I'm just wondering what kind of changes you guys have endured...good or bad, as a result of your injury.

I've noticed that I'm a lot more humble. Before, if somebody were to crack a joke about someone with a disability...like for instance someone in a wheelchair, or somebody that spoke or walked funny...I might laugh. Now, I take offense to those kind of jokes and stand up for them. You don't know what that person goes through. You have no idea what happened to them to cause them to be that way. Now that I've got a horrible disability myself, I realize the absolute hell people with a disability and their family go through.

How has your injury changed you as a person?

Yes, I am also far more tolerant and observant of others limitations and disabilities.

I used to be impatient with others slowness to get with the program. Now, I may slow down to help them get with the program.

Great thread idea, Nick!

For awhile, I would say my injury changed me very much for the worse. I think this is largely due to the fact that I have a really rough past, and this injury came on top of two disabilities and some other unpleasant stuff. And the timing was incredibly awful: months before I was supposed to earn the Ph.D I had been working on for 8 years. I was just thinking "you have GOT to be kidding me!" The only thing I've ever wanted to to do is teach college, and I've worked very hard to be able to do it. Now that may never happen.

After that period of anger and resentment (okay, I'm not fully over it), I went through a period of despair and had really lost my will to live. Somehow I managed to pull myself out of that and make a decision to do whatever I can to salvage what I can from life and make the best of what I still have.

For most of the past couple of months I've been more calm, accepting, and stoic. I'm far from happy, but I think I'm responding to my situation in a much healthier manner than I was before. I still have a long way to go--anger and resentment still come up, as does despair--but now I at least feel like my overall attitude has improved and I'm heading in the right direction.

Pete

I'm extremely cautious, looking for any possible objects on the floor/ground, low-hanging objects above, other people, and vehicles (even when in crosswalk).

Don't move my head suddenly, run, jump, dance, or allow anything to tap my head, even in the slightest.

I couldn't laugh before the TBI- only chuckle, and I chuckle a bit less now.

Don't go out much. Stick to routines. Have a beer once a month or so. Avoiding stress from those people is crucial.

I'm interested in TBIs more than anything after Christianity, family, animation & video games as a subject. Trying to find the best way to rid myself of the lingering pain besides praying for a miracle. Maybe God wants me to try Neurofeedback.

Feel 20 years older than my age of 38. But eternally thankful for God sustaining me through the horrible head pain of a 1-1.5 years ago.

I now have a full and better understanding of what depression and anxiety are now since I have experienced them both.

I also now am very cautious of activies that may cause TBI for not only myself but others. When I see people on TV on that stupid show Wipeout, I think how easily one of them could end up where I am because of the dumb physical activities they put themselves through.

I don't take for granted how easily our lives can be changed by a simple accident anymore. I never took life for granted before but never considered how one accident would change a life.

That's funny that you say that...I was thinking the same thing about that show Wipeout about a month or so ago.

I've found that I am more cautious too...I think the majority of us are. I have a phobia about standing next to doors. I'm afraid someone is going to open it and hit me in the head or kick it down, or something...hahaha. If I have to stand by a door I'll either lock it or put my hand on the door so I can stop it if someone opens it suddenly. I also duck down extra low when I get in the car.

Since my injury was an assault (from behind) I'm constantly looking behind me to make sure nobody is following me. Especially when I go to fast food restaurants...(It was a McDonalds I got assaulted at). I don't look at people too much, neither, because some people (especially out here in Vegas) will start trouble by you just glancing at them or saying "Hi".

For a while after the accident, I walked around in a daze. I was neither happy nor unhappy, things weren't good, but they weren't bad. I was just kind of there. I am starting to feel again...but I don't like it. I am going back to becoming very angry, especially in the car. I am also more impatient. I need to get into a store and get out, long lines or traffic throw me right off. Maybe "panic" is a better word than "impatient." I start to panic.

Also, if I am driving and a car goes over the rumble strip, I go into panic mode. That's one of the last sounds that I heard before going down the median and taking out trees and whatever else.

I also pray for everyone on the boards, not so much for a "cure" for this, but to help take away some of the sadness and to make it easier.

Sorry, I like to ramble.

Wow. Great question. Ive learned to slow down. More cautious when driving. I organize my stuff cause clutter confuses me. I realized just how much stuff we dont need. When the neurosurgeon told me I was one lucky girl only then did I start to accept my injury and its seriousness. Ive been in denial. That was only last week. I am forgetful so im learning how to organize. I am grateful it wasnt worse. I grieved my old self cause she was such a happy girl who could take the worst situation and find the laughter. Now im sad alot, less social, afraid of my quad and more careful. I was a risktaker now im learning about the new me. The new me isnt as cheerful, the new me isnt that happy but the new me is grateful. Im here, ive survived. Im frustrated, confused, and so scared sometimes. Im hoping the happyness comes back..

I went through every emotion. From anger, to grief, to despair, to resentment, then finally acceptance. I realized a lot of "friends" were not quite friends, but people i enjoyed the nightlife with. I began to view true friends as a something to truly treasure.

I started to learn about alternative ways to lower my anxiety and help the depression associated with PCS. On the other side, i found a world of peace, healing, acceptance, and understanding. I saw that the way i was living my life prior to my accident was not healthy and have begun to see my accident as a "wake up call". And by unhealthy i mean, stressing about non -important subjects, worrying about what other people think, drinking too much, neglecting my health, and associating myself with superficial people.

Its funny because i just had my yearly review with my manager. She had a whopping 3 months worth to critique.....the most interesting thing that she said was that
"in the past few weeks that you have been back to work you have shown such a strong focus and connection with your patients, where nothing else matters except what you can do to help them at that very moment. You seem peaceful, almost Zen-like, im not sure if this is a result from you doing Healing Touch, but its made you a better nurse, a better person, and developed a new personality. No offense....but before your accident you seemed so unfocused, wild, and overwhelmed with all the negativity in the unit."
I couldnt help but smile and agree. She was completely right!! I am focused, i am more peaceful, and i am more connected with my patients. Ive always thought of myself as a wonderful nurse, but since the accident i have found a new sense of compassion that goes even deeper than the compassion i had before. It comes from a place of understanding, of being there, of living through it, and coming through on the other side ok.
my friends will tell you i have become calmer, a more positive person, and a lot more humble. I constantly post on facebook about every article i come across about brain injuries hoping to educate others on the dangers of them, and find myself advocating for all of us with PCS. I also find that i want to make myself a better person in any way possible since going through all of this. I want to explore alternative medicine, therapies, psychology, spirituality, and personal development. Its been a great journey....one i would never have gone on if i did not have this injury. I try to find the silver lining where ever i can.....where i once saw this injury as a curse.....i now see it as a blessing that opened my awareness to so many things and forever changed my life....but i see it all as a positive.

I developed severe anger issues and recently encountered "legal" issues because of it (no-one physically hurt). I wish I had known what was causing the anger in the first place all these years. I feel strongly that I could have avoided any problems if I'd known a frontal TBI is infamous for causing anger and lack of self-control.