Hello my friend. My brain injury makes me forget names of things I know like my address. This happens when I haven't used it for a really long time. When I was in Sheppard Pratt for 3 months, I had to look it up. This brings me to how I track things so I can live like non TBI people. I have a file system where I keep all kinds of info by categoris then subject by first word. or subject name. For example in my Filing cabinet, Manuels, Warranties, info references, receipts, contacts, Income, Liabilities, Medicare, Ins, vet, and reference documents.I keep several files in the categories. I use my outlook calendar to track appointments, bus reservations, bdays, anniversaries, and everything day to day. I live by outlook as my central system for survival. I write things down daily. If I have to go somewhere I write on an index card the appointment time bus pickup time at my house, address where going, when my apt time or times are, and what time the bus is picking me up from my apt, and time I get home.

Now my goals I write down with a tracker with the who, what, why, when where of info. Volunteering took a lot of research on internet, phone calls, etc. I kept track of steps involved after applying like interview times and locations. Anything important to me I remember. My tbi is no short term memory but I was very smart before TBI and my long term memory works well. I meet my goals then move to the next. I have learned to do multiple projects simultaneously and have done really well. I balance my checkbook but it is hard so I developed a system to help me.

I haven't met with the neuropsych yet. I will in Feb, but when I do I will share what I learn. This is stuff I did pre-meeting.

I worked in administration, accounting, and company support so this came naturally but IO forgot how to like I used to.

Oh, forgot to mention. I will be working with TBI patients at Sinai hospital. I met my goal but haven't done my schedule with the dept manager yet. I will finally have a purpose in life instead of just sitting around and waiting to die.

Dear Anita,

Thanks for your rapid reply to include such detail. I read your answers 3x, then closed my eyes and repeated it outloud.
Correct me if I'm wrong:
The end result via file cabinets, Outlook, index cards, and a type of tracker thing, and note taking is...you can review 'where you left off' on a project or goal.
I agree you are very intelligent, and yes, you do function as a non-BI person.

Although you are lite-years ahead of me, this does help tremendously.
I can identify 50% of my "BI problems".
I am satisfied this this percent.
Developing solutions is now easier.
Execution of the solution is lacking.
Thinking perhaps a Coach would be of benefit. Perhaps I am thinking out loud. That's okay, too.
Again with many thanks. You are an inspiration, Miss Anita.

All The Best,
Marti (NoBotox)

I suggest the Neuropsychologist as it is their job to meet you WHEREVER YOU ARE. My medicare covers it, but if it didn't I would pay out of pocket. This is too important for our living well and happiness. I only tell you what I do so I could answer your very imp. question now. I had therapy after my accident but this would have been overwhelming for me. It took a long time to get where I am. 3 years. I want to save anyone I can the time I spent because I was in limbo for a long while wanting to die and tried to kill myself. It took me months to figure out how to post on this site and maneuver my way around. I'm always surprised that some very crucial posts don't even get read while others do??? Good luck to you and if you need help finding one-let me know by sending a message and I'll help you.

Brain Injury Survival Kit by Cheryle Sullivan, MD is an excellent resource. It's 365 Tips, Tools, & Tricks to deal with cognitive function loss. It has helped me. My brain is very disorganized from the TBI, and also I have significant cognitive function loss.

Dr. Sullivan is a family practice physician who sustained brain injury. It is full of practical helps and lists of resources.

Thank you, again, Miss Anita. I forgot I had this post going, so, this is reason for my delay.
You sure have been thru alot and have come so very far.
After "re"-testing is completed, I am going to look into a Neuropsych. I tried Outlook. I cannot figure it out. That's okay, right?

All the best to you from NoBotox

Thank you, CrisiDee777. That looks like a good book. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Appreciate it very much.

A brain injury is any injury occurring in the brain of a living organism. Brain injuries can be classified along several dimensions. Primary and secondary brain injury are ways to classify the injury processes that occur in brain injury, while focal and diffuse brain injury are ways to classify the extent or location of injury in the brain. Specific forms of brain injury include:

Brain damage, the destruction or degeneration of brain cells.
Traumatic brain injury, damage that occurs when an outside force traumatically injures the brain.
Stroke, a vascular event causing damage in the brain.
Acquired brain injury, damage to the brain that occurs after birth, regardless of whether it is traumatic or nontraumatic, or whether due to an outside or internal cause.