Higher Education

[Negeen]

Has anyone gone to College post BI? And how did it work out for you?

[Hidden]

My daughter (as you probs already know) suffered a TBI in February last year. She was in a coma for over 3 weeks and in hospital for 7 weeks then had 4 weeks in a rehabilitation unit. She came home in May and went back to college to try and finish her assessments knowing that she may struggle, however she did finish the course, passed with Distinctions and has now been a self employed Beauty Therapist for the last 8 months ;-). She has just moved premises from our little town which was very quiet and not busy enough to a bigger market town about 20 miles from us where she is extremely busy. She is doing fantastic now so take comfort in the knowledge that even after suffering a major brain injury your dreams are possible. It's hard work and has been for Victoria but she did it and is so very proud of herself (we are very proud parents too!). All the very best of luck if you go to college, I'm sure you will do just fine. Best wishes Jo xxxx

[Negeen in reply to Hidden]

Your daughter is my inspiration!!! Was her coma medically induced? What all did she forget/need to relearn? Yaay for your daughter!! It takes a certain type of person to recover from something like that as much as she has. She's a strong one

[Hidden in reply to Negeen]

What a lovely thing to say, thank you. The neurosurgeon said 'she was actually a miracle as patients with such severe head trauma often don't wake up'. When you hear those words it certainly makes you so very grateful. She was unconscious when the fire brigade and paramedics got to her and so yes they kept her unconscious as the swelling and bleed to her brain had to subside before they dare try and wake her. It was the longest 3 weeks of our lives. She did have a few problems to start with ie. memory loss and not being able to get her words out correctly. She knew what she wanted to say but couldn't get it out. She was very frustrated and just couldn't accept that it had happened to her. She would get anxiety attacks too (for which she went on a mild anti depressant). Touch wood tho she is now doing amazingly well and as I said has been a fully qualified self employed Beauty Therapist for the past 8 months. It's just amazing how she has turned this awful experience round and I would hope that maybe if just one person on here takes some encouragement from Victoria's story then I will be happy. Keep us posted Negeen on whether or not you decide to go to college. All the luck in the world to you. Love Jo xxxx

[BaronC]

I haven't, I'm too stupid

[Negeen in reply to BaronC]

Lol WHATEVER Baron, you're one of the wittiest people I know even with your brain injury. So don't give me that nonsense.

[B_S_A]

At university, it's tough, but doable.

[Hidden]

Yes, I started in EG1XX [electrical engineering incorporation telecommunications] in Croydon Polytechnic a month after being discharged from hospital and couldn't handle it. Three years later I started G&G Science Lab Tech and went through to the advanced level achieving passes. Since then I've taken Radio&TV Servicing as well as Radio Amateurs Exam, both of which I achieved double distinctions. So yes, I did and it seems to have worked out ok.

[Jennaberri]

I haven't gone back to college, but I did complete an online equine nutrition course with Edinburgh University and got 93% overall. I'm signed up for a few more, Equine management, animal behaviour and animal behaviour and welfare. I tried a climate change one, as that was a subject I studied whilst I was at uni before the BI, I wanted to see if it would jog my memory. I just found it really boring and missed 2 deadlines because I had further surgery (crainoplasty). Because it's online and worldwide I couldn't get extenuating circumstances.

If you feel you are ready to give study a go the go for it. I have found it liberating, just make sure it's a subject you are really interested in x

[sarahbia]

I started my course before I had my TBI, which actually happened during my year abroad in Turkey. You do get a lot of support, at least at my university. You can get Disabled Students Allowance and equipment to help you with your studies and special allowances like extra time in exams. It is difficult though, I never used to study much outside of class but now my whole life is hospital appointments and studying. But it is definitely do-able.