Two years ago my husband was in a car accident.  First they said he would not
live, then when he lived they said he would not come out of his coma, then when
he woke up they said he would not walk, etc etc etc.  I was amazed at his
recovery. He's in chronic pain and only has partial mobility of his left arm but
overall hes doing well physically.
   The problem is that nobody told me or his mother about the long term effects
this accident may have on the brain. He had suffered two skull fractures. The
docs said he may struggle for a few weeks with his memory but would most likely
be fine.
   Well its been two years and it seems while he is improving physically,
mentally things are going down hill.  His short term memory is getting worse, he
is getting angry faster, hes seeking out risky illegal behaviors, etc.
   He doesnt want to talk about whats going on. He punishes the kids for doing
things he forgot that he gave them permission to do. He lights cigarettes in the
house and sets them on the bed or counter. I dont know how to help him realise
he has a problem so that he might seek treatment.
   I am hoping maybe some of you with tbi can give me some insight on what it's
like to go through this and help me find a way to talk to my hubby so he will
listen. It's not getting better like the doctors said it would, and hes not
being honest with his doctors about the extent.

Hi Katie,
I had a re-injury to an already bad injury back in 2006.  But I am
progressing, in spite of doctors saying it will never be enough to put
me back to a real life, working and all.  I am thrilled to just not be
at the nursing home functioning level.  I am able to manage living at
home, and managing everything inside and outside....able to drive a
bit.  Yahoo!!  For 2 years after the March 2006 slip on ice I was a
mess.  Really unable to manage at any level....not even my medication.
Very slowing, then quickly, about a year ago things dramatically changed
for the better.  I believe a good diet and doing new/novel things helps
reconnect the brain.  I still have problems with aphasia, math problems,
executive function slow down from the recent car accident but strongly
believe things will continue to get better.

I never dreamed I could get to this level.  Playing, learning completely
new things....new language....new places...anything novel seems to grow
new brain connections.  Yes eat those fresh veggies, and extra virgin
oil like from coconut and olive, every 3 hours during the
day.....repairs nerve/brain.

BioSil is an old product but new to me.  It has helped restore bone loss
from bad surgeries.  Doctors claimed that only with bone grafts could
problems be improved.......not true!!!  In a 4 month period one area is
90% restored, and in another is 75%........I will wait until Medicare
will cover to do bone scan to hips to see what has happened there.  But
remember that your Vit D levels must be good from sun or supplements and
the Mg+/Ca+ levels good.

Let's just see how good you are in a few years.....can't wait to meet
the new, recharged Katie.
Susan H




rose78277@... wrote:
>
>
> Goodmorning. My name is Katie. I had a car accident May 2, 2007 that
> changed my life. I went from working at a bank to not being able to
> grade my daughters 2nd grade homework.
>
> After testing I was told that my brain which used to be above average
> intellegence was now concidered mentally challenged in all areas.
>
> I just had surgery to stablize my neck and head. They fused my scull
> to the top 4 vertabre. It got infected and had to be opened up and
> washed out 4 times. I was in the hosptial two months.
>
> I need help learning how to move on and figure out how to deal with my
> lack of short term memory and changes that this injury caused me. I
> also want to meet others who have been though this part already and
> know what I'm going though.
>
> It seems others don't understand the challenges I have been facing
> with my brain injury. How do I explane to my family what I need and
> just helping them understand what I'm going though.
>
> Katie from Missouri
>
>

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Thanks, Anita. I wonder if the situation is especially bad in California or all
over the place (in the USA?) Perhaps the health reform being proposed in
Washington, D. C. will ultimately help somewhat.  I am shocked about your
sister, too. So the mental health services money that was being spent in
California didn't help her, obviously.

And now there is an California proposal on the ballot to get the public to agree
to moving the money that was tapped for mental health services recently and
divert it to children's services. This is because of the budget nightmare in
California. There are so many needs, and not enough money to cover everything.
The state of California will go bankrupt at this rate.

It is ridiculous to have "video therapy" for people like your sister, or people
with brain injuries either, for that matter. These are just ineffective
cost-cutting measures that benefit the state, I guess, but leave a hugh gap in
previously provided services.

