I Have a What? A Guide for Coping with Moderate-to-Severe TBI

More documents

Recommendations

Info

y Jason FergusonO.K., tell me again, I have a what?!I was just running down to the pool, I thought…That was six weeks ago,When can I leave this place? What do you mean, “I don’t know?”Wait! Can you tell me who you are once more?Wow, just saying the words is a real chore,Why can’t you understand me? I am talking to you,How did this happen? Can you tell me that too?Wow! That happened to me?And what is a GCS of three?Will I ever recover from this?Can you tell me about the days I missed?I can’t remember what you told me five minutes ago,I am scared. Does it show?It seems like I just lost everything in my life but I haven’t,I am still alive!I will not give up! And to think this was all from a dive,A traumatic brain injury, At least it is not as bad as it could be,But it is still severe.There is so much I have to learn,To get better is what I yearn.I had a severe TBI but that is O.K.,Because I am to try to get better day-by-day-by-day.
TABLE OF CONTENTSI. What is a head injury?.............................................................. 1II. What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?······································· 2III. How does injury to the brain happen? ········································ 2IV. Why is my brain important? ························································ 4V. How serious was my injury? ························································ 5Mild traumatic brain injury ·········································································· 7Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury ·············································· 8What about my injury? ·················································································· 9Insights: From One Survivor to Another ······················································ 10VI.What problems may I have after a moderate-to-severe TBI?What can I do?·········································································· 12Insights: Common Problems ·········································································· 13Physical problems ··························································································· 14Thinking/Cognitive problems ······································································ 21Emotional/Behavioral problems ································································· 31VII. How long will my symptoms last? ··············································· 43Tips for helping your recovery······································································ 44Insights: Recovery Tips from One Survivor to Another ···························· 46Insights: Coping Strategies from One Survivor to Another······················ 47VIII. When should I seek medical help?··············································· 48IX. Common Misconceptions ····························································· 49Insights: Seeking Help···················································································· 51X. Where can I go to get help? ························································· 53EXTRA INFORMATIONA. Ways to help you relax ············································································· 63B. Ways to change your thinking ······························································· 69C. How do I apply for a Gold Card?···························································· 74Poem: God Moment ·························································································· 77
Page 3: Margaret A. Struchen, Monique R. Pa
Page 8 and 9: RRTC ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF PE
Page 10: RRTC ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF PE
Page 56 and 57:
RRTC ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF PE
Page 58 and 59:
Page 60 and 61:
Page 62 and 63:
Page 64 and 65:
Page 66 and 67:
Page 68 and 69:
Page 70 and 71:
Page 72 and 73:
Page 74 and 75:
Page 76 and 77:
Page 78 and 79:
Page 80 and 81:
Page 82 and 83:
Page 84 and 85:
Page 86:
I HAVE A WHAT?!:A Guide for Coping
show all

I Have a What? A Guide for Coping with Moderate-to-Severe TBI

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?