Laura,

I frequently blurt out the wrong word or name like you substituted penguin for peacock. The sounds are usually the same but the following sounds may be far from similar. Often, getting the wrong word out so I can hear it allows my brain to unlock and find the correct work. Frustration causes stress which only makes it worse.

Did you know that research shows that as many as 60% of inmates show signs of brain injuries? I would expect Soledad to have similar rates.

Next time someone asks you to sit and listen for 8 hours, you could tell them that you can sit for 8 hours but your brain will likely stop listening at 4 hours if not sooner. I find that I listen best with my eyes closed. I just need to remember to stay awake. It makes it hard to take notes.

Maybe you can have the presentation video recorded so you can watch it as your brain allows. I can't imagine getting much from the presentation in such a marathon session, even if it was limited to 4 hours. Most can not absorb that much information even with healthy brains.

Your right frontal lobe injury may have had a direction that caused a coup-contra-coup injury to your left temporal lobe.

I have never had a temporal lobe injury, only frontal and occipital lobe from impacts to the center of my forehead and the center of the back of my head, yet, I have word finding and sequencing dysfunctions plus other problems that relate to areas not specifically impacted.