Tbigirl,
Rest assured you are not alone!

I've had people ask me that as well. You do have a goal...perhaps you've made it without realizing it. You want to recover right?

There's your goal. Sometimes people get caught up in trivial things....the problem is, most of us have been close to death and we've taken the time to sort out what is important...or we still are sorting it out as we go.

Here's an easy goal you can give them you are working on...

My goal today is to make it through the day and feel good about myself.

Your daily tasks could be your goal. I want to be able to do what needs done for the day without feeling so exhausted.

You have them you just don't realize it. When they ask what your goals in life are...ask them to break it down. What do they mean exactly. It's like when someone asks me how I am....that blew me away for a long time, then I realized they were most just being polite didn't mean much by the question, but I personally was trying to figure out each time how much to tell them or thinking to myself...I really don't know, can't answer that without processing it or I would blurt out way too much information and they'd just look at me like...why'd I ask you?!

I've not had the exact same question asked of me, but the same overwhelming...leave me alone response to the question I explained. I hope you can take that and apply it to your situation.

It would be too easy if they could see our injuries my dear friend...too easy for us as well as them. I'm begining to think that's why they can't see it as a test to us with the TBI to find a way to heal ourselves. That's how I've come to believe...once we leave the hospital it's because all the medical stuff has been done that they know they can do. We have to heal the parts that they cannot.

The parts of our brain that were injured don't function right anymore, so we have to retrain or rewire other parts of our brain to take over the functions that were damaged. Doctors can't do it, Mom, Dad or any family member can't do it...we the injured are the only ones that can do it...it all takes practice, time and a whole lot of patients.

Hang in there my friend...we can do this!! Together!!!

I definitely agree with Emma that you need to live in the moment and don't worry about what the future may hold when you have a TBI.....My goal also is to just survive each day and try to do positive things in my life.....I got a lot accomplished today for our upcoming Coalition Picnic and it makes me feel good that I accomplished some positive stuff today.....I thikn as a TBI survivor you need to think about the " here and now" and just let the future sorts out the way it will...Only god knows what the future holds....

Tom B. aka Ihman

Thanks guys it's just nice to have some understanding this website is really great. There just seems to be this stigma in the world that you have to be someone achieving goals like everyone else, and for me it's just to draining and it is much to competitive, I just haven't the energy or desire to keep up, it is why I distance my self from others I just find them to draining mentally.

Hi, I'm with Sporty ~ You're not alone! It makes me angry too and it's been four years. We have a brain injury, you can't see it, you can't see how we struggle, you can't see the tears we hide until you leave.

Had we had say a cast, or a scar or (this is terrible) a permanent disability, perhaps more understanding would be dolled out. If we bring it up "we are seeking attention". When in actuality we are just trying to be understood. That we are still overcoming obsticals and everyday tasks that were once easy for us; are now harder.

It's hard to put into words, but I understand where you're coming from. That's why this site is so important. We've found each other and made friends who understand. Not much detail is needed to understand each other either :). kim

Kim:

You hit the nail right on the head!!!!.....I also think it would be easier sometimes if my disabilities were more visible......People expect to handle things like a "normal" person and when we don't....these people can't understand why???!!!

Tom B. aka Ihman

It has taken me almost 6 years to get where I am today. Been a long slow road I am walking.
I finally set a goal for myself. I am back in school and going for my Psych. degree. I am going to use my disability as an asset. Not a crutch. I know it help me big time once I started talking to people who " Get It "

Nightowl,

That is fantastic to hear!!! I wish you well!!

Kudos, nightowl.....I think it is a privelige to be your friend because you "get it" like I do!!!!


Tom B. aka Ihman

Ihman tell me what I don't get??????

What I was saying to nightowl is that she understood how it is to live with a TBI....I didn't suggest that you didn't "get it" because you are a TBI survivor also....You took my comment the wrong way...I apologise if I confused you in any way..

Tom B. aka Ihman

Hi,Ihman It just came across that I haven't tried, I am just using this site for my outlets were I won't be judged, so just a misunderstanding.

Not a problem....I take things the wrong way myself a lot,too.......Just another thing you have to live with with TBI....

Tom B. aka Ihman