Posts tagged 'Cat Brubaker'
On The Air: Brain Injury Radio "Another Fork in the Road" . . . Panel Discussion – "All Disabilities Are Not Visible"
On The Air: Brain Injury Radio "Another Fork in the Road"
Panel Discussion – "All Disabilities Are Not Visible"
Panel Members – Catherine (Cat) Brubaker, Julie Kintz, and Juliet Madsen
with Host, Donna O'Donnell Figurski
Brain Injury survivors, Catherine (Cat) Brubaker, Julie Kintz, and Juliet Madsen discussed many issues that surround their lives as brain injury survivors who look "normal."
Cat Brubaker is a two-time traumatic brain injury survivor and the founder of "Hope For Trauma." Also, in the summer of 2014, Cat rode her recumbent trike Across America (diagonally) to raise awareness for brain injury.
When Julie Kintz's car went off a cliff in California in 1991, she got a brain injury. Julie is a former Brain Injury Radio Network host.
Troop, Juliet Madsen, got her brain injury while serving her country in Iraq. Juliet is a member of the Board of Directors of R4 Alliance and is a master quilter. You can see some of her work at "Stroke of Luck Quilting."
If you missed this panel discussion about "invisible" brain injury on "Another Fork in the Road" on July 5th, you can listen to the archived show here. Click the link below to listen to Cat, Julie, Juliet, and me.
On The Air: Brain Injury Radio "Another Fork in the Road" Panel Discussion – "All Disabilities Are Not Visible"
Click here for a list of all "Another Fork in the Road" shows on the Brain Injury Radio Network.
All Disabilities Are Not Visible
R4 Alliance
TBI Tales . . . Tracking Miles in Electric Blue and Shiny Mango
Tracking Miles in Electric Blue and Shiny Mango
Catherine (Cat) Brubaker (TBI survivor) got a black Catrike 700. Dan Zimmerman (Stroke survivor) got a black Catrike 700. They pedaled across America diagonally, 5,300 miles, and it changed each of their lives.
David Figurski (TBI survivor) got a trike, an electric blue Catrike 700, the same model as Cat and Dan's, but a different color.
Donna O'Donnell Figurski (copycat) got a trike, too. Though to show her independence, she didn't get a Catrike 700. She went for the Shiny Mango Pocket Trike. It's cute!
Now David and Donna want to match Cat and Dan's GOAL! We want to trike 5,300 miles in the desert. I wonder how long it will take us.
NAME DATE Total MILES since 4/9/15
David 1/24/16 1,570
Donna 1/24/16 79
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(Photos compliments of Me.)
SPEAK OUT! Faces of Brain Injury Catherine (Cat) Brubaker
If you would like your story to be published, please send a short account and two photos to me at neelyf@aol.com. I'd love to publish your story and raise awareness for Brain Injury.
Catherine (Cat) Brubaker (survivor)
Catherine Brubaker is a two-time traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor. Using her walker, Catherine, who was determined to take back her life, walked into Sun Cyclery in Phoenix, Arizona, in September 2013 and purchased a recumbent trike.
On June 29, 2014, she joined a stroke survivor and began what was to become the journey of her lifetime. Catherine and her new riding partner rode 5390 miles across America on their recumbent trikes. The trip took 5 1/2 months. It started in Anacortes, Washington, and concluded in Key West, Florida. Catherine pedaled over several high-altitude mountain passes and persevered through snow, rain, mud, and every imaginable obstacle. Through this experience, Catherine has been able to regain her freedom and confidence, find purpose, and rebuild her body as part of her recovery from undignified tragic circumstances.
Catherine actively reaches out to inspire brain injury survivors to help them reclaim their lives through recumbent trikes and art. She is scheduled for several speaking engagements across the nation in 2015.
Catherine has partnered with "Spokes Fighting Strokes" (SFS) in her grassroots effort to encourage a national conversation about brain injury, regardless of its cause. Together, SFS and Catherine will teach as many brain injury survivors as possible to ride recumbent trikes to aid in their recovery. Success stories can be found on Catherine's website (www.irideforhope.org).
As part of her recovery, Catherine was enrolled in a special program called "Artists for Trauma," which has brought her great joy. Catherine has recently been named the Brain Injury Ambassador for this foundation. She is honored to be a part of this effort, and she looks forward to contributing her art and collaborating with artists and trauma survivors. Her works of art and photography can be found at http://www.irideforhope.org. All proceeds go toward her foundation.
Catherine is also in the process of launching a foundation called, "Hope for Trauma." Its mission is to encourage a national conversation about brain injury, regardless of its cause. Her foundation will also be concerned with brain injury's impact on survivors and their families and with the invisible challenges they face.
