November 6, 2025 • 25 mins
Tanika Connesero is a brain injury survivor and health care coach whose personal journey emboldened her to assist family members. Multiple people in her family had TBIs and her mother had a stroke. We all have experienced those life challenges where our children get injured in sporting events or just falling in the shower. Do I need to seek medical advice? Do I just monitor them at home? Tanika, because of her concussions, was in a unique position to identify the TBI signs, navigate through the diagnostic process, and advocate for her family members. Listen in as you hear her share her story, how nutrition plays a critical role in recovery, and why you should never give up because you are a walking miracle.
Guest Social Media info -
https://www.instagram.com/aloholisticwellness/
https://www.facebook.com/AloHolisticWellness
You can find this episode’s transcript here.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tanika (00:00):
And you know, just take it one day at a time.
(00:02):
And it, because we're in thethick of it, it can be hard to
see how far we've come and theprogress that we've made.
But just remember, you're doinggreat.
You're here, you're takingstrides.
Um, and yeah, just keep doingwhat you can to, to find joy,
you know, and to, to bring joyinto your life.
Bernard (00:33):
Opinions shared by the guests of the show are their own
and do not necessarily representthe views of the hosts bindwaves
or the Brain Injury Network.
This podcast is forinformational purposes only, and
it's not a substitute forprofessional medical advice, the
diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of ahealthcare provider with any
(00:54):
questions you may have regardinga medical condition.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Thank you.
Karl (01:01):
Hi, I'm Karl a TBI survivor, and a member of BIND.
Carrie (01:05):
And hi, I'm Carrie, a stroke survivor, and a member of
BIND as well.
And today we're gonna welcomeTanika Connesero a brain injury
survivor, health coach, doula,and a mother, a single mother of
three boys.
So welcome Tanika.
Tanika (01:19):
Thanks So glad to be here with you guys today.
Carrie (01:21):
We're excited to have you.
So I guess just to get started,tell us and our listeners a
little bit about you.
Yeah.
Um.
I don't know.
I'm a single mom.
I have three kids.
Um, in my family, we've all hada brain injury of one form or
another, whether that was, it'sbeen traumatic or non-traumatic.
(01:42):
Um, yeah, I am a doula and ahealth coach and, um, just
really trying to be a part ofpeople's teams and, uh, support
network to help them live theirhealthiest, happiest lives.
So.
That's great.
And just so y'all know, so thisis probably episode one of
Tanika'cause we've got lots ofother ideas maybe coming down
(02:03):
the pike to have with her.
So we're excited.
Karl (02:07):
Well, we understand that you're not the only one who's
had a brain injury in yourfamily.
Can you expand on that and tellus a little bit more?
Tanika (02:16):
Yeah.
Um, so I had my brain injuryback almost.
It's been almost 10 years.
Um, August 3rd, 2016.
Oh, wow.
Um, is when I had my, I fell andI got my concussion and, um, it
was life changing.
So the doctors told me, youknow, Hey, it's, you'll be fine
in a week.
(02:37):
Um, you know, you'll be able toget back to normal life after
that.
And I wasn't.
So, um, yeah, that, that was me.
And then.
My oldest son had had, um, somehead injuries playing soccer and
just kind of a random freakaccident where he kind of passed
out in the shower, um, one time.
(02:58):
And then, um, my middle son has,uh, seizures.
He has epilepsy.
Okay.
Um, so that's been ongoing formost of his life.
Um, and then, um, and he alsohas autism and, um, intellectual
development, disability.
Um.
Amongst other things.
(03:19):
And then, um, my mom justrecently this summer had
multiple strokes on both sidesof her brain, so
Carrie (03:24):
Oh,
Karl (03:25):
oh Lord.
Carrie (03:25):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So you're not kidding, you sayeveryone in your family, you
mean everyone in your family.
So, yes.
Um, this wasn't, and I hadwritten down, but maybe think
so.
Do you think having had yourconcussion, um, I'm guessing, I
don't wanna guess that.
So let me rephrase that.
Did you have your concussionbefore your oldest son had his.
Tanika (03:48):
Yes.
Carrie (03:48):
Okay.
So that's what I was gonna say.
Do you think that helped orhindered you with helping him
progress with his symptoms?
Tanika (03:57):
I think it most definitely helped me.
Um, I mean, I was able to kindof know what he needed as far as
like therapies went.
Um, you know, at the time my.
My middle son was already goingto all of the therapies at
Children's.
Um, so we had a good workingrelationship with therapists
(04:17):
there, um, OTs, PTs, um, speechtherapists.
And so I kind of knew, um, youknow, not just from, from my
perspective, but also, you know,in talking to them.
And so we kinda knew what to do,how to get him help.
Um, and then it also just helpedme be able to advocate for him
better, like when it came toschool and the things that he
needed.
Carrie (04:37):
Okay, so the original question I was gonna ask, so you
knew you had a concussion thenyour son probably, you know,
from soccer concussions.
Mm-hmm.
How do you, and we know thatyou're not a medical doctor,
this is just kinda your personalexperience.
How do you know that?
If you think maybe you don'tknow for sure if they've had a
concussion, what do you knowabout it or how do you decide I
(04:59):
need to get.
My son to the doctor.
'cause I think he's had a conconcussion.
What?
Tanika (05:05):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
What were the warning signs
Carrie (05:07):
or the triggers for you to know, I guess is what I'm
asking?
Tanika (05:10):
Yeah.
So, um, part of it for me isjust seeing or knowing what that
impact was, how hard of a hit orfall, um, did he, did they take
right.
Um, where was it that they hit?
Um, so those are like a coupleof the base.
Questions or like assessmentsthat I do.
(05:33):
Um, I'll also look at like,okay, what are their eyes
looking like?
Mm-hmm.
How is their speech?
Um, what is, can they remember?
Are they conscious?
Um, you know, so there's,there's kind of a, a little bit
of a list that I'll go through,um, and just kind of assessing
like how they're feeling andwhat's kind of going on, um, in
their system.
Karl (05:53):
Okay.
Tanika (05:54):
So that makes sense
Karl (05:55):
to me.
