Let's talk about the silver linings.

How did the injury changed your paradigm, your perspective, your values, your character?

I'm still waiting for the good parts to come lol. I appreciate my girlfriend a lot more but feel bad for the burden I put on her and mother. if I ever get good enough to function I will be very thankful for being healthy not like before. I try very hard to see the cup half full now even thouh it is not in my nature. I was on the cusp of being very wealthy seven years ago when this happened. my bank account went from six digits to one digit lol. I am trying to make money nota priority in my life. and am thankful for the people I met on here.

I have changed the concept from 'Is the glass half full or half empty?' to 'Is the glass too big ?' Often times, we try to accomplish too much and thus put ourselves under far too much stress.

Will,

I'm at 20 months and somewhere in me I still think maybe they are all wrong at times. It's that
Last bit of denial hanging on.

Before injury I had a very fast paced life. Full of work (LOVED my job) family friends experiences. Our neighbors would joke that we visit our house we were gone so much. The pace halted for me for a long time. With my migraines improving I am more active. It's a slow pace.

I'm more focused on the people closest to me now. I have more time with them.

I hmmm this is just a hard question will. I'm not sure I'm seeing the pros. I try hard to stay positive.

Sorry I'm not much help on this. Ok. Silver lining. All the people I've met here and my circle of friends and family thAt have stood by me. Many people leave. They don't know how to adjust to the new me. I was ANGRY for a long time about that.

Now I realize it's hard for others. If everyone tried to stay in my life constantly I'd be a mess. I can't keep up like I used to.

Jenna

besides losing my career, my savings and 401k, my friends who abandoned me, my family thinking I was on drugs or alcohol or am insane, the weight gain, the horrifying sleep problems, this is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me lol.
sarcasm laid on thick

HAHA, man only people with our condition would find this funny... But in all seriousness, I have no doubt that you are a better person now than you ever were, Markneil. I think one needs to lose something very important to learn what it means to be grateful and appreciative. What does not kill you makes you stronger. Believe it!

Thank you for sharing Jenna,

I know what you mean about people. Dare I postulate that people who stood by you share a quality that a true/valuable friend should have: unconditional support/love for you, as well as the depth and wisdom to not only understand the new you, but relate to you in a way that deepens your friendship. I believe obstacles such as our devastating injury either brings people closer or pulls them further apart. Your injury revealed you who your true friends are. I see a silver lining.

I know the anger. I am still dealing with this issue (a little bit different than yours). However, if you overcame it, you must have learned a very valuable lesson from it. How you overcame your anger is another silver lining.

You have an understanding now. This injury has humbled me. It made me realize what can be lost is not me in the truest sense. I am more compassionate/understanding towards those less fortunate. (Did you know that more than half of homeless people have a brain injury? and that over 80% of those injuries occurred before they lost their home?) I could be homeless right now...

those statistics are true!!! I would be homeless if it weren't for my girlfriend. there was no way could take care of myself the first few years. my second injury was a bit different than you guys. it was an acquired injury by a senile incompetent dr alan leff of new York who gave me a sadistic combination of drugs that caused my tbi to become many times worse and almost drove me to the brink of insanity. I was in bed the first two years and severely sick. without my girlfriend and mother, I would be begging on the streets of new York. by the way, the new York medical board cleared him of any wrongdoing of course and that is when I lost my faith in the fairness of this country.. the wealthy and connected have always had more power. boy did I babble lol

I am so sorry to hear about what you have been through. I truly am. The current state of our political/justice systems is another thing that I have learned through this experience. We have firsthand experienced the cold reality of the rigged system. There is a lot of work to be done.

I am so grateful for both of us that we have people by our sides!

me too but I don't understand some of the things that happened to me still. I was always a safe and prudent investor but at the depths of my injury I empied my account and started trading crazy and lost a fortune. it doesn't make sense to me still why I did this. my mind just sort of cracked for a few years from the injuries. I need to move on but don't know how. I guess I should have sent this to you privately lol. I am glad you are around to talk to in the middle of the night lol