New Blog 2013

Justin is discovering many coping strategies following his traumatic brain injury. Thanks to his iPhone he keeps a log and calendar to remind him about the days' appointments, meetings, classes, homework, therapy and overall "to-do" list. This blog conveys hopeful, positive messages but Justin does have to deal with stubborn symptoms left from the accident on the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua that fateful night of December 11, 2011. Justin remains positive about his recovery because he realizes he was fortunate to survive a horrific accident. He is now aware of some of the cognitive slips he makes and the limitations his left knee (lack of range of motion) causes. He also knows he has come farther in a year and two months than was ever to be expected.

So in starting where the justinrecovers.bbnow.org website left off December 31st; Justin is currently enrolled in three U of A classes: Entrepreneurship, Management Systems and Art (Hip-Hop culture). These classes are more demanding because of the essay requirements. Justin's aphasia has improved significantly but word retrieval is still challenging. Justin has been applying for several scholarships to help off-set tuition and medical bills. Most recently he was named a finalist for the LATPRO scholarship (http://learn.latpro.com/iustin-mccarthy-contreras-scholarship-finalist/) and he is anxiously waiting for the notification of another prestigious scholarship currently under review. School and recovery continue to be his focus as well as neuropsych therapy and working out. A full day psychological exam was conducted on Monday and we are anxiously awaiting the results in order to further evaluate psychological deficits and how to address them.