Head Injury

[Nutkin33]

Hi there. I have just joined this sight, so thought I would tell you a little about what happened to me.

In January 2014, I was having an eventing lesson at a clinic in South Africa, when my young horse fell over a tiny jump. In the process, he broke my orbit with his hoof, and also my C7, but the main thing was the impact to my brain. I had six hemorrhages across my brain, with the temporal lobe, my frontal lobe and my cerebellum worst affected.

At the time, I didn’t breathe for four minutes, and I stayed in a coma for only four days, some of which was induced, and when I woke up, I couldn’t move my right leg and arm. I was also battling to speak, and I can’t remember anything for two months after my fall. I have photos of my attempts to write, which was just some kind of scribble.

To cut a long story short, I am now living in England, and have a flat on my own. I moved into this flat at the beginning of April, and just have my two dogs with me, who are great company.

I still suffer from lack of coordination, bad balance, poor speech and double vision and vertigo. I have been told I may be five to ten years recovering, but at least they think I will recover! I get very down with my feelings from time to time. So much in my life has changed. I don’t like horses any more, and that is strange for people to accept, as I have been involved with horses since I was very young. My business at the time of my fall was teaching, and I am well qualified for that, and I showjumped at 1.45m, as well as dressage and cross country. I don’t know anything except horses as a hobby and profession. Ok, I am also a bookkeeper and admin manager, but that was thirteen years ago.

I walk my dogs, try to go to gym, and most of all, I am involved with Headway Dorset, who have helped me tremendously. They made me accept I was a person again, and did so much to build my confidence with that. I still do gardening at the Headway Allotment, and also swim, and meet for coffee at Headway, and at arranged places.

If anyone wants to chat with me, please do so, and I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks

[sospan]

Hi and welcome.

It is quite a friendly forum with a lot of fellow suffers all in different stages of recovery hope you can find the information, support and companionship that many others have

all the best in your recovery

[Nutkin33 in reply to sospan]

Hi there

Thanks for your note. It's great to be able to talk to other people who have similar problems. Part of my trouble is appearing so normal. I don't feel that way at all. My mum tries to understand me, but my sister, who goes to the Headway support group is the best with me.

My sons, who i have left behind in South Africa, were really amazing at how they coped with my condition right from the start. I hope to pay them a visit later in the year when it's my birthday. We'll see!

Today I had Headway gardening and swimming. Again, it's so nice mixing with other BI people. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get involved with a partner while I am recovering, and at least I am getting used to being alone.

Will write again soon.

Cheers

[Hidden]

HI THERE. WHAT A TRAGIC STORY YOU HAVE. IT'S HARD FOR ALL BI SUFFERERSTO GET USED TO THEIR" NEW SELVES".I THINK YOURE DOING REALLY WITH ALL YOUR ACTIVITIES & SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF.

THIS FORUM HAS BEEN A GODSEND FOR ME, YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING YOU FEEL WITHOUT FEAR OF JUDGMENT.MANY OF US WILL HAVE BEEN THROUGH TOO.

I'VE BEEN HAVING A GOOD RANT ABOUT DUSTINS BEING LEFT ON THE PAVEMENT SO YOU CAN'T GET PAST SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT YOUR BI UNLESS YOU WAN TOT.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH US.

TAKE CARE.

[Nutkin33 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there

Hope you have got over your ranting. I know the feeling well! It's great to be able to talk to other people who have similar problems. Part of my trouble is appearing so normal. I don't feel that way at all. My mum tries to understand me, but my sister, who goes to the Headway support group is the best with me.

My sons, who i have left behind in South Africa, were really amazing at how they coped with my condition right from the start. I hope to pay them a visit later in the year when it's my birthday. We'll see!

Today I had Headway gardening and swimming. Again, it's so nice mixing with other BI people. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get involved with a partner while I am recovering, and at least I am getting used to being alone.

Will write again soon.

Cheers

[Hidden in reply to Nutkin33]

RANTING OVER UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I WALK INTO THE VILLAGE ON BIN DAY THANK YOU!

IT'S A SMALL WORLD - MOST OF MY FAMILY ARE S.AFRICAN MY AUNT MARRIED A SOUTH AFRICAN SOLDIER AFTER THE WAR & HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE. THEY LIVE AT VARIOUS PLACES ROUND CAPETOWN. LOOKS BEAUTIFUL,

DON'T KNOW WHY I'VE NEVER BEEN TO SEE THEM!

HOPE YOU ARE DOING OK TODAY.

[Nutkin33 in reply to Hidden]

Nice to hear that you are involved with SA. I lived there for 12 years, and in Zimbabwe before that. I was born over here though. I left when I was 3.

[Nutkin33]

Hi. I must say there are times when I get very frustrated with my condition. Seeing my photos on the wall reminds me of what I used to be. And I am not taking them off the wall as I have to accept that I had a past life. One day there are going to be photos of me in the present, possibly doing a new hobby. We'll see! I have just been seeing a phycologist and she has helped me. Cheers

[celtic27465]

Good to see you have done so well since your accident I myself love health unlocked as its a god send I found out so much about my brain anuersym and how others deal will it and gained lots of knowledge you will find the people on here very welcoming and helpful take care and please don't hesitate to ask for info or help !