Good.
More specifically, what stepsdid you take in particular with
your brain injury?
Concussion.
And, and how were your sonsdifferent?
I know you got, you were able tohelp them with your experience,
but mm-hmm.
Did they have different problemsand did they have different
things to handle?
And, and how did they do withthat?
Tanika (06:16):
Yes.
So for me, I felt like it was alot harder because I didn't know
anything.
Um, the very first day that ithappened, I jumped up, I grabbed
all my bags'cause I was on myway to work, uh, when I fell.
And I, all I could think of was,oh, I gotta get to work.
I have all this stuff that Ineed to get done.
So I didn't think about myhealth or what was going on at
(06:37):
all, even though I was inimmense pain.
Um, you know, I couldn't listento the talk radio.
I couldn't like, just everythinghurt in my body.
Um, so I made it to work.
Uh, I was there for a little bitand then I came home because I
just, I couldn't handle it.
And, uh.
I had to take that trip insteps, um, you know, drove a
(06:58):
little bit, parked, took a nap,drove some more, went home, took
a nap.
I didn't realize that I actuallyneeded to go and get medical,
um, seek medical attention.
And so it wasn't until a coupleof friends, um, had told my mom
like,"Hey, yeah, you need totake her into the hospital.
She could have a brain bleed.
Anything could happen.
Don't let her sleep.
(07:19):
So, that was step one, like justnot knowing, right.
Um, you know, what to do in thatevent.
So, um, you know, after that, ofcourse, immediately, okay.
You know, you hit your head,let's assess, let's, you know,
get you into medical attentionand just determining what level
that needs to be, whether it'semergency or you know, a primary
(07:40):
care.
Um, I mean now we haveneurologists, so we can try,
just try to get in with them.
Um.
But that would probably be thebiggest thing that's been
different is just kind ofknowing the signs of what a
concussion is, um, and beingable to kind of take almost
immediate action.
Karl (08:00):
You were able to see it in your sons then you, you
recognized they needed immediateattention, I take it.
Tanika (08:07):
Yes.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah, absolutely.
Um, I mean, one of my kids, um.
It happened to just kind of slipand fall in the shower and he
hit his head and so I was like,okay, like let's go.
Carrie (08:21):
Right.
Um, you just had an overprecaution?
Tanika (08:24):
Well, I mean, to be fair, he had, he was kind of
clumsy because he was the kidthat grew really tall really
fast, but you know, didn't havea whole lot of great
coordination.
So he was always falling, I feellike, and getting.
His head hit or gettingconcussions, you know, whether
they were really mild or alittle bit more serious.
(08:46):
So with him, I just kind ofknew.
Um, and yeah, it, I, I guessthat's basically kind of like
the main way that thingsdiffered, um, between me and my
kids was just kind of havingthat, that knowledge and also.
The big thing with me, mine wasnot sports related, so it did
(09:07):
take me a very long time to getin to actually see a
neurologist.
After having gone to the er.
Um, it took me about a month
Carrie (09:15):
Oh wow.
Tanika (09:15):
To get in because nobody, everybody that I called,
everybody that was recommendedto me asked if it was sports
related.
And because it wasn't, Icouldn't get in.
Um, that's great.
And so I just had to wait.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It was wild.
So at that point, I was out ofthe acute phase, I was into the
chronic phase.
Before I, I really got anytreatment.
Um, and so just knowing how timeis of the essence also, um, you
(09:40):
know, makes a difference.
Sure.
Carrie (09:42):
Now, and so this, so you said your youngest son has
epilepsy.
So my middle son.
Middle son.
Okay.
Mm-hmm.
So that's totally different.
I mean, that's not like aconcussion.
I mean, that's totally differentroute, right?
It is,
Tanika (09:55):
yes.
Yeah.
That is a non-traumatic braininjury.
Right.
Um.
And basically some of hisseizures are so long, they can
be 20 minutes long.
Oh, wow.
Even after having given likerescue medication and things
like that, um, he does sometimeshave trouble with breathing, um,
during some of his, uh, seizuresand things like that.
(10:16):
And so every time he would havea seizure, he would regress.
Right?
Mm-hmm.
And his abilities and hisknowledge and what his, uh, he
was able to do.
Um, and so it was always kind ofthe stair step, uh, with him.
And so yeah, it, it's just, it'sbeen different.
I've been having to learn aboutthe brain and Right.
(10:38):
Neurology for the last 14 years,roughly.
Yeah.
In one way or
Karl (10:44):
another.
Give a class on it.
Tanika (10:47):
Uh, yeah.
I it's, it's a lot.
It's a lot for sure.
Carrie (10:50):
Yeah.
Absolutely.
And do you think, you know, I'mgonna say probably not, but.
One of the members asked thisquestion, do you think, you
know, when you have aconcussion, the severity of it,
it's probably smart not tothink, you know, the severity,
but to wait and get
Tanika (11:08):
Yes.
Carrie (11:08):
Medical advice of how severe or non-severe maybe it is
Tanika (11:12):
Exactly.
Yeah.
Um, the majority of traumaticbrain injuries tend to be mild.
Carrie (11:20):
Mm-hmm.
Tanika (11:21):
But that constellation of symptoms that one can
experience, can.
Come on gradually.
Right?
And so it's always hard toreally know and to gauge
yourself.
Like for me, I was like, am Ireally forgetting something?
Like I, my brain filled off, youknow, I, I just, and so it was a
more of a feeling then like,yes, this is for sure what's
(11:44):
happening.
Um, and then I knew for sure itwas happening after a while.
Right.
But yes, that's definitelysomething that I, I would
recommend going to a doctor,getting all of the assessments
done.
They can tell you.
Right.
Um, you know what the severityis.
Carrie (12:00):
I know.
I tell everyone if you fall,just I go, I say out of precau,
you know, precaution.
It doesn't hurt to go to carenow.
Tanika (12:07):
Yeah.
Carrie (12:08):
And say, I like I had a pretty bad fall.
Feel fine, but just check meout.
Tanika (12:13):
Exactly.
