TSC Talks Guest Nikki Lawley Exceptional Circumstances

TSC Talks guest Nikki Lawley is a former pediatric nurse, former blackjack dealer, and much more, who went from a full active life to chronic daily pain and other debilitating symptoms after suffering a traumatic brain injury while on the job in 2016. This is the story of how it happened, what happened and how she’s been able to move from existing in survival mode to having a life filled with hope despite ongoing challenges.

TSC Talks guest Nikki Lawley is a former pediatric nurse, former blackjack dealer, and much more, who went from a full active life to chronic daily pain and other debilitating symptoms after suffering a traumatic brain injury while on the job in 2016. This is the story of how it happened, what happened and how she’s been able to move from existing in survival mode to having a life filled with hope despite ongoing challenges. In her own words; “since my (TBI) injury, one of the things that I’ve learned more than anything is about living in the moment. My life changed a second and I can’t go back and write a new ending, but I sure can start now and I just have really become more human with this injury. ”

Here are a few relevant quotes from the transcript~full transcript linked below:

“So I began the search for a diagnosis. It was hell, I was always a respected colleague in the medical field. And every doctor I went to was like, we don’t understand why your symptoms are so long. We don’t understand why you’re not better yet. We don’t understand this headache that never goes away. How can you have a headache 24 /7. I’m like, I have a headache. 24/7. I have a headache that never goes away. And they basically told me that it was psychological at one point, and it was so de-humanizing for a person that’s never had mental health challenges and extreme situations, to be told, like, this is all in your head. Really nothing wrong with you. And it was like, Whoa, is it really in my head? No, and I mean, chill. When I say I was upbeat and happy, you know, I was different than I was before. I was really quick, really witty really able to, you know, snapback and had a really fun life. I’m a different Nikki and I’m differently-abled, but I feel that patients are the experts, and they are not heard. We are not heard from a patient perspective. When I tell the doctor, this medicine isn’t working. Why do I have to be in question?”

She goes on to say,

“It wasn’t like a panacea that like one day I just opened my eyes and oh, cannabis is here. Oh, I’m all better. That’s not how it works. Yeah, the universe has allowed me to explore. Honestly, it’s allowed me to be able to understand my injury, it’s been able to help me help others. I was able to see that cannabis isn’t so bad. It’s given me hope when I had none. and removing the stigma of this plant is honestly what’s in my heart that I really want to help do.”

On the state of Cannabis legislation,

“But I’ve learned so much about this plant, and there’s so much more to learn. And right. We’re just at the beginning, really any of us. Exactly. And New York State is looking at legalization. Yes. I keep seeing that. Is that gonna happen? Well, I was part of it for the last two years and nothing happened. And it was incredibly disappointing. Incredibly. They all got a position so they can make the most money off of it, I think there’s so much of that behind it. I don’t know all of it. But oh, no, you’re 100%. And I really didn’t understand that. Like I always just heard people say that, but let me assure you, that’s it. I’ve never seen a more corrupt system literally starting at the very, very top of how it all works together.”

“So I had to fight to just see the right providers, I spent so much money out of pocket. Workers’ compensation pays for next to nothing. Yeah, unless you have specific doctors that they are willing to pay for, you can’t get care, right. Everything was a struggle from medical massage, physical therapy, to cognitive therapy, you name it, they fought you on it. And then to have independent medical exams that are paid for by the insurance company, and they spend literally three and a half minutes with me. They look at all the medical records and say alright, she can return to work in six weeks, and she has no problems.”

For the full transcript: https://otter.ai/u/EDWInbGkx7qAhus2lgEyjYilyoM

Nikki’s links:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Nikkilawley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-lawley-aa281517/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.lawley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawleynikki/?hl=en
Recent podcast: https://player.fm/series/coffee-party-usa-radio/i-want-access-4-all-nurse-nikki-lawley-stops-by-for-a-cup-of-joe
Blog article: https://www.mikesmedicines.com/medical-marijuana/cannabis-shopping-with-nikki-lawley-everyone-is-unique/

Nikki’s first interview with TSC Talks is here

TSC Talks A 420 Compilation

In this Special Edition 420 Compilation, we share some favorite audio clips from several of our past guests on the 20th of April, 2020!

