Comments on: Guest post: Dawn McKay on brain injury & chronic pain after a car accident

By: Carla Gardner

Carla Gardner — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 10:39:27 +0000

May God bless and encourage you, and continue to give you peace and strength as you get through this time in your life. A few years ago l too was involved in an accident in which someone hit me from behind while l was at sitting at a red light. The individual said that he was going about 60 mph and likewise l suffered as well. Two years after the accident, my spinal cord became damaged and l had to have back surgery, because l had lost feeling in my body by this time. On the day of the surgery, l only had feeling in my fingertips, and was almost at the place of being completely paralyzed. After a 5 hour surgery and 13 weeks of recovery and rehab, l was able to walk again without falling or having any problems, but throughout the years l have still experienced back pain from time to time where l see a pain management doctor who gives me a series of injections in my back, and l have found that to give me relief after the 3rd injection. He also prescribes me a special compound of ointments, but that does not really help. I have had this done with the injections several times throughout the years since my back surgery. I pray that your doctor will be able to find something that can ease your pain because l know that is very painful and uncomfortable, especially having experienced it first hand. I will keep you in my prayers.

By: Joanna Dalton

Joanna Dalton — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 19:10:36 +0000

In reply to Graham Clark. I’m so sick of hearing ‘it’s your age’ too. I was 28 when the accident happened & working memory has been disastrous since then.

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 18:56:12 +0000

In reply to Graham Clark. Wow that must have been so surreal passing the ambulance crew who saved you, and then having your Dad giving you his guidance

By: Graham Clark

Graham Clark — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 18:21:33 +0000

How many times have I heard “ my memory is bad it’s just old age”. Failing to remember a conversation 1 minute earlier or going upstairs and half way can’t remember why I’m on the stairs that’s not old age. No recollection of the accident with the exception of 3 things, I said goodbye to a fellow worker before I set off for home, overtaking the ambulance that would scrape me off the rd and my Dad who’s birthday was that day saying “ we’re not ready for you” he had been dead for 9 yrs.
Same for me friends and fellow workers fled in their droves.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:36:18 +0000

In reply to Jo Dalton. I believe that all post injured folk will have to take their own battles, no one will look after you for Free. People would like to get paid for something that they would rather much not do. Whichever it is you want, go for it yourself. No one, and I mean no one will help unless it's family, or someone for money, it's a lonely struggle.

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 19:04:26 +0000

In reply to Robin Luftig. Yes, and I think the courage Dawne has shown in sharing her story is immense. So many of us feel like we lost so much yet we often don't talk about it because we carry shame, which is completely unwarranted.

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 19:01:26 +0000

In reply to Jo Dalton. I think you're right Jo, we are stronger for it!

By: Jo Dalton

Jo Dalton — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 17:35:21 +0000

Hi Michelle & Dawn,

Dawn, you just described me! What a distracted driver takes from you is almost unfathomable. Like you, life had never been so good to me as just prior to my car smash in June 2000. Got engaged & moved in with my fiancé and had completed the first year of a Masters in education, promotion was on the cards.

That’s been all over for a long time, but it took a tonic clonic seizure for doctors to take me seriously. I am still fighting for benefits over 18 years later.

Colleagues naturally disappeared as they have their own lives to live. Friends disappear too. 2 at the wedding of mutual friends, the husband of whom said ‘oh, you seem just the same! You’ll be fine’. I have distanced myself from them & any other negative people, or they’ve distanced themselves from me. Which is fine, they clearly weren’t friends in the first place.
One silver lining of TBI!

Another is that it generally makes you stronger, although for me it comes in waves.

I wish you all the good fortune in the world ??? Jo

By: Robin Luftig

Robin Luftig — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 17:28:33 +0000

Dawn –

I applaud your tenacity and strength to get through each day. And from the sounds of it, you’ll get through tomorrow as well. Know that you are not alone. Those like Michelle–who understand and support TBI survivors–walk alongside and cheer you on.