Well, you never know if there'sgonna be a brain bleed or not,
or you know.
It could be anything.
Carrie (12:20):
Yeah.
Tanika (12:20):
Right.
So,
Carrie (12:22):
well, and we know,'cause you know, with being with the
clubhouse, um, falls are thenumber one cause of brain injury
and yeah.
People fall for all kinds ofreasons.
It's not, you know, you'reclumsy, you slip on the ice, you
hit the curb wrong, whatever.
Tanika (12:37):
Yeah.
Yeah.
That I fell.
Yeah.
You know, I try not to step onmy mom's one eye mini chihuahua,
uh, after my head injury.
The dog, if he was in my way, hegot kicked.
Sorry, y'all.
Carrie (12:50):
No, I, you know, I understand.
Karl (12:54):
What are some common misconceptions then about your
particular.
Uh, brain injury, you know,it's, uh, you know, concussions
are generally concussion isexpected in a sports event, as
you said, so you are deniedtherapy immediately.
That's very sad.
But what are, what can you sayspecifically, or are the events
(13:19):
that surrounded your, you know,what, what did you experience as
losses?
Tanika (13:25):
Yeah, I mean, for me, I think some of the misconceptions
and some of the things that Iwas told were number one, oh,
you'll be fine.
Don't worry about it.
Just rest for a week.
Um, you know, basically be in acave in an absence of
everything.
Um, you know, and you'll befine.
(13:46):
Um, you know, now we knowdifferent, right?
Mm-hmm.
You need, you actually need tokind of have input and do
things.
Um, to help you recover.
Um, and then I would say anotherbig one for me was, um, you
know, just, oh, you'll be fine.
Like, recovery is the same foreverybody.
But we know that life factorsplay a part.
(14:09):
Um, women tend to heal moreslowly from brain injuries than
men do.
Um, whether that's from hormonalshifts or the amount of stress
and just kind of lifestylefactors that impact us.
Um, and so yeah, that, I feellike those were a couple of
really big ones.
Um, I'm trying to think.
(14:30):
I don't know.
Karl (14:31):
Brain injuries are a tough animal, aren't they?
So they're So you learn the hardway by having one.
Yes.
You never expect that.
You don't learn in high schoolwhat to do in case you have a
broke Mm.
Brain injury and the learningprocess is half the battle.
Tanika (14:48):
Absolutely.
And you know, actually Iremember now what I was gonna
say.
So.
I had a doctor tell me, oh,well, you know, where you're at
after two years is the end allbe all.
Carrie (14:56):
Mm-hmm.
Tanika (14:57):
That, I feel like was the biggest misconception once I
heard that and once I hit my twoyear mark, I, I was okay.
'cause I was trying to fight andI was trying to like, you know,
recover and then I just gotdepressed.
'cause I was like, well, I'm atmy two years.
He said he and I just need tofind a job at McDonald's
basically.
And you know, like, this is it.
(15:18):
And I was 35, 36 at the time.
I was like, I, and you know, hadlittle kids.
What am I gonna do?
How Like this can't be
Carrie (15:27):
right.
I, yeah, that, I mean that'sthat.
And Karl and I have talked aboutthat.
We tell new, new survivors allthe time.
That is the worst thing that Ithink doctors do is they give a
time set.
And we know from experience,like I said, I am 16 year.
Post, you know, recovery Karl's19 years, and we both know that
we still continue to heal indifferent ways and recover.
(15:49):
So it's a life time recovery.
I mean, yes, it would be nicerif they said, you know, you
might kind of see a plateau.
At around two years, it doesn'tstop.
I mean, you do hit plateaus andkind of go into those peaks and
valleys all throughout, but itdoesn't ever, ever stop.
That's what I try to always tellnew survivors.
Tanika (16:09):
Yes,
Carrie (16:09):
the more you put into it, the more you're gonna get,
and you just keep on keeping on.
So that is, I think, one of themost mis frustrating
misconceptions that.
You're at a certain point,you're done.
What you've got is what you'regonna get is not fair.
I'm gonna take a quick littlebreak and just remind our
listeners to click that likebutton click, click that
subscribe button, click thatfollow button, click the notify
(16:33):
button on YouTube.
If I missed a button, it has athumbs up, just go ahead and
click it.
So, okay.
Um, now I'm gonna kind of switcha little bit'cause kind of going
off of both your brain injury,your concussion, and then your
being a health coach.
Mm-hmm.
Do you think or does nutritionplay a role in healing, helping
(16:55):
the healing process from anybrain injury?
We won't just say concussion,but
Tanika (16:59):
Yes.
Yeah, most definitely.
Um, you know, I always think ofit and always say brain health
is whole body health, right?
And whole body health is brainhealth.
So, you know, any goodnutrition.
Is going to help, you know,getting in your vegetables, you
know, those good green leafyvegetables and fruits, um, you
(17:23):
know, that's really gonna kindof help you and nourish your
body, give you the things thatyou might need.
Um, a lot of times when we getsick or when we, um, get
injured, we're already depleted,right?
Of nutrients and minerals andthings like that.
So just bumping that up.
And just giving your body theopportunity to do what it needs
(17:44):
to do and to try to heal and totry to work more optimally is
always gonna be key.
Um, also there are certainnutrients and vitamins and
minerals that have been shown toactually help, um, heal the
brain and heal the body.
Um, you know, one of which ismagnesium, right?
Mm-hmm.
Magnesium is used for hundredsof different processes in the
(18:05):
body.
So if we're deficient in that,then you know, it just, it's a
little harder.
Um, yeah.
Carrie (18:12):
Okay.
And like I said, that might beanother episode later on that we
get a little more focused onthat, so, yeah.
Karl (18:18):
Okay.
What are some of the signs thatsomebody may have had a
concussion brain injury?
Do you have any specific signsthat, well, you've, you've seen
problems with your sons, so,
Tanika (18:32):
yeah.
Um.
Some big ones I would say arebalance, um, issues or movement
issues.
Um, sensitivity to noise or tolights.
Um, speech issues, right?
