Welcome back. I want to share some reflections with you on a subject that is gaining international attention. Traumatic Brain Injury. Bob Woodruff, the news anchor who was injured several years ago by an IED while working in Iraq will be seen on several television programs. He and a colleague of his sustained brain injuries due to the explosion. The injury to his brain changed the life he knew forever.
When a person’s brain is injured due to an internal and /or external factor, the life they lived before the injury changes forever. The specific changes will depend on which part of their their brain sustained an injury. Each part of our brain regulates and monitors a specific functions that in turn enables our activities of daily living. Brain function depends on the health of its nerve system specific to that area of the brain. Brain injury occurs when these tiny nerve systems no longer function properly.
As by way of an illustration, I will share an awareness I had while working in the cemetery and funeral industries. I met with families and individuals on a regular basis. Interestingly, the families who had to take care of an at need loss -make the arrangements at the funeral home and then go to the cemetery to pick out a space- were more prone to making pre-arrangements through me. In contrast, I noticed that families and individuals who never had to make at need arrangements for someone they loved, had a cavalier attitude toward the idea of pre-planning.
I share this contrast with you because it illustrates a point. There may be people who watched the aforementioned programs and have sympathy for Bob Woodward and people like him who have been impacted by a traumatic brain injury. After the program, they change the channel and go on with their lives. In contrast there are people who have a loved one who has been impacted by a traumatic brain injury. The later have empathy toward brain injury survivors. They get involved in advocacy and legislation for people with brain injuries. And now to my point. To those individuals who have not been impacted by traumatic brain injury, please do not wait until someone you know and love sustains a traumatic brain injury. Get involved today.
On a national note, I am amazed that many soldiers coming back from the war in Iraq and other conflicts around the world, who sustained a brain injury have not been receiving ongoing rehabilitation services after they leave military hospitals. Some of their brain injuries are also being re-categorized as something other than a traumatic brain injury. Nevertheless, the traumatic brain injury they sustained while serving to protect our freedom, will impact both their lives and the lives of their families for many years to come. Please get involved in the advocacy for these soldiers and there families. Write your congressman, senators as well as your other elected officials and encourage them to step up to the plate and provide on going medical and rehabilitation services to those soldiers and their families. They served our country, now we should honor them!
If this article can benefit anyone whom you know, you are free to share the article with them. You have my permission. If they have any questions, please have them contact me. All questions are good questions.
As you listen to, watch or read my articles and questions come to mind, please send those questions to mind. All questions are good questions. In the event that you would like to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you. To do so, please use the below contact form. I will respond to your comments and questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a great day.
Craig
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D. Faaborg says
I’m not sure how I came upon this website but it’s been a welcomed “find”. My dd has suffered from several concussion related to sports participation. After the last concussion (which seemed to be the most severe and occured with a kick directly to her temporal lobe), we saw a slow progression of “difference” in her, including to seizures and significant increase in her migraines. Nine months later she became psychotic and has since been tentatively dx’d BP with psychotic features but I believe it will eventually change to SZaffective because of ongoing hallucinations. Additionally, and we are fortunate in this (if you can call it fortunate) because she had several MRI’s due to the concussions, she has an area deep her in brain where blood is pooling due to damage to a major vein. Needless to say, we are dealing with various issues of MI now but I find it appauling that doctors really seem to minimize the physical component of her concussion as related to her MI. It’s not the issue that she has MI, but the concern that we aren’t looking at what TBI really can do to a patient. I think we are going to very sadly find that more and more of these soldiers with TBI are going to start showing symptoms of MI but the medical field with write that off as PTSD, stress, or whatever. Yes, those can be a component but, imo, so can TBI. Thank you for sharing your site!
secondchancetolive says
Hi Tx,
I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with me. Dealing with a dual diagnosis can be very baffling to begin with for both the consumer and for their family and friends too. To compound matters, it appears that we have a medical system that seems to cater to the whims of the insurance industry, rather than to the needs of its citizens. The bottom line becomes more valuable than the creativity of people.
I am sorry for ALL the ongoing hoop jumping that you / she is having to do to get the needed medical / psycho social support. I have had many of the same experiences with govt. agencies and medical professionals. Some of this lax comes from ignorance and some from ambivalence. Both of these attitudes are negligent and far from satisfactory.
