Brain Injury

When I was eleven years old, my family was in a serious car accident. I managed to walk away with a mild concussion and a few stitches. My father had some serious injuries, but my mother – well, she died twice that day. The heroic efforts of everyone who aided in helping us that day managed to bring her back to us each time that she left us.

She remained in the hospital for almost an entire month, having suffered a severe brain injury. She did manage to recover, though the doctors were not sure of how severe the extents of her brain injury would be. We weren’t sure if she’d be able to talk again or even function as she once had.

Her brain injury kept her in a coma for fourteen days. When all of the tests were finished and the results were in the hands of the doctors, we finally knew what would be in her future. The accident had caused significant trauma to her brain. Parts of her brain were no longer able to function and some of her senses had been altered. She was left without being able to taste or smell; those parts of her brain would not be able to recover.

Her brain injuries still impact our lives, even twenty years later. Not only were two of her senses stolen from her, but some of her memories were as well. Life for her, after such a severe brain injury, was not easy. It required a lot of medical assistance and patience from so many individuals.

It is estimated that 1.4 million people in the Unites States will suffer from a brain injury each year. Some of those individuals are treated and released. Some of them have brain injuries that result in death.

Falling and automobile accidents are the leading causes of head and brain injuries. It isn’t easy to recover from a traumatic brain injury. Some injuries, such as a mild concussion, are easily forgotten in no time at all. But, ask anyone who has been affected by a traumatic brain injury just how easy it is to move on, and they may tell you a different story.

What is important to know, is that if you are caring for someone or helping to care for someone who has become a victim of a brain injury, there is help out there for you. There are many others who share the same stories that you do; there are means of support. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them.

One of the best places to find that support and understanding is through the Brain Injury Association of America. They are a wonderful organization and have helped many people through some troubling times. Whether you choose to reach out for support or not, know that you are not alone.