New to this Chat
 

Hi there

I have TBI from an accident in January this year. I had a horse riding fall and was a professional horse instructor in South Africa. I was apparently in a coma for four days, but I can't remember any of my time in hospital though I was apparently trying to speak to everyone and getting out of the wrist ties I had been put in cos I wanted to go somewhere. I was temporarily paralyzed on my right side and I had a right fracture on my right orbit and C7.

Because of limited funds I was discharged from hospital after 3 weeks. I have an odd memory after that, but it was only just under 2 months that I started being conscious of what was going on and that I had a brain injury. My first thought was that I wanted to commit suicide. Because of the damage to my frontal lobe I believe this was quite normal. I got taken to the doctor for anti depressants and started on them straight away. I must say I then felt extremely nauseous for 3 weeks. I was fortunate enough to have got some feeling back to my right and was able an hobble around. The lady at physio rehab helped a lot and managed to get me walking better and also moving my right arm and hand. I haven't been for any rehab since May.

To cut a long story short, I am now living in the UK with my sister and manage to walk the dog for two and a half kilometers. My sight is not the best and I have got some glasses for long sight as well as some for close work. I have double vision when I try and move my eyes without my head and get quite dizzy when I move my head fast. I seem to have balance issues when moving in small places.

I am starting at Headway on Thursday and hope to get some proper rehab work done on me. I am lucky, as I know I could have been worse, but I am used to injuries that are six weeks recovery time.

Would love to chat to anyone who has a TBI.

Debbie

Hi Debbie,
I am from the UK. I had a brain injury due to a car crash. Fortunately it has not left me with some of the physical symptoms that you, sadly, have; I have no difficultly with walking or my sight. I do have some of the other issues though to do with the brain and also balance, although my brain injury would be classified as minor. I found Headway to be very supportive, so you are absolutely doing the right thing in going to see them. They are also very supportive on the phone also.
I would love to chat with you sometime.
All the best,
Concussed Scientist

Chat
 

Hi there

Thanks for your offer to Chat. I now live in Dorset. Whereabouts are you. I had a Neuro Physio assessment at Headway on Thursday. I was so pleased with it. It would seem my coordination is not too good and I'm seeing an ophthalmologist soon as well. She thinks my balance will improve and it's a case of using my right side again as much as possible to remind my brain that it's there.

When I was in South Africa I did not speak to anyone regarding my injury and was fed up as people would see me and think I was 100% which I knew I wasn't. It's so nice to have spoken to other TBI people and get ideas at my expectations.

Chat soon
Debbie