Memory issues for me, and I knowa lot of other people, um, it
(18:52):
can be tinnitus or that ringingin the ears for me.
I also had, um, my, I guess earsare, were so sensitive just to
pressure.
You know, coming in through theair vents in the car or the
windshield wipers going.
Um, so I call it kind of mysuperpower, right?
I have hypersensitive hearing.
I can hear water run throughwalls sometimes, or the
(19:13):
electricity.
Um, but yeah, those are some ofthe, the main big ones.
I would say also, you know,headache, um, joint pain or
pain, you know, from the fall,whatnot, that can also be, um,
indicative.
Karl (19:30):
Interesting.
Carrie (19:31):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Is, and I'm gonna ask adifferent question.
'cause this question that I havewritten down is basically the
same question you just asked, soI'm gonna skip it.
Um, but I mean, I guess one ofthe key things that I'm kind of
hearing, and I wanna make sureour listeners are understanding,
I mean, we say it all the time,you know, once you've seen, met
a brain injury, you've met onebrain injury, they're all
(19:53):
different.
So, I mean, you've had aconcussion, your son's had a
concussion, but I mean.
Y'all aren't, I mean, yoursymptoms are not the same.
Correct?
And your
Tanika (20:02):
Yes.
Carrie (20:03):
Steps to recovery, I'm guessing are probably different.
Y'all had different paths toheal because there were
different things that you neededto heal.
Am I?
Yes.
And also my kids were younger,right.
So I felt like mm-hmm.
You know, again, not a medicalprofessional, uh, but I feel
like the brain, the younger youare, it's able to adapt.
(20:24):
Right.
And kind of make differentconnections a little bit more
easily to kind of adjust and,um, kind of work around.
Sure.
Some of those, uh, deficitsmaybe.
Um, but yeah, definitely, um,there, there definitely are
differences we're, yeah.
All kind of different in the waythat we've come out, you know,
(20:46):
on the other end.
Sure.
So, um, also I think the numberof concussions.
Okay.
Can impact and make a differenceas well.
Yeah, that's probably true.
'cause the more you have, themore damage you're gonna get.
Mm-hmm.
Think about that
Karl (20:59):
in different places,
Tanika (21:00):
right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Um, also I did wanna say too,um, people that have brain
injuries or concussions are alsomore likely to have, um.
Behavioral or emotional changesas well.
Mm-hmm.
Um, things like depression oranxiety, or excuse me, or
(21:20):
symptoms of A DHD or mightexacerbate their A DHD.
Um, so those can also be signsand like for me, I've noticed,
you know, my tension might notbe the same as it used to be.
Um, you know, I kind of go downrabbit holes.
Um,
Karl (21:37):
I get it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Been there, done that.
Carrie (21:43):
Absolutely.
And I know we kind of talkedabout this, but um, like what
would you say are like some ofthe best ways that you advocated
for yourself and for your child,your children, to make sure that
you are being heard and that youare getting what you need?
Because I feel like a lot oftimes as new brain injured,
that's where we fall short andit's not.
(22:07):
For lack of us wanting to, it'sfor lack of us knowing any
better, knowing what we don'tknow exactly.
Tanika (22:14):
And I feel like for me, that's a lot of it.
I've done a lot ofself-educating, a lot of
reading, a lot of watchingvideos and um, conferences and
things like that.
Um, or attending conferences.
And so I think that's reallykind of the biggest thing that
I've done, and just them beingable to go to say the school and
(22:37):
for instance, my oldest son hissenior year had a concussion
right towards the beginning ofthe year.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and so I had to advocate foraccommodations.
Well, in some states likeColorado, they will actually
give you accommodations for abrain injury, which, I mean,
think about it, you have a braininjury, so your brain, you are
struggling to think.
Mm-hmm.
But in the state of Texas, or atleast in our district at the
(22:58):
time, they, because it'sconsidered as a temporary, um,
injury and not a permanentinjury, it doesn't necessarily
fall under the Americans withDisability Act.
Carrie (23:08):
Wow.
Tanika (23:09):
Yeah.
And so I had to push and fightand ask for accommodations and
get the letters from histherapists and everything like
that to help him.
And thankfully his teachers werewilling to work with him.
Um, but yeah.
Yeah.
Carrie (23:23):
That's interesting.
I didn't know that.
That's Now I'm, I'm sorry.
My brain is spinning on otherideas for topics and because I
didn't know that that'sfrustrating.
I'm gonna have to find me somelearning disabled teachers and
get them in here and figure outwhat they know or don't know.
Yeah.
But um.
I'll just ask before we wrap up,I'm seeing the sign over there.
Um, is there any like last wordsor big, you know, tidbits of
(23:48):
advice that you'd like to giveto new survivors out there to
let them know they're not alone?
Yeah.
Keep working or, you know,anything you wanna share.
Tanika (23:56):
Um, I would say one, you are a walking miracle.
Right.
So
Karl (24:02):
Exactly.
Tanika (24:02):
Yeah.
Could be six
Karl (24:04):
feet under.
Tanika (24:05):
Exactly.
And you know, just take it oneday at a time.
And it, because we're in thethick of it, it can be hard to
see how far we've come and theprogress that we've made.
But just remember, you're doinggreat.
You're here, you're takingstrides.
Um, and yeah, just keep doingwhat you can to, to find joy,
(24:25):
you know, and to, to bring joyinto your life.
Carrie (24:29):
Absolutely.
Okay.
Well thank you so much, Tanika.
Thank you very much.
Yeah, thank you for sharing yourinsights and like I said, I'm
already thinking about what wecould talk about next and we'll
have you on again'cause I thinkthat'd be exciting.
And again, thank you to all ourlisteners for listening.
And remember, you can find us onall your favorite platforms
every other Thursday.
So until next time,
Tanika (24:48):
bye.
Thank you
Karl (24:49):
Bye
Bernard (24:55):
We hope you've enjoyed listening to BIND Waves and
continue to support Brain InjuryNetwork in our nonprofit
mission, we support brain injurysurvivors as they reconnect into
life, the community, and theworkplace.
And we couldn't do that withoutgreat listeners like you.
