What would you want Parents & Educators to know about TBI? Please Reply!
 

Many of you may not know me, as I have been inactive on the boards for the past year since returning part time to my graduate study program. Although I still struggle with my mTBI, after 2 years of various rehab, I have been able to return to my Graduate program, one class at a time.

Tomorrow evening, I am presenting in my class called "Family Resources". I will be providing some basic brain injury information, relevant websites, local agencies that help TBI patients.

Since this message board was such a wonderful wealth of information, I am including it as a resource. But I thought it would be more meaningful, if all of you out there who are also living with TBI could provide examples of things you would want a Parent of a child with TBI to know and also what you would want a Teacher with a student with TBI to know about what it's like living with TBI.

Post away! I will be sharing your comments about 30 hours from this posting :winky:

In my experience, the one issue that stands out about living with PCS or mTBI is over-stimulation. Outsiders have a very difficult time understanding how visual and especially auditory stimulation can overwhelm the person. This sensitivity to over-stimulation effects where I can be and what I can do. It can trigger an outburst or a cognitive shut down.

Voices, especially people talking together and over each other can be a trigger. This can cause the person to need to remove themselves from a social or work environment.

Not everybody has this same struggle but for those who do, it is life changing.

TBI is an injury. Just because I look better DOES NOT mean that I am better.

I would like people to know that all brain injuries are different and that "toughing it out" just isn't possible. I've had people make comments to me like, "How are you not better? I was competing in a karate tournament the day after my concussion" or "You just need to try harder and you'll be just fine".

Just because I did it yesterday and I was ok, does not mean that today I will be ok... every day is different and some days are better than others.