First up is Sherri Tutkus, RN, BSN~Founder and CEO of GreenNurse Group, Medical Director of Irie Bliss Wellness and host of GreenNurse on the Go Radio Show.

1. Sherri is a cannabis nurse, patient and advocate. Sherri earned her Bachelors in Science and Nursing from Boston College. She is highly skilled Registered Nurse with 30 years practical experience in various departments within the hospital and home setting. She is utilizing her expert nursing skills as a medical center specialist, clinical nurse liaison and educator to bridge the gap between patients and the cannabis community. Sherri has been educating and implementing holistic integrative healing modalities within her practice for over 20 years. She educates on the endocannabinoid system and the safe utilization of cannabis at dispensaries, hospitals, clinics, patients homes and she regularly does pop up events and expos.

Sherri is a member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and the Cannabis Nurses Network and she brings passion and purpose to her work teaching bio-psycho-social-spiritual healing using cannabis as a tool. https://greennursegroup.com
Shari’s episode on TSC Talks: https://tsctalks.com/sherri-tutkus/

2. Keith Stroup, Mr. Keith Stroup is a Washington, DC public-interest attorney who founded NORML in 1970. Stroup obtained his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Illinois in 1965, and in 1968 he graduated from Georgetown Law School in Washington, DC. Following two years as staff counsel for the National Commission on Product Safety, Mr. Stroup founded NORML and ran the organization through 1979, during which 11 states decriminalized minor marijuana offenses.

Stroup has also practiced criminal law, lobbied on Capitol Hill for family farmers and artists, and for several years served as executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). https://norml.org
Keith’s episode on TSC Talks: https://tsctalks.com/tsc-talks-guest-keith-stroup/

3. Nikki Lawley~Nikki Lawley, Cannabis Advocate and Educator

Traumatic brain injury stole my joy, but cannabis returned it.

Nikki, a NY state resident, has always been a proud and diligent worker. She’s served as an HVAC filtration salesperson, later starting her own company, then as a casino dealer, and most recently, as a pediatric nurse. She had suffered two traumatic brain injuries during her younger years, but it was the third TBI that suddenly changed everything. In a heartbeat, her life changed from one of optimism, vibrancy, enthusiasm, confidence, and extroversion, to one of constant pain, withdrawal, depression, and hopelessness.

While trying to help administer a routine vaccine to a young boy, Nikki was thrown against the wall, suffering a significant TBI and cervical instability in the process. Nikki’s TBI has caused cognitive deficiencies, confusion, memory loss, anxiety, and pain. She found herself unable to work, unable to interact with others, and in a very dark place. None of the numerous traditional medications she’s tried helped, and if fact, their ghastly side effects left her even worse off.

She had long since reached the end of her rope, when, on a whim, figuring she had nothing more to lose, she turned to cannabis. https://linktr.ee/Nikkilawley
Nikki’s episode on TSC Talks: https://tsctalks.com/tsc-talks-guest-nikki-lawley/

4. Mike Robinson~Mike Robinson, the founder of the Global Cannabinoid Research
Center in Santa Barbara California, is a multiple Cancer survivor that’s used cannabis oils and CBD extensively as well for Severe epilepsy, Chronic Lyme Disease, PTSD, and in pain management. Over the last 6 years Mike has shared his journey and analytics on cannabinoid medicine research globally while assisting patients and helping to teach clinicians globally. Mike is the former Director of Consumer Affairs and Communications at The American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine. His post grad education, however is not in cannabis or cannabinoid medicine, rather it’s focus was International Relations and Diplomacy. Robinson has an extensive history of leading a large compassion program that provided countless disadvantaged cannabis patients with various alternative protocol treatments, is a published journalist and international cannabinoid research specialist, is a former registered Civil Rights lobbyist and non attorney that represented countless disabled children pro bono nationwide for over 2 decades. He’s a past board member of Big Brothers and Sisters, the founder of multiple non profits for disabled children, and is well known for adopting a severely disabled child, Genevieve, from the compassion program he once ran.