We appreciate each and every oneof you.
(25:17):
Please remember to click thelike button, the share button,
and the subscribe button onYouTube.
And follow us on Instagram atBIND Waves and Brain Injury
Network on Facebook.
You can email us at BIND wavesat the BIND dot org or go to our
website BIND waves.org or callus at(972) 769-2463.
(25:46):
Please continue watching.
Until next time.
And you know, just take it one day at a time.
(00:02):
And it, because we're in thethick of it, it can be hard to
see how far we've come and theprogress that we've made.
But just remember, you're doinggreat.
You're here, you're takingstrides.
Um, and yeah, just keep doingwhat you can to, to find joy,
you know, and to, to bring joyinto your life.
Bernard (00:33):
Opinions shared by the guests of the show are their own
and do not necessarily representthe views of the hosts bindwaves
or the Brain Injury Network.
This podcast is forinformational purposes only, and
it's not a substitute forprofessional medical advice, the
diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of ahealthcare provider with any
(00:54):
questions you may have regardinga medical condition.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Thank you.
Karl (01:01):
Hi, I'm Karl a TBI survivor, and a member of BIND.
Carrie (01:05):
And hi, I'm Carrie, a stroke survivor, and a member of
BIND as well.
And today we're gonna welcomeTanika Connesero a brain injury
survivor, health coach, doula,and a mother, a single mother of
three boys.
So welcome Tanika.
Tanika (01:19):
Thanks So glad to be here with you guys today.
Carrie (01:21):
We're excited to have you.
So I guess just to get started,tell us and our listeners a
little bit about you.
Yeah.
Um.
I don't know.
I'm a single mom.
I have three kids.
Um, in my family, we've all hada brain injury of one form or
another, whether that was, it'sbeen traumatic or non-traumatic.
(01:42):
Um, yeah, I am a doula and ahealth coach and, um, just
really trying to be a part ofpeople's teams and, uh, support
network to help them live theirhealthiest, happiest lives.
So.
That's great.
And just so y'all know, so thisis probably episode one of
Tanika'cause we've got lots ofother ideas maybe coming down
(02:03):
the pike to have with her.
So we're excited.
Karl (02:07):
Well, we understand that you're not the only one who's
had a brain injury in yourfamily.
Can you expand on that and tellus a little bit more?
Tanika (02:16):
Yeah.
Um, so I had my brain injuryback almost.
It's been almost 10 years.
Um, August 3rd, 2016.
Oh, wow.
Um, is when I had my, I fell andI got my concussion and, um, it
was life changing.
So the doctors told me, youknow, Hey, it's, you'll be fine
in a week.
(02:37):
Um, you know, you'll be able toget back to normal life after
that.
And I wasn't.
So, um, yeah, that, that was me.
And then.
My oldest son had had, um, somehead injuries playing soccer and
just kind of a random freakaccident where he kind of passed
out in the shower, um, one time.
(02:58):
And then, um, my middle son has,uh, seizures.
He has epilepsy.
Okay.
Um, so that's been ongoing formost of his life.
Um, and then, um, and he alsohas autism and, um, intellectual
development, disability.
Um.
Amongst other things.
(03:19):
And then, um, my mom justrecently this summer had
multiple strokes on both sidesof her brain, so
Carrie (03:24):
Oh,
Karl (03:25):
oh Lord.
Carrie (03:25):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So you're not kidding, you sayeveryone in your family, you
mean everyone in your family.
So, yes.
Um, this wasn't, and I hadwritten down, but maybe think
so.
Do you think having had yourconcussion, um, I'm guessing, I
don't wanna guess that.
So let me rephrase that.
Did you have your concussionbefore your oldest son had his.
Tanika (03:48):
Yes.
Carrie (03:48):
Okay.
So that's what I was gonna say.
Do you think that helped orhindered you with helping him
progress with his symptoms?
Tanika (03:57):
I think it most definitely helped me.
Um, I mean, I was able to kindof know what he needed as far as
like therapies went.
Um, you know, at the time my.
My middle son was already goingto all of the therapies at
Children's.
Um, so we had a good workingrelationship with therapists
(04:17):
there, um, OTs, PTs, um, speechtherapists.
And so I kind of knew, um, youknow, not just from, from my
perspective, but also, you know,in talking to them.
And so we kinda knew what to do,how to get him help.
Um, and then it also just helpedme be able to advocate for him
better, like when it came toschool and the things that he
needed.
Carrie (04:37):
Okay, so the original question I was gonna ask, so you
knew you had a concussion thenyour son probably, you know,
from soccer concussions.
Mm-hmm.
How do you, and we know thatyou're not a medical doctor,
this is just kinda your personalexperience.
How do you know that?
If you think maybe you don'tknow for sure if they've had a
concussion, what do you knowabout it or how do you decide I
(04:59):
need to get.
My son to the doctor.
'cause I think he's had a conconcussion.
What?
Tanika (05:05):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
What were the warning signs
Carrie (05:07):
or the triggers for you to know, I guess is what I'm
asking?
Tanika (05:10):
Yeah.
So, um, part of it for me isjust seeing or knowing what that
impact was, how hard of a hit orfall, um, did he, did they take
right.
Um, where was it that they hit?
Um, so those are like a coupleof the base.
Questions or like assessmentsthat I do.
(05:33):
Um, I'll also look at like,okay, what are their eyes
looking like?
Mm-hmm.
How is their speech?
Um, what is, can they remember?
Are they conscious?
Um, you know, so there's,there's kind of a, a little bit
of a list that I'll go through,um, and just kind of assessing
like how they're feeling andwhat's kind of going on, um, in
their system.
Karl (05:53):
Okay.
Tanika (05:54):
So that makes sense
Karl (05:55):
to me.
Good.
More specifically, what stepsdid you take in particular with
your brain injury?
Concussion.
And, and how were your sonsdifferent?
I know you got, you were able tohelp them with your experience,
but mm-hmm.
Did they have different problemsand did they have different
things to handle?
And, and how did they do withthat?
Tanika (06:16):
Yes.
