Please read the Introduction to this article on Part 1 as I wrote Traumatic Brain Injury and Denial — My Perspective as a TBI Survivor 2 1/2 years ago. Thank you.
If you have not already read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 please do so at this time before reading Part 6. Thank you.
And now for Part 6.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Denial — My Perspective as a TBI Survivor Part 6
I share the above information with you, as I shared with my friend’s girlfriend to illustrate a point. Traumatic brain injury in many instances is an invisible disability. Although the individual may appear to be functioning well on some levels, they may still have a brain injury which grossly interferes with their ability to function on other levels.
My interest in sharing my story is to illustrate how a person with a traumatic brain injury can be misunderstood and minimized. What I needed most from people was understanding. I needed support and understanding because I had experienced a significant brain injury. But this understanding did not come for many years. I shared this information with my friend tonight in an attempt to help her understand that her boyfriend’s acquired brain injury should not be denied. I told her that denying the reality of his brain damage would not change that reality. Denial would only perpetuate his feeling of inadequacy and anguish. I also encouraged her to support her boyfriend and to not place demands on him. I encouraged her to accept his reality and to love the person. As we spoke, I emphasized that he was not his brain injury. Please read my post Traumatic Brain Injury — Following your bliss…regardless. Thank you.
For many years, I bought into different denial systems. I believed that I should be able to function as a person with out a brain injury. My denial was encouraged by those who could not or would not accept that I was indeed disabled because of a traumatic brain injury. Consequently, I continued to berate myself until I began questioning my own denial system. When I stopped trying to measure up to or be someone with out a brain injury, I was able to accept myself as a person with a traumatic brain injury.
Please read the conclusion in Part 7. Thank you.
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