My Journey Living with Brain Injury

My journey after brain injury began in August 1967. I sustained my brain injury in a motor vehicle accident with my family. My brain injury resulted from an open skull fracture. The result of fracturing my skull was right frontal lobe damage and a severe brain bruise with brain stem involvement. On the way to the back of the windshield I snapped my left femur (thigh bone) on my Dad's bucket seat. I remained in a coma for 3 weeks and in traction to set my left femur fracture for 7-8 weeks. After awakening from the coma I remember touching the front right side of my skull. My skull felt like a shallow depressed bowl.

"Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up. Our circumstances are meant to teach us lessons that prepare you and I for opportunities. These opportunities teach us more lessons. Collectively lessons and opportunities lead us in the direction of our dreams and our destinies. That is why I am encouraged to not give up. To not give up because more will be revealed with and in time." Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA

After completing traction to set my left femur, I was placed in a Spica or full body cast for 4-5 months. After undergoing brain surgery I was released from the hospital. After being taken out of the Spica cast, I taught myself how to walk. I walked with a limp for a long time according to my Mom. I was tutored at home for a year and learned how to talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences. In my article, Background Information for a Keynote Presentation; I share from my process and journey living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability. In the articles with in this category, I share what has helped me in my recovery process.

I share what I have learned through my lessons and opportunities. What I have learned and given me the ability to follow my dreams and my destiny. As an individual living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability. I believe in the power of identification. What I share in this article is from my experience, strength and hope living with a brain injury for the past 48 years. What I share in this category is to encourage you to not give up on your process or your journey. To not give up on your process and journey of living with the impact of a brain injury and an invisible disability. More will be revealed.