Tag: resting brain
Vulnerability
Posted: September 8, 2023 by Tamara Puffer
Due to my brain injury, I don’t do well with change. My brain is less pliable and conducive to new information. Prior to the summer, the pews were taken out of the sanctuary at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and replaced with chairs. I like it with a couple of caveats. The choir loft area in […]
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Church Adventures
Posted: October 19, 2019 by Tamara Puffer
TAGS: notions, resting brain, spatial orientation
I don’t see myself as a bumbling, muddle-headed person but sometimes I feel like one. Last Sunday at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, many of my brain injury challenges showed up. Twenty-three years after my TBI I still think of my challenges as separate from me rather than part of who I am. I wonder when […]
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Walking Through the Wilderness
Posted: September 23, 2018 by Tamara Puffer
TAGS: Michael Moore, resting brain, wilderness
As I come out of the wilderness, my tendency is to begin participating in too many things. This is a symptom of much of upper class, upper- middle class and middle class American culture. As our society becomes more stratified this is happening right now under Mr. Trump – although it began happening much earlier. […]
Read more...How Hard to Push?
Posted: April 14, 2017 by Tamara Puffer
Since I can only work on my book in spurts, I’ve been trying to find some way to fill the rest of my time. I’m working to improve my swimming but that’s not enough so I decided to learn Spanish. I’ve been using Rosetta Stone’s Spanish tapes and other resources. Yesterday, I was sitting on […]
Read more...Of What Are You Certain?
Posted: May 15, 2015 by Tamara Puffer
At a GCPC choir rehearsal Wednesday night, it occurred to me that my depression has lessened. When this happens, I feel more energetic and alive. I haven’t been able to connect much on any sermons preached lately but I was especially moved by Mark Ramsey’s sermon this past Sunday. I read the sermon again yesterday. […]
Read more...The Truth Will Make Me Odd
Posted: November 24, 2014 by Tamara Puffer
Every now and then, an entire worship service affects me which happened yesterday at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. My morning began with a choir rehearsal before the service where we practiced our introit. Brain Injury Survivors often do not do well with change so a different routine was difficult for me. Normally, I don’t process […]
Read more...“One of Those Days”
Posted: September 21, 2014 by Tamara Puffer
TAGS: Choir, overstimulation, resting brain
Singing in the choir at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church this morning was “one of those days.” We warmed up in the sanctuary which meant going upstairs to the choir room first and getting my bulletin and robe. I already had my music since I take my folder home every week. I use a large print […]
Read more...Summer Institute On Theology and Disability
Posted: July 1, 2014 by Tamara Puffer
TAGS: cognitive overload; mental fatigue, compensatory strategies, learning;dividing attention;cognitive overload;overstimulation, resting brain
I must admit, I was a bit nervous about going to the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability in Dallas June 16-20. Traveling is difficult for me due to all the stimulation and cognitive overload and I don’t do well in new environments. I need to be familiar with them because too much cognitive work, […]
Read more...Busy, Busy, Busy
Posted: February 25, 2014 by Tamara Puffer
TAGS: resting brain
After looking at me I’m getting used to hearing folks say, “you seem fine to me.” I know I’m in a complicated situation for I am able to do much that other brain injury survivors aren’t able to do yet hidden challenges get in the way. I can’t handle the busy life that seems to […]
Read more...Journey
Posted: August 1, 2013 by Tamara Puffer
TAGS: over stimulation, resting brain
These past few weeks have been an interesting part of my journey. I went to the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability in Toronto, Canada. I was nervous about going for two reasons. First, I had never used my passport before and second, I felt I would be out-of-my element in participating. I was nervous […]
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