Thanks for the post, I agree with your perspective. I tend to see normal as a continuum rather than a static state. As we go through life we experience all kinds of changes, therefore what was "normal" in the past changes over time. Traumatic events tend to knock our normal off the rails; for me recovery was about getting the train back on the track.

So I think we continuously reevaluate “normal”. When I was out with my injury, at first “normal” was getting out of the wheelchair. I did; I now walk with a cane, which is my new physical “normal”. Then I desperately wanted to get back to work. When the neuropsychological assessment came back and said “On examination, the patient demonstrated intact cognition in all domains assessed including learning and memory, attention, processing speed, language skills and executive functions. He has shown an excellent recovery from his severe injury only five months ago. From a cognitive standpoint there are no concerns with respect to the patient returning to work full time or returning to driving”, that was as normal as I needed to hear.

If I can move forward and enjoy my life that’s as normal as I need to be.

Best to you all in finding your new normal.