What has been the biggest change in your life after brain injury?

[headwayuk]

Hi everyone,

If you have been following the ABI Week content on our website and social media channels, I hope you have found it interesting and of value so far.

As part of ABI week, we find it really important to raise awareness through shared experiences, and we'd love you ask you to share your experiences about the biggest change in your life after brain injury.

If you would like to contribute please add in the comments below.

If you haven't seen the content so far and would like to, please click on this webpage: every90seconds.org.uk.

Thanks so much

Gemma

[Limpots78]

the biggest change has been the effect on my working status,

I had reached we’re I wanted to achieve in my career but one simple step changed me forever. Falling down the stairs.

I was assessed by my employer and deemed not fit as the job involving regular flights into Europe me for my own health. The impact has now means I’m living alone deflated and frustrated in my flat just keeping my head up and doing what I can. Lost my house & car

But I’m here alive for my children, xx

B

[Letsrock]

Hi I would say work status

[Nemo24]

Life turned upside down after my ABI. Lots of impacs for me, but I am sad to have a loss of spontaneity. Fatigue a big one so I am constantly having to plan my days ahead to put rest time in. Last minute invites don't work and then am upset when can't go. My world has got smaller as lost my sense of direction and only travel in small area that I know well.

[LostGenius]

Losing the person who I was once was and struggling everyday with EVERYTHING. With zero medical help in my country to help me get through it.

I just have to say that without finding this HeadwayUK group online i might not be here today. Seeing what everyone else was struggling with made me not feel so alone and better understand that I was not crazy and the symptoms I had were normal that indeed I had sustained a brain injury that the paramedics at the accident scene had missed since they only cared about getting to the next accident.

The numerous people here being so open & honest about their struggles and how progress could be very slow over time, gave me the strength to push through everything even when it all seemed so hopeless…

[cat3]

The change in my mobility was obvious from day one. I was always very agile and walked for miles (loved hill climbing in the Peak District and walking along the river Mersey banks from town to town). Since the ABI I'm shattered after a 10 minute walk to the local shops owing to poor balance ...and the concentration and determination it takes to walk in a straight line. No amount of treatment has addressed the issue. 🙄

And memory issues have distanced me from the friends I once had ; its embarrassing and infuriating, even with folk who know and love me, struggling with everyday word recall. So with loved ones I try to gloss over my frustration with silly humour, ending with everyone in stitches, but it's a massive change, and loss, for me losing out on interesting conversation.

Changes in dexterity, concentration and mood are also par for the course.

But Headway is the one place where I can take my time to be who I really am ; expressing ideas and feelings without my absent memory or other issues getting in the way ! .....and being in the 'same boat' as so many others is a lifesaver ! 😏

[Alibongo60]

hi Cat, same here love Alice xxx

[cat3 in reply to Alibongo60]

Xx

[paxo05]

The loss of myself, of who I used to be. Along with work and the impact on my wife and children.

I was in a job I enjoyed, I had trained as a Councillor and was about to start as a prison officer. All this has vanished when I had a rta.

The adjustment to my bi although not easy has been achievable.

The loss of the old me was the hardest thing to accept.

Followed by the challenge it put on my marriage and the effect it had on my three young daughters.

But I am still thankfull to still be here.

Pax

[Smilerdi]

I feel that the biggest change has been having to live with complete unpredictability.

Some days the brain functions as expected. Other days far from it. Some days I can work out how to reset the central heating timeswitch, other days it’s impossible! Some days I awake with mental fatigue, other days it comes on later in the day . Some days I remember appointments other days I completely forget . Some days I get lost in an unfamiliar public place and can’t find my way back from the toilet ! Other days my memory enables me to find my way .

[Skulls]

Rejection and loss of mobility. I admit I have changed but I expected my wife to be loving not to reject me and call me “disgusting”. When she found out about my search for a new love, she mocked me and returned every gesture and gift of love I had given her from her rings to a box of long life roses. I think it is accurate to say I am hated now. I have lost my mobility and am a prisoner in my own home. I often wonder why I am still alive. I have no reason to be here any more.

[Dann2 in reply to Skulls]

so sorry to hear this, Skulls. Rejection is so fucking hard to deal with. Is there any way of getting mobility aids of some sort to help you get out? sorry if that’s a stupid question

[PurpleOverlord]

Losing everything that mattered to me about who I was. She died that day. Now I'm just a brainless shell who struggles though every day. Memory loss, understanding loss. Every day I forget more and more about who I was, who I am, the people in my life. And I'm shocked to hear that high number of daily brain injuries you've posted at the top, because very clearly there is no useful medical help for us in the UK, with no understanding from anyone at any level. The only help I've had is from fellow survivors here. I still wish each and every day that I had just died in hospital. Life isn't worth living anymore, too much work, too little brain and energy to do the work needed.

[Philcragg]

Family, family treating me differently is the biggest change since my brain injury, along with fatigue, change in memory, headaches etc