You are here:
Home

Articles

“TBI affects everyone, not just the injured party.”

Category: TBI Survivor's Stories Written by Survivor

Summary - the cause - the injury - today's quality of life?

I was knocked over by a car, hit my head against the windscreen pillar and was thrown along the road. At the time I just felt a bit sore and shaken, but an hour later started to feel nauseous and went to see a doctor. After a few weeks of periods of disorientation and general confusion, the disorientation faded. I have been left with problems regarding Executive Function, organisation, short

term memory and confusion. I "look" normal, so it is hard for people to know that anything is wrong.

Please share your experience at the time you became aware of the injury?

I struggled for a number of months to work out what had happened to me. About six months later I saw a documentary play on TV about someone who experienced TBI, and I sat there in tears realising that the experiences being displayed were so similar to my own.

Tell about the experience immediately after the injury. Surgery? Coma

Only a few moments of unconsciousness, and I refused the option of an ambulance, saying "No, I'll be fine". Big mistake !

Tell us about the hospital stay after the survivor was no longer in a coma

N/A

Tell us about the time in rehabilitation?

N/A

Tell us about coming home

N/A

Please type some single words that describe how TBI has touched your life. For example: Frightened, confused, sad, etc. Enter as many or as few words as you like. Separate each word with a comma"

Confused, disorientated, frustrated, angry, bitter

Tell us about life today

The accident happened at a time of great opportunity in my life, but all the dreams are now dashed. I was unable to work for over a year, and now struggle to cope with an easy desk job. My boss asks me to do simple tasks, and I mess them up. I avoid making telephone calls as I don't have the speed of thought to keep up with the conversation and to react appropriately to what people say.

What do you want to tell others going through the same process? Treatments, understandings and actions that made a difference

Be open and honest with people about your injury and your limitations. If you try to hide them they will come back to bite you, and how can people show understanding if they don't know what the problem is ? GET SUPPORT ! Look up an association that helps sufferers, e.g. "Headway" in the UK. TBI affects everyone, not just the injured party. Family and friends will suffer too... they need support as well.