TBI as a child - could it have caused my 'clumsiness'?

[VimesMum]

Long story, don't want to TLDR. Had car accident as toddler, possible skull fractures. Never talked about in the family. Didn't really find out about it until I was in my 30s. I have always had really poor coordination, can't catch a ball etc. Could my brain injury have caused clumsiness? I don't have any other classic symptoms like cognitive dysfunction. Also, it's weird to discover you're a brain injury survivor in your thirties and I'm now in my sixties and I've done nothing about it - I feel like an imposter.

[lcd8]

Hi there. I think your clumsiness could well be related to your skull fractures. I have a congenital brain injury. I have always been clumsy too with very little hand-eye coordination. Playing sports has always been hell for me as I'm useless at both throwing and catching a ball.

[VimesMum in reply to lcd8]

Thank you! I've always felt like a total klutz and hated PE lessons etc at school. I did CrossFit for a few years in my fifties and it actually improved my coordination (mind you, it was hours of bouncing a ball or jumping on and off a two inch step with my coach's support) and now I wonder if I should try and get some support to improve my balance and coordination. I don't fancy later life as a person who's very prone to falling over and walking into walls, both of which I do when I'm tired. But I don't know where to start.

[lcd8 in reply to VimesMum]

Yeah, same here re PE. I feel your pain! I understand about the concern in your last few sentences as well and this is also something I'm also concerned about. I tried looking at exercises online that might help with balance. It recommended stuff like standing on one leg and walking in a line heel to toe. I don't know if this will help cognitively but I might give it a try.

[VimesMum in reply to lcd8]

PE was the worst! I do try and do the standing on one leg while brushing my teeth thing, but I think I should really focus more on this while I can.

[Stubble in reply to VimesMum]

Grab some cheap juggling balls and try to teach yourself to juggle.. it's very challenging, but it helps to retrain the vestibular system and is great for coordination too.

The walking exercises are very good too. There's a lot of good resources online for some of the basic TBI rehab activities. Look especially for Canadian therapists, they deal with a lot of ice hockey injuries!

[VimesMum in reply to Stubble]

Wow, I can't imagine ever being able to juggle, that's a real stretch. I shall go and do some research!

[Stubble in reply to VimesMum]

Even just two balls.. it'll give you something to focus on 🤓

[Nackapan in reply to Stubble]

I've got a vestibular disturbance. I tried thus with 2 balls and it rrally helps.

As do Cawthorne pysio exercises.

Did them daily.

Still use them.

I also walked bare foot on grass .

Read it on here.

Felt a little crazy but willing to try anything .

It was cold!!

A very good experience.

Helped balance.

[VimesMum in reply to Nackapan]

That's good to hear, I'm going to try these ideas, thank you!

[lcd8]

Good luck

[James1984]

Definitely concussion at the very least. Do you remember your parents describing any changes to your ability and/or behaviour before and after the accident?

[VimesMum in reply to James1984]

Hi James, no but I was only 14 months. newspaper cuttings from the time say I was in critical condition. My parents never ever talked about it. I only found out in my thirties