As we wrap up Brain Injury Awareness Month, I want to
emphasize a point I alluded to before: Brain Injuries persist. While it has
been my goal to increase awareness specifically during March, I want people to remember that brain
injuries do not go away after this month.
This brings me to my next point. I have found that
when people have a traumatic event in their life, people run at your beck and
call. For example, when I was in the hospital fighting for my life, I had hosts
of people ready to help me by sending good wishes through cards, balloons, gift
cards, posters, etc. They also supported my family by bringing food, meals,
care baskets, etc. and providing help with Tonya and yard work. I am forever
grateful for the love and support I (AND my family) received during that time.
But my TBI didn’t go away when I got home…
While people are ready to pull out all the stops
during the acute crisis mode, I have found that the support fades in the “life
after”. In some ways though, LIVING with the brain injury can be the hardest
part of the journey. This doesn’t only happen with brain injury, but loss of
any kind—can you imagine living life after losing a member of your close-knit
family?
I want to advocate for those STILL LIVING with an
injury. It doesn’t go away. Each healing journey will be different, but we
still need love. We still need support. We still need people to reach out and
communicate. We still need compassion. We still need grace.
Please remember us…even during the other 11 months
of the year.
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