Hi Angie!

Wow, you have just described me.....I fell in 2005 since been diagnosed with mild tbi. With time, I realized that I am who I am NOW..not who I was before the fall. I pretty much accept myself now. I struggle to not do things that bring on symptons...changed my way of life to 'calm' ummmmm's. I sometimes bring up 'who I was' before the fall and still sometimes it makes me sad. ( used to get really angry about it, but sadness has overtaken the anger) I was really really smart, type A, on top of things...healthy. Now I am a bit slow, not so much on top of things and my health has suffered partly due to not being as active as I was and of course I'm 4 years older (now 57) and as I learned a long time ago, if you don't use 'it' you will loose it. I worked all my life to be active (as my grandmother used to say, I don't want to end up in a wheelchair & she exercised everyday up into her 90's) I worked at keeping informed up to date on everything from news, to music and read at least one book a month. Now I don't read well, since my eyes jump up and down due to the vestibular issues. Since I also have vestibular problems due to the fall, I am not able to exercise etc either.

I do want you to know, this place is a God send for most of us. I was so confused after the fall, no help from doctors at that point, because I wasn't able to 'tell' them much and as I found out they really can not read my mind *smiles*. But after finding this place, I was able to put into words what was going on and fortunately I have a good group of doctors now who work together for my benefit.

I remember my first neurologist telling me also, oh give yourself 3 months, when that passed, give yourself 6 months, when that passed give yourself a year, when that passed, sometimes it takes up to 2 years, when that passed, I realized my life is what it is...and I changed doctors. I still work, struggle everyday to maintain, people I work with sometimes look at me as though I'm from another planet. I've learned not to take that so personally either. They don't 'get it' I look good, sometimes I talk good, sometimes I can complete a task with no mistakes, but I mean it is a struggle to remember the clothes that I have already worn to work this week, think about every word that comes out of my mouth, because I use incorrect words that do not relate at all to what the discussion is, and they have no idea as to how many times, I go over something, redo it, trash and start over many projects....

When I'm 'up' I like to come here, when I'm angry I like to come here, when I'm sad I like to come here....we understand and we 'get it'!

Take care...keep your light around you, stay positive....

Life is constantly changing.

Melek