What I Know about MTBI
Now that I am a moderate to severe brain injury survivor I want to share the things
I would have done different the 7 years I had a mild traumatic brain injury.
1. I would NOT have tried so hard to be the "old me"!
2. I would NOT have been so hard on myself. I was my own worst enemy.
3. I would NOT have put more pressure on myself than I deserved.
4. I would NOT have spent any time crying over the things I had a hard time doing.
5. I would NOT have stayed so frustrated or intimidated by the things that were more difficult for me to do
6. I would NOT have thought there was anything MILD about it, it was very, very difficult!
None of the above was said to minimize mild traumatic brain injury. It is awful! I just want society to get the point! What makes MTBI so awful is everyone still expects us to be just as good as we ever were, and we are not. We even have a hard time admitting to ourselves we have a brain injury. We feel like we have to pretend every minute someone is watching us
Now that I reflect, although I still have a hidden disability the majority of the time, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am brain injured and lucky to do anything very good at all anymore. I can laugh at how many goofy stunts I pull day in and day out. There is no hiding this kind of brain injury. I am more content. I don't put any pressure on myself anymore. I understand I am not like most other people. I also realize I lived for a reason, and everyday I wake up wanting to give someone HOPE. I find it makes me feel better to help others feel better. The essence of me remained intact.
Warsawa
1. I would NOT have tried so hard to be the "old me"!
2. I would NOT have been so hard on myself. I was my own worst enemy.
3. I would NOT have put more pressure on myself than I deserved.
4. I would NOT have spent any time crying over the things I had a hard time doing.
5. I would NOT have stayed so frustrated or intimidated by the things that were more difficult for me to do
6. I would NOT have thought there was anything MILD about it, it was very, very difficult!
None of the above was said to minimize mild traumatic brain injury. It is awful! I just want society to get the point! What makes MTBI so awful is everyone still expects us to be just as good as we ever were, and we are not. We even have a hard time admitting to ourselves we have a brain injury. We feel like we have to pretend every minute someone is watching us
Now that I reflect, although I still have a hidden disability the majority of the time, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am brain injured and lucky to do anything very good at all anymore. I can laugh at how many goofy stunts I pull day in and day out. There is no hiding this kind of brain injury. I am more content. I don't put any pressure on myself anymore. I understand I am not like most other people. I also realize I lived for a reason, and everyday I wake up wanting to give someone HOPE. I find it makes me feel better to help others feel better. The essence of me remained intact.
Warsawa
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