[Nutkin33 in reply to celtic27465]

Hi there

So glad you enjoy this BI group. It's great to be able to talk to other people who have similar problems. Part of my trouble is appearing so normal. I don't that way at all. My mum tries to understand me, but my sister, who goes to the Headway support group is the best with me.

My sons, who i have left behind in South Africa, were really amazing at how they coped with my condition right from the start. I hope to pay them a visit later in the year when it's my birthday. We'll see!

Today I had Headway gardening and swimming. Again, it's so nice mixing with other BI people. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get involved with a partner while I am recovering, and at least I am getting used to being alone.

Will write again soon.

Cheers

[cat3]

Hello Nutkin and welcome. You're in good company here amongst others whose lives have been severely disrupted by head injury.

I'd love to talk to you this evening if that's ok (just peeped in before I go out).

Love Cat x

[BaronC]

Welcome, welcome, welcome. All of us here know how you are feeling. Been there, seen it, bought the t-shirt. When you've done with Cat, feel free to chat with me

Andy

[Nutkin33 in reply to BaronC]

Hi there

Welcome too to the BI group. It's great to be able to talk to other people who have similar problems. Part of my trouble is appearing so normal. I don't feel that way at all. My mum tries to understand me, but my sister, who goes to the Headway support group is the best with me.

My sons, who i have left behind in South Africa, were really amazing at how they coped with my condition right from the start. I hope to pay them a visit later in the year when it's my birthday. We'll see!

Today I had Headway gardening and swimming. Again, it's so nice mixing with other BI people. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get involved with a partner while I am recovering, and at least I am getting used to being alone.

Will write again soon.

Cheers

[sean1966]

Hi and welcome too, im new and glad I joined. Good luck.

[Nutkin33 in reply to sean1966]

Hi there

Welcome too to the BI group. It's great to be able to talk to other people who have similar problems. Part of my trouble is appearing so normal. I don't feel that way at all. My mum tries to understand me, but my sister, who goes to the Headway support group is the best with me.

My sons, who i have left behind in South Africa, were really amazing at how they coped with my condition right from the start. I hope to pay them a visit later in the year when it's my birthday. We'll see!

Today I had Headway gardening and swimming. Again, it's so nice mixing with other BI people. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get involved with a partner while I am recovering, and at least I am getting used to being alone.

Will write again soon.

Cheers

[sean1966 in reply to Nutkin33]

Your not alone we are all here, had my acute subdural a year this month and have tried to develop new interests, reading, art etc, I am used to and enjoy my own company now I have 2 grown up girls who found my change very hard but are great and 4 sisters but find other company in long spells hard.

[cat3]

Hi again Nutkin. We have a great community here on Headway. I joined a couple of years ago for support after both myself and my ex-husband suffered brain haemorrhages within 6 months of each other. I never understood the point of online communities before this, believing that meaningful conversation needed to be face to face, but I find myself able to discuss issues on here that I would feel uncomfortable with elsewhere mainly because of the empathy here and lack of it amongst family and other familiars.

My family are patient and understanding but loved ones are often reluctant to accept our new limitations so I often feel this is the one place I can be the genuine 'me'.

I'm sorry to hear of your awful accident and the effects it has had on your life. It's the biggest common denominator, the way our lives change forever in seconds, some obviously more radically than others. It sounds like you've had a complete turn-around in your life in many different respects and you sound quite stoical in your management of those changes.

I hope you'll enjoy exchanging thoughts, events, and just about anything you choose to share whenever the mood takes you. There are many good folk on here and, hopefully, you'll find it a safe, comfortable (& often amusing) place to be.

Best wishes, Cat x

[Nutkin33 in reply to cat3]

Thanks Cat for your nice reply. Like you say, it's nice being able to talk to people who have the same condition as me. Part of my trouble is appearing so normal. I don't feel that way at all. My mum tries to understand me, but my sister, who goes to the Headway support group is the best with me.

My sons, who i have left behind in South Africa, were really amazing at how they coped with my condition right from the start. I hope to pay them a visit later in the year when it's my birthday. We'll see!

Today I had Headway gardening and swimming. Again, it's so nice mixing with other BI people. I don't think it's a good idea for me to get involved with a partner while I am recovering, and at least I am getting used to being alone.

Will write again soon.

Cheers

Love debs

[Danslatete]

Hello there, I think horses are scary! They are so very big.

Anyway I see you have dogs, I had a puppy given to me to get me outside, I loved walking and it became my escape when things at home got busy or noisy.

I used to go to Headway every week. I went to art classes.

I also did gym and aqua aerobics. It made me sleep well and helped with balance and coordination.

It took me while to grow into the new me but now I feel ok with it.

[Nutkin33 in reply to Danslatete]

How long about was your BI. I am so glad you feel ok and accepting now. Are you working again?