So, you are using a TENS unit? I needed it one for awhile, but "currently" (ha,
ha, please excuse the electrical pun), don't need one. sabisue
www.braininjurynetwork.org

--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "Anita" <Capron2Dehghani@...>
wrote:
>
> That was well said Sue.  I can tell you when I moved from Orange County in
Southern California to a small city here in Northern California I was in for a
shock.  Medigap insurance went from $30 for an HMO that included dental to
nothing because I simply could not afford an additional $250 premium so I went
just with the bsic Medicare.
>
> I am to say there are two brain injury support group/programs that I can
access and I have a a very rudimentry HMO .... basically they added a higher
deductabile than Medicare to process pescriptions and other claims.  Had I known
I would have over $700 in physical therapy co-pay I would have skipped it as I
knew the exercises already.  But the electro-therapy personnal TENS unit was
well worth the price as I now I can administer that to myself.
>
> Location and resources are always going to be a problem.  It is sad that those
that most need medical services are being squeezed into what is basically
non-services.
>
> I have a sister who is both developmentally disabled and has schizophrena. 
The state of California had her therapy done via video sessions.  That was scary
as so much of her bizarre behavior was missed or ignored.  She is now living in
another state that sends herto a regular psychiatrist.
>
> Oh .... do not let me keep ranting.
>
> Thanks for al you do online.
>
>
>
> --- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "sabi_sue" <sabisue@> wrote:
> >
> > There are so many things that we in the brain injury community need, or some
ofus need. Each person has different needs, to be sure.
> >
> > Just generally speaking, I would like to say that people in our community
need a full continuum of services.
>

Dear Angelrose,

Yes. It is TBI also. I should explain. As far as I am concerned (and I know this
may be a minority opinion in the USA, but not in many other countries), TBI is
one of the ABI's. So, when I speak of ABI I am including TBI. I am also
including stroke, brain illness, brain tumor, poisoning, alcohol or drug
addiction, etc.

I am truly sorry that your son is not receiving more therapy. Isn't this just a
travesty? The only thing that is going to help people in your son's shoes is a
complete reworking of the current medical system in the USA. How old is your
son?  sabisue www.braininjurynetwork.org


--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "angelrose197133"
<angelrose197133@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "sabi_sue" <sabisue@> wrote:
> >
> > There are so many things that we in the brain injury community need, or some
ofus need. Each person has different needs, to be sure.
> >
> > Just generally speaking, I would like to say that people in our community
need a full continuum of services. First, in the medical arena, start
withstate-of-the-art acute services, subacute services, and rehabilitation
services.(Many communities don't have any of it. Some have acute, but not the
rest of it,etc.) There needs to be insurance coverage for all of these things,
and for
> > long-term care where required. Also, after people move on from the immediate
crisis, in many cases people need a doctor who is a specialist in brain
injuryand also even a general doctor who will take Medicare (USA),
Medical(California, USA), Medicaid (USA), because in many communities the
doctors and clinics that will take these forms of reimbursement are few or
nonexistent.
> >
> > Getting into the community reintegrative side of it, people need
counseling,family support, respite care, in-home care and adult day care.
Sometimes people need nursing home care, but more often they need assisted
living with supports,because people don't want to stay in nursing home care. So,
there needs to be appropriate accessible, affordable housing. Sometimes
community supports are
> > needed such as help paying bills, going grocery shopping, paratransit, help
dealing with county departments (filling out paperwork, etc., for government
programs).
> >
> > People need physical therapy, cognitive therapy, occupational therapy,
speech therapy, but the issue has always been who will pay for it. Vocational
programs. (Society is big on that last one, anyway.)
> >
> > People with ABI shouldn't be hidden away in either nursing homes or mental
health facilities, or for that matter, in jails, prisons, or under bridges
because society doesn't know what to do, or really, doesn't care to pay to help
our population. Yes, I mean the homeless people with brain injury, but I mean
the rest of us, too. But, about the homeless with brain injury, they are in for
a very tough time of it because they have no support system worth diddily squat.
> >
> > Every town needs some kind of support group for people with ABI. Oh yeah,
sure on that one. (I am being sarcastic. Frankly, most of these things on the
wish list have been on the wish list for years, and nobody pays for all of this
stuff, so that is the problem.)
> >
> > Where there are programs operated by service providers, they must be safe
programs with protocols. There must be accountability somehow to ensure our
community members are not taken advantage of.
> >
> Sue you are so right on the money. but it is not just ABI TBI too. My son had
a TBI 6 years ago now and MediCal pays for the supplies he needs but his
therapies are a meeting every 6 months to see if there is any improvement in his
range of motion. He doesnt get any regular physical therapy at all only what I
can give him. unfortunately, there isnt any help for those of us who cant afford
the costs
>