Read Genevieve’s Journey in High Times: https://hightimes.com/culture/genevieves-journey-how-cannabis-helped-save-life-create-family/
https://mikesmedicines.com, https://globalcannabinoidrc.com, https://genevievesdream.com, https://carouselchallenge.com

Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please write us a review on any of the following platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/tsctalks/reviews/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tsc-talks/id1438344290

TSC Talks Guest Tyrone Williams

What’s relatable about this TSC Talks podcast guest, Tyrone Williams is how despite multiple and frequently tragic occurrences throughout his life, he finds a way to take the high road and choose not to stay stuck in unhealthy circumstances and a mindset of a passive victim. Tyrone is a “Proud Father👣 Direct From Source Supplier🌿License THC and Hemp Product Acquisition and Quality Control Specialist🤔Problem Solver”, He speaks out about the inequities in the industry, highlights multiple examples and is determined not to let any of these hurdles keep him from creating a legacy for his son of a life lived with integrity, respect for history and love. Buckle up.

TSC Talks guest Tyrone Williams is a Proud Father👣 Direct From Source Supplier🌿Licensed THC and Hemp Product Acquisition and Quality Control Specialist🤔Problem Solver. This is his story of life in the fast lane in the early days of the cannabis industry in Southern California. Tyrone grew up with a father involved in some of the riskier smuggling operations in the industry, his uncle being killed by the cartel and his mother as a beacon of safety and strength.

In this episode, Tyrone walks us through the timeline of his life, detailing one challenge after tragedy after another. He is passionate about the potential of cannabis to revolutionize the world, has deep knowledge of multiple aspects of the cannabis industry, and speaks with passion and purpose about the lack of equity in the industry, as well as the need to respect the living history of those that have sacrificed, lost and suffered defending their right to use the plant over the years. He makes note repeatedly that it’s not the cannabis business of today, where we take for granted the reduced stigma and ease of access, but the gritty illegal side of the business, that of Netflix docudramas, in which his father and other relatives were immersed when he was born. Despite the high stakes danger and tragic outcomes of these illegal operations, they laid the groundwork for the movement toward marijuana legalization and reform that exists today.

Tyrone’s early years were defined by excitement, tragedy, and turmoil; “One of my first memories is sitting in a pile of money and throwing it up and throwing up in the air like Richie Rich. When I was three years old, we dropped my uncle off at the airport and he was shot down by the Mexican military on his way back. on his way back. He was a very, very good pilot and
It was a C130 plane so there’s no way that it would have just fallen out of the sky”

Despite this tragedy and others, Tyrone mentions his mother and grandmother as positive influences, “Yeah, I didn’t have any guidance. I didn’t have anyone to look to except for my grandmother on my mom’s side. You know she and my mom gave me my work ethic and my ability to love. I will always love them for that because, you know, for my first five years, I had nothing but love and even though there were these events. They weren’t tragic to me, because I was so young. And my mom was still, you know, she was running around with me in a carrier, and she was a thrift store shopper. She didn’t care about money”

He expresses his deep desire to be there for his son, “the second half of my life is going to be where I put my legacy together for my son. He’s getting four As and 2 Bs. He just got his report card. He’s doing so good in school, he’s loving it. He’s got, friends. I mean, he’s happy and he really loves that we have a good relationship. We talk all the time. And you know, we do stuff. It’s something that I didn’t have whatsoever, so I know exactly what to give him. Yesterday I got an argument with my dad. And I actually thanked him for being you tell me exactly what not to do”

In describing how he was able to learn from all the trauma, fighting and things he saw going on, “I don’t believe in arguments because all it does is piss both parties off. But I do believe in communication and discussion. Yeah, we can agree to disagree, but lets at least listen both over each other sides and not try to make either of us feel like we’re inferior to the other. Because there’s that starts to occur, then people close down and nothing’s heard whatsoever. ” Amen Tyrone.

