Hiding your Disability

I managed to hide my disabilities from a young age. I was heavily into Karate as a teenager and had my Blackbelt by time I was 15. I could hide my bad balance on my left with using my right leg to balance on when kicking or fighting I left Karate once others students in my class were noticing problems with my speed on the left side..my other problem was with my shorterm memory it wasnt there. With no support and fearing people finding out I embarked on the darker side of tbi..Addiction/Alcoholism for 20 + years. I'm 15 years clean from all that now and I havent drunk any alcohol for 6 years I'm so proud of getting off the poisons as they didnt fix my BI one bit. Now with the right road in front of me my future is looking brighter even tho it's all new 👍👍👍

[1949liz]

Well done a big hug and congratulations Love Liz 🌹🙏

[Hidden in reply to 1949liz]

Thankyou I feel my journey is only just starting as I've spent all my adult life hiding my disabilities. Here's to a brighter future 👍👍👍

[tunas]

I managed to get off all my poisons suprisingly, it has just been a month though so far. Unfortunately I have not seen any benefits yet, my short term memory is still very bad and if anything my depression has got worse. I have found that now I've got nothing to look forward to and it is a real struggle going forward. Oh well.

[Hidden in reply to tunas]

Sending support and strength to ya it's a real battle everyday and well done you Addiction has been with me from my teens about 4 years after my TBI.15 years ago I had a a decision to make which was carry on with Addiction or become a single parent I chose my 2 lads 15 years on and I've stayed clean and my lads are still by my side as I walk this new road in front of me. Baby steps to greatness I was once told 👍👍👍

[Painting-girl in reply to tunas]

I think you had a bad injury T, what sort of support or rehab have you had since - it's a few years for you now? Have you been told something new recently then?

I'm over three years down the line, and yes, the fatigue is still with me, but I feel I've had some cognitive improvements this year compared to last year in the last few months. Measurable stuff like being able to write down telephone numbers now, and being able to watch TV programs that I couldn't last year - so quite small details, but still significant. Still have setbacks, it's not all rosy, but some things have still improved for me past the two year mark.

Have you had any contact with the Headway groups and other organisations in South Africa? I know it's upsetting that they are listed here alongside dementia groups and so on, but they may be useful to you, if only just to talk to, so I am putting in the link just in case.

neuropsychologysa.co.za/sup...

What sort of support are you getting for depression? It is something we're more susceptible to after a brain injury, and it could be a new episode for you? Do try basic self help, but don't struggle with that in your own, it's definitely one of the more treatable aspects of BI.

[tunas in reply to Painting-girl]

Thank you for your concern. I did go to headway here, to occupational therapists etc, it did help a bit and I have seen some improvments. I am on anti-depression medications but am basically on my own. Thank you for the link, I will try find someone to talk to. Thanks.

[Painting-girl in reply to tunas]

Good luck, and let us know how you get on. It can be tough on your own, particularly when you're having a bad bout of fatigue 🌸

[Painting-girl]

You're doing really well S 👍

[Hidden in reply to Painting-girl]

I am able to function around my lads to a point. My struggles everyday is self management it just isnt right and my balance on my left side is a real worry I find it hard to explain to my lads as they are young men now thriving. Thankyou for yor comment x

[Painting-girl in reply to Hidden]

Much of BI is really hard to explain to others, and as you can see here, we all have challenges after BI, and worries about the future. but please do give yourself a great deal of credit for getting off drink and drugs and for raising two thriving young men. 🌸👍

[Hidden]

My boys are my world atm lol sharing all this with them has been hard but I'm glad I've told them about my BI my lads are the only 2 things I got right lol they are 2 beauties and I'm extremely proud of the way they have turned out..My scars with drink and drugs has spared theirs as they dont like drink or drugs..that's a result in itself 👍👍👍

[AHarch]

I had two TBIs when I was 15 and 21 (53 years ago) I have no balance and constant vertigo which has got worse over the last 10 years. I have learnt to manage it and originally had various drugs but not now, they were useless and my consultants agreed. I somehow fractured the base of my skull, lucky and thankful to be here. I now use two hiking sticks to get around and I still fall over (occasionally) but can lead a reasonably normal life although exhaustion is a constant company. I had a bad fall 3 weeks ago and banged the head but am recovering. I work from home so I am lucky. Well done for getting off the poisons and keep looking forward. There is something we can all do just need to find it and ask people, and if things get bad (as they do) talk to someone. We all get bad days but they pass. Love to all xxx.

[Hidden in reply to AHarch]

We are all silent warriors in life at all stages of tbi massive respect to you and everyone living with tbi. I'm on doctors poisons still but the let's just say naughty stuff is long gone from my life thankgod theres never a day or night off living with tbi I'm very lucky I survived back then I've 2 other Tbi on the same left side both required hospital treatment stitches and stuff the major one at 10 did the damage thanks to this forum and sharing some of my story on here has helped me understand my own disability FINALLY thankyou for sharing this 💯👌👌👌