Friday, May 31, 2013

The ImPACT of Concussion

items used in the creation of this journal page:
book paper
paint pens, felt-tip and ball-point pens
white glue, Miracle Tape,gesso



On October 2nd of last year, while practicing basketball in his Jr. High Athletics class, my son sustained a concussion when he was hit with great force with the ball to the side of his head. His coach didn't see the accident and didn't feel the need to have him checked out. Later that day he complained of headache, we got him some medication when he was picked up at the end of the day. That evening he complained of headache, nausea and dizziness...I called the trainer and the coach numbers that we were given and emailed twice, no response. About 8:45 that night he began throwing up and we all left to head for the emergency room believing he had a concussion. A 5 hour wait [where 2 of the hours my son and I slept in the examination room] and broken CT Scanner meant the ER doctor tried to do a concussion exam on a very lethargic [due to sleep] 12 year old boy! She felt he probably had a concussion and gave me a list of symptoms to watch for. I was to return if they persisted and she recommended I call to make sure the CT Scanner was operational. The next day he stayed home and rested. We heard briefly from the trainer.

The next morning he went to class and started being symptomatic again. We picked him from school and had him rest. That evening we were back at the ER, received a scan and learned that thankfully he had no bleeding on the brain, but confirmed he was definitely concussed. The next morning we were at the trainers office for the ImPACT test.

When administered correctly, the ImPACT test can be an effective tool in determining if a patient has sustained a concussion and the severity of the concussion. This time however it had not been done correctly. The school was supposed to get a baseline from the students during the first two weeks of school. The coaches insured that the kids in the sports that were actively having contests [football] had their baseline tests and did not stress over the fact that the rest of the athletes [off season basketball] had not received tests--even in OCTOBER. Despite this fact my son's test confirmed that he had a rather severe concussion and we were sent to the sports medicine specialist to learn our course of action.

If you've never had the experience of seeing your child's every pleasure stripped away from them, I recommend you pass on that experience. It's heartbreaking. NO ELECTRONIC MEDIA OF ANY KIND--no television, no headphones, no cell phone, no Kindle, no computer, no video games of any kind, no calculator, no smartboards, no iPads, no fun. No sports of any kind. No gatherings where there will be a lot of people, a lot of noise, a lot of visual stimulus. No strenuous activities. no. nO. NO! For a 12 year old kid this is overwhelming. This was our fall : No football games, no Homecoming, no Train Show, no dance, no camporee, no shooting sports, nothing. One afternoon he looked at me with a tear in his eye and asked , "Can I play Legos or cars?" "Yes, you can." *sigh*

The next 8 months was complicated with struggles with the school about what my child was able to do, repeating myself often to the same people about his limitations as prescribed by the specialist. A second concussion was sustained in April and a whole new struggle began...this time with my son suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome and requiring medication to help bring his brain back to normalcy. That is where this page comes from. The symptoms I know by heart. The NOs are part of my everyday life. As he was concussed or recovering from a concussion for 8 of the 9 months of this school year it came as no surprise that he would end the year with an incomplete.

As of yesterday, we are once again on a protocol to return to full activity. We are taking it slow. We are learning and relearning all that was lost with the memory problems during the summer so that we can show proficiency to move on to 8th grade. I'm not expecting problems there as he really is doing THAT much better with the new medicine.

about the journal page: I created this to share on the AlteredPages.com blog today and have showcased the supplies listed above from the store!! Be sure to show them some love! The writing in the top right are all the concussion symptoms--from memory. The writing on the bottom are all the restrictions to our lives to heal properly. The image with the 2 kids is a pocket and in the pocket is a personal note that I wrote to the me 9 months earlier telling myself that I was going to need strength and perseverance like never before, warning the younger me that I will find myself repeating myself and that people are just not going to understand, reminding myself that at times I will feel very alone but that I'm not alone and that I do have the strength to do this.

***almost done I promise! Thanks for making to the end of this LONG blog post***
Creative_Dare
I'm entering this project in  TracyWeinZapfel Studios May Creative Dare--details of the dare is below. Check it out...it's a great way to get your creativity flowing! Thanks for the inspiration Tracy!
Your Creative Dare is to write a letter to you.  Write a letter to the infant you, toddler you, teenager you, etc.  Think back to how far you have come and not where you wish you were.  Give yourself praise for the path you have taken.  You can read my letterHERE.
I dare you to incorporate the following elements from our Sponor:  Faber Castell Design Memory Craft (not required to participate) 
I accept your dare and used yummy Gelatos on my page! 