Catherine's road to her newfound freedom has been long and filled with obstacles. After being assaulted in 2010, which caused Catherine's initial TBI, she had to relearn how to walk, talk, and eat on her own. This involved many months and multiple physicians (often several in a day). In 2012, Catherine's heart began to fail, and she was on the brink of death. She received a pacemaker and a new chance at life. Luck was not on her side, though, and she was in a collision with another vehicle shortly thereafter. Catherine had to once again relearn how to walk, talk, and do basic daily tasks.
Catherine can no longer drive or live by herself. She lost her career and her ability to be independent. Cognitively Catherine was set back to early grade school. Her primary relationship became strained, as her partner became her caregiver. Eventually the strain became too much for her partner. Faced with these losses, Catherine hit rock bottom. She tried to take her own life in March 2014. Shortly afterward, Catherine met her current riding partner. It was in that meeting that she learned of the ride across the US. That spark ignited her competitive spirit and gave her a new outlook on life.
Prior to her TBIs, Catherine was an accomplished professional. She went to Pacific Union College in Napa, California, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Psychology. She worked with military veterans and offered them financial, investment, and insurance services. She led a team of 12-15 associ ates. During her career, Catherine decided to pursue a Master's degree in Leadership, which she obtained in 2007. She accomplished this with a 4.0 GPA and while working full time! She was also an avid skier on black diamond runs, and she enjoyed running two miles daily, rain or shine.
To learn more about Catherine, check out these sites.
Survivors SPEAK OUT! Catherine (Cat) Brubaker
Catherine (Cat) Brubaker: Triking Across America
"Another Fork in the Road" Brain Injury Radio Network – "Triking Across America Diagonally" with Catherine (Cat) Brubaker
On the Air – Brain Injury Radio: Interview – Catherine Brubaker – Triking Across America
Catherine Brubaker's Photo Journal (Part 1) Washington to Florida
"Another Fork in the Road" Brain Injury Radio Network – Catherine (Cat) Brubaker's and Dan Zimmerman's Reflections – Triking Across America
irideforhope.org
Spokes Fighting Strokes
Sun Cyclery in Phoenix
On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Another Fork in the Road: Catherine and Dan's Reflections – Triking Across America
On the Air: Brain Injury Radio Interview with
Catherine (Cat) Brubaker and Dan Zimmerman
Another Fork in the Road:
Catherine and Dan's Reflections – Triking Across America
IMPORTANT NOTE: Because of technical difficulties, the show cuts out at the 6:37-minute marking and returns at the 10:30-minute marking. When the air is dead, drag the cursor to 10:30 and happy listening.
It was a pleasure to spend the evening with Catherine (Cat) Brubaker and Dan Zimmerman on my show, "Another Fork in the Road." They are my heroes! It was such fun to dig into the depths of their feelings to learn what it meant to them to travel across America for 5 months on recumbent trikes -a total of 5,300 miles.
If you missed the show, don't fret. You can always listen to the archived show.
You can get to the interview by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. (Wait a few seconds for the audio to start.) Because of technical difficulties, the show cuts out at the 6:37-minute marking and returns at the 10:30-minute marking. When the air is dead, drag the cursor to 10:30 and start listening.
Cat Brubaker Crossing America – diagonally
Dan Zimmerman Pedaling to Margaritaville
I hope you'll tune in to my show, "Another Fork in the Road," which airs the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings of every month. The show starts at 5:00p Pacific Time and runs for 90 minutes. On the fifth Sunday in a month, Julie Kintz, Host of "Quantum Leap," and I team up to cohost a show called "Another Quantum Leap in the Road."
REMEMBER: Read above for directions for the technical difficulties.
Another Fork in the Road: Catherine and Dan's Reflections – Triking Across America
"Triking Across America – diagonally"
Road to Margaritaville
Catherine Brubaker's . . . . . . . . Photo Journal – (Part 1) Washington to Florida
Triking Across America – diagonally –
Photo Journal Part 1
Washington to Florida
On June 29, 2014, Catherine (Cat) Brubaker and Dan Zimmerman set off from Anacortes, Washington on their recumbent trikes to trike across America – diagonally. Their destination – Key West, Florida – a trip of 5,200 miles.
I can't even wrap my head around driving 5,200 miles in a car, let alone covering that distance under pedal-power. (I made up that word.)
Here's what 5,200 miles looks like.
Cat, who survived two brain injuries triked to raise awareness for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on "Cat's Ride for Life."
Dan, a stroke survivor, pedaled for awareness for stroke prevention with "Spokes Fighting Strokes."
This is the van loaded down with equipment, supplies, and food that will be traveling with Cat and Dan.
Oops! A blowout before the trip even begins
Cat is interviewed by AZCentral – 12 News – The Arizona Republic
Cat and Dan ride under "Spokes Fighting Strokes."
