Welcome

Hours before Ian planned on hanging himself  

Axonal Shearing https://www.highimpact.com/exhibits/closed-head-injury-with-diffuse-axonal-shearing?fbclid=IwAR0JnCUxCjTovCL7y4q5yCdx8-ET1vn7n3NVmdstFOTJr0-c2kra8Y55IKk

MRI successfully predicts suicidality 9 out of 10 times  https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/mind-and-brain/identifying-suicidality-31102017/

Geovani Galvez is an essential worker.  He is an Emergency Room Financial Counselor who has seen many fatal gunshot wounds.  He is the encourager, a strong one with a laugh and smiles for everyone.  He strength helped him survive an abusive father.   One day, his vision of how we would be a constant encourager for his children was shattered.  His purpose questioned and joy was left incomplete.  In this interview, Geovani shares his moving story of growth and new found purpose.  His story will provide new insight and new value on communication and affirmation.   

  #MOVINGFORWARD 8/21/2022 @10:00PM EST COACH KJ AND DR. V INTERVIEW Suicide Awareness Advocate Elizabeth Gerald Marcie Gerald, the 2012 Pre-Teen Beauty Pageant State Finalist, an accomplished violinist, NBC prodcuers selection for a show empowering young girls, and community volunteer, smiled on the outside while grappling with pain on the inside. 
The day after Marcy's 15th birthday, a gang member beat and then sexually assaulted Marcie, leaving indelible emotional scars. Marcy tried to scrub herself clean, but the emotional scars remained. She attended therapy, but it could not erase the core of Marcy's pain. The night before she died, she lay in her mother Elizabeth's arms and told her she loved her.
After Marcie's death, Elizabeth developed The Marcie Jonea Movement (MJM) to address depression following brutal sexual assault. MJM's educational and mental health partners utilize the RULER Approach to optimize cognitive growth, relational growth, and creative growth. https://ycei.org/ruler-trainings#:~:text=About%20RULER,learn%2C%20and%20families%20support%20students.Most recently, Elizabeth Gerald has received a letter of condolence from Michelle Obama and the Presidental Award from the Biden Administration.   https://www.blogtalkradio.com/braininjuryradio/2022/08/22/the-moving-forward-podcast-with-coach-kj-and-dr-valentina 

 Sandra Dubose is a mother, award-winning, multi-talented Performing Artist, National Motivational Speaker, Author, and Host/ Producer of The Urban Parle' Podcast. She is also one of North Carolina's Beauty Queens - the 2011 Ms. Black North Carolina.  At the age of fourteen, Sandra experienced the first of several pivotal points in her life- domestic violence. She later developed alopecia and divorced the father of her two daughters. With each event, she experienced situational depression and suicidal thoughts, but one book and her strong faith helped her envision and pursue greater heights. Her favorite quote is "Life is not about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself." by George Bernard Shaw, Today, Sandra is a highly acclaimed Personal Development Coach success. Sandra is passionate about teaching life-changing principles that inspire confidence and build self-esteem in adults and teens' diverse audiences. Her inspiring personal story and accomplishments have garnered national media attention and have given her an honored place in history as the former Mrs. Black North Carolina. Sandra uses her powerful voice through words and songs to be the change she wants to see in the world, and she lets her bright light shine to empower others to do the same thing.  http://tobtr.com/12100297

 An Individualized Education Plan (or Program) is also known as an IEP  https://www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/what-individualized-education-plan 

  #MOVINGFORWARD COACH KJ AND DR. V INTERVIEW  Save Our SSons Senior Consultant Kimberly Muktarian 

 Kimberly Muktarian is a Senior Consultant at Save Our Sons in Raleigh, NC.   She was born and raised in South East Raleigh, NC.   She grew up in a large, loving, and supportive family.  Her great-grandmother is one of nine, and her grandmother is one of thirteen children. They enjoyed weekend and holiday family road trips. 

  In 2007, her brother’s arrest began to challenge her perception of how we are building strong black men. She recalls as early as her high school years, seeing it much harder for her male classmates to ask for help.  After witnessing their overall disinterest in school (skipping classes, dropping out) they began to seek other means of income.   

As a special needs educator, she began to seek solutions for the vast number of young men falling through the systems and misdiagnosed.  She just kept thinking knowledge of the core of challenges, truth, could circumvent later challenges for people who did realize gaps within their systems of support. She echoes Harriett Tubman’s “I could have freed more slaves if they knew they were slaves.” 