[Danslatete in reply to Nutkin33]

Ten years ago now, I work part time in term time, it took a long time to build up my hours. It's good that I work in a school because of the regular breaks.

[hayabusa]

That is a heck of a journey Nutkin33, thank you for sharing.

Yeah it's incredibly hard to accept you have limitations that you could not imagine before your accident.

Likewise I ran my own design consultancy business and was incredibly active, then bang! A big change of life. It took me ten years to finally come to terms with my injuries and limitations.

Although I used to ride 200mph motorcycles with confidence and ease, horses.... No way! Lol My passion with bikes waned after my accident and has continued to wane.

We move on.

Welcome to the forum.

[hayabusa]

I've just had my 4th day at my local Headway and it is totally brilliant.

I was a bit overwhelmed this week by the care and warmth of it.

Not used to it.

So pleased to have found Headway.

[Nutkin33 in reply to hayabusa]

How long ago did you have your BI? So glad you are able to go to a Headway

[hayabusa in reply to Nutkin33]

My ABI and other injuries were caused almost 13 years ago. Received diagnosis in December last year.

[Nutkin33 in reply to hayabusa]

Oh well. Keep going to Headway and no matter how long it's been, never give up on improvement!

[hayabusa in reply to Nutkin33]

Thank you.

I am lucky to have retained a strong pma and some motivation from before the RTA. I would not have made it without that.

I am also a fighter.

Wolf in wolf's clothing. But with a limp and a bit greyer now

[modern1]

hi.nutkin,i have to say i admire your attitude as to how you have come to terms with what happend to you, awful bad luck im sure if you keep your spirits up you will recover quicker than they say because of YOU, so take care and i would love to hear from you if you like you can private message me, by for now, mal

[Nutkin33]

I would like to know if there is anyone out there who after their TBI had vertigo and double vision, and are now improved. Thanks

[lucyjenarog in reply to Nutkin33]

Hey! I hope you are well. I stumbled across your post and was wondering how you are coping with double vision? I am experiencing the same after a car accident 2 months ago.

Thanks so much

X

[Nutkin33 in reply to lucyjenarog]

Hi there

In September 2015, I went to Shaylers Vision, and they worked on my eyes for about 4 months to improve my double vision. They also gave me glasses with a prism in, which helped no end.

Now, my double vision is much better, and only if I try and look up or down, without moving my head, do I suffer from it. To look left or right, it's improved no end.

I just have to be slower and more careful about how I look at things! At the moment, my eyes, like all my other improvements, have deteriorated, as I had all my benefits taken away from me, after an ESA assessment!

I wish you all the best.

Debs

[lucyjenarog in reply to Nutkin33]

Hey!

Oh that's great that there is hope of some improvement I'm flying back from South Africa to the UK next week so I will look into Shaylers Vision.

Thank you for your response Debs. Much appreciated.

Lucy

xx

[lucyjenarog in reply to Nutkin33]

Hey again!

I'm going to see Mr Shayler for vision therapy on the 3rd July! Wohooo 😘

Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

❤️

[Nutkin33 in reply to lucyjenarog]

Awesome. I wish you all the best. I had an annual check-up last Monday and my eyes were still good, despite all the stress and anxiety I was under! If you would like to mention me, my proper name is Deborah Cousens! Xx

[lucyjenarog in reply to Nutkin33]

Thank you so much! That is great news so happy for you 😘 let's hope mr Shayler can work his magic 🤞🏽 xx

[Nutkin33 in reply to lucyjenarog]

Yup! Xx

[Nutkin33 in reply to lucyjenarog]

Hi Lucy.

What part of South Africa were you in, and do where do you live over in UK.

My sons both live in Durban!

Love Debs

[lucyjenarog in reply to Nutkin33]

Hey Debs,

I am in George visiting. My dad lives here

I live in the U.K.

xx

[Kirk5w7]

I had vertigo but not double vision, the vertigo eas sorted by the consultant I was referred to at the hospital doing the Eply manouvre on me, you can find it online and do it yourself at home, I only needed it done once, but some people may need more than one. Good luck xxx Janet

[Nutkin33]

It was January 2013, that I had my fall, so I am now 17 months post injury!

[StrawberryCream]

Hi Nutkin. I answered your other post today and as mentioned I looked to read your profile but couldn't find what had happened to you. Scrolling down your posts I found this one which is full of great informative info that tells me all that happened to you. Wondered if you would consider cutting and pasting it, if poss as don't know myself how to do that, up to your profile?? I am sure others like me that need to remind themselves of your illness situation or those starting there first tentative looks at 'who's on here, does anyone have anything in common with me' would find that helpful?? Just a thought and tell me to forget it if you like?! Gosh that was quite some tragic accident with life long consequences. Was interested to read of all the help you have welcomed from your local Headway. In my area they are just in the process of setting up a service and I am looking forward to going there in the New Year when it starts and hope they can help me in similar ways. Thanks x

[Nutkin33]

Ok cool! Whereabouts in the U.K. I am down in Poole! Xx