Relating his frustrations with the influx of people into the industry with “certificates and resumes” and bypassing those who have deep lived experience in the industry, real-time. Those who are passed over frequently when in many cases they are far more knowledgeable and educated than those who merely sat in a classroom and were taught about the plant, “I mean, these companies come in and I was brokering trim and there was a couple of companies that came into California and bought all the trim up and now it’s $2 higher than what it was before. And they just priced me out of everything. And then if you want to get any type of position with any of these companies they want you to have some resume that shows that you went to some stupid school to get some freakin ‘certificate that shows that you can do something.”

One of his ongoing concerns with the industry, “So that’s another problem with this influx of new money into the industry is that people are so greedy that they’ll do anything, they don’t care about trying to follow the rules, there’s no etiquette whatsoever anymore.”

Tyrone goes on to mention, how he cannot believe what he’s lived through stating, “Yeah, this is all true, real firsthand experience, not just something that I heard about from somebody else, the third person, this and that. So, yeah, and that’s why when I read back thru it, I’m like, I don’t even believe it.”

And in conclusion, I’ll leave you with this quote that gives evidence to the reason Tyrone has survived lived experiences beyond belief and has been able to rise above overwhelming circumstances to come on this podcast and talk to us today. Thanks, Tyrone for your honest, painful, inspiring glimpse of another side of the industry that many don’t understand.

“I don’t believe in arguments because all it does is both parties off. But I do believe in communication and discussion. Yeah, we can agree to disagree, but lets at least listen over each other sides and not try to make either of us feel like we’re inferior to the other. Because when that starts to occur, then people close down and nothing’s heard whatsoever. They’re just thinking about what they’re gonna say”. Truth.

From LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrone-sky-williams-5b4b45195/
“I’m a second-generation grower with 20 years in indoor hydroponic space design and quality control. Specializing in licensed farm direct THC products of the highest quality. The products personally rigorously tested and vetted from only the best quality. I have designed products that have proven positive results that I will be introducing to the market if anyone is interested in an investment opportunity.”

TSC Talks Guest Tyrone Williams

https://tsctalks.com

 

TSC Talks Guest Nikki Lawley

TSC Talks guest Nikki Lawley is a former pediatric nurse, former blackjack dealer and much more, who went from a full active life to chronic daily pain and other debilitating symptoms after suffering a traumatic brain injury on the job in 2016. This is the story of how it happened, what happened and how she’s been able to move from existing in survival mode to having a life filled with hope despite ongoing challenges. In her own words; “since my (TBI) injury, one of the things that I’ve learned more than anything is about living in the moment. my life changed a second and I can’t go back and write a new ending, but I sure can start now and I just have really become more human with this injury. ”

Nikki states: “I suffered both a traumatic brain (TBI) and whiplash injury to my neck. Due to this, I have been unable to work as a nurse ever since. My injury also comes with some debilitating symptoms, which include cognitive issues, chronic headaches, and severe neck pain. Cannabis helps alleviate my pain, bringing it from a 7/10 daily pain and down to a more tolerable 2 and 3. Other symptoms of my injury include impacted balance/coordination, visual impairment, and depression/anxiety.”

She details what was an active, chock full life, growing up in Buffalo, NY, relocating to Fort Myers, FLA and then returning to the Buffalo area, having to change careers moving from nursing to HVC sales, working at a local Planned Parenthood and back to nursing, as well as taking on a second job as a blackjack dealer at a local casino. After listening to Nikki talk about how she was able to roll with life’s challenges repeatedly and reinvent herself time after time, one can see how life as she knew it coming to a screeching halt after her TBI, was a brutal blow. It was in part, the perseverance and tenacity from years of walking through changes and challenges that gave her the ability to push to find answers and not give up after her injury.

