nancy hovila, melinda mast, mandy meyer. give us hope but tell us the bad stuff. we must live with...

What We Wish You Had Told Us: Two Mothers and

a Wife

Nancy Hovila, Melinda Mast, Mandy Meyer

Give us hope but tell us the bad stuff.

We must live with the effects of brain injury each and every day.

Help us be better prepared. Be honest with us.

Our Message

Matt Hovila

As a parent we needed someone who would provide RESPECT AND HOPE

I wish someone would have sat us down and provided options: medical and non-medical. We needed someone with a holistic view.

In the midst of dealing with so many issues, I wish someone would have taken us aside and said, the body will heal as the body heals, spend time on the spirit.

3 things I wish you had told me

I wish that one single physician would have said to us:

“No More Sports”

Most Importantly

Kayla Meyer

How To Find SupportMinnesota Brain Injury AllianceMinnesota Department of EducationPACER CenterReferrals Connections4ConcussionsTerrill Foundation

3 Things I Wish You Had Told Me

How do I Map Quest the School System?

Where is the Parent and Child Handbook of surviving 9th – 12th grades with a disability?

Terrill Mast, PhD

He probably will not be the person I married 25 years ago◦Personality changes◦Anger◦No filter

He will most likely have difficulty with executive functioning◦Decision making◦Directions

3things I wish you had told me

Your life will never be the same◦I became a caregiver◦I became the head of the household◦I made all the decisions◦I had to check on his decisions◦There was no planning◦I didn’t have a partner any longer

“If there are two paths, I want to be on the one that leads to awesome”

“What will you create that will make the world more awesome… nothing if you’re just sitting there.”

“Create something that will make the world awesome”

“If life is a game, aren’t we all on the same team?” “If everybody’s good, then it gives the world a

reason to dance…

so get to it!”

You Were Made to be Awesome Quotes by Kid President

Nancy Hovila – nancy.hovila@gmail.com Mandy Meyer – mandy@kaoskennel.com Melinda Mast – m.mast6106@gmail.com

Thank you