Does anyone else feel they are still the same as before they had BI?

[keeley24]

I had a bad car accident 5 years ago which led to me getting a serious BI. I was in induced coma 8 days, came round knew obviously something had happened to me found out I’d been in car accident. Knew I would need physio to get back walking so wanted to get started straight away. Had few thoughts about was there chance I may never walk again. Started physio a week earlier than planned managed to walk with walking frame in first week. After that I was more patient I knew it was case of wait til things happen. Still had physio and managed to get walking without frame in about 3 week. Got discharged from hospital had few things in place at home to help me get around. Hand rails at front door, hand rail on stairs and bath seat in bath. It was like 6 week after having car accident I was back home. Once back home there was few problems with my short term memory, forgetting to lock door and turn oven off. For me by far the worst thing I had to deal with was losing my dog. My mum had brought me this pup for my 21st birthday and he came everywhere with me including the night I had my accident. He was thrown out of the car and hit by another car. So first task once I was home was come to terms with losing him and get ready to get another pup. By end of month I was ready and got a pup as a suprise after being out at occupational therapy appointment.

I was also hoping to get back driving so had few occupational appointments to test me on certain stuff like theory and stuff, but was told they couldn’t give me a definite answer. I passed all what they could test me on. I told DVLA about my BI and got sent for an eye test (reading number plate at required distance) which I passed so was able to carry on driving. Had no problems driving, but DVLA decided I needed driving assessment in an area I’d never been to in a car I’d never driven. Purely due to bad habits and not knowing the area or being used to the car I failed so had to stop driving, have few refresher lessons and another assessment. I passed this 2nd one so could start driving again.

My mum who lives with me notices differences in me now that I don’t notice. To me I’m fine. Stuff that wasn’t great before are the main things that may still be effected. Balance being main one then short term memory. I honestly don’t know if they are worse now or not. I have recently started going to a BI group which is best thing I could have done, but looking at what others been through makes me realise how lucky I’ve been and how little people understand BI til they experience it or know someone who’s had it. When I had my BI it was almost exactly a month before I was due to go on holiday with my nan and cousin. My nan didn’t cancel the holiday until I came round as she had expected me to come round and be back to normal straight away. Now I would have given just about anything for that to be possible but no amount of wishful thinking would make it possible yet at side of just about everyone else I had a very fast recovery.

Right now I’m doing more exercise and enjoying going to the BI group so it’s turned out to be a good thing I had the car accident.

[Hidden]

You should be very proud of yourself, it isn't easy to overcome such a catastrophic event.

[keeley24 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I was told by doctors and physio that I had made quick recovery and was lucky, but I think it’s only now since I started going to this BI group I’m realising how lucky I’ve been. The man who set the group up had his BI 3 month before me yet he wasn’t back driving til over a year after me. His effected him mind and thinking and mine effected my balance and honestly I don’t know how I would of coped if mine had effected my mind like his. I hated being in hospital but at least I knew what was happening and could see improvements each day. Some who go to the group have been in wheel chairs years. One woman only recently started walking after about 3 year in wheel chair. I know how much effort you put in does help probably more than anything but there are limit to what you can do . I’ve been lucky to only have my balance effected.

[steve55]

keeley24 your past journey is over, your new one is beginning, what will happen who knows, thats whamakes it exciting, more importantly its the new you thats making that journey.

you wake in the morning, theres you in the mirror, but its not, because youre brain has changed, youre less tollerant of people as well as noise, your behaviour maybe inappropriate.

we had someone come into our group and say that he understood brain injury because his friend had one, thats like a red flag to a bull and i let fly.

only people who have had a brain injury will understand what a sufferer is going through and can give advice.

good luck and welcome to the family

steve