So for me, I felt like it was alot harder because I didn't know
anything.
Um, the very first day that ithappened, I jumped up, I grabbed
all my bags'cause I was on myway to work, uh, when I fell.
And I, all I could think of was,oh, I gotta get to work.
I have all this stuff that Ineed to get done.
So I didn't think about myhealth or what was going on at
(06:37):
all, even though I was inimmense pain.
Um, you know, I couldn't listento the talk radio.
I couldn't like, just everythinghurt in my body.
Um, so I made it to work.
Uh, I was there for a little bitand then I came home because I
just, I couldn't handle it.
And, uh.
I had to take that trip insteps, um, you know, drove a
(06:58):
little bit, parked, took a nap,drove some more, went home, took
a nap.
I didn't realize that I actuallyneeded to go and get medical,
um, seek medical attention.
And so it wasn't until a coupleof friends, um, had told my mom
like,"Hey, yeah, you need totake her into the hospital.
She could have a brain bleed.
Anything could happen.
Don't let her sleep.
(07:19):
So, that was step one, like justnot knowing, right.
Um, you know, what to do in thatevent.
So, um, you know, after that, ofcourse, immediately, okay.
You know, you hit your head,let's assess, let's, you know,
get you into medical attentionand just determining what level
that needs to be, whether it'semergency or you know, a primary
(07:40):
care.
Um, I mean now we haveneurologists, so we can try,
just try to get in with them.
Um.
But that would probably be thebiggest thing that's been
different is just kind ofknowing the signs of what a
concussion is, um, and beingable to kind of take almost
immediate action.
Karl (08:00):
You were able to see it in your sons then you, you
recognized they needed immediateattention, I take it.
Tanika (08:07):
Yes.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah, absolutely.
Um, I mean, one of my kids, um.
It happened to just kind of slipand fall in the shower and he
hit his head and so I was like,okay, like let's go.
Carrie (08:21):
Right.
Um, you just had an overprecaution?
Tanika (08:24):
Well, I mean, to be fair, he had, he was kind of
clumsy because he was the kidthat grew really tall really
fast, but you know, didn't havea whole lot of great
coordination.
So he was always falling, I feellike, and getting.
His head hit or gettingconcussions, you know, whether
they were really mild or alittle bit more serious.
(08:46):
So with him, I just kind ofknew.
Um, and yeah, it, I, I guessthat's basically kind of like
the main way that thingsdiffered, um, between me and my
kids was just kind of havingthat, that knowledge and also.
The big thing with me, mine wasnot sports related, so it did
(09:07):
take me a very long time to getin to actually see a
neurologist.
After having gone to the er.
Um, it took me about a month
Carrie (09:15):
Oh wow.
Tanika (09:15):
To get in because nobody, everybody that I called,
everybody that was recommendedto me asked if it was sports
related.
And because it wasn't, Icouldn't get in.
Um, that's great.
And so I just had to wait.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It was wild.
So at that point, I was out ofthe acute phase, I was into the
chronic phase.
Before I, I really got anytreatment.
Um, and so just knowing how timeis of the essence also, um, you
(09:40):
know, makes a difference.
Sure.
Carrie (09:42):
Now, and so this, so you said your youngest son has
epilepsy.
So my middle son.
Middle son.
Okay.
Mm-hmm.
So that's totally different.
I mean, that's not like aconcussion.
I mean, that's totally differentroute, right?
It is,
Tanika (09:55):
yes.
Yeah.
That is a non-traumatic braininjury.
Right.
Um.
And basically some of hisseizures are so long, they can
be 20 minutes long.
Oh, wow.
Even after having given likerescue medication and things
like that, um, he does sometimeshave trouble with breathing, um,
during some of his, uh, seizuresand things like that.
(10:16):
And so every time he would havea seizure, he would regress.
Right?
Mm-hmm.
And his abilities and hisknowledge and what his, uh, he
was able to do.
Um, and so it was always kind ofthe stair step, uh, with him.
And so yeah, it, it's just, it'sbeen different.
I've been having to learn aboutthe brain and Right.
(10:38):
Neurology for the last 14 years,roughly.
Yeah.
In one way or
Karl (10:44):
another.
Give a class on it.
Tanika (10:47):
Uh, yeah.
I it's, it's a lot.
It's a lot for sure.
Carrie (10:50):
Yeah.
Absolutely.
And do you think, you know, I'mgonna say probably not, but.
One of the members asked thisquestion, do you think, you
know, when you have aconcussion, the severity of it,
it's probably smart not tothink, you know, the severity,
but to wait and get
Tanika (11:08):
Yes.
Carrie (11:08):
Medical advice of how severe or non-severe maybe it is
Tanika (11:12):
Exactly.
Yeah.
Um, the majority of traumaticbrain injuries tend to be mild.
Carrie (11:20):
Mm-hmm.
Tanika (11:21):
But that constellation of symptoms that one can
experience, can.
Come on gradually.
Right?
And so it's always hard toreally know and to gauge
yourself.
Like for me, I was like, am Ireally forgetting something?
Like I, my brain filled off, youknow, I, I just, and so it was a
more of a feeling then like,yes, this is for sure what's
(11:44):
happening.
Um, and then I knew for sure itwas happening after a while.
Right.
But yes, that's definitelysomething that I, I would
recommend going to a doctor,getting all of the assessments
done.
They can tell you.
Right.
Um, you know what the severityis.
Carrie (12:00):
I know.
I tell everyone if you fall,just I go, I say out of precau,
you know, precaution.
It doesn't hurt to go to carenow.
Tanika (12:07):
Yeah.
Carrie (12:08):
And say, I like I had a pretty bad fall.
Feel fine, but just check meout.
Tanika (12:13):
Exactly.
Well, you never know if there'sgonna be a brain bleed or not,
or you know.
It could be anything.
Carrie (12:20):
Yeah.
Tanika (12:20):
Right.
So,
Carrie (12:22):
well, and we know,'cause you know, with being with the
clubhouse, um, falls are thenumber one cause of brain injury
and yeah.
People fall for all kinds ofreasons.
