Past Blast . . . . . . . . . . . . . Survivors SPEAK OUT! . . Lauren
SPEAK OUT! – Lauren
by
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
(originally published April 13, 2014)
1. What is your name? (last name optional)
Lauren
2. Where do you live? (city and/or state and/or country) Email address? (optional)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
3. When did you have your TBI? At what age?
September 2012. I was 35
4. How did your TBI occur?
Playing roller derby
5. When did you (or someone) first realize you had a problem?
It was very sudden, I felt something wasn’t right in my head, then my vision went and I collapsed.
6. What kind of emergency treatment, if any, did you have? (e.g., surgery, tracheotomy, G-peg)
Ambulance to Accident and Emergency.
A CT scan, then a craniotomy
7. Were you in a coma? If so, how long?
4 days. It was medically induced because I kept wanting to wake up!
8. Did you do rehab? What kind of rehab (i.e., In-patient and/or Out-patient; Occupational, Physical, Speech, and/or Other)? How long were you in rehab?
No rehab to speak of, Out-patient appointments with Neuro every few months. I’m now discharged.
9. What problems or disabilities, if any, resulted from your TBI? (e.g., balance, perception, personality, etc.)
Initially I had palsy of the left eye. Most of my problems have been psychological. I also had fatigue for a long time. (It’s still here but not as strong.)
10. How has your life changed? Is it better? Is it worse?
How do you put this into words? My life has changed in many ways, I was very independent. Now I rely on my partner a lot, mainly due to anxiety and depression.
There are things that are better – the ability to let small things slide is easy. I have an appreciation of life. I know what I DONT want anymore. My BS detector is much improved.
The bad – feeling scared for no reason. Crying a lot
11. What do you miss the most from your pre-TBI life?
My independence
12. What do you enjoy most in your post-TBI life?
The slower pace; the ability to filter stressful people
13. What do you like least about your TBI?
Anxiety anxiety anxiety
14. Has anything helped you to accept your TBI?
Time, patience, writing, lots of reading and meeting other survivors
15. Has your injury affected your home life and relationships and, if so, how?
It has made us a lot closer. It’s not an easy ride. It can get rough, but we’ve learnt to communicate in a much more meaningful and honest way.
16. Has your social life been altered or changed and, if so, how?
Yes, I’ve become more isolated. My social circle reduced a lot post-injury. That hurt at first, but I’ve accepted it now. More contact with others would be nice though.
17. Who is your main caregiver? Do you understand what it takes to be a caregiver?
My partner, he’s great. He’s put up with so much. I have an idea of what he’s been through, but I’ll never truly understand how it feels. It is difficult and tiring.
18. What are your future plans? What do you expect/hope to be doing 10 years from now?
I hope to study again. I want to complete a Psychology or counselling course so I can help others. I want to be out in the world again, and most of all I hope to have my joy back.
19. What advice would you offer to other TBI survivors?
It’s hard but it will pass
What you feel is normal
Be kind to yourself, and you will also need plenty of patience!
20. Do you have any other comments that you would like to add?
Good luck to all TBI/ABI survivors. Remember you are never alone.
Thank you, Lauren, for taking part in this interview. I hope that your experience will offer some hope, comfort, and inspiration to my readers.
If you would like to be a part of this project, please go to TBI Survivor Interview Questionnaire for a copy of the questions and the release form.
(Photos compliments of Lauren.)
(Clip Art compliments of Bing.)
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I am plagued by extreme mental fatigue, sound and light sensitivities, balance issues, memory loss, visual midline shift, and difficulties with decision-making and problem-solving.
I plan to continue writing and speaking about brain injury. I want to use my experience to make a difference. I’ve spoken at brain injury conferences and events in six states so far. I’d like to speak in all fifty! I’d also like to help other survivors create education/advocacy groups like Brain Injury Voices in other states.
1. What is your name? (last name optional)
d because I finished my undergraduate work like this and did all four of my graduate degrees with strategies I developed for myself. I believe I am better off.
It can happen to anyone, anytime, . . . and anywhere.
I started really trying at physical therapy. Instead of hating myself for my memory, my anxiety, my insomnia, and my depression, I learned to laugh at it. I stopped hating people because they didn’t understand, and I realized they were lucky they didn’t. I went to college, and I failed. So, I tried again, and I failed. I tried again, and I found joy and love in working hard in school. I passed a whole year. I proved every doctor, friend, and family-member wrong – they said I was too damaged. But, I did it!
14. Has anything helped you to accept your brain injury?
I was knocked unconscious from the assault, and I was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The medical staff noticed the swelling, and, as a result, I was taken into emergency surgery. I had a craniotomy to relieve the swelling.
It’s okay to lose hope sometimes. We will never be the same as before. You’ll get used to the “new you,” and you’ll be a tough, beautiful, brave individual who knows what it’s like to feel hopeless. And, that is what makes it all worth it – because you can give hope to others.
Tell other survivors that it’s okay to be the “new you” and to not necessarily meet the status quo or the goals they were striving for before their brain injury. Tell them to just make a new game-plan and to be exceedingly thankful for the little things they previously took for granted.
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