Regarding the aftermath of the TBI, she states, “And I expected to be out a day, maybe two, definitely not three-plus years. And when I say, I could not cognitively function, I could not stop the head pain. I literally cried for the first year after my injury so often, because I just, I had so many different medications and yeah, so many treatments failed and people were like, “Well, it can’t be from the concussion.” She goes on to further explain, “So two of my ligaments are completely level three in the front and they really caused a huge amount of issues as far as, I get no cerebral spinal fluid CSF flow to my frontal parts of my brain because of the way the bones are and again, it causes complete compression and occlusion of the CSF flow. The neurosurgeon said, Oh, you don’t need surgery will wire back to work and, and I constantly felt like I had to tell people my side of the story like I’m not crazy people, there’s something really wrong. It is not normal to never not have a headache. So one of the biggest things that devastated me and probably the most of my cognitive challenges was I can’t count anymore. When I worked at the casino, I emptied a deck of cards. So fast in blackjack, and I could count like backward. Just never a challenge. I cannot count higher (now) consistently than five.”

So after years of seeking treatments, paying out of her own pocket repeatedly, traveling around the country and doing everything and anything she could to lessen the daily nightmare she was living in, on a trip to Vegas, she saw a “sign from God” in the form of a billboard advertising,

“So I’m standing outside looking and it’s hot, and it’s like, the sun’s on my face. So, I should be feeling happy because I came out of Buffalo in January. I wonder though. They have these driving billboards on the Vegas Strip, and I see this “get your medical cannabis card today. ..call one 800 get your weed card” and I’m like, I doubt that’ll help. And then it comes back by again. What the hell? So, my husband came back from a walk because he said I literally can’t stand to be around you. I have to get out of the room. Yeah. So I mentioned to him when he gets back, I’m like, there’s this billboard, “get your weed card”, you know and he said do it. He said, “Do it like just do it now. Let’s do it.”

Nikki was finally able to find some relief with some guidance and using particular strains of cannabis that she has only been able to find in Nevada and Canada. The cannabis took her pain from a daily level 7/10 to a 2/3 on the pain scale. However, it has been incredibly frustrating not to have access to the strains of cannabis that actually work in her home state of NY due to restrictive regulations. Nikki often travels to Nevada and Canada to find the right strains that give her the relief that allows her to function.

Throughout this journey, despite hitting some true “window ledges” where she didn’t know how she was going to go on, she’s come back to being a passionate and eloquent advocate for TBI survivors, sharing her story of hope and the amazing potential of the cannabis plant every chance she gets.

“What I do now is I just started sharing my story. I sent it to Mike (Mike Robinson, Cannabis Advocate/Activist) and I have a very good friend Rachelle Gordon, who is a writer for financial cannabis news. And she kind of helped me lose some of the rambles and make my story more concise. And then I said to Mike, “I don’t know do you think this is worth having more exposure? Do you think people want to hear about this?” You know, I’m not trying to be famous in any way shape or form. I’m just trying to promote awareness.”

For Nikki, while cannabis has provided relief, she still struggles with misunderstanding and judgment because injuries related to TBI are invisible. Sharing this final quote here;

“But you know, if nothing else, since this injury, I’ve learned so many things about chronic illness, and how, how much is misunderstood about it. And just because somebody doesn’t have a broken leg or isn’t in a wheelchair doesn’t mean they’re not disabled, it doesn’t mean that they’re not challenged in some way. If I use my parking sticker, it’s usually when it’s icy out, and I met a huge risk fall risk. So I still suffer with dizziness and balance issues and depth perception issues. I feel guilty that as the person using that sometimes, and I shouldn’t.”

There’s a lot more in this episode you don’t want to miss! Thank you Nikki Lawley for the inspiration and education on TBI, cannabis and dealing with life!

Nikki’s links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-lawley-aa281517/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.lawley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawleynikki/?hl=en
Recent podcast: https://player.fm/series/coffee-party-usa-radio/i-want-access-4-all-nurse-nikki-lawley-stops-by-for-a-cup-of-joe
Blog article: https://www.mikesmedicines.com/medical-marijuana/cannabis-shopping-with-nikki-lawley-everyone-is-unique/
Nikki’s book suggestion: https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Cannabis-Primer-Ushering-Marijuana/dp/1885176023

https://tsctalks.com STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
TBI One Love: https://www.tbionelove.com/single-post/TBI-One-Love-Survivor-Nikki-Lawley