Growing up different is not an easy task.
Born and raised in Flint, MI, Barbara Carlisle knew that fact well. At 17 months, Barb was stricken with measles, a common childhood ailment, which developed into influenza and then a coma, requiring hospitalization. After her recovery, Barb learned she had suffered brain trauma which led to epileptic seizures.
It was a lonesome time," notes Barb, who admits she felt ostracized by her peers. "My pals were the teachers, principal, the older people in my neighborhood," said Barb. "Also those who were younger by three to five years, who weren't afraid of me."
The fear stemmed from Barb's seizures, which most of her peers didn't understand. Barb found acceptance through her music, both singing and playing the piano. She says that occasionally music teachers would be frustrated by her insistence on harmonizing, rather than singing the melody as did the rest of the students. "But I charmed them," Barb said with a smile.
Carlisle comes from a musical family. Her great-grandparents, grandmothers, paternal grandfather and both parents were musical. Her father has continued his involvement in music as a woodwind repairman in Lansing. Two sisters made music a profession, as did Barb, a registered music therapist.
A wealth of experience behind her, Barb is currently working on her master's in music therapy. She still does some private music therapy with students with behavioral and/or learning disabilities, while working on her degree. Music is Barb's release from stress as well as her dream. She is a church organist and choir accompanist and teaches piano lessons.
She has also composed a song that she would like to see developed into a musical. "Let Your Brightest Light Glow," has a personal message embodied in it as well. The song was written as a thank-you to individuals for bringing me out of my shell," says Barb. "Now I'll help others." The theme of the song is simple, yet poignant: Don't let circumstances rule you - get out and help others."
Barb has taken the message of her song to heart. She is the president of the Capital Area Chapter of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. She is currently trying to start a campus chapter as well, but has had little interest from students. Barb's brain injury stems from surgery she had in 1990 as a last resort to stop the seizures that were not controlled by medication.
Although Barb acknowledges that anger and resentment may be at the root of some handicappers' anger at "the system," she believes people need to get beyond the need for vengeance. "Shake it off and then you can begin to get somewhere," says Barb.
This applies to job searches as well. Barb's other advice when searching for a job is to "emphasize your strong points, have more than one job skill and be versatile... express on your resume all of your extra skills and participation in your community as part of your experience," says Barb.
"Be humble enough to accept the 'lower' job and work your way up," she says. Getting involved shouldn't pull one away from studies, however, says Barb. "Get to know key leaders and associate with them the most."
She also advocates forming close friendships with advisers and specialists. "They'll give you sound advice and help you find the right strategy," she says. "You have to have a sounding board, someone you can be confident with, otherwise you'll get frustrated and (possibly) drop out."