Please read Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 for context. Thank you.
Instead of finding community, brain injury survivors may find themselves feeling alienated and isolated from a “support” community that — in practice – provides little in the way of support, encouragement, motivation, empowerment or hope. As a consequence — over time — the brain injury survivor may find themselves buying into the notion that who they are and what they have to bring to the table of life is of little value or significance.
As brain injury survivors — such conditioning — can lead you and I to becoming ambivalent and complacent. In our ambivalence and complacency we may find ourselves discouraged, disheartened and depressed. In our malaise, we may buy into the notion that our effort to contribute to society no longer matters. We may also find that our efforts to contribute is met with a patriarchal patronization, neglect and condescension.
To add insult to injury, we may find that our efforts to encourage, motivate, empower and provide hope are initially applauded, yet later discounted and dismissed by a patriarchal system that appears to have its own set of agendas. In practice this leaves many brain injury survivors feeling minimized and marginalized. Such treatment can lead the brain injury survivor to believe that their lives have little meaning or significance.
As brain injury survivors this covert, if not overt treatment can leave both you and I feeling helpless and hopeless. In response, we may begin to believe that our lives simply no longer matter. Please read my 2 part article Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide. Thank you.
Please read Part 4 for context. Thank you.
Receive more articles like this one simply by clicking on Subscribe to Second Chance to Live by email.
Subscribe to Second Chance to Live, Bookmark and Share Second Chance to Live with your friends through a Feed Reader
All material presented on Second Chance to Live is copyright and cannot be copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Craig J. Phillips, MRC, BA
Leave a Reply