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Old 08-26-2014, 10:37 AM
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Lightrail11 Lightrail11 is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 531
10 yr Member
Lightrail11 Lightrail11 is offline
Member
Lightrail11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 531
10 yr Member
Default Working at Home - advice

For me working from home was beneficial in several ways.

It got me back to using my brain for mental tasks that I had performed easily prior to my injury. Talking to co-workers on the phone helped reestablish social and communication skills.

A NPA before I left the hospital cited deficits in executive functioning, abstract reasoning and problem solving. I fully believe the return to working part time from home on some familiar tasks helped reestablish the neural pathways, as I saw improvement in the deficit areas noted in the NPA. I continued with outpatient speech and occupational therapy during this time and the therapists noted improvement as well.

Some things that worked for me:

Be careful not to over do it at first, rest as needed.

Use tools such as a planner to keep track of time, it's easy to get caught in the moment and forget to take rest breaks.

Use checklists to keep track of the work and non-work related stuff so that you don't overdo, and stay on task.

If you live with someone have them give you feedback if they notice any mood changes of other signs you may be overdoing it.

Best to you.
__________________
What Happened: On November 29, 2010, I was walking across the street and was hit by a light rail commuter train. Result was a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures (skull, pelvis, ribs). Total hospital stay was two months, one in ICU followed by an additional month in neuro-rehab. Upon hospital discharge, neurological testing revealed deficits in short term memory, executive functioning, and spatial recognition.

Today: Neuropsychological examination five months post-accident indicated a return to normal cognitive functioning, and I returned to work approximately 6 months after the accident. I am grateful to be alive and am looking forward to enjoying the rest of my life.
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