Brain Injury Support Group
Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.
I wonder if the way I feel is something about me...or if everyone who has a brain injury feels this way.
I find myself annoyed or frustrated at times when people learn of my TBI and act so casual about it.
I don't know if my neediness is more indicative of my personality and background, or if my feelings are reasonable.
I have a hard time understanding when I share what happened, how some people can act like it's no big deal. If someone else was sharing what happened to them - and it involved a speeding drunk driver - car crash on the freeway with a traumatic brain injury and multiple other injuries - my reaction would be something along the lines of "Holy cow! That is terrible! I am SO sorry that happened to you."
I do get that response from some people. But other people have a much more callous response. Like, "Oh. So was the drunk driver ok?" Sheesh.
I'm at the point where I think I need to talk about it less, because I don't like some of the responses I get. How about you? What types of responses do you get to your brain injury? Do you find yourself dissatisfied with others responses?
I find myself annoyed or frustrated at times when people learn of my TBI and act so casual about it.
I don't know if my neediness is more indicative of my personality and background, or if my feelings are reasonable.
I have a hard time understanding when I share what happened, how some people can act like it's no big deal. If someone else was sharing what happened to them - and it involved a speeding drunk driver - car crash on the freeway with a traumatic brain injury and multiple other injuries - my reaction would be something along the lines of "Holy cow! That is terrible! I am SO sorry that happened to you."
I do get that response from some people. But other people have a much more callous response. Like, "Oh. So was the drunk driver ok?" Sheesh.
I'm at the point where I think I need to talk about it less, because I don't like some of the responses I get. How about you? What types of responses do you get to your brain injury? Do you find yourself dissatisfied with others responses?
I Literally and Truly let my hair grow long because of that very frustration. I told myself i'd cut it when i'd recovered far enough.
it's still growing. After suffering all that pain and going downhill for 12 years, then finding a cure for the worst of my pain and now recovering for 5 years, yeah baby. I'm all about becoming whomever the new me is. I still am hung with all that happened too, but I find that focusing on music and stuff I really love gets me out of the funk that it can bring.
I recently received an apology from an Insurance company who after reading my book You're A Dick Mummy reversed a previously irreversible decision and said she would use examples out of the book for staff training; and commented, that despite working in a rehab ward and with serious injury for 10 years didn't realise the magnitude of BI and the affect on the family. If this is what we are dealing with, with people in the industry what are our chances of getting through to the public. It so often comes down to "You look OK therefore you are OK." Public awarenesss is very much needed but until BI arrives on your doorstep who really wants to know about it? Empathetic people are few and far between. As my son says, "Mum, after awhile you just give up, sure people take into account your impairments for a couple of minutes then just as quickly they expect you to cope." Sorry I don't have answers but know that if things are to improve for the next generation, we simply must keep on, keeping on, trying to inform others...but I do understand your reluactance to keep on speaking out. My son says that's what his mother is for!
Yep I got ride of his Motorcycle after all this, he is PISSED about me getting rid of the BIKE......and YES I WOULD do it AGAIN and AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry I haven't been on here to read & respond to the replies. Thanks for sharing how it is for you personally.
A few of you know I had something terrible happen this past week - my good friend died tragically and I am in grief and agony over it.
It's hard for me to write right now...but I do just want to say I know this BI is a struggle - whichever way we are treated - whether we are ignored or whether we are treated like an idiot. And I know it's hard on the caregivers who may see others treating their loved one in a bad way...or not being there for you, the caregivers. It's an injury that effects the person and their loved ones.
Thinking of you all and sending blessings your way,
Elanie
Not to be controlling, but spacing helps many TBI folks w/reading.
There's no way I can read a wall of text. But it is cool. No big.
I would like to be more sympathetic w/my recovery.
Cursing me out, raising one's voice at me, or pressuring me is the worst. Bad head pain follows. Also no bumping into me.
I don't want people on pins & needles. But exercise caution.
Give me space. I'm trying to recover.
Understand more injuries on top of this one suck. Pain in the roof of the mouth. Intercranial pressure.
Grace be to God. Thank you for reading.
My mood was about to hit good. But two people smacked into me by accident. Pray for my recovery if so led.