Goodmorning. My name is Katie. I had a car accident May 2, 2007 that changed my
life. I went from working at a bank to not being able to grade my daughters 2nd
grade homework.

After testing I was told that my brain which used to be above average
intellegence was now concidered mentally challenged in all areas.

I just had surgery to stablize my neck and head. They fused my scull to the top
4 vertabre. It got infected and had to be opened up and washed out 4 times. I
was in the hosptial two months.

I need help learning how to move on and figure out how to deal with my lack of
short term memory and changes that this injury caused me. I also want to meet
others who have been though this part already and know what I'm going though.

It seems others don't understand the challenges I have been facing with my brain
injury. How do I explane to my family what I need and just helping them
understand what I'm going though.

Katie from Missouri

--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "sabi_sue" <sabisue@...> wrote:
>
> There are so many things that we in the brain injury community need, or some
ofus need. Each person has different needs, to be sure.
>
> Just generally speaking, I would like to say that people in our community need
a full continuum of services. First, in the medical arena, start
withstate-of-the-art acute services, subacute services, and rehabilitation
services.(Many communities don't have any of it. Some have acute, but not the
rest of it,etc.) There needs to be insurance coverage for all of these things,
and for
> long-term care where required. Also, after people move on from the immediate
crisis, in many cases people need a doctor who is a specialist in brain
injuryand also even a general doctor who will take Medicare (USA),
Medical(California, USA), Medicaid (USA), because in many communities the
doctors and clinics that will take these forms of reimbursement are few or
nonexistent.
>
> Getting into the community reintegrative side of it, people need
counseling,family support, respite care, in-home care and adult day care.
Sometimes people need nursing home care, but more often they need assisted
living with supports,because people don't want to stay in nursing home care. So,
there needs to be appropriate accessible, affordable housing. Sometimes
community supports are
> needed such as help paying bills, going grocery shopping, paratransit, help
dealing with county departments (filling out paperwork, etc., for government
programs).
>
> People need physical therapy, cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy, but the issue has always been who will pay for it. Vocational programs.
(Society is big on that last one, anyway.)
>
> People with ABI shouldn't be hidden away in either nursing homes or mental
health facilities, or for that matter, in jails, prisons, or under bridges
because society doesn't know what to do, or really, doesn't care to pay to help
our population. Yes, I mean the homeless people with brain injury, but I mean
the rest of us, too. But, about the homeless with brain injury, they are in for
a very tough time of it because they have no support system worth diddily squat.
>
> Every town needs some kind of support group for people with ABI. Oh yeah, sure
on that one. (I am being sarcastic. Frankly, most of these things on the wish
list have been on the wish list for years, and nobody pays for all of this
stuff, so that is the problem.)
>
> Where there are programs operated by service providers, they must be safe
programs with protocols. There must be accountability somehow to ensure our
community members are not taken advantage of.
>
Sue you are so right on the money. but it is not just ABI TBI too. My son had a
TBI 6 years ago now and MediCal pays for the supplies he needs but his therapies
are a meeting every 6 months to see if there is any improvement in his range of
motion. He doesnt get any regular physical therapy at all only what I can give
him. unfortunately, there isnt any help for those of us who cant afford the
costs

That was well said Sue.  I can tell you when I moved from Orange County in
Southern California to a small city here in Northern California I was in for a
shock.  Medigap insurance went from $30 for an HMO that included dental to
nothing because I simply could not afford an additional $250 premium so I went
just with the bsic Medicare.