It's not, you know, you'reclumsy, you slip on the ice, you
hit the curb wrong, whatever.
Tanika (12:37):
Yeah.
Yeah.
That I fell.
Yeah.
You know, I try not to step onmy mom's one eye mini chihuahua,
uh, after my head injury.
The dog, if he was in my way, hegot kicked.
Sorry, y'all.
Carrie (12:50):
No, I, you know, I understand.
Karl (12:54):
What are some common misconceptions then about your
particular.
Uh, brain injury, you know,it's, uh, you know, concussions
are generally concussion isexpected in a sports event, as
you said, so you are deniedtherapy immediately.
That's very sad.
But what are, what can you sayspecifically, or are the events
(13:19):
that surrounded your, you know,what, what did you experience as
losses?
Tanika (13:25):
Yeah, I mean, for me, I think some of the misconceptions
and some of the things that Iwas told were number one, oh,
you'll be fine.
Don't worry about it.
Just rest for a week.
Um, you know, basically be in acave in an absence of
everything.
Um, you know, and you'll befine.
(13:46):
Um, you know, now we knowdifferent, right?
Mm-hmm.
You need, you actually need tokind of have input and do
things.
Um, to help you recover.
Um, and then I would say anotherbig one for me was, um, you
know, just, oh, you'll be fine.
Like, recovery is the same foreverybody.
But we know that life factorsplay a part.
(14:09):
Um, women tend to heal moreslowly from brain injuries than
men do.
Um, whether that's from hormonalshifts or the amount of stress
and just kind of lifestylefactors that impact us.
Um, and so yeah, that, I feellike those were a couple of
really big ones.
Um, I'm trying to think.
(14:30):
I don't know.
Karl (14:31):
Brain injuries are a tough animal, aren't they?
So they're So you learn the hardway by having one.
Yes.
You never expect that.
You don't learn in high schoolwhat to do in case you have a
broke Mm.
Brain injury and the learningprocess is half the battle.
Tanika (14:48):
Absolutely.
And you know, actually Iremember now what I was gonna
say.
So.
I had a doctor tell me, oh,well, you know, where you're at
after two years is the end allbe all.
Carrie (14:56):
Mm-hmm.
Tanika (14:57):
That, I feel like was the biggest misconception once I
heard that and once I hit my twoyear mark, I, I was okay.
'cause I was trying to fight andI was trying to like, you know,
recover and then I just gotdepressed.
'cause I was like, well, I'm atmy two years.
He said he and I just need tofind a job at McDonald's
basically.
And you know, like, this is it.
(15:18):
And I was 35, 36 at the time.
I was like, I, and you know, hadlittle kids.
What am I gonna do?
How Like this can't be
Carrie (15:27):
right.
I, yeah, that, I mean that'sthat.
And Karl and I have talked aboutthat.
We tell new, new survivors allthe time.
That is the worst thing that Ithink doctors do is they give a
time set.
And we know from experience,like I said, I am 16 year.
Post, you know, recovery Karl's19 years, and we both know that
we still continue to heal indifferent ways and recover.
(15:49):
So it's a life time recovery.
I mean, yes, it would be nicerif they said, you know, you
might kind of see a plateau.
At around two years, it doesn'tstop.
I mean, you do hit plateaus andkind of go into those peaks and
valleys all throughout, but itdoesn't ever, ever stop.
That's what I try to always tellnew survivors.
Tanika (16:09):
Yes,
Carrie (16:09):
the more you put into it, the more you're gonna get,
and you just keep on keeping on.
So that is, I think, one of themost mis frustrating
misconceptions that.
You're at a certain point,you're done.
What you've got is what you'regonna get is not fair.
I'm gonna take a quick littlebreak and just remind our
listeners to click that likebutton click, click that
subscribe button, click thatfollow button, click the notify
(16:33):
button on YouTube.
If I missed a button, it has athumbs up, just go ahead and
click it.
So, okay.
Um, now I'm gonna kind of switcha little bit'cause kind of going
off of both your brain injury,your concussion, and then your
being a health coach.
Mm-hmm.
Do you think or does nutritionplay a role in healing, helping
(16:55):
the healing process from anybrain injury?
We won't just say concussion,but
Tanika (16:59):
Yes.
Yeah, most definitely.
Um, you know, I always think ofit and always say brain health
is whole body health, right?
And whole body health is brainhealth.
So, you know, any goodnutrition.
Is going to help, you know,getting in your vegetables, you
know, those good green leafyvegetables and fruits, um, you
(17:23):
know, that's really gonna kindof help you and nourish your
body, give you the things thatyou might need.
Um, a lot of times when we getsick or when we, um, get
injured, we're already depleted,right?
Of nutrients and minerals andthings like that.
So just bumping that up.
And just giving your body theopportunity to do what it needs
(17:44):
to do and to try to heal and totry to work more optimally is
always gonna be key.
Um, also there are certainnutrients and vitamins and
minerals that have been shown toactually help, um, heal the
brain and heal the body.
Um, you know, one of which ismagnesium, right?
Mm-hmm.
Magnesium is used for hundredsof different processes in the
(18:05):
body.
So if we're deficient in that,then you know, it just, it's a
little harder.
Um, yeah.
Carrie (18:12):
Okay.
And like I said, that might beanother episode later on that we
get a little more focused onthat, so, yeah.
Karl (18:18):
Okay.
What are some of the signs thatsomebody may have had a
concussion brain injury?
Do you have any specific signsthat, well, you've, you've seen
problems with your sons, so,
Tanika (18:32):
yeah.
Um.
Some big ones I would say arebalance, um, issues or movement
issues.
Um, sensitivity to noise or tolights.
Um, speech issues, right?
Memory issues for me, and I knowa lot of other people, um, it
(18:52):
can be tinnitus or that ringingin the ears for me.
I also had, um, my, I guess earsare, were so sensitive just to
pressure.
You know, coming in through theair vents in the car or the
windshield wipers going.
Um, so I call it kind of mysuperpower, right?
I have hypersensitive hearing.
I can hear water run throughwalls sometimes, or the
(19:13):
electricity.