Thank you for checking out my blog! Please feel free to follow me and subscribe through bloglovin so you never miss an update!  I hope you enjoy experimenting with your supplies and don't be afraid to "follow the art."

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Weekly Challenge | DAD

It's time for a new challenge with Digital Delights by Louby Loo! This week at Delightful Challenges our challenge is DAD  This month Wendy has been creating this super cute set as part of the Bargain Friday collections. I LOVE it! We are a Fishing family and Fishing Donald and Fishing Donnie are PERFECT for us! The accessories are too too cute and today she just released a background that of course I will need too!  For this weeks challenge of cards for DAD I have created this fun gate-fold style card that has a little extension to help hold it closed...the right side actually fits between the camouflage strip and Fishing Donnie!  I hope you enjoy my card! Thank you for looking!

Markers : Spectrum Noir
Accessories : miracle tape and foam tape

We have a special challenge for you this week. Create cards for
DAD
or that favorite guy in your life.

Your Prize!!!
This week's wonderful sponsor is
Scrapy Land Prize - $15 store gift card

You are not required to use a Digital Delights 
Image to join in the fun 
but if you do, you can enter TWICE.
To enter twice when using a Digital Delight image,
for your 1st entry use your card link.
For your 2nd entry use your blog address
 and add "2nd entry" after your name
Otherwise, please, only ONE entry per participant.
**Please be sure to follow the challenge theme and rules or it will be removed.

Be a Part of the TEAM!!
DIGITAL DELIGHTS DESIGN TEAM CALL

Digital Delights are delighted to announce we are looking for New Designers to join our fantastic and fun Design Team . . .
Term will be from July 4th 2013 - July 3rd 2014

DT Requirements:
1. Love to work with Digital Stamps
2. Can commit to full 12 month term
3. Ability to meet deadlines
4. Post every Thursday to blog (additional posts and info are always welcome)
5. Promote Digital Delights on and other networking sites / enter into challenges etc
6. Participate in other Digital Delights events as the occur.

DT Benefits.
1. Exclusive Designer badge for your blog
2. Receive at least 4 Digital Stamps per month at not cost, to use in weekly projects
3. 50% discount on ALL Digital Stamps for the complete term
4. Chance to move up to Senior Designer
5. Get great exposure for your blog and work
6. Chance to be featured as Designer of the month in our weekly newsletter.

Please only apply if you can commit to the full 12 month term.

Digital Delights is a well established and we are constantly growing. We are a busy and fun team. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you are interested please email Wendy at loubyloocreations@sbcglobal.net with a link to you blog. Full guidelines will be sent to you upon application.
Apply by June 6th

Tuesday Tutorial with Digital Delights by Louby Loo

Hi everyone it is time for Tuesday Tutorial on a Wednesday over at the Delightful Tutorials blog!!  
Hop on over to see all the details on the creation of this fun tall card!


Saturday, May 25, 2013

Operation Write Home's Memorial Day BlogHop

MemDay2013BlogBanner

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! For the 3rd year in a row I am celebrating by participating in the Operation Write Home's Memorial Day BlogHop! Having Grand Fathers, uncles and in-laws that were among the brave that have fought to keep our home FREE it gives me great honor to give back with cards for our soldiers! Today I am using one of my favorite Digital Delights Stamps USA Myrtle to create a card for a soldier to tell him how much I appreciate his service to this country! Delivering letters to solidiers who do not recieve much mail from home is merely one service that Operation Write Home provides, but for me I think it is the most important. It tells someone completely unknown to me that I appreciate them very much. In a small way I hope it brightens their day.

supplies used for this card :
BIC Mark-Its
Card Stock
Digital Delights Damask Papers
USA Myrtle Turtle
Groove on Sentiments
Thank you for looking I hope you enjoy my card!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Weekly Challenge | Friends Forever


It's time for a new challenge with Digital Delights by Louby Loo! This week at Delightful Challenges our challenge is Friends Forever.   Today I am using one of my all-time Digital Delights favorites--Dilly Duck and Ladybug! This sweet stamp just says friendship to me. I paired it with the Have a Fabulous Day sentiment from the Keeping in Touch Sentiment Set to create this simple friendship card , perfect for a little note to say "I hope your day is special!"  I hope you enjoy my card! Thank you for looking!
Card stock : Bazzill
Markers : Spectrum Noir (GT2, DR2, IG5, EB1, GB1, JG2, FL3, CG3, OR2, GG1)
Accessories : Bling, mini flowers, Miracle Tape

We have a special challenge for you this week. We're asking you to
 Celebrate Friendship
 by creating a project that you'd like to share with a friend.

