https://www.jumbledbrain.com/guest-post-debra-meyerson-on-life-after-a-stroke-induced-brain-injury/ Discover - Empower - Thrive Sun, 01 May 2022 17:33:09 +0000 hourly 1 https://www.jumbledbrain.com/guest-post-debra-meyerson-on-life-after-a-stroke-induced-brain-injury/#comment-1097 Tue, 08 May 2018 20:16:21 +0000 https://www.jumbledbrain.com/?p=4643#comment-1097 Great Debra, I got a lot out of this thank you for sharing your story.
I am still figuring out my identity since the brain surgery, I realise now my career as an interpreter for the deaf was a big part of my identity, I too loved my job, I could express myself well, led a signing choir and would stand up in front of people signing, I was quick thinking turning spoken English into sign language and loved communication. The brain injury I now have as left me with expressive aphasia, my words can be mixed up, slurred or just disappear, I hate that communication no longer flows. I liked how you said you learned to get past that identity and work with what you’ve got. That’s a great way of focusing forward rather than on what you lack in skills now.
I can still sign with the deaf, that side of my brain in physical expression of language isn’t injuryed, so I can sign but at times can’t speak, crazy eh ?
I am still working it all out and having speech and language sessions to help.
The subject of identity is massive, it comes more into focus when our skills and abilities are taken from us, I am learning that I am not defined by my old job, that isn’t my identity, there’s much more to me than that, I am evolving and recovery is taking me to new experiences. I am hopeful one day I can use my experience of living with a brain tumour, surgery and a brain injury will help others.
Best wishes with your book, thank you for your honesty.
Joanne

]]>