Today, Save Our Sons consists of victims and persons who will never be victims advocating for an end goal of parity, an understanding of core challenges and pathways to address obstacles that hinder achieving their goal. 

#MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday, August 29th to meet Todd Whiteside.  Todd suffered a hemorrhagic stroke brain bleed and four subsequent surgeries.  Todd has beat the odds several times with the love and support of his family and former UNC Chapel Hill Football teammates. 

Todd’s story of perseverance will provide perspective and inspiration for listeners. https://www.blogtalkradio.com/braininjuryradio/2021/08/30/moving-forward-with-coach-kj-and-dr-valentina

  Morgan Rogers, a former Duke University Women’s Lacrosse Player, was a tenacious individual who gave 100% of herself to every passion, project, and person she encountered. While playing lacrosse, she experienced a few injuries. She has overcome two mild concussions in high school, one concussion in college, and a career-altering knee injury. Unable to meet her expectations, Morgan died by suicide in 2019.  Since then, Morgan’s mother, Dona, dedication to uncovering the “why” of suicide has led to the creation of Morgan’s Message. Morgan’s message has over 1100 student ambassadors dedicated to eliminating mental health stigma.   Dona has appeared on the Today Show and other media outlets.   Website: https://morgansmessage.orgPodcast, The Mental Matchup:  https://www.thementalmatchup.com/podcastInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/morgansmessage/ Other Media: https://www.today.com/video/parents-of-student-athletes-who-died-by-suicide-speak-out-141149765647 https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/changing-minds/morgans-message-takes-on-stigma-of-mental-health/3062011/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MhntUmDze8 

 Antione "Terrell Midgett was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Terrell played basketball and football with all of his friends.   Friends called him the peacemaker with the agility of a jack of all trades to ensure everyone was happy.   Actually, adverse environments caused him to withdraw from the crowd.
In Fourth grade, Terrell was diagnosed with vitiligo. The comments, stares, and assumptions were challenging.  Luckily the encouragement, strength, and security extended by his lifelong friends eased the pain during  tough times.   Despite  support from family and friends, his experience with getting a driver's license left an indelible mark that has inspired him to help others.  Even after working hard to develop coping solutions, he faced the risk of not getting his driver's license.  
Along the way, Terrell has learned there is power in embracing his vitiligo diagnosis.  
Terrell's sentiments are that many people want attention.  Today, people will pay lots of dollars for attention.   When someone embraces their vitiligo, it enables them to educate their audience about the condition and reduce stereotypes.   Informing others helps the person with vitiligo as well as their loved ones.  Vitiligo impacts persons with the diagnosis as well as those who love them. Keep in mind, Terrell still receives negative comments and withdraws from some crowds 38 years after his diagnosis. 
Terrell has appeared on Spectrum News, and WRAL with Allen Mask to further promote Vitiligo Awareness. He is the founder of the Vitiligo Awareness Alliance with members from the midwest to the East Coast,  His interview will provide more information on their annual conference. 

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/braininjuryradio/2023/01/16/the-moving-forward-podcast-stories-of-triumph-with-coach-kj-and-dr-valentina

  #MOVINGFORWARD COACH KJ AND DR. V INTERVIEW  VETERAN  TYRONE  McMILLIAN 

Tyrone McMillian (Ty) is an engaging veteran whose story of missed diagnosis, triumph, and rediscovery of purpose will restore hope for many challenged with PTSD. Some memories can be indelible, hard to process and discuss.  At seven years old, Ty saw his mother get hit in the face with a half-empty crinkled-up beer can.  Ty kept this image along with other experiences inside and just continued to mask his pain.  He was not moving forward- he was just moving.  This continued until age 47, when his life blew up.   Ty and his Team developed a plan to help him move FORWARD.  The comprehensiveness and cohesiveness of his team helped Ty smile again.  His smiling again was HUGE, because Ty had not smiled since he was in the 4th grade.  https://www.blogtalkradio.com/braininjuryradio/2022/04/18/the-moving-forward-podcast-coach-kj-and-dr-valentina--the-ty-mcmillian-story

Tiawana Brown (Tia), born and raised in Charlotte, NC. High school cheerleader and track star with tons of family love and support which made Thanksgiving and Christmas an all-time favorite.

Her life took an unexpeted turn.  During her twenties she was arrested.  She spent 6 years in prison.  Today, she has the ultimate story of triumph and has turned her pain into purpose..