I am to say there are two brain injury support group/programs that I can access
and I have a a very rudimentry HMO .... basically they added a higher
deductabile than Medicare to process pescriptions and other claims.  Had I known
I would have over $700 in physical therapy co-pay I would have skipped it as I
knew the exercises already.  But the electro-therapy personnal TENS unit was
well worth the price as I now I can administer that to myself.

Location and resources are always going to be a problem.  It is sad that those
that most need medical services are being squeezed into what is basically
non-services.

I have a sister who is both developmentally disabled and has schizophrena.  The
state of California had her therapy done via video sessions.  That was scary as
so much of her bizarre behavior was missed or ignored.  She is now living in
another state that sends herto a regular psychiatrist.

Oh .... do not let me keep ranting.

Thanks for al you do online.



--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "sabi_sue" <sabisue@...> wrote:
>
> There are so many things that we in the brain injury community need, or some
ofus need. Each person has different needs, to be sure.
>
> Just generally speaking, I would like to say that people in our community need
a full continuum of services.

There are so many things that we in the brain injury community need, or some
ofus need. Each person has different needs, to be sure.

Just generally speaking, I would like to say that people in our community need a
full continuum of services. First, in the medical arena, start
withstate-of-the-art acute services, subacute services, and rehabilitation
services.(Many communities don't have any of it. Some have acute, but not the
rest of it,etc.) There needs to be insurance coverage for all of these things,
and for
long-term care where required. Also, after people move on from the immediate
crisis, in many cases people need a doctor who is a specialist in brain
injuryand also even a general doctor who will take Medicare (USA),
Medical(California, USA), Medicaid (USA), because in many communities the
doctors and clinics that will take these forms of reimbursement are few or
nonexistent.

Getting into the community reintegrative side of it, people need
counseling,family support, respite care, in-home care and adult day care.
Sometimes people need nursing home care, but more often they need assisted
living with supports,because people don't want to stay in nursing home care. So,
there needs to be appropriate accessible, affordable housing. Sometimes
community supports are
needed such as help paying bills, going grocery shopping, paratransit, help
dealing with county departments (filling out paperwork, etc., for government
programs).

People need physical therapy, cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy, but the issue has always been who will pay for it. Vocational programs.
(Society is big on that last one, anyway.)

People with ABI shouldn't be hidden away in either nursing homes or mental
health facilities, or for that matter, in jails, prisons, or under bridges
because society doesn't know what to do, or really, doesn't care to pay to help
our population. Yes, I mean the homeless people with brain injury, but I mean
the rest of us, too. But, about the homeless with brain injury, they are in for
a very tough time of it because they have no support system worth diddily squat.

Every town needs some kind of support group for people with ABI. Oh yeah, sure
on that one. (I am being sarcastic. Frankly, most of these things on the wish
list have been on the wish list for years, and nobody pays for all of this
stuff, so that is the problem.)

Where there are programs operated by service providers, they must be safe
programs with protocols. There must be accountability somehow to ensure our
community members are not taken advantage of.

Hi,

it took years for me to get better but a big part of my problem was
the anti- seziure meds. The meds can really mess with everything
that you mentioned.

Check with the doc and ask about the side effect of the meds and if you can
change them or reduce them.



--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, franceil <franceil@...> wrote:
>
>
> We are three months into the TBI occurence.  My husband is just now staying by
himself for short periods and driving short distances.  The worst part still
remains to be how empty his feelings and expressions are.  The love is still
there but it has changed from a husband and wife to that of friends.  I miss not
having the adult empathy he used to offer although he tries to do things
physically to make up for it.  It's a real monster.  They say wait till 6 months
rolls around.  He is still doing physical therapy and brain teasers and is now
doing art classes.
>

thank you for posting your info on your son. my son was in an accident two weeks
ago april 5, 2009 and has  a serious tbi...he has a fractured skull and facial
fractures....his level is at a 3 now which is the worse. He has shown the
ability to move his eyes and very small movements of his mouth. Last night he
moved his head. He is not breathing on his own. He has a ventalator. All of his
lower extremities are functional. He is 16 and his overall  health is good. I am
praying daily for his recovery. His my joy. i am glad your son is doing well and
hopes he continue to progress. This is the most difficult time in my life. We
were told that he may never wake up but I do serve a God who is able to do above
all that man can even think so with that we believe he will rise up from this
state. I solicit your support and prayers as well.

