I'm a new member to the forum. I was rear ended while in a work van last November. I just read Elliot Clark's book about his experiences. Most of my symptoms are consistent with his.

Fortunately for me, I found reasonably knowledgable care right away. I didn't have to push myself to keep up my previous commitments as he did. Because it was a workers comp accident, I am getting paid somewhat regularly, though enduring constant harassment, lies, and delays from the insurance company.

My wife is a nurse. She has searched for help for me and I couldn't have made it this far without her. I basically spent the first two months after the accident in bed. Partly because the concussion specialist told me to, but mostly because I could do almost nothing. I could barely dress myself, shower, use the toilet, or brush my teeth. Taking meds while my wife was at work was a comical, almost impossible task. I wore a sleep mask at night because even the tiny amount of light coming through the closed blinds would hurt my eyes. That remains almost a constant problem.

The same with my hearing. I can't filter out background noise either. I still stumble when I walk, usually to the left, and have trouble initiating steps. I've had a constant headache since the accident. Also constant ringing in the ears since the accident.

My eyes are a disaster. I can converge all the way to the end of my nose, but my left eye lags behind the right when diverging, even after months of eye excercises. I cannot watch any kind of movement without an increase in long lasting balance, other cognitive problems. My left eye feels like it's from another planet. It's always uncomfortable. A trip to the grocery store leaves me almost unable to function as a human being. I've seemed to have reached a dead end with the doctors I am seeing. My neurologist told me months ago to " get used to it, this is the way you are going to be from now on".

My concussion specialist seems to be only a " get them back into the game" doctor and hasn't offered any direction since I didn't conform to the usual healing timeframe. I've been playing games with WC ( workers comp) for 5 months to get visual therapy, and behavioral therapy approved. I don't know how this adjuster can look at himself in the mirror. His conduct is absolutely shameful.

I would like, now that I have read Clark's book, to seek the same doctors he finally found help with. They're only an hour away from me. Changing horses at this point is something we don't want to tackle. Maybe after meeting the ones Im trying to get approved now we can make a decision about it. If they tell me "get used to it"', then I'll tackle the problem of dealing with my attorney and WC to hopefully get the treatment I need.

My life has been a nightmare since the accident. I had an extremely technical and demanding job, and extremely technical and demanding hobby. Plus taking care of a home, and family commitments. Now I can work in the yard some. I thought a shovel would be a safe tool until the handle broke and left a large bruise on my chest. The lathe and milling machine and all other power tools are out. I have not driven since the accident. Depression has set in over the last few months. I want my life back.