Cat and Dan ride about 50 miles per day and their average speed is about 13mph. They've seen a wolf, wild turkeys, and even "giant" crickets in Washington. Here are some of the beautiful sites Cat has encountered along the way. (More to come.)
Check out the Ascent and Elevation on this Garmin.
Cat and Bear sharing a little love.
Washington sites
Lake McDonald in National Glacier Park
Purple wild flowers along the highway
Hmm, wondering if this will be Cat's new wheels for another Trip Across America.
Anacortes Washington
Key West Florida
Trike Across America - diagonally
On the Air – Brain Injury Radio Interview – Catherine Brubaker Triking Across America
On the Air – Brain Injury Radio
Interview with Catherine (Cat) Brubaker
In my interview of Catherine ("Cat") Brubaker, Cat tells the story of her life before her brain injury, her two TBIs, and her recent 5200-mile trip across the US (diagonally) on a recumbent trike.
Cat came from a humble and religious family. As a child, she loved sports and the outdoors. Her parents sacrificed so that she could go to college, where she earned a B.S. degree in Psychology. That education has been immensely valuable to Cat, especially now that she has a brain injury. It was "probably the best education I have ever received from any institution." Cat then went on to earn a Master's Degree in 2007, with a perfect 4.0 average (all As). Her father passed away two years earlier, and Cat knew he would've been proud.
From Anacortes, Washington to Key West, Florida (5,200 miles)
In her mid-30s, Cat had made a great life for herself. She had a good job with lots of responsibility; she had a long-term relationship; and she was enjoying the independence of her life. Then she acquired her first TBI from an assault. She had to learn everything again. Cat had many deficits from her brain injury, including problems with balance. She suffered from Post-Concussive Syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When Cat left the hospital a year later, she became involved in a head-on collision and received another TBI. For a second time, she had to relearn everything from scratch. Her long-term relationship ended, and she desperately missed her independence and freedom. When her mother died unexpectedly, Cat hit bottom.
Meet Cat's Grizzly Bear
Then Cat discovered the recumbent trike and regained some of her independence. She later met Dan Zimmerman, a stroke survivor, while he was riding his recumbent trike. They stopped and talked, and he told her of his plan to ride across the country. Cat decided immediately that she wanted to do it too. After much preparation, the trip is happening. Cat has been greatly moved by the outpouring of love and generosity. She wishes that everyone could experience so much love at least once. Cat discusses some details of her trip so far, including one time in Montana when she was alone and encountered a grizzly bear. Cat's discussion will mesmerize you.
Ride, Cat, RIDE!
If you missed the show, don't fret. You can always listen to the archived show. I've included the link below.
I hope you'll tune in to my show, "Another Fork in the Road," which airs the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings of every month. The show starts at 5:00p Pacific Time and runs for 90 minutes. On the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 5:00p Pacific Time, Julie Kintz hosts "Quantum Leap." When there is a fifth Sunday in a month, Julie and I will team up to cohost a show called "Another Quantum Leap in the Road."
http://blogtalk.vo.llnwd.net/o23/show/6/810/show_6810867.mp3
Cat's Ride for Life
Raising Awareness of TBI
"Another Fork in the Road" . . . Brain Injury Radio Network: "Triking Across America – diagonally," with Catherine (Cat) Brubaker
"Another Fork in the Road" on Brain Injury Radio Network invites you to meet Catherine (Cat) Brubaker who is "Triking Across America – diagonally." Cat looks like your normal, everyday, young woman. But what you don't know about Cat, by just looking at her, is that she is living with not one, but two, traumatic brain injuries. But, Cat does not let her brain injury tie her down. No, she is on a 5,200 mile trike trip across America – diagonally – to raise awareness for TBI. Come hear Cat.
Come One! Come ALL!
(NOTE: New Day, Sunday – Same Time)
What: "Another Fork in the Road" . . . Brain Injury Radio Network presents "Triking Across America – diagonally" with Catherine (Cat) Brubaker
Why: Hear Cat's amazing story of how she is pedaling into her future on he recumbent trike despite two traumatic brain injuries..
Where: Brain Injury Radio Network
When: Sunday, October 5th, 2014
Time: 5:00p PDT (6:00p MDT, 7:00p CDT, and 8:00p EDT) 90 minute show
How: Click: Brain Injury Radio Network.
Call In: 424-243-9540
Call In: 855-473-3711 toll free in USA
Call In: 202-559-7907 free outside US
or SKYPE
If you miss the show, but would like to still hear the interview, you can access the archive on On Demand listening. The archived show will be available after the show both on the Brain Injury Radio Network site and on my blog in "On the Air."