Thank You in advance....

--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "jdooley900" <jdooley900@...>
wrote:
>
> Franceil
> It's been 2.5 years now for my 16 yr old son,he has a tbi (diffuse axonal
injury) he still suffers from short term memory loss, and other things. But time
does wonders. He was hit head on walking across the street by a pickup truck
going 40-45 mph! Prayers work, even when you dont understand. Time is what you
need. You need to talk to others for support too.
>
> Susan, I am glad to hear your story too! It makes me feel better too about my
son! Thank you :-)
>
> Jennifer
>
> --- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "suzannahscatering"
<astoundtraining@> wrote:
> >
> > I to was in an automobile accident 10years ago. someone hit us head on going
60mph. The first 2 years were difficult but I have to say that taking it just
one day at a time, alot of faith and alot of work to make my brain relearn
things, I got better. It was and at times still is difficult because I could
walk and talk but word finding, short term memory and even some of the old
memories were not there. The brain is a miraculous part of us.
> > I did a lot of reading, could not necessarily remember what I read but I
figured that I would keep adding the vocabulary back to the brain. Patience
became a virtue. My brain injury had been upgraded from mild to moderate as the
docs realized the extent. Today, I can now multitask again, short term memory is
better but sleep is still a problem. that was the area that never really got
better.
> > Just remember baby steps are really great in the beginning. Then it becomes
toddler steps and suddenly you will be back to strides. But time really does
heal...just not as fast as you want it...rats
> > susan
> > --- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, franceil <franceil@> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi there my husband and I have been married for a year and a half.  He is
59 and I am 49.  He was in a motorcycle wreck on December 28, 2008 and has
incurred a Tramautic Brain Injury for which we are going through Outpatient
Rehab at this time.  The havoc this has created in our lives is unlike anything
I have ever experienced.  Somedays I don't know how we will survive.  Just
thought I would introduce myself to the group.
> > > Franceil
> > >
> >
>

Hi All
My name is Majella Lines and I have a Brain Injury can anyone please tell me if
you have been told that you are youslest and you can't do anything right? I have
had the Brain Injury sins I was 5 or 6 years old
I am from Australia.


CLANTAR KENNELS
  Majella Lines
8 Evelyn St
Aratula QLD
  Majellalines@...
  Http://www.clantar.kilcoykennels.com

We are three months into the TBI occurence.  My husband is just now staying by
himself for short periods and driving short distances.  The worst part still
remains to be how empty his feelings and expressions are.  The love is still
there but it has changed from a husband and wife to that of friends.  I miss not
having the adult empathy he used to offer although he tries to do things
physically to make up for it.  It's a real monster.  They say wait till 6 months
rolls around.  He is still doing physical therapy and brain teasers and is now
doing art classes.

yeah TBI is so crappy.

I'm in the 25th infantry division and i have SEVERE TBI.
it basically threw my life away
i cant stay alone i cant drive and my money is watched by lawyers

Hi, I came here looking for some help for my son.  My son is 9 years old and
suffered a traumatic brain injury to both of his frontal lobes as a baby.  He
has ADD, bipolar, a language learning disability, axiety disorder, short term
memory problems and chews his hands.  He struggles in school but is still
learning and is in a regular classroom for all but 2 hours a day.

My son is a delightful child much of the time and responds well to medication
but he can also be incredibly frustrating and have horrible mood swings.  He has
no impulse control and does things without thinking, including driving his
siblings nuts.  It is a daily blessing and challenge being his mother.

