If you have not already read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12 of this series please take the time to do so my friend. Thank you.
In 1967, at the age of 10 my family was in an automobile accident. In that accident, I sustained an open skull fracture with right frontal lobe damage and a severe brain bruise – with brain stem involvement. I remained in a coma for 3 weeks. The injury to my brain further complicated and exacerbated what I have shared with you in the first 3 ½ parts of this series. Please read Parts 1 – Part 4 of this series to understand the context of Part 5. Thank you.
In my experience, once my external wounds healed – and I was able to begin walking, talking, reading, writing and speaking in complete sentences – I appeared normal to my family. Consequently, although the testing of the day showed that my brain had been damaged, my family elected not to consider the impact of my brain injury. Their decision proved to have both negative and positive ramifications. In the context of this series, I will share how their decision perpetuated my core belief that I was a mistake.
Please let it be known that I am not blaming, pointing fingers or casting negative aspersions in anyone’s direction. From my perspective, participating in such behavior (s) is pointless and only serves to create and perpetuate a dis-empowering victim mentality. Instead, I am grateful for the decision that was made in 1968, because my life’s experiences have subsequently empowered my ability to pursue my passions and to follow my bliss in ways that work for me.
The negative ramifications from the decision impacted my life in different ways. Primarily, the decision proved to solidify a denial system and the role that I had previously been assigned or assumed as an identified patient. The decision and role would lead me to unconsciously believe that I deserved to be abused and mistreated by people. Practically speaking, the decision codified a denial system that would make me vulnerable to victimization. I bought into this notion — that I unconsciously deserved to be abused and mistreated — because I did not believe that I made mistakes, but that I was a mistake.
I bought into this notion, because I did not know how the injuries to my brain affected my relationships. I bought into the notion because, I did not know how to advocate for myself. I bought into this notion, because I did not know how to compensate for my the injuries that I sustained at the time of my traumatic brain injury.
Please read Part 6 for context. Thank you
If you have not already read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12 of this series please take the time to do so my friend. Thank you.
Here is my Contact page. Send comments and questions and I will respond to you.
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