I am also sad for the soldiers, who have an acquired brain injury as a consequence of the service to our country. It would be the right thing for our country to step up to the plate and honor those who have honored our country. Education may be the best answer for those who have ears to hear. I believe momentum is essential to keeping those in elected positions of authority on post. Our elected officials need to step up to the plate and make their voices’ heard. Decency calls to the honorable. Hopefully those in elected positions will heed that call and defend the needs of our soldiers.
Thank you so much for contacting me through a comment. Please keep me posted on the developements of your dd. God bless you both.
With highest regards,
Anonymous says
Hi Craig.
I came upon this site yesterday and believe it was an answer to a desperate cry for help to God. I am a strong believer and enjoy a very close relationship with my Savior. Two years ago my 20 year old daughter aquired a severe brain injury due to losing control of her car on the highway and hitting a tree at 70 mph. She truly is a miracle. Does that mean she does not have disabilities and limitations? No. Hannah was in a coma/vegatative state for 57 days and spent 102 days in the hospital. She came home and I became her full-time therapist. It has always been my prayer to see her experience a full recovery. I miss the girl I knew, depserately at times. Although God has been more than faithful through it all, I can’t seem to be satisfied with it. I mean I go through periods of satisfaction and acceptance and then expect so much more from her at times. We have been told she will continue to heal. She just finished her first year of college. She can do most everything on her own, but cannot yet drive due to double vision and she is limited physically. This is difficult for a girl who used to play soccer and golf on a regular basis. She walks on her own, but does not have the coordination to run. We keep attempting therapy and she keeps gaining, slowly but surely. She also thinks and reacts slower to situations. She does take advantage of her disability office at the college she attends and has been able to be successful this way. I feel like I as a mom have experienced all the stages of brain injury you have described from denial to grief and hopefully, finally acceptance. She has shown us so much just by what she has accomplished that I keep wanting and expecting more. This is very difficult for me as I readily confess to God that my expectations are from Him and not her. I feel as I am in a constant state of confession to God for not being satisfied with where He has brought her. Although it seems I am for weeks or months at a time. Then another phase of reality hits and her recovery consumes me again. Thank you so much for you site, I will continue to read it. Any suggestions for me?
Trish Pederson
New Richmond, WI
secondchancetolive says
Hi Trish,
Thank you so very much for writing and telling me about your daughter. She has come along way for sure. She is a walking, talking miracle for sure. I have found that I needed to learn how to trust the process. Over time I have had friends, who were aware of my reality become frustrated with me because my disability is of an invisible nature. I recall telling my best friend several years ago when he became frustrated with me that I could empathize with his frustration, because I have to live with my invisible disability — every day of my life. I told my friend that I get frustrated with myself too at times.
In my experience I have found that my grieving process occurs on various levels, at various times, in various ways Trish. I have also found that the grieving process just takes what it takes. The process of moving through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance is not fluid. I may go from acceptance back to denial during a very short period of time. I have also found that various events, situations and scenarios can trigger my beginning to grieve all over again, even though I thought I had already come to a place of acceptance with the event or circumstance.
We all have hopes and dreams. Some times those dreams do not seem to be occurring in the ways we had hoped for in life or in the time frame that I had from those hopes and dreams. Please read my post, Following your bliss…regardless https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/04/30/passion/ I believe that life changing events are merely a switch on the railroad of life that point me in the direction of my destiny. My experience has shown me that I do not have the big picture. That is why I need to trust the process, a loving God and my ability to learn through my circumstances and experiences.
I like the illustration of the tapestry Trish. On one side of the tapestry all we can see are multicolored threads that appear to make no sense at all in their pattern. On the other side of the tapestry a wonderful and intricate design is being crafted. I believe that many times we get so preoccupied with the multicolored threads that you and I can not see the value in the position of the threads.
I believe that our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up. I believe our circumstances are not meant for our harm — Romans 8:28 — but they are being used for our good. I don’t believe that our circumstances are meant to victimize us. Instead, as I learn from my circumstances — rather than believing that I am being victimized by them — I learn wonderful lessons. I believe those lessons prepare me to take advantage of opportunities that become available to me. I believe those opportunities prepare me to learn new lessons through circumstances that arise in my life. I believe those new circumstance prepare me for more opportunities. Collectively, I believe those circumstances and opportunities are pointing me in the direction of my destiny.