I was hoping someone could help me with any possible treatments or ideas with
how to help my son reach his full potential.  His neurologist had nothing to
offer me besides medication and special education.

I would love to talk with anyone with experience with frontal lobe TBI.

Thanks!

Kelly

Franceil
It's been 2.5 years now for my 16 yr old son,he has a tbi (diffuse axonal
injury) he still suffers from short term memory loss, and other things. But time
does wonders. He was hit head on walking across the street by a pickup truck
going 40-45 mph! Prayers work, even when you dont understand. Time is what you
need. You need to talk to others for support too.

Susan, I am glad to hear your story too! It makes me feel better too about my
son! Thank you :-)

Jennifer

--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "suzannahscatering"
<astoundtraining@...> wrote:
>
> I to was in an automobile accident 10years ago. someone hit us head on going
60mph. The first 2 years were difficult but I have to say that taking it just
one day at a time, alot of faith and alot of work to make my brain relearn
things, I got better. It was and at times still is difficult because I could
walk and talk but word finding, short term memory and even some of the old
memories were not there. The brain is a miraculous part of us.
> I did a lot of reading, could not necessarily remember what I read but I
figured that I would keep adding the vocabulary back to the brain. Patience
became a virtue. My brain injury had been upgraded from mild to moderate as the
docs realized the extent. Today, I can now multitask again, short term memory is
better but sleep is still a problem. that was the area that never really got
better.
> Just remember baby steps are really great in the beginning. Then it becomes
toddler steps and suddenly you will be back to strides. But time really does
heal...just not as fast as you want it...rats
> susan
> --- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, franceil <franceil@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi there my husband and I have been married for a year and a half.  He is 59
and I am 49.  He was in a motorcycle wreck on December 28, 2008 and has incurred
a Tramautic Brain Injury for which we are going through Outpatient Rehab at this
time.  The havoc this has created in our lives is unlike anything I have ever
experienced.  Somedays I don't know how we will survive.  Just thought I would
introduce myself to the group.
> > Franceil
> >
>

I to was in an automobile accident 10years ago. someone hit us head on going
60mph. The first 2 years were difficult but I have to say that taking it just
one day at a time, alot of faith and alot of work to make my brain relearn
things, I got better. It was and at times still is difficult because I could
walk and talk but word finding, short term memory and even some of the old
memories were not there. The brain is a miraculous part of us.
I did a lot of reading, could not necessarily remember what I read but I figured
that I would keep adding the vocabulary back to the brain. Patience became a
virtue. My brain injury had been upgraded from mild to moderate as the docs
realized the extent. Today, I can now multitask again, short term memory is
better but sleep is still a problem. that was the area that never really got
better.
Just remember baby steps are really great in the beginning. Then it becomes
toddler steps and suddenly you will be back to strides. But time really does
heal...just not as fast as you want it...rats
susan
--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, franceil <franceil@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi there my husband and I have been married for a year and a half.  He is 59
and I am 49.  He was in a motorcycle wreck on December 28, 2008 and has incurred
a Tramautic Brain Injury for which we are going through Outpatient Rehab at this
time.  The havoc this has created in our lives is unlike anything I have ever
experienced.  Somedays I don't know how we will survive.  Just thought I would
introduce myself to the group.
> Franceil
>

i have a 26 year old son with a tbi.  i'm having trouble finding a case manager
to liason between me and the auto insurance company in michigan.  anybody know
of any?
i'm also looking for a good neuro optomotrist in northern palm beach county.  we
had a very unpleasant experience at bascom-palmer today.
any input would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Hello Everyone.  I have High functioning autism or aspergers syndrome.I am a
female. Some of my hobbies and interests include pets, sports, camping and
movies.
I am looking for E-MAIL ONLY pen pals that will accept short letters with
questions like for example:
1. Do you have any pets?
2. Do you like music?
3. What type of music do you like
about every 6 months because I am a very extremely busy person with working a
lot of 25 hour weeks at my jobs and at my group home with things like daily
evening cleaning Chores and activitys like Walking on the Treadmill for 30
Minutes On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Circle of friends every Thursday
(except June, July and August), Class every single Sunday from 8:30am-12:30pm,
cooking Dinner at the group home on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm-2:20pm,
Working every single Saturday and Sunday at my Jobs from 3:00pm-8:00pm If you
would like to be my e-mail pen pal please e-mail me at the e-mails listed below:

CHANNING28105@...
CHANNING28270@...
CHANCHAN79@...


