I know I'm daft, but...

[Flumptious]

... I keeping thinking (well, hoping) I still see myself improving, and I keep doing 'exercises', to try to train my brain into getting things right.

I received my TBI in July 2005 (when I fell off a bicycle, thankfully while wearing a helmet - if not, I think I could have died).

I was diagnosed as 'blind'. I have always been able to see, but for months my poor injured brain couldn't put the two eye-images together. I had to wear a patch over one eye, so I didn't see double. For years, I have been able to see normally, looking straight forward, but I see double if I look down, or to the side.

As my 'training', when I am walking along outside, I choose something one the floor, a good few metres ahead. I look forward to it, and I can see it clearly. Then, as I walk towards it, I move my eyes, to keep looking at it, looking further and further down. It becomes double, but I concentrate on the image that I know is the 'real' one. I do this again, and again, as I walk to and from the train station. I think of it as an exercise for my brain. Hey, I go to the gym, at lunchtime, to exercise my body. I should do some brain exercises, too.

I also do 'balance training'. My balance was horribly screwed up. I used to have to hold the banisters all the time, when walking up and down stairs. These days, when I get to the train station at work, it has very wide stairs, and I always insist on walking up and down the middle, just because I *can*. For the first few years back at work, I couldn't. I also insist on standing on one leg, while I put on my socks or trousers, again just because for so long I *couldn't*.

I keep thinking that I am still seeing improvements, and I think that these 'exercises' are good for me. I am not sure they are, though. I read somewhere that a brain injury won't do any more healing, after a few years. My mother-in-law did say, this weekend, that she has noticed my voice continuing to improve, though.

Do you think I'm silly?

[MrPBH]

Hi- you are NOT silly!

I'm really impressed that you remain so positive when you've been so badly affected by something that could, and even does, happen to anyone - you inspire me!

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Flumptious you are not silly, the brain can make new connections at any time, that doesn't mean it's going to but the potential is there so you have to keep trying, my consultant said think of a juggler, they learn that skill by practice, practice and more practice they're not born with it, so persevere.

Babies and toddlers learn the same way, think of yout brain rewiring itself, give it all the opportunity you can

Good luck xxxxxx Janet

[B_S_A]

Not silly at all! You make new connections when you learn a new skill, so you should be able to recover all that stuff.

[cat3]

You've come a long, long way since your accident due, no doubt, to sheer dedication & determination. So I'm not sure you need to be questioning your methods or your reasoning.....................they speak for themselves don't they ?

I see you as a truly inspirational lady.............a fighter. Your only silliness is fearing you might be silly !

Best wishes to you xx

[sospan]

I believe you are doing exactly the right thing - setting yourself challenges and measuring how well you can achieve them.

Its strange whilst a lot of us feel the need to push ourselves, a lot of health professionals seem to advocate the opposite by telling us to take things ever so slooow.

[Hidden]

Flumptious,

I thank you for your inspiration this morning as I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. How could I when so many others are doing such amazing things. Well done gal

Bless you

Turquoise

[thepiercy]

Sounds like you are doing great things and although improvement is very slow you can still get better. I've heard it said a lot that the brain stops healing after a while some people will say as little as 2 years. I have also spoken with a very angry neuroscientist who told me that it's nonsense, all research tells us that we keep neural plasticity (the ability to make new connections on the brain) our whole lives. Try to see how far you've come rather than how far there still is to go and use this group for the great support you've had above.

[Mikesghost]

Dear Flumptious, of course you are not silly and if you see improvements no matter how small they are real. I still can't stand on one leg but you have inspired me to try again, take care and keep up with the exercises

[BarbadosKay]

Not daft or silly. Brave and awesome!

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Flumptious, I understand the balance thing, I bring two cups of coffee and the paper upstairs with me on Sundays cos I can, and balance on one leg when getting dressed cos I can! Not so good on my right leg though, but still trying, the bowling at center parcs was interesting trying to bowl, when your balance is suspect, those balls are so heavy, never mind swing it and aim at the pins, I was exhausted after 1/2 hour, but I did it!!! Such an achievement

Janet xxx

[sange]

NO I DON'T THINK YOU ARE SILLY ..IN FACT NEW IMAGING HAS FOUND THAT THE BRAIN IS NEUROPLASTIC ,SO IT CREATES NEW PATH WAYS AS YOU PRACTISE....

[sange]

HI, JUST SAW THIS AND NO I DONT THINK YOU ARE SILLY ...THE BRAIN THEY HAVE DISCOVERED IS NEURO PLASTIC AND IT CREATES NEW PATH WAYS AS WE LEARN ..IT TAKES TIME THOUGH SO PLEASE KEEP IT ON ..SOME VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE ABOUT NEURO PLACTICTY OF THE BRAIN

E.G Dr CAROLINE LEAF ..OTHERS I AM SURE