My mind is truly soaring! :) I am learning excellent methods of mediation for those in recovery from addictions or TBI (traumatic brain injury) or from PTSD. Amazingly enough, the mediation is not dramatically different because the impact these three have on the brain often result in the same type of bad neuronal wiring. One result from addiction, TBI. or PTSD can be loss of short term memory as well as a sense of hopelessness, as if this can't get any better. Many people have suffered for many years with no relief. Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment provides intensive experience at rewiring the brain to create new connections for strategic thinking with the amazing side effect of short term memory renewal. One week in April I received repeated texts from one such 44 year old client, Nick, who had a massive TBI from a motorcycle accident 20 years ago. His STM was basically not working. His wife and family simply assisted him in remembering where he put things, where he was supposed to go next, etc. After approximately 30 hours of FIE spread over 8 months in 90 minutes session per week, Nick's short term memory began working! His texts were ones of unbridled joy at his refound ability to  know those simple things the rest of us take for granted. Where did I put my keys? What tool did my boss say to go get from the truck? Where did I hide the candy from my kids, etc. Are there still forgetful moments? Yes, but they are fewer and farther apart. We continue doing FIE, especially with more rigor. We do the Organizationof Dots program with our left hand. We find and hold the 3 models in our mind before we connect the dots of the first shape. Our next challenge will be to create NEW dot challenges for one another to solve!  We have a session tonight and we will begin an activity that requires all the cognitive functions, reflective writing using paper and pencil in a journal, not computer composition. Oh the joy of helping minds soar!

It was a happy and sad week to wrap up FIE BASIC training with an incredible group of dedicated people!  On May 23 we will complete the 5 days for FIE Standard trainees. Its always a mixed bag when I finish a training. Fear of what I forgot to cover, joy for the level of commitment I sense, frustration over how to get it all done, surprise at what the trainees both do and do not know! And there is just the wonder of it all -people coming together who want to help other people become all they can be!

Pam Hull spent a full week - and I mean really full week - visiting agencies and ministries that are implementing FIE. I think she left town impressed with the high caliber of people we have who have enormous hearts and energy to match to help the clientele they serve, whether it be preschoolers, children with disabilities, youth with life issues, or adults in recovery. Everyone shared their passion with Pam, the director from Atlanta who organizes training for people who want to join our friendly revolution for changing the world into a place that promotes cognitive change - also known as dendrite popping!  Visit the Southeastern Center for the Enhancement of Learning at www.scel.org for more info and  to sign up for the upcoming training in June. You will enjoy the southern hospitality of FIE training in Atlanta, Georgia!