Articles by Consumers
Getting in the Swing of Things
by Jason Ferguson, TBI Survivior
I think that the whole rehabilitation process of learning to walk and talk again were less painful than trying to reintegrate back into society. Fortunately, my girlfriend at the time (now wife) really helped me through everything. I used to make a joke that we literally took a crash course in Neurology. Getting back into the social scene of life was not an easy one for me.
At first, I was on twenty-four hour supervision and had to stay with my mother for the first month after I was released from the hospital. I did not want people seeing me in the state I was in, but that did not matter any how, because no one came to visit anyhow. True colors started to show through of all of the people I knew. People are scared of change and scared of the unknown. I realized that I can not change other people, so I couldn’t make myself sick over trying to keep up a relationship that wasn’t going to have two participants. When there was a different Jason there sitting in the room, or what people perceived to be a different person, it was hard for people to deal with it. Unfortunately, that occurs with almost all survivors.
Volunteering is what helped me get back into the population. It forced me to talk to people I would not usually talk to. It gave me something to do with my time and it kept me from sitting at home and staring at the walls. After I was there a couple of times and was comfortable, I enjoyed helping others again. Other people could start noticing differences in my speech, my social communication, and my confidence. Volunteering is a win-win situation, especially for people like me.
I tell people that the doctors, therapists, and loved ones can all “show” you things to get better but only you and God can make it happen. I never asked the question “Why”. I realized that the best thing to do is do the best I can do for today. I can not change the past, so there is no need to be bitter. Positive attitudes will help a person go above and beyond their expectations.
Note: Jason and his wife, Susannah, have created a guide for brain injury survivors and their families titled, "Is This Normal? Expectations after Traumatic Brain Injury and Helpful Tips." Download a PDF version of the booklet.
The following article was originally published in the Spring 2007 Newsletter.
Common Questions I Have Heard
by Jason Ferguson, TBI Survivior
Many recurring questions seem to come from the non-TBI sector whether I am speaking to medical students or junior high students. How long did it take to recover? Are you 100% now? What was the hardest thing about recovery?
I tell them that I will be recovering for the rest of my life. I will never be back to 100%. And I tell them that the hardest part of recovery was not re-learning how to walk, talk or swallow water. For me it was the emotional aspect of everything, losing my friends and family and becoming invisible. I could not understand what I did to make people not like me anymore. I think that has been the hardest part of recovery for me, rebuilding my social structure. Not only has it been the hardest part for me, but the best. I see the world in a different light now and I try not to take things for granted anymore.
One other statement I hear on a constant basis is, “ I would have never known by looking at you”. As we all know, looks are not always as they seem.
The following article was originally published in the Spring 2006 Newsletter.
The Word from the Street: Education for Primary Healthcare Professionals on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Survivors is a Must
by Jason Ferguson, TBI Survivior
Recently, my wife and I were asked to participate in a panel discussion at a conference in San Antonio about brain injury. The discussion was centered on the difficulties with the rehabilitaton process. Although this panel was focused on rehabilitation professionals, much of this applies to primary healthcare professionals too.
One issue that neeeds to be addresssed is the lack of listening by the caregivers, physicians and therapists. For example, if a survivor is resting or appears uninvolved, discuss with the survivor their feelings and symptoms. Do not automatically assume the survivor is lazy or unwilling to participate.
Also, the caregivers, physicians and therapists need to keep in mind that the self esteem of the survivor plays a significant role in the rate of their recovery. If a survivor is told they are unable to do certain tasks or will never be able to do things themselves, they give up hope and quit trying to improve. Instead, encourage the survivor to continue to improve daily. Praise them for their efforts. Brain injury is far too common for healthcare professionals not to learn new information to better treat their patients with TBI.
