For the past year, I have used this forum as a way to get some answers and read stories by people like "me." People rarely understand us and only TBI survivors know what we go through everyday. I am not a doctor and any advice I can give is just from my experience. I have never posted before and if I can help one person as this site helped me, I would be a happy man.

My story starts with me getting hit on my motorcycle last Aug. I am (was) a motorcycle police officer in Southern California and the collision happened on duty. I was knocked out only for a few minutes and taken to a near by hospital. I was let out of the hospital a few hours later and told I was very lucky. A few days later is when I started exhibiting TBI symptoms. Headache, light/noise sensitivity, discomfort when standing etc. Doctor thought I may have a CSF leak and was put on bed rest for 3 months. Eventually doctor found out I didn't have a CSF leak but suffered from TBI.

I was placed in an intense 5 days a week physical therapy program in Pomona, CA called Casa Colina. It was 5 hours a day and included PT, OT, ST and neuro psychology. By going to this program, I discovered I had vision, vestibular, attention, mood/psychological and executive function deficits among other things. I've done just about every test that is talked about on this forum and have done pretty much every type of therapy. Please ask if you have questions.

I was at Casa Colina for 7 months and now instead of going to Casa, therapist come to my house to assist me with ways to watch my 2 small girls. Don't know how long this new therapy will last or if I will go back to work but I'm at peace with the new me. It's a struggle everyday as I get agitated and overwhelmed with my family but my faith in God has keep me strong. I'm offering anyway I can help. I was in a program with other people not as "high functioning" as me so I've seen it all. I still have symptoms that only God knows the duration. I still have vision, vestibular, attention and fatigue/mood overstimulation issues.

Sorry for the length of this post but I had to tell my story. Other people on this forum are much more knowledgeable then I am. I can offer my knowledge recently gained through experience during therapy. Thank you and God bless.

Matt,

Thanks for sharing your story.

Your words about " not knowing if that therapy will last or if you will be going back to work, but you are at peace with the new me" really hit me.

I'm trying to get to that place. Can you talk me about how you came to terms with everything?

Thanks,

Jace

Matt,

I wonder if your deficits were quite as serious as the therapists claimed. The intensity of your therapy sounds quite intense and exhausting. There are rehab facilities that will keep providing therapy as long as somebody is paying the bills. Sometimes, this causes fatigue that only serves to prolong the symptoms.

How much have you learned to help you live with and work-around your struggles ? I believe work-arounds are the key to improvement because they allow you to lower the stress and frustration level so your brain can heal and establish a new normal. Hopefully, the less intense home therapy will give you this opportunity.

btw, Neuro Rehab facilities are so focused on getting patients out of comas and walking and talking that they fail to understand the subtle nuances of concussion. Many TBI rehab patients have a goal to heal to our original injured level. This creates a challenge at the Neuro Rehab facility.

My best to you.

To Living_Dazed,
I guess accepting the "new me" was and is the only option. I have to be a positive example in my children's eyes. Being negative does not help anyone. My faith in God and Jesus Christ has also helped me so much. He has a plan for me and I have to trust him. My 2 year old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 4 months after my accident so I believe my new calling is taking care of my daughter.

And for Mark. I always respected your advice on this site and thank you for your support. I do believe rehab clinics string along cases when there is a pay check as was mine because of workmans comp. I believe your response 100%. The focus of my therapy now is to work around fatigue and intentionally insert rest/breaks into my day. Fatigue does make all of my symptoms worse. My rehab clinic opened my eyes to my deficits because they challenged me everyday.

Back to you Living Dazed,
All you can do is try your best to improve everyday. Whatever that may be. You can still accomplish amazing things and help shape people's life's even with your deficits. I know there are people out there doubting themselves but please put all your trust in The Lord. He has a plan and saved each one of you for a reason .
Mark, keep doing what you are doing, you helped me a lot brother. Please ask questions to all of us, don't be shy, I wish I would have earlier.