Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

  Recently I discovered something called “flooding.” After a stroke, “flooding” is common. What is flooding? A great website explains what I still go through even after 5 years after my strokes : “Sensory overload 'flooding' after brain injury: Can you imagine living in a world that sounded like a loud concert, the music is so loud that you can’t think straight –one concert that had strobe lights and spot lights shining on you; a world where everything seemed too “busy,” smelled really badly or made you feel uncomfortable in your own skin?  I can’t.  This is life for a person who suffers from sensory overload. Most of us don’t even notice half of what people with acquired brain injury hear.  Their brain is unable to filter it out.” Many brain injury survivors experience sensory overload of the brain.  By: ·                         sounds · ...

Five years ago today, I had my first stroke followed by a massive stroke three days later in the hospital.  I did not even know my name and could not talk.  Yet, today, I am flying to Seattle as the Chair of the College of Western Idaho talking about accreditation.  Every stroke is different. My story is about hope, faith, perseverance, and love of family and friends. Never give up! Here are some statistics about "Stroke in the United States:" Stroke kills almost  130,000  Americans each year—that’s  1 out of every 20 deaths . 1 On average, one American dies from stroke every  4 minutes . 2 Every year, more than  795,000 people  in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes. About 185,00 strokes— nearly one of four —are in people who have had a previous stroke. 2 About  87%  of all strokes are  ischemic strokes , when blood flow to the brain is blocked. 2 ...

Finally, "Social Media" has finally affected me “personally.”  The phenomena “Internet Trolls” has come to roost on my social media presence.  I use the term “personally” because my social media presence is public despite my efforts to make private.  I am an elected official so NOTHING is private. I have found out that people lurk in the shadows on the Internet. Years ago when the concept of the Internet was just a vague notion, I started to research the implications of the Web for my job.  As the CEO of the Idaho Association of REALTORS®, I was concerned yet pleased that the Internet could help my members. I wanted to be ahead of the curve technology-wise to prepare my members what I knew would change the world of real estate forever. About 20 years ago, I made a speech in Boise in front of about 400 Realtor® members about the advantages of using the Internet for their businesses.  I told the members that I searched for a house on the Inter...

I have not updated my blog for several weeks. “Life” gets in the way. “Life.” Sometimes, “life” is just a word. The text book definition of “life” is “ the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.” I am so grateful for my life. This time of year should be a celebration of life. Yet, I am having trouble being merry because of a sense of loss I feel. Today, I drove around Boise just to “feel.” It is a wonderful winter day, with bright sunshine. I have so much to be thankful for. I look at my son's happy face with his dog, and I am in my happy place. 5 years ago, I was wrapping Christmas presents when my first signs of the ominous and impending strokes that happened in January of 2012. It has been five years of struggle and wondrous joy. Nevertheless, the  fatalistic nature of my soul still gives me pause. I try not to ...

My Great Grandfather Martin Ludvig Robertson was born December 14, 1871 in Stensvig, Norway. He arrived from the USA in 1891. He moved to Kalispell, Montana, married, and started his family. In 1908, he built this house north of Kalispell.  My grandmother Agnes is the little blond girl on the right in the photo. Martin died January 8, 1937. My great grandparents farm is now the site of the Flathead Community College. It seems fitting -- or not! -- that his Great Grandson (ME) is the new chair of the College of Western Idaho. I often think about my ancestors who struggled for generations to build a better life for their descendants. We are all so lucky.

A lot of people have been asking me about the CWI elections including my race and the CWI Bond Election. Before I comment, here is some background. At CWI’s inception in 2007, Boise was the last metropolitan area in the country lacking a community college. According to the publication “Inside Higher Ed,” in 2007, “J. A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation led an effort called “ Community College Now! ”  an awareness campaign. At the same time, leaders in the Treasure Valley including prominent businesses such as Micron Technology Inc. and the Chamber of Commerce ’s , began a campaign that raised more than $300,000 for voter registration, mailings and advertisements in various media. Proponents of the new district knew what they were up against: a state with a significant aversion to additional taxes. But the campaign emphasized the proposed college's benefits to the local economy, as well as the educational opportunities it would open up to new high school graduates,...

I voted early. I have always voted on Election Day since I cast my first vote for Ronald Reagan when I was 18 years old.  That was the 1980 election. I could not stomach another four years of Jimmy Carter's inept presidency and "malaise."   I wanted to vote early this year for several reasons. I voted for myself for another term on the Board of the College of Western Idaho. I am unopposed. Tough race! My second reason is to support the CWI Bond Election. It will be a tough race because state law requires a 2/3 rd   vote. Despite the compelling need, the reactionary anti-tax voters will be voting against us. I voted early to change my luck! Third? Well. Our horrifying presidential candidates. At the voting booth, I thought I would get a vision about who is the best of the worst candidates in our history. No vision came to me. I voted begrudgingly and held my nose. The early voting at my county was crowded. The handy cardboard temporary ...