F*** It, I Have a Brain Injury

F*** It, I Have a Brain Injury

Two guys with brain injuries share the lived experience in collaboration with a speech/language pathologist. Co-hosts Ken and Jesse interview peers about their experiences following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and healthcare professionals and friends and family members who spend time with people following ABI. Melissa Capo, M.S., CCC/SLP, along with graduate students, supports the co-hosts in the planning, interviewing and review of podcast episodes. An audio engineer professional and his students collaborate with the team for editing and audio production. This work is an application of project-oriented intervention in ABI rehabilitation. *The first season was recorded at The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY, USA For information, questions or to request to be a guest on the show, contact Melissa Capo @effitpodcast0@gmail.com

Episodes

January 8, 2026 21 mins

In Part 2 of this 3 part conversation, Andy talks with co-hosts about Book Club roles and the value of creating support materials for the group by the group. They discuss the development of materials as mini-projects that give purpose in between weekly meetings. Andy discusses how Book Club has helped his ability to communicate in other aspects of his life. 

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In Part 1 of 3, Andy discusses how his participation in Book Club has helped him with reading after his TBI. Together with the hosts and SLP, specific reading strategies are offered along with some on-brand humor of three friends in the chronic phase of their recovery.

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In this second part, Wendy talks about employment issues with support services (and the irony of the laws), Medicaid, SSDI and SSI paperwork requirements, Waiver transportation woes and ways to resolve conflict with the co-hosts. Her thorough description highlights "the job of a good service coordinator." 

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In this first of two episodes, Wendy Decker, describes her role as a long time Service Coordinator for the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program. She describes how NYS administers the Home and Community Based Support 1915 (c) Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver program. The co-hosts invite Wendy to discuss the challenges and positive aspects of the waiver including the guiding principle of "freedom of choice." She...

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July 8, 2025 33 mins

In this episode, Melissa and the hosts talk with Shelly about how she sustained her initial injury and (then subsequent injuries) and challenges and strategies associated with losing your ability to drive and having to rely on transportation services. Listen for some strategies and a potential business idea for entrepreneurs out there!

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June 18, 2025 30 mins

More on the highs and lows of having Home Health Aides. In this episode Shelly describes characteristics and behaviors of excellent aides and some red flags to watch out for. She discusses her use of a Self-advocacy training video to orient and train new Home Health Aides and also tells her two worst aide stories. Heads up- one is X-rated.

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In Part 2 of this conversation, Kim Verner discusses different types of guardianships, including representative payees and how caregivers can help adults with Acquired Brain Injury maintain independence in a supportive environment. 

*Note: This interview was recorded in Albany, NY, USA in April 2024.

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In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, the guys interview Elder Law and Disability Attorney, Kim Verner. She describes how to set up a Special Needs Trust and the important aspects of estate planning following Acquired Brain Injury.

*Note: This interview was recorded in Albany, NY in April 2024. 

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February 18, 2025 24 mins

In this episode, Jesse interviews Ken about his recent experience moving to a new home. They separate physical/mobility challenges associated with hemiparesis from cognitive challenges after ABI. Cognitive strategies include labeling drawers and cabinets and asking family to help organize. Physical accommodations include moving appliances and fixtures on the  strong side, using a rolling cutting board, installing a cu...

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December 13, 2024 29 mins

In this episode, Allison discusses overcoming shame and obstacles following her ABI. She talks about her experience with aphasia and acquiring and succeeding in a job. The group talks about fishing and making friends after brain injury. 

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December 3, 2024 34 mins

Ken and Jesse talk with Molly and share their tips on managing home health aids. The group shares attributes to look for in an aid who will help foster independence and how to spot a not-so-good one. They all share their worst aid stories- one stinks worse than the others.

*Episode transcript available.

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November 19, 2024 30 mins

*Note: this episode was recorded in December 2023 when The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY, USA, had just announced it was closing.*

 

In the conversation: Jesse, Ken and Melissa Capo, speech/language pathologist.

Jesse interviews Ken about his experience with aphasia (an acquired communication disorder that can result from brain injury including stroke). Ken describes strategies that work for him and assures listeners that "anyb...

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November 19, 2024 4 mins

In this introductory episode, Ken and Jesse describe the purpose of the podcast and provide background information about their Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). Ken describes his stroke and his interest before and after. Jesse describes the conditions around his anoxic injury and his challenges since. He also describes his current interests. 

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