I believe you are doing the best job that you know how to do at this time, so please be gentle with your self and feel your feelings. Part of your frustration may come from your being the primary therapist or your daughter Trish. My encouragement to you is to make sure you are getting enough rest, you are eating well, that you get involved with a caregiver or some other support group where you can process your feelings — so that you do not vent on your daughter — and that you stay connected to other people. If you start to feel poorly, make taking care of your own needs the priority. Like stewardess’s tell us to first cover our mouth and nose with the oxygen mask before attempting to help anyone with their oxygen mask.
I hope the above has been helpful. Please feel free to stay in contact with me. If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask, Trish. Please also so hello to you daughter for me and tell her that I am proud of her.
God bless you and your family my friend.
Craig
Gary Salas says
Dear Craig,
I am just starting read information from this website but I wanted to talk to someone who understands. My wife of 32, soon to be 33 was riding her motorcycle home from work when she was rear ended by a drunk driver. He hit her bike going over 50 full on. The impact launched her secured helmet off of her head and she sustained a cranial fracture with two hemotomas on both sides of her brain. After approximately 8 days she had a major swell (techniques being used to control her pressure were working at the time)which also resulted in a stroke in the lower right back portion of her brain. She currently is in an induced coma and the pressures are being controlled well. The community backing has been beyond belief. She is a server at a popular restraunt here in Tucson, AZ. The medical service she is receiving is top notch, and I know it takes time for her to come out of the coma once the drug is stopped. I have two young boys so I guess Im just asking for your advice for some next steps. Thank you for listening.
Gary
secondchancetolive says
Hi Gary,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to write. Thank you for telling me about your wife. I am sorry for what happened to her my Gary. I am happy to hear that you have a very supportive system in place. Having and maintaining that support system will be worth volumes to both you, your sons and your wife. I realize that each day is difficult for by you and your family. In my experience I have found that I need to trust the process, stay in the day and avoid trying to predict outcomes. I am happy to hear that the medical staff is top notch and that they are being attentive to the needs of your wife. Because I am not a neurologist or a medical Doctor I can not give you any medical advice or suggestions along those lines my friend. I would suggest that you follow the medical personnel’s directions and suggestions and again stay in the day. I believe that more will be revealed to both you and your wife in time.
As to your sons, I would suggest that you keep them informed as to what is happening to their Mom. Age appropriate information can help them realize that Mommy has not left or abandoned them. Please do work with the hospital psychologist — and / or / both — the chaplain of the hospital to help your boys make sense of what has and is happening to their Mom.
In the event that your sons need to talk about what they are experiencing in their Mom’s absence or because of what has happened to their Mom I would encourage you to allow your boys to talk. By allowing them to talk and listening to your sons — about what they are experiencing — you may avoid negative acting out behavior in the future months and years to come, I believe. Again, please check with the hospital staff to get more specifics per how to best meet the needs of your sons with the absence of their Mom.
Gary, I would also suggest continuing to read through my articles on Second Chance to Live. I have a site map https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/ that has 303 current articles listed. Not all of the titles have living with an invisible disability or traumatic brain injury in their titles, however all of the titles contain information that could help both you, your boy’s and your wife later on down the road of her recovery my friend.
Thank you again for writing. Please do keep me apprised of your wife’s process. Thank you Gary. In the event that I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. I hope the above has been helpful my friend.
Again, please take the process 1 day at a time Gary and stay in today. More will be revealed in time. Trust me on this one. You will get what you need, one day at a time.
I will say so long for now.
