Brain Injury is Not Discriminating.
It can happen to anyone, anytime, . . . and anywhere.
The Brain Trauma Foundation states that there are 5.3 million people in the United States living with some form of brain injury.
On “Faces of Brain Injury,” you will meet survivors living with brain injury. I hope that their stories will help you to understand the serious implications and complications of brain injury.
The stories on SPEAK OUT! Faces of Brain Injury are published with the permission of the survivor or designated caregiver.
If you would like your story to be published, please send a short account and two photos to me at neelyf@aol.com. I’d love to publish your story and raise awareness for Brain Injury.
Michael Flusche (survivor)
I am who I am – a survivor of brain injury. Some say I am acting or I am forgetful, impulsive, weird, lame, crazy, etc. I get lost easily. I have short attention at times.
I run into things, stumble, spill food, trip, and do other stupid stuff, but I like me this way. I hope you can too.
Melinda Murphy (survivor)
I am just over four years post injury. I was a home health nurse in my
autistic client’s home when it happened. I fell down the basement steps. Wood and concrete are not a good mix. Because it was a work injury, I was caught up in the workers’ comp system, and I was not treated for several months. Only then did I find out that I had a basilar skull fracture. Only 5% of those who suffer from them survive. I did! I’m still progressing. Don’t give up.
Ginger Pickering (caregiver of her son, Bob)
On July 1, 2014, my youngest son, Bob, who is eight, and I were in a car accident. He suffered a severe TBI and other injuries. He had a sucker in his mouth when we hit, and the air bag pushed it into his throat. He went a very long time without oxygen, which contributed to the severi
ty of the TBI. Our lives changed in that moment, and they will never be the same. He was flown three hours to the primary children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, and put into a medically induced coma for fourteen days. We were told that, if he survived, we would have to place him into a home. He had no gag reflex, no responses – nothing. I was devastated and in shock. For three months, Bob was in a medical rehab hospital, where he received outstanding care and intense therapy daily. I can’t say enough about his progress. It’s an absolute miracle! We are just so grateful. It’s a struggle, but we’re doing whatever we need to do.
(Clip art compliments of Bing.)
(Photos compliments of contributors.)
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