I am wondering does anyone have a Facebook page or a Myspace page

My Facebook name is: Channing Ashbaugh
My Myspace page is: www.myspace.com/channing28270


If so Please Add me.

I am a female that has autism-the aspergers kind that would like some people
that I can talk to on the phone at times if you can talk to me on the phone at
times please let me know at the e-mails below and please ask me for my phone
number.

CHANNING28105@...
CHANNING28270@...
CHANCHAN79@...
Channing

Hello everybody.  I have just joined your group because I have a question. 
Tonight I happened to read a magazine article on TBI.  I had never heard of it
as a classified disorder.  Some of the things I read alarmed me because I
thought I might be recognizing them.  I'd like to get some feedback on this. 
I'll give you a bit of information so you'll see my concern.

The suffering person is my nineteen-year-old son.  He seemed OK until he was
eighteen months old, so I've been dealing with something for almost twenty years
now.  No one has been able to figure it out.  A lot of labels have been given,
but he hasn't matched the labels well enough to clearly be diagnosed.  All the
help I can get is to drug the heck out of him with SSRI's and then maybe try
ECT, electric shock treatment.  To me it seems that no one knows what is going
on.  They just want to shut us up by drugging us out of existence.

The condition now is that he has locked himself up into our upstairs hallway and
he won't come out.  He has been solidly doing that for a year now.  Pior to
that, he was gradually keeping more and more to his room.  If anyone tried to
alter him, he went into an unreasonable, killing rage.  He has always had
learning problems.  He seems unable to accuratly access any feedback his body
gives him.  His perceptions are all off--he thinks he slurs his words and he
does not.  He hears the tinest sound and he responds like it was a huge sound. 
He scans the air with his eyes at times, looking for the tinest of particles
that are so tiny that you and I would never give the any attention.  Last March,
the rage lessened so that is no longer such a threat, thankfully.

He has rules and proceedures that MUST be honored before he can do anything.  He
get stuck so he can't move on past things.  He is very concerned about anyone
'contaminating' anything, but he does not wash and re-wash himself.  There were
many learning disabilities when he started school, so I ended up homeschooling
him so he'd learn.

The last time he saw doctors, they were leaning towards him having Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder and Asberger's Syndrome, a high form of Austism.  Some
doctors said it couldn't be that, but it didn't seem to make sense to them.  He
was born without any problems.  Everything seemed to be fine.

Just tonight, after reading about TBI, I remembered that there had been a time
when he was not many weeks old (I can't remember now, but maybe 13 weeks old)
when he unexpectedly rolled off the bed.  He hadn't rolled at all and it took
him several rolls to get off the bed.  I was just around the corner when it
happened.  I heard the thud and came running.  I totally wasn't expecting he
could do that.  I remember that everyone said it was highly unusual for a baby
to do that so young.  Now I'm wondering if all these years TBI was never
concidered and is the problem.

Also, around the age of one, I noticed that he was intentionally slamming the
front of his head into the floor.  This behavior has continued, and violently,
too.  Whenever something doesn't suit him, it's wham, wham, wham.  That has
gotten better, but he still will do it at times.  That alone would be enough to
injure my brain, but I'm wondering if this head banging response could have
started from an earlier incident.

Does anyone know if what my son is experiencing could be the result of a very
early TBI?  Could it develop into the symptoms of OCD, Asgerger's, repeated
frontal head banging, and all this other stuff?  If it is a case of TBI, do the
doctors still treat it with SSRI's, ECT, and all the other things they do when
they throw out mental illness labels?  Is there some other treatment?  Can there
be any cure?  It has always surprised me that in all this time we've been trying
to get help for my son due to some brain disorder, no one has ever bothered to
check out his brain in any way.  They seem to look at symptoms and make guesses.
A year ago last May, I took him to a famous neurologist who told me that banging
his forehead couldn't hurt him.  Personally I thought she had to be nuts, so I
left.  We've had no help from anybody.