Craig
Kris M says
Dear Craig,
My story is not as traumatic as those above, but it is just as frustrating. I am still suffering symptoms of TBI as a result of a series of ECT treatments I received in 2000. Unfortunately, no one told me at the time that ECT could have these effects, and no one recognized my symptoms as indicative of TBI afterwards, so I received no therapy to recover my functionality. I also was not working at the time (I was a stay-at-home mom), so I had no day-to-day practice in higher mental functions like math and analytical thinking. (I was a former lawyer.) Unfortunately, my husband and I recently divorced and I had to go back to work. I only lasted a year because I just could not do the work. I found that, even after 8 years, I still have significant memory gaps, mild to moderate aphasia, and I have a lot of trouble working with numbers. My cognitive processing skills have all been affected: I process more slowly, I can’t switch tasks as easily, I am easily distracted, and I am totally disorganized. I have to work very slowly and carefully, and check and re-check my work for errors. Now I am unemployed and I realize I probably could use some therapy or practice of some kind to sharpen my skills, but I need to be working as soon as possible because I am now on my own. I am worried that I will never be able to work at a reasonably competent level. How do I go about finding a job now when I know I lack the essential skills every employer wants: organizational skills and attention to detail? How do I tell an employer that I can do the job – I just need twice as much time as everyone else to do it right? I can’t get certified as “disabled” because I am still employable – if I want to work at McDonald’s. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I need time to recover and think I can do it, now that I know what the problem is, but I don’t HAVE time to recover, because I need to pay the rent, etc. Have you ever come across anyone in similar circumstances?
I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.
Thanks,
Kris
secondchancetolive says
Hi Kris,
Thank you so very much for sharing your story with me. I believe I understand your situation. In my case I went through vocational rehabilitation with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation — several times before I was deemed to be unemployable approximately 12 years ago Kris. If you have not already approached the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in your area, I would encourage you to investigate that avenue. I would also make sure that you find a vocational rehabilitation counselor that has experience working with traumatic brain injury survivors. I am not a Dr. and can not give you medical advice, but from what you tell me you may want to ask the Vocational Rehabilitation Department / counselor to schedule an appointment with a neuro psychologist. The neuro psychologist can complete a neuro psychological exam on you. The results may help you gain the clarity that you are seeking Kris. The Vocational Rehabilitation Department may be able to assist you with your bills during the time you are going through a vocational evaluation. My counselor helped me get some financial assistance. In my area — where I live — their is a program called Programs for Accessible Living. My contact at Programs for Accessible Living presented my situation to the Neighborhood Development in my area where I live. The Neighborhood Development staff decided to help me with my rent while I went through the process with vocational rehabilitation. I also applied for food stamps and other assistance Kris. I applied for Section 8 housing with the Housing Authority and the Neighborhood Development Program continued to help me pay rent until Section 8 started to help me pay my rent. I have been receiving Section 8 assistance for several years now — they pay a portion and I pay a portion according to their formula. I live a very frugal life and because of the financial discipline I have maintained I have not had any financial insecurity.
So as you can see, I have had a similar experience as you related to me below. Let me know if the above information has been helpful to you.
Thank you again for writing. I am truly honored.
Have a pleasant evening and take life on day at a time. That has helped me tremendously my friend.
Craig
Jackie Sue says
I am enjoying your page. Thank you.
I am 51, I broke my neck (C2) when I was 21 and last year was hit head on by a driver that made an illegal left turn. They say that the first accident did some damage but I was able to work through it and become a sucessful insurance agent but that the second one put me over.
I am still having a lot of pain and have a good Dr. for that. He found a neuro-psychologist to test me. The preacher where I go to church is also a psychologist and helps me a lot. I have found an attorney to help me get disability, she says that you have to keep trying until they give you a hearing. The law says how much they can charge you for helping you get disability.
This is a very hard journey but the Lord has something in mind and he will get me there when it’s time. Knowing that still doesn’t make the lost words, hard reading, moods, attention and the many small things any easier just bearable. For my reading I found an online dictionary that says the word when I find one I just can’t understand.
I am lucky to have a caring family. My husband says he has to do 3 things most of all; love me, look at me and listen to what I am saying.
Good Luck,
Jackie Sue
secondchancetolive says
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your time and kindness. In the event that either you or your husband have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you again for your time.
Have a simply amazing day!
Craig
margaret griffith says
Craig, we run a cluhouse for people with abi and tbi. I keep asking the question, “what happens after rehab.” Reading your articles are inspiring to me because we have a few that have the courage to what we refer to as reoccupying their own minds.
But we find that we are the redheaded stepchild of both the medical and psychiatric community. While the war in Iraq has brought TBI to the publics attention, most are destined to being warehoused in group homes and adult day care.
