New relationship

[Iman_Thomas]

Hi, i am new to the group and i recently started seeing someone that is a survivor of a brain aneurysm. What advise can you give me as a partner?

[Catx1978]

I'm replying as a brain injury survivor. My best advise is to learn a little about brain injury. It really helps when people have anunderstanding of what I'm going through. Listen to them and let them rant if they need to. Try and get someone in pkace that you can talk to as well.

How long ago was his brain injury?

[Iman_Thomas in reply to Catx1978]

Morning, he had the brain surgery when he was in his 20's, so he has handled it very well. He is 38 now, so this is new to me and i do not mind finding out moee, doing research from my side, to be assisting and supportive

[Catx1978 in reply to Iman_Thomas]

He's more than likely to have stragegies in place that work for him to help him manage everyday life but he will either be appreciate any assistance or want to do things on his own which gives him his indepence. You're on the right track to learn what you can. It's the lack of understanding from people that doesn't help. Try calling the Headway team as they'll be able to give you advise as well and point you in the right direction to help and support for not only him but yourself as well

[Iman_Thomas in reply to Catx1978]

Do you perhaps have a contact details? I am situated in cape town, south africa

[cat3]

Hi Iman. It's good you're willing to learn and take on board your partner's issues and needs. A ruptured aneurism left me with impaired mobility, short term memory problems and sensory overload in bright, noisy or hectic environments.

But I'm careful to disguise these issues so far as possible and have foregone former activities and social situations which proved either too embarrassing or exhausting.

So as your new relationship develops further, certain features of your partner's brain injury might become more apparent. We brain injured folk often react more strongly to feeling overtired, worried or upset from events which others easily brush off.

I believe I'm kind and patient. But I can be snappy and over emotional when overwhelmed or overtired ; an unfortunate symptom of a struggling brain.

Having someone knowledgeable and empathic close by is what all too many brain injury survivors can only dream of. Good for you Iman.

Contact Headway for information on brain injury at :-

[e-mail]

Best wishes, Cat. x

[Iman_Thomas in reply to cat3]

Thank you very much cat, i appreciate it a lot, i would like to keep in contact offline if possible

[cat3 in reply to Iman_Thomas]

They have a helpline phone number. It's 0808 800 2244 which is free to call in UK but not sure about SA. Maybe try and see ? x