That's a question that will very in answer as an individual person. I think the real answer to that question is how long do you put yourself in that category?

I say that because that's what really counts.

I have people that still throw it in my face...that I'm brain damaged.

I also have people who have forgotten...honestly...they say I act normal. (whatever that is)

Now for one reason or another...they can all be right. Yes...I was injured...damaged? Well....I haven't gone back to see if there is remaining damage so...I have to look at what can't I do like I did before?

Recovery is so different for each of us I feel...there is no "Just another brain injured person" we are as individual as someone who hasn't been injured.

Really good answer by Sporty.

Some brain injuries are more visible than others. And some people who are injured are injured so severely that, since the recovery is so long, people around them put a permanent "injured" label on that person.

I'm inferring from your question that you have people (perhaps many people?) labeling you as "injured." What's the result of them labeling you this way? I.e. Are you not able to do certain things you want to, because people are stopping you? Are you treated in an inferior way?

Other people dont always understand. Think of a small island just a few yards from shore with ankle deepwater between. Were the island now, people just have to see the island is doing the best it can to grow and heal from the storm. But sadly some people cant see the growth and turn from the renewed beauty of that island.

That labeling has not ended for me with some, and with others, well I guess they just forget. I definately don't label myself and never have. There's nothing wrong with me as far as I'm concerned, I actually feel smarter and gifted by the knowledge this injury opened my mind to (no pun intended).

So I think the answer to this question is like Sporty says, how long do you put yourself in that category...

Just don't label yourself! Who cares what other people think!

Take care of you!!

Thanks you for all replies. I guess I have tried to take myself away from that caatrgory but I still tend to slip back in. I feel some people have forgotten or treat me the same. But then there is always the people that still do even if they say they dont, you can just tell they do. I do feel I am being treated different or held back due to my injury. For instance not getting this job I feel had something to do with my injury, I could be wrong. I am not able to do some things like I used to which I love. I just feel that people always looks down towards me when they find out Im brain injured. I dont know I guess I will always have to deal with this and try to take myself out of the Brain Injured category

The job market is really tight right now. So, you might be right. You might not have gotten the job, because of your injury.

It's like this...

In a down economy, with more people than jobs, the employers get to pick. So, they are going to pick the most energetic, most knowledgeable and the person they can get the most work out of. What this usually means is someone young, in perfect health.

What you're experiencing is not much different than most people experience as they age - age discrimination. I would say you're experiencing health discrimination.

So, what that means, is that it's harder for those of us with an injury to get work right now. It doesn't mean you won't get work, it just may take you longer than it would have if you had your prior health.

In the long run, you probably don't want to work for someone that is that picky. I know it doesn't feel like that right now.

My thought for the day for you is this:

You have a brain injury. You are not a Brain Injury. Don't let your injury define you entirely.

Unless your injury is going to require some job modifications you don't have to disclose that at an interview. In the part of the application that asks if you have a disability you can simply put recovering from TBI.

You need to be honest but you can explain later.

Great advice from all of you! you are wonderful.

I feel pretty much the same way you do about how people treat you now. I am 6 years out from my injury, and people still treat me differently, although if I meet someone new that doesn't know me, they have absolutely no clue that anything has ever happened to me. The people that do know, I do feel have held me back. I have just recently gotten to the point where I don't allow that to happen anymore.

This injury is a huge personal journey. I just had to decide that what I was getting wasn't good enough anymore for me and grab ahold of the reigns and start driving again my life again.

As far as the job goes. I had to manuevre my way back into the work field. The only way I got a job again, was by not telling anyone that I had ever had an injury. I realize that is not an option for everyone, because others may need modifications. That's just what has worked for me. I do have to compensate constantly, but I feel like it has helped me to do an even better job than what I did before my injury. I feel like I am excellent at what I do!

A lot of it has to do with how you feel about yourself, and whether or not you give yourself credit for your achievements. Lack of confidence can really hurt you.

I'm sorry you have lost those thing you use to love. That can be harmful to your self as well. :(

It's like an awareness you have to have. You just don't have to always let it rule your life. I don't know how far out you are, but with time all this does get better. Just hang in there.

Take care! SSE

Thanks but I should clarify here, I have a full time job and have been employed for 2 years in a local hospital. The job I didnt get was a transfer from my department to another location. I work offsite with the materials department for the hospital on night shift, which i hate. So I have been trying to get to the actual hospital and on day shift. And i was mostly mad because it wasnt even an interview for this job it was a come in and showed me what I would be doing so it got my hopes up.

Thanks for the clarification! That's awesome you have been working 2 years.

I understand the frustration with employers saying something is available then you not being transfered. I went through that same thing with my job. I finally just sought out employment with someone else all together it ticked me off so bad.

Good luck!

That's great that you've been employed the last 2 years.

It's really a tough time w/jobs. My husband (who has no injuries or illnesses) is not in an ideal situation, but there's just not that much out there, where we live.

Hopefully, something with a day shift schedule will work out for you in the near future. I wish you good luck!

Ok now I found out why I wasnt hired from my bosses boss. He said that it was between me and one other person who has more experience in one little aspect of the job so they gave it to her. o well. I also found out that they all knew me, not cuz I work where I do but because I am Dr Tink's glory person or whatever he said. Dr T is the Dr who saved my life and the head Trauma surgeon in the hospital. The way he said it made me seem that they all put me in the category of just another patient and nothin anythin more. I dunno maybe im looking too much into this,but