Tia is a formerly incarcerated woman and she has worked with US Presidents wince Bill Clinton in the pardoning  process for others.  

Tia is  a Board member/active member of the of The National Council.   Tia is the founder of Beauty after the Bars (BATB), a non profit organization based in Charlotte, NC- Mecklenburg County.  BATB provides mentoring, advocacy, education, and supports racial equity, and economic mobility for the communities that disproportionately affected and our most marginalized communities.

BATB Supports the successful return of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated mothers, women, and girls.  Our mission and purpose of the organization is to provide education and advocacy to keep women, girls, and youth out of jail, prison, and the justice system. 

Interrupts the school to prison pipeline

  We assist women and girls released from prison and jail by offering programs and resources-through our collective partnerships with other grassroots organizations, SAVE, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, CMPD, and Mecklenburg County Detention Center.

BATB also provides support and assistance for those that are currently incarcerated with reentry needs. https://beautyafterthebars.com/

 Sam was a good basketball player who gave up playing due to bullying.   She never complained.   Today, Sam has overcome suicidal ideations and more to find unquenchable joy. Sam reminds us that her story is a window into LGBTQIA.  She is not the spokesperson for the entire spectrum but she provides hope and guidance for persons with additional questions. 

#MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday,  November 21st  Kerry L Brooks.

 http://tobtr.com/12009498

Kerry L. Brooks has worked in federal law enforcement for nearly thirty years, also serving as a diplomat during this time in various countries. His most important roles, however, are those of father and husband.

In 2003, the doctor told us that our 3-year son has autism. He added that we should focus on having other children because there was nothing we could do for him. Finally, he said prepare your son to live in a group home.
Today, our son is enrolled in college and living his best life as a productive young adult. We allowed our greatest crisis to become our greatest miracle and now we provide life strategies and training for others to do the same to support their children. 

https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2022/12/08/warehousing-foster-children/?fbclid=IwAR1jnsNsQF3eY3DljJxFUQh-F40CbxyIBAz8DeR7MvpboiV52RFcFU_G_oI

https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/23904/CDC-Autism-rate-rises-to-1-in-36-children?fbclid=IwAR2WZx0d9DRNBw51DU1ZsQqcQY3g99ztEpQjyGzk5OQfFs-cmZfF-GwHHVc

Tom discusses going to the gym and the support he receives to prepare for competitions.  He has to force himself and go beyond wanting to turn back.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQHUrEXnE9E 

She grew up feeling like a failed person until she received her diagnosis.  

#MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday,  September 26th to meet Marcus Boyd.  Part 1 

 Marcus went to six or seven of the best doctors.  They all told his grandmother “your grandson is basically walking around with no working brain function.”

With the right mentor, Marcus Boyd now plays 8 instruments and is a successful DJ.   

Marcus will share his story, 19 year journey, September 26th on the Moving Forward Podcast.  

 http://tobtr.com/12006311 

https://www.facebook.com/marcus.stroizer/posts/283675201331645

#MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday,  September 26th to meet Marcus Boyd.  Part 1 

 Marcus went to six or seven of the best doctors.  They all told his grandmother “your grandson is basically walking around with no working brain function.”

With the right mentor, Marcus Boyd now plays 8 instruments and is a successful DJ.   

Marcus will share his story, 19 year journey, September 26th on the Moving Forward Podcast.  

 http://tobtr.com/12006311 

https://www.facebook.com/marcus.stroizer/posts/283675201331645

 #MovingFORWARD  Join Coach Kellye 'KJ' Jones and Dr. Valentina on Sunday,  October 17th to meet Marcus Boyd.  Part 2

 Marcus went to six or seven of the best doctors.  They all told his grandmother “your grandson is basically walking around with no working brain function.”

With the right mentor, Marcus Boyd now plays 8 instruments and is a successful DJ.   

Marcus will share his story, 19 year journey, October 17th on the Moving Forward Podcast.  

   http://tobtr.com/12009510 

Text from Marcus

Watching this amazing actor play me Marcus Boyd when I was homeless and sleeping in peach tree and pine in Atlanta ga having Autism eating out of trash cans no one to help me having my clothes in trees not having a social security card or birth certificate sleeping in rain and in parks and in shelters for years but wanting to do music I use to listen with my headphones because that’s all I had but look at God what he did in my life use your Autism to help push you towards your greatness take it from someone who was robbed beat up and left with nothing with God all things are possible 

Autism Activist Marcus Boyd