entry but she was too busy cooking for tonights Pot Luck Dinner at Bryn Mawr.
Every year the week before Thanksgiving, the staff of the out-patient day treatment host a pot luck dinner for current patients as well as the alumni. We met a very nice family. Katie was 15 when she had her accident in 2003. Katie uses a motorized wheelchair. Although she continues to cope with daily struggles, she also continues to show improvements both physically and cognitively.
Corey chose to make our friend Maureen’s Weight Watcher 1 Point Chili recipe for dinner. She prepared the entire dinner without my help (except for standing at the sink and stove). Corey purchased a mandoline slicer with her graduation money to help her ability to cut & dice vegetables. She can hold the vegetables with one hand and move the grater with the other. Tonight she challenged herself; she moved the grater with her left hand! All her hard work paid off, there were no left overs.
However, there were left overs of dessert. We suggested giving them to the nurses on the various wings of the hospital. Several families agreed and we all took assorted treats and headed in separate directions of the hospital. Corey and I went to the new orthopedic wing. To our surprise, we were reunited with 4 of Corey’s night nurses from her earliest days as an inpatient. These ladies hadn’t seen Corey since June of 2011. They first remarked at how long and beautiful her hair was (she was shaved when we first arrived and her hair grew in to ear length by the time we left). When Corey said “Thank You” for the compliment, I thought Nurse Mary would fall over. “You’re Talking?” Corey laughed, “I talk all the time”. Mary couldn’t wait to see more. Corey obliged by moving her arms, fingers and legs. Mary looked at Corey and said, “See! Neuroplasticity. No one knows what the brain can do or how long it will take but you are proof that Neuroplasticity is more then a concept for the severely injured. It does happen.”
On the ride home I couldn’t help but think about the staff of the Brain Injury Unit at Bryn Mawr. They witness the lowest of the lows as well as the miracles, but they also rarely get to see their patients after discharge. Tonight was very special, not only because Corey cooked a dinner to share but she also had an opportunity to say, “thank you for taking care of me even though I don’t remember it”. Mary assured her, “Seeing you tonight is the best part of my job”!
For those of you interested in trying Maureen’s recipe its not only healthy, it is the perfect comfort food for these long cold days/nights. Bon Appetite, xoxo
4yrs; Day 1507 – ‘happy’ Corey
Hi Everyone,
We’ve been so conditioned living with Corrine that when “happy Corey” woke up today…and stayed…we were all a bit in shock. Corey didn’t even argue about going to therapy (I did feel her head for a fever, just in case).
I asked Corey why she thought today was such a positive day and she reminded me of the reading we found this weekend.
C – I remembered what that man said; because Mom, not everyone is a lucky as me.
We’d like to share the message we found and hope you choose happiness too…
Happiness is a choice. And it is a choice you can make regardless of circumstance or condition.
It may seem like there are certain things, or people, or circumstances that make you happy. Yet what really makes you happy is nothing more than your choice to be happy in the presence of those certain conditions.
Happiness is a choice, and you can choose it much more often. When you do, you empower yourself with a positive perspective that remarkably improves your world.
If you assume that you must first have this thing or that situation to be happy, you have it precisely backwards. Happiness is a cause of the good things in life, not a result.
The more often you choose happiness, the better you become at doing so. The more you choose happiness, the more you understand and appreciate the value it adds to your life.
Instead of getting dejected, frustrated, angry, envious or spiteful, choose happiness. You’ll quickly discover it’s always appropriate, and enables you to bring great new positive value wherever you go — Ralph Marston
4yrs; Day 1502 – you can cook with one arm
Hi Everyone,
Tonight was our final cooking class and it was the most special. Unfortunately, with the changing weather, Corey had a crippling migraine and we had to leave early but not before we had a chance to meet and briefly speak to tonights Chef.
10 years ago Chef KP was in graduate school at the University of Delaware when she was in a car accident. She suffered multiple injuries including her right arm being severed. She was sent to Thomas Jefferson hospital in Philadelphia. The team surgically reattached her arm. She was unconscious for months and sent to rehab for years without the hope she would recover feeling or function of her right arm.
Chef KP took this accident as a sign to live the motto Carpe Diem. She quickly learned, as most people that survive a tragedy do, we only have today. Don’t waste your time with anything that causes unhappiness. What can you do to live to the fullest today and not only bring joy to yourself but to others as well? Chef KP was raised by several ‘home cooks’. Her mother, father and grandmother loved to cook. Once she felt strong enough she decided to change her life’s direction from the Science field to Culinary.
Four years post injury, Chef KP flew to California and enrolled in culinary school. Culinary school was very difficult especially learning to cook with one arm but she shared a great story. One of her professors was trying to teach her knife skills. That’s challenging for someone with two arms and hands! Chef KP needed to learn how to adapt to a one-handed approach. Her professor helped but not before he tied his right arm behind his back to recognize what Chef KP was thinking and feeling. By the way…they were both right handed and both needed to overcome the left handed adjustment too. Not unlike a surgeon, she scrubs up to her elbows so she can ‘hold’ the meat with her right elbow as she carves with her left hand. She also learned to use the back of her right hand instead of her palm as she held the bowl while whisking, among other ‘new tricks’ of the trade.
Needless to say, Chef KP graduated and relocated back to the Wilmington area a few years ago. She now owns and operates a catering company and Cafe. She spoke to Corey and told her to keep at it even when she doesn’t think she can. “If you believe deep within yourself that you can do it…you will”.
We couldn’t stay for the full class but that didn’t matter…the lesson we learned was about life’s ingredients. Live each day with fresh perspective, season it with whatever your passion is and as you serve others, you will all savor the joy life has to offer, xoxo