We'd like to welcome back one of our favorite sponsors
About us - Crafty Ribbons is a ribbon emporium, we are passionate about ribbons and want to share our fantastic ribbons with others. Our range of Christmas ribbons is second to none.
Remember when we only used ribbons to add a bow to our hair, or tie up a birthday parcel? Ribbons are now a "must-have" for all types of craft. Whether your project requires satin, sheer, silk, grosgrain, gingham or polka dot ribbon we have them all! Lots and lots of different colours in a range of widths.
Need a little bit of ribbon inspiration - then have a look at our projects on our blog,or visit our Inspiration blog,or maybe join in with us at our Challenge blog. Go on, have a look... It's worth it !
Tony & Ali

Inspiration Bloghttp://craftyribbonsinspiration.blogspot.co.uk/

Challenge Bloghttp://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Your Prize!!!

You are not required to use a Digital Delights 
Image to join in the fun 
but if you do, you can enter TWICE.
To enter twice when using a Digital Delight image,
for your 1st entry use your card link.
For your 2nd entry use your blog address
 and add "2nd entry" after your name
Otherwise, please, only ONE entry per participant.
**Please be sure to follow the challenge theme and rules or it will be removed.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Weekly Challenge | BINGO!


It's time for a new challenge with Digital Delights by Louby Loo! This week at Delightful Challenges our challenge is BINGO.  I choose Flower Power Dolled Up Daisy to create a fun greeting card to share with a friend! I accented my layout with buttons and pattern paper from the Polka Dot Weave Collection.  I hope you enjoy my card! Thank you for looking!


Digital Delights Stamps : keeping in touch sentiments
Polka Dot Weave Digital Paper Set
Flower Power Dolled Up Daisy
Card stock : Bazzill
Markers : Spectrum Noir (GB6, GB4, GB1, PP1, PP4, EB8, EB2, EB1, IB3, BT6, 
Black, GG1, LV1, LV2, TN2, FS2, FS6)
Accessories : Buttons Galore & More Buttons, Beacon 3in1, Foam Tape


We have a great new challenge for you this week.

We would love for you to
BINGO!

how to BINGO

You choose a "bingo" to create your card...either 3 down, 3 across or 3 diagonally. 
For example : use Buttons, Dimension [ie foam tape or popup] and Pattern Paper. 
OR Buttons, tags, and stitching OR Buttons, Ribbon/lace and flowers. 


Challenge Rules below

We have a wonderful Sponsor this week
Your Prize!!!
3 sets from store

You are not required to use a Digital Delights 
Image to join in the fun 
but if you do, you can enter TWICE.
To enter twice when using a Digital Delight image,
for your 1st entry use your card link.
For your 2nd entry use your blog address
 and add "2nd entry" after your name
Otherwise, please, only ONE entry per participant.
**Please be sure to follow the challenge theme and rules or it will be removed.


***

I will be entering this card in the Spectrum Noir Purple Challenge as well

Spectrum Noir also has a monthly contest where you can use whatever stamps you like as long as you use ONLY Spectrum Noir Pens!!! I am thrilled--I can get some practice coloring with my new pens and potentially win MORE pens!!! Talk about WIN WIN! So this months challenge is all about Purple. Complete rules are here.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tuesday Tutorial | Box Top Fold Card with Digital Delights


Hi everyone it is time for Tuesday Tutorial over on the Digital Delights Blog!!  

Today I am creating this fun Box Fold Card featuring the Polka Weaves Digital Paper Pack and the Flower Power Daisy Graduates from the May New Release. This little card can be used as a gift card holder as well!
 I hope you enjoy my tutorial!



For this project
Flower power Daisy graduates
Flower Power Daisy Graduate
Keeping in touch sentiment set
Keep in Touch Sentiment Set
Polka Dot Weave Digital Paper Pack
Polka Weaves

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

leslierahye's By Land, Air or Sea--A Steampunk Inspired Blog Hop

Happy National Transportation Day!!! We love all things transportation at my house; it only seemed fitting to celebrate this fun month with a steampunk style transportation blog hop. I assembled my favorite bloggers to bring you leslierahye's By Land, Air or Sea--A Steampunk Inspired Blog Hop. 
For this hop I upcycled some book paper, a paper lantern and a mini pale from Easter holidays to create this fun steampunk inspired hot air balloon! This will serve as a fun decoration for my daughter's room. 