I believe in you. I believe that even “broken” brains can work again. You keep us going!
much love and respect.
mg
secondchancetolive says
Hi Maggie,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to write to me. I am honored by your kindness and words of encouragement and validation. I believe that it is not so much what happens to us, but how we choose to use what happens to us that defines our quality of living. Motivation can be a challenge for traumatic brain injury survivors. The factors that stymie motivation can be varied. My desire is to motivate brain injury survivors to use what they have in ways that work for them Maggie. I have written and article that you may find to be beneficial *Traumatic Brain Injury — Following your bliss…regardless* https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/12/traumatic-brain-injury-following-your-bliss%E2%80%A6regardless/
Maggie, you are have my permission to use my articles to generate discussion / motivation / encouragement to the members of the treyhouses. In the event that you or other facilitators have questions please do not hesitate to write to me. I will respond in a timely fashion. If I may suggest, I have a Site Map https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/ and articles there in may prove to encourage, motivate and empower the survivors and their families. Currently I have written and published a total of 434 articles to date.
As I shared in my article Traumatic Brain Injury … Following your bliss…regardless I believe we can learn to use what we have in ways that work for us. I have recently finished writing a 2 part series, *Traumatic Brain Injury — THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE! * You may find the information that I present with in the article to be helpful my friend. Below are the links to the articles.
https://secondchancetolive.org/2009/05/24/traumatic-brain-injury-there-is-no-such-thing-as-failure/
https://secondchancetolive.org/2009/05/25/traumatic-brain-injury-there-is-no-such-thing-as-failure-part-2-of-2/
Please keep me in your prayers. Hopefully more brain injury survivors, caregivers and medical staff will visit Second Chance to Live to read and receive my message of hope. I want to be in the center of God’s will for Second Chance to Live Maggie. Please do share my message of hope with your affiliates and friends. Thank you.
Thank you again for writing and your time and encouragement. You are a tremendous blessing to me my friend.
God bless both you and your family and every one at http://www.treyshousesa.org Maggie!
Have a simply phenomenal day and please stay in touch with me. Thank you Maggie.
Craig
Kevan says
I fell while mountain climbing in colorado when I was 17 years old.My brain was severely bruised in 4 different locations,my right lung was partially collapsed,and my left lung had pneumonia in it.I spent 10 days in a coma afterwhich I had to learn how to talk,walk,use my right side,and regain the use of my speech.I alsohad to regain the proper use of my vision and learn how to dress myself,feed myself,and potty-train myself all over again.I spent the entire summer of 1969 in an ultra-intensive therapy program put on by the Colorado state rehabilitation center in Colorado springs,co.Because of that program I have regained the use of all my moeder functions but I still suffer from severe post-traumatic-stress-syndrome which limits my social skills and I still have a learning dissability.
secondchancetolive says
Hi Kevan,
Thank you for sharing with me what you have below. You are right on course. In my experience, I have found that life is more about a process, than waiting to arrive at some destination Kevan. In my experience, I have found that the process is of greater value than what I might achieve as a result of the process. When I see the process, as more valuable I can let go of the outcomes — and trust the outcomes to a loving God — who has the BIG picture. You are doing marvelously Kevan. You are right where you are supposed to be — just for today. Be encouraged Kevan. More will be revealed to you my friend.
Please let me know how I can be of service to you Kevan. I look forward to hearing back from you my friend.
Have a pleasant day and God bless both you and your family Kevan.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
https://secondchancetolive.org/
Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up!
Kevan says
I have learned a-lot about how to deal with tbi.One of the most important things that I have learned is how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me 2000 years ago.Another thing I have learned is “all I can do is all I can do,and that is all I can do!”
The accident limited me on the type of work that I can do,I have limited social skills which prevents me from going to church,sporting events,and limits the amount of close friends that I have;but all I can do is all that I can do.And in the end,that is going to be enouph
secondchancetolive says
Hi Kevan,
Thank you for sharing with me what you have below. You are right on course. In my experience, I have found that life is more about a process, than waiting to arrive at some destination Kevan. In my experience, I have found that the process is of greater value than what I might achieve as a result of the process. When I see the process, as more valuable I can let go of the outcomes — and trust the outcomes to a loving God — who has the BIG picture. You are doing marvelously Kevan. You are right where you are supposed to be — just for today. Be encouraged Kevan. More will be revealed to you my friend.
Please let me know how I can be of service to you Kevan. I look forward to hearing back from you my friend.
Have a pleasant day and God bless both you and your family Kevan.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
https://secondchancetolive.org/
Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up!