SPECIAL Notes--from the January 21, 2008 meeting > The Long Anticipated, Can’t Ever Get Enough, Best Cooks in 4 Counties Annual Soup/Chili Pitch-In Dinner To be held February 18 at 6:00PM instead of 7PM. (It is one hour earlier from our regularly scheduled meeting time).If you are unable to bring Chili or Soup, PLEASE bring chips, pretzels, or any type of dessert.

> John & Peggy P. Are Back for the Chili & Soup Cookoff!!! The P.'s were the among the group of people to establish the North Central Indiana BIA Support Group. The dinner will be followed by Information from John & Peggy P.'s trip to Honduras.

> Jan 19th Lawrence & Loretta Lambert celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! Congratulations! Lawrence & Loretta have been members of our group for many, many years. We value their contributions. Loretta volunteered as our secretary last year.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You have 7 X Greater Chance of Receiving Brain Injury Than Getting Breast Cancer!!! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

--- Every year millions of people sustain a head injury. Most of these are minor because the skull provides the brain with protection. ---In a few instances the symptoms of brain injuries will sometimes go away on their own, HOWEVER, ½ million are severe enough to require hospitalization with years or a lifetime of medical treatment of: =Quarterly-yearly Doctor Visits, =Ongoing Physical therapy, Ongoing Hospital Visits, =Ongoing Medical Bills, Ongoing Trips to Eye Doctor =Ongoing Visits to Therapists or Certified Christian Councilors for TBI Person & Family, and or =Ongoing Trips to Pharmacy, Ongoing Medications. Isn‘t it easier to Wear A Seatbelt or A Helmet !!!

------------------------------------------------ WINTER TIP---When trying to lose the famous annual holiday 10-20 pound weight gain: =See A Physician Before Making Any Changes in Your Diet & Exercise Routine. Your Physician can give you a healthy nutrition plan that is proven successful compared to fad diets! Eat Healthy Meals with Portion Control !!! =Be consistent! Walk, Run, or Weight (lift at least 30 minutes) every day or every other day. #

------------------------------------------------ Double Cheese Chili--Keep It Simple from Food & Family by Kraft Food Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes.

Ingredients * 1 Pound Ground Chuck Beef or Ground Turkey browned & drained. * 1 Small Onion, chopped. * ½ Cup Green Peppers, chopped. *1 Can (15 ounces) Kidney Beans, drained & rinsed. * 1 Can (14 ½ ounces) Whole Tomatoes, undrained. * 1 Can (8 ounces) Tomato Sauce. * 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder. * 1 ½ Cups Kraft Shredded Cheese. * 1 Large Skillet with lid. *6 Serving Bowls

--Brown meat.

--Next add the meat, chopped onion, & peppers together in large skillet. Cook on medium heat for five minutes or til peppers are tender.

--Add Kidney Beans, Whole Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce & Chili Powder mixing well.

--Reduce Heat to low & cover skillet.

--Cook for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

--Sprinkle ONLY 3 Tablespoons of cheese on the bottom of each serving bowl.

Spoon approximately 1 Cup of cooked chili over the cheese in each serving bowl.

--Top each serving of chili with the rest of the cheese.

Serve with bread or cheese sandwich and fruit. #

------------------------------------------------ How Does Brain Injury and Aging Affect the Brain How does the brain store information? Info is stored in different parts of your memory. Information stored in the short-term memory may include the name of a person you met moments ago. Information stored in the recent memory may include what you ate for breakfast. Information stored in the remote memory includes things that you stored in your memory years ago, such as memories of childhood.

How does aging change the brain? Aging may affect memory by changing the way the brain stores info & by making it harder to recall stored information. Your short-term & remote memories aren’t usually affected by aging. But your recent memory may be affected. For example, forgetting names of people your recently met. These are normal changes.

Memory problems that aren’t part of normal aging! ---Forgetting things much more often than you used to. ---Forgetting how to do thins you’ve done many times before. ---Trouble learning new things. ---Repeating phrases or stories in the same conversation. ---Trouble making choices or handling money. ---Not being able to keep track of what happens every day.

What are some other causes of memory problems? Many thing s other than aging can cause memory problems. These include: depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s, side effects of drugs,strokes, head injury, PSTD, or alcoholism.

How can I tell if my memory problems are serious? A memory problem is serious when it affectrs your daily living. If you sometimes forget names, you probably O.K., but you may have a more serious problem if you have trouble remembering how to do things you’ve done many times before, getting to a place you’ve been to often, or doing things that use steps, like following a recipe. #

------------------------------------------------ Chaplain’s Corner By Rev. Jim, Chaplain of North Central Indiana BIA Support Group What does the Brain Injury Support Group Mean to People With Brain Injury? * We know that each one of us have different kinds of brain injuries, different symptoms, and different lengths of time trying to cope with them.

* We know that when we are together, when we talk with someone else who is brain injured, there is a special understanding that we find nowhere else.

* We know that all we need do is to reach out to one of our many friends. It matters not whether you email, snail mail, phone, or make a personal appearance we know we are there for each other.

* We know that we are never alone on this path none of us has chosen. We know that each of us are courageous with so many different types of brain injury.

* We know that when it gets dark, we can have a hope for the future, for we feel the real strength we feel when we are together. Each person gives his/her strength to another so we can gain strength for another month in & with the “normal“ world. The time together can’t be replaced by movies, TV, magazines or the computer because those things offer visuals but we the brain injured need to have the socialization only we can give to one another.

I know that each one of us have so much to offer, especially when we come together to share, laugh, cry, & maybe even love. See you at the next meeting. #

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