Problem Solving

Patty's Epilepsy Chronicles

Living with brain damage, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy is my focus. Brain damage at birth was the cause. Medical professionals and individuals with epilepsy MUST go beyond reporting symptoms, diagnosing, and prescribing treatment. Here I will--here I must--attend to my brain damage, and cerebral palsy. Without doing so, I will not contribute to improved communication, and understanding.
This began as a chronicle of my seizures--the insights gained from living with epilepsy for most of my 52 years. Yet, it has grown to include insights about living with brain damage--mild brain damage on the left side of my brain. Although distinct, my epilepsy is closely related to the cerebral palsy, which resulted from my brain damage at birth. The limited use of my right hand and arm, my compromised balance affects how I may respond during a seizure.
Epilepsy is more than its most vocal, violent expression--seizures. Epilepsy is a subtle expression of my nervous system. Patty's Epilepsy Chronicles seeks to explore my experiences and insights, in hopes of dispelling myths, ameliorating fears, and opening minds.

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Collab-umentary Night Resources

This document contains some helpful resources gleaned from Collab-umentary Night (the Power Point we used as well as some survey-learning). More information: On December 5th, 2011, this was an evening designed both for those of you who needed help learning how to tell your story through video AND those of you who had some ideas to share – because InCommons is about people learning together and helping each other turn challenges into opportunities. Share a little wisdom, get a little wisdom, and maybe next time when InCommons holds another collaboration night, the roles will be reversed.

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Susan Geller's YouTube Channel

An attendee of InCommons' 2011"Collab-umentary Night: An Evening of Video-Storytelling," Susan Geller has kept the spirit of the night's ambition alive in her own creative, professional, and personal works. Her videos document the emergence of a filmmaker interested in telling her story and sharing her interests in a fun, accessible way.

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Art of Participatory Leadership Improv Games Workshop

Susan Geller showcases two examples of improv-exercises used to facilitate collaborative group cohesiveness at an Art of Participatory Leadership (AKA Art of Hosting) training.

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World Savvy

World Savvy prepares the next generation of leaders to learn, work and thrive as responsible global citizens in the 21st century.

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EquityNowMN

"By working together, a diverse group of passionate people will achieve equity for Minnesota and beyond by tackling issues like sustainable community planning strategies, the use of mapping tools to empower communities, the transformative impacts of art & culture, job creation, storytelling for social change, thriving diversity, organizing for social justice, food systems change, the power of collaboration, and many more."

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People You Should Meet: Patrick Moore

How one man has helped transform a small community through uniting people in a common purpose rather than dividing them in contentious destruction.

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The Conversationalist

An article about a local guy who came up with an innovative, fun and whimsical way to interact with his community. The link to his website is http://www.projectcentaur.org/

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Green Alley Clean-up Pilot Project

The idea sprouted via our HMEG e-mail list, when a member thought it would be a good idea to plant raspberries in unused spots in alleys. Eventually it turned into a full blown alley clean-up on the 24th. We joined forces with the Community Building Committee and residents to clear debris, weeds, and scrub trees then mulched and planted native and low maintenance plants to ensure water quality. We used a chili feed potluck at the end to motivate residents and volunteers!