Thank you for stopping by my blog hop! Please take time to see all of the wonderful creations from my fellow bloggers!!! Thank you for celebrating National Transportation Month with us!!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Celebrate National Transportation Month the Steampunk way!

tomorrow on my blog!! Join us!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Celebrate Derby Days with Altered Pages



Spectrum Noir Pens  : OR3, GG1, GG2, PP1, IB2, TN4, DG2, CG2, PP4, GB1
The above Derby Day Fat Book collage was created using the 111D Vintage Hats Collage sheet and the 1025D Vintage Horses Collage Sheet. Both Sheets were printed using the BLACK ONLY option on the printer to give "black and white" images to colorize. I found that using my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Based Markers to color these images--you will notice the horse in the middle is originally brown on the collage sheet and our lovely lady had a white shirt and a tea colored beverage.The background was a Bazzill Antiques Pad Dictionary Page and the alphabet letters were from Graphic 45. After coloring the images, I layered the pieces onto the fat book chipboard and used Antique Matte Mod Podge. Once dry I smeared on some brown pigment ink and heat set the color. Want 2 Scrap Pink Pearl Bling finished off the piece. 
I hope you enjoy my Derby Day Fat Book Collage! Thank you for looking! 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Spectrum Noir Pens and a new (to me) challenge

As many of you know, I received Spectrum Noir for my Birthday Present in March and my beautiful family members have been finding opportunities to add to my collection...I have loved using my BIC Mark-Its..and they served a purpose for a long time but I have been finding it difficult to replace my favorite markers in that collection. I have retired them for my regular digital stamp coloring as I have a strong preference for the Specturm Noir now.

Why Spectrum Noir and not Copic you ask?? It was a simple decision for me...their collection was smaller so actually achieving a point at which I owned them all was conceivable. They were priced perfectly at about HALF the Copic Marker. I also loved you could buy them in sets of 24 or in 6 packs, and of course there are refills and replacement nibs for your pens!!! YAY!
Why I LOVE them... The colors are beautiful and are plenty juicy! There are wonderful tutorials on their website and you can work on being a certified Spectrum Noir colorist on your own and send them in your work!! You don't have to pay for or attend a class--how cool is that!?!?! So...as I get a few more pens I will be working on becoming certified! :)

Spectrum Noir also has a monthly contest where you can use whatever stamps you like as long as you use ONLY Spectrum Noir Pens!!! I am thrilled--I can get some practice coloring with my new pens and potentially win MORE pens!!! Talk about WIN WIN! So this months challenge is all about Purple. Complete rules are here. I created this fun greeting card for a friend's birthday  using Digital Delights fantastic Pressie Josie stamp, Coredinations Cardstock and Beacon 3in1 adhesive to attach the papers and the ribbon! I hope you enjoy my card.

Digital Delights Stamps : Pressie Josie
Card Stock : Coredinations, 
Markers : Spectrum Noir PP4, BP1, LV1, GB7, TN3, TN2, BP5,TP4,
LV2, PP1, FS3, Blender, EB8, GB10, GB8
Accessories : Ribbon, Beacon 3in1

Weekly Challenge | New Release and Add Ribbon

It's time for a new release and a new challenge with Digital Delights by Louby Loo! This week at Delightful Challenges our challenge is add ribbon.  The new release has a smattering of this and that with some fantastic sentiments to help you Keep In Touch with others! I love this walking the dog digi--it makes a fun greeting card for a simple note to your friend, child, significant other!  I hope you enjoy my card! Thank you for looking!

Digital Delights Stamps : Walking the dogKeeping in Touch Sentiments
Card stock : Coordinations
Markers : Spectrum Noir (GB8, BGR3, PP1, EB5, DR2, FL3, IG5, 
Black, GB7, TN7, TB4, TN3, TN2, FS3)
Accessories : Ribbon, Beacon 3in1


We have a great new release and a new challenge for you this week.

We would love for you to
Add Ribbon

You are not required to use a Digital Delights 
Image to join in the fun 
but if you do, you can enter TWICE.
To enter twice when using a Digital Delight image,
for your 1st entry use your card link.
For your 2nd entry use your blog address
 and add "2nd entry" after your name
**Please be sure to follow the challenge theme or it will be removed.

We have a wonderful Sponsor this week

Your Prize!!!