Um, but yeah, those are some ofthe, the main big ones.
I would say also, you know,headache, um, joint pain or
pain, you know, from the fall,whatnot, that can also be, um,
indicative.
Karl (19:30):
Interesting.
Carrie (19:31):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Is, and I'm gonna ask adifferent question.
'cause this question that I havewritten down is basically the
same question you just asked, soI'm gonna skip it.
Um, but I mean, I guess one ofthe key things that I'm kind of
hearing, and I wanna make sureour listeners are understanding,
I mean, we say it all the time,you know, once you've seen, met
a brain injury, you've met onebrain injury, they're all
(19:53):
different.
So, I mean, you've had aconcussion, your son's had a
concussion, but I mean.
Y'all aren't, I mean, yoursymptoms are not the same.
Correct?
And your
Tanika (20:02):
Yes.
Carrie (20:03):
Steps to recovery, I'm guessing are probably different.
Y'all had different paths toheal because there were
different things that you neededto heal.
Am I?
Yes.
And also my kids were younger,right.
So I felt like mm-hmm.
You know, again, not a medicalprofessional, uh, but I feel
like the brain, the younger youare, it's able to adapt.
(20:24):
Right.
And kind of make differentconnections a little bit more
easily to kind of adjust and,um, kind of work around.
Sure.
Some of those, uh, deficitsmaybe.
Um, but yeah, definitely, um,there, there definitely are
differences we're, yeah.
All kind of different in the waythat we've come out, you know,
(20:46):
on the other end.
Sure.
So, um, also I think the numberof concussions.
Okay.
Can impact and make a differenceas well.
Yeah, that's probably true.
'cause the more you have, themore damage you're gonna get.
Mm-hmm.
Think about that
Karl (20:59):
in different places,
Tanika (21:00):
right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Um, also I did wanna say too,um, people that have brain
injuries or concussions are alsomore likely to have, um.
Behavioral or emotional changesas well.
Mm-hmm.
Um, things like depression oranxiety, or excuse me, or
(21:20):
symptoms of A DHD or mightexacerbate their A DHD.
Um, so those can also be signsand like for me, I've noticed,
you know, my tension might notbe the same as it used to be.
Um, you know, I kind of go downrabbit holes.
Um,
Karl (21:37):
I get it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Been there, done that.
Carrie (21:43):
Absolutely.
And I know we kind of talkedabout this, but um, like what
would you say are like some ofthe best ways that you advocated
for yourself and for your child,your children, to make sure that
you are being heard and that youare getting what you need?
Because I feel like a lot oftimes as new brain injured,
that's where we fall short andit's not.
(22:07):
For lack of us wanting to, it'sfor lack of us knowing any
better, knowing what we don'tknow exactly.
Tanika (22:14):
And I feel like for me, that's a lot of it.
I've done a lot ofself-educating, a lot of
reading, a lot of watchingvideos and um, conferences and
things like that.
Um, or attending conferences.
And so I think that's reallykind of the biggest thing that
I've done, and just them beingable to go to say the school and
(22:37):
for instance, my oldest son hissenior year had a concussion
right towards the beginning ofthe year.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and so I had to advocate foraccommodations.
Well, in some states likeColorado, they will actually
give you accommodations for abrain injury, which, I mean,
think about it, you have a braininjury, so your brain, you are
struggling to think.
Mm-hmm.
But in the state of Texas, or atleast in our district at the
(22:58):
time, they, because it'sconsidered as a temporary, um,
injury and not a permanentinjury, it doesn't necessarily
fall under the Americans withDisability Act.
Carrie (23:08):
Wow.
Tanika (23:09):
Yeah.
And so I had to push and fightand ask for accommodations and
get the letters from histherapists and everything like
that to help him.
And thankfully his teachers werewilling to work with him.
Um, but yeah.
Yeah.
Carrie (23:23):
That's interesting.
I didn't know that.
That's Now I'm, I'm sorry.
My brain is spinning on otherideas for topics and because I
didn't know that that'sfrustrating.
I'm gonna have to find me somelearning disabled teachers and
get them in here and figure outwhat they know or don't know.
Yeah.
But um.
I'll just ask before we wrap up,I'm seeing the sign over there.
Um, is there any like last wordsor big, you know, tidbits of
(23:48):
advice that you'd like to giveto new survivors out there to
let them know they're not alone?
Yeah.
Keep working or, you know,anything you wanna share.
Tanika (23:56):
Um, I would say one, you are a walking miracle.
Right.
So
Karl (24:02):
Exactly.
Tanika (24:02):
Yeah.
Could be six
Karl (24:04):
feet under.
Tanika (24:05):
Exactly.
And you know, just take it oneday at a time.
And it, because we're in thethick of it, it can be hard to
see how far we've come and theprogress that we've made.
But just remember, you're doinggreat.
You're here, you're takingstrides.
Um, and yeah, just keep doingwhat you can to, to find joy,
(24:25):
you know, and to, to bring joyinto your life.
Carrie (24:29):
Absolutely.
Okay.
Well thank you so much, Tanika.
Thank you very much.
Yeah, thank you for sharing yourinsights and like I said, I'm
already thinking about what wecould talk about next and we'll
have you on again'cause I thinkthat'd be exciting.
And again, thank you to all ourlisteners for listening.
And remember, you can find us onall your favorite platforms
every other Thursday.
So until next time,
Tanika (24:48):
bye.
Thank you
Karl (24:49):
Bye
Bernard (24:55):
We hope you've enjoyed listening to BIND Waves and
continue to support Brain InjuryNetwork in our nonprofit
mission, we support brain injurysurvivors as they reconnect into
life, the community, and theworkplace.
And we couldn't do that withoutgreat listeners like you.
We appreciate each and every oneof you.
(25:17):
Please remember to click thelike button, the share button,
and the subscribe button onYouTube.
And follow us on Instagram atBIND Waves and Brain Injury
Network on Facebook.
You can email us at BIND wavesat the BIND dot org or go to our
website BIND waves.org or callus at(972) 769-2463.
(25:46):
Please continue watching.
Until next time.
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