If anyone here can give me some guidance, I surely would greatly appreciate it. 
You can write me on group or off group if you prefer.  You can reach me at
harp@...  --  harp at exis dot net

Thank you.

Merrie

PS Thank you for reading such a long e-mail.  I didn't know how to say it all
quicker.

Hi there my husband and I have been married for a year and a half.  He is 59 and
I am 49.  He was in a motorcycle wreck on December 28, 2008 and has incurred a
Tramautic Brain Injury for which we are going through Outpatient Rehab at this
time.  The havoc this has created in our lives is unlike anything I have ever
experienced.  Somedays I don't know how we will survive.  Just thought I would
introduce myself to the group.
Franceil

Hi Andrea,

Having seizures only happens sometimes with TBI. Depends on which area
is injured. Seizures can also be caused by a number of medications, so
research everything you are taking. As far as losing time, I'm not sure
what to say about that other than as far as I know losing time is
related to Dissociative disorders and there are 4 kinds of Dissociative
disorders plus PTSD can also cause Dissociation. PTSD is common with
some TBI from lifethreatening accidents and natural disasters.

Do you have a counselor or neuro-physical therapist you are seeing?
Those sorts of specialists can help.

Angela



--- In Traumatic_Brain_Injury@yahoogroups.com, "andrea_foster2001"
<andrea_foster2001@...> wrote:
>
>  I am new to this was just diagnosed with mild TBI and was wondering
if
> seizures and losing time ever get any better .I have 3 kids and i
find
> out i'm losing my drivers license all because i fell and hit my head
at
> work . Is there light at the end of the tunnel
> thanks
>

I am new to this was just diagnosed with mild TBI and was wondering if
seizures and losing time ever get any better .I have 3 kids and i find
out i'm losing my drivers license all because i fell and hit my head at
work . Is there light at the end of the tunnel
thanks

Pattie,

You are certainly not alone. I went though years of the same type of pain:
knowing that I should remember stuff and not being able to. I know you're not
faking this: I wasn't. It was quite real.

First, I need to say that every brain injury is quite unique. But there are
commonalities, like trouble with attention (our problem is not that we forget
stuff, it's that we have trouble transferring a memory from the "Very Short
Term" memory to the "Short Term" memory. The bad news is that a serious brain
injury lasts forever; the good news is that the recovery from brain injury also
lasts forever. You WILL continue to improve for the rest of your life (it's been
35+ years for me, and I'm still getting better (slowly but surely). I should add
that it was 15 years before I felt that "I" was back.

Here's a few suggestions for improving the rate of your cognitive recovery.
First, organize yourself as much as you can: set up systems for yourself to do
things. Second, Keep It Simple: Keep your stuff in the same place so you don't
have to remember where you put it (I keep all my daily stuff in a basket by my
bed: it's always there so I don't lose it). Third, consider PEAT, the Planning
and Execution Assistant and Trainer: it's a "cognitive orthotic" and you can
read about it at www.brainaid.com.

And I'm glad you already are doing the most important thing to help yourself:
asking for help and not retreating. Good for you.

Please feel free to write back here or to me directly at
tenhatco@....

-John

The Veterans Administration and Stanford University are teaming up to
bring you a FREE, online, 6 week workshop - that you can do in your
spare time!

It will provide education on TBI, offer emotional help through support
groups, train the caregiver how to take care of themselves, manage
difficult behaviors, medication management, communication with medical
professionals, access to resources and much more!

To qualify, you must be a Caregiver (spouse, relative, friend) who is
caring for a Veteran with TBI, or be a Veteran who is caring for
someone with TBI.  You must live in CA, NV, or Hawaii and have a valid
email address

For more information log onto http://caregivers.stanford.edu

or Call the CA Offices on Caregiving 877-820-8820