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| In my early twenties I entered an International Brotherhood of Magicians competition. After competing against other magicians from Western North America, I came first place in the stage competition. |
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Incidently, on the left is my friend and fellow magician Shawn Farquhar, who has since won two world championships!
One highlight of my career was when I performed sleight-of-hand magic at a private after-show party for the rock band U2.
My coolest gig was entertaining at a private Microsoft function with Bill Gates in attendance.
escape under construction 1992
On the afternoon of January 4, 2001 I was driving alone to a corporate gig on Highway 99 from Vancouver to Whistler in British Columbia, Canada. A drowsy driver fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the center line, and hit my Jeep head-on.
For the first several months I suffered intense pain and debilitation from numerous physical injuries. I began a comprehensive set of treatments, which included regular appointments with an MD, trauma therapist, personal fitness trainer, psychologist, psychiatrist, massage therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and I engaged in aqua therapy. I was prescribed a total of 7 medications.
As the months of rehab went by it became clear to my treatment team that a traumatic brain injury could be at the root of numerous cognitive, psychological and emotional difficulties. Although I was given a CAT scan in the emergency room immediately after the accident, and cleared, my OT arranged for a neurologist to order an MRI. The MRI showed that my frontal lobe hemorrhaged in 6 places. I was exhibiting the following symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury:
- Short & long term memory loss
- Confusion
- Lack of motivation
- Executive functioning impairment
- Input overload
- Concentration difficulties
- Chronic depression & anxiety
- Continual looping thoughts
- Sleep disorder
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For the next 6 long years, I was basically unable to function in the world. My long-time relationship with my financee ended. I went from earning $100,000 during my last year of motivational speaking to living off a disability pension. I eventually received a modest settlement from the insurance company. I bought a home in a small town and was told by my neurologist that I would never work again.
Then, 3 years ago, something quite amazing happened. On a whim, I decided to visit an online magic shop and ordered a few thousand dollars worth of new magic tricks and waited for their arrival. A few days later, boxes of magic tricks started to arrive, one after another, for the next few weeks. It was like Christmas!
Excited, I practiced these new magical effects for hours and started connecting to undamaged parts of my brain, areas that stored my love for practicing magic and performing shows in the early years. Not only did I engage neuro pathways that were undamaged from the car accident, I now had access to new storage faculties - undamaged gray matter. New functionality started coming back immediately. Memory improved overnight. My ability to handle sustained input increased dramatically. Best of all, I was able to start managing my life again. Confirmed by my Doctor, this was in fact a definite sign of organic healing of the brain. I was soon to discover the medical term for this dramatic healing process - neuroplasticity, the rewiring of the brain.
With the assistance of a local community organization, that helps people with disabilities get back to work, I got a part-time job at a Staples store in my community.
I have subsequently returned to performing magic shows, and speaking - focusing solely on the topic of traumatic brain injury recovery.
For me, success now means getting up in the morning after a good night's sleep, being able to walk to the kitchen, make coffee, eat breakfast, feed my cat Xanadu and parrot Charlie, take a shower, check my email, and play a few games of online chess. I love reading, watching movies, and playing video games. I workout at the gym on a regular basis and enjoy going into town to meet up with friends. Life is good.
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