Comments on: Guest post: Kelly Ribeiro on brain injury, “Heal first, life can wait.”

By: Joanne Wood

Joanne Wood — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 20:16:37 +0000

My employer didn’t understand the impact of emergency brain surgery and living with a brain tumour. I worked in a school as a communicator for the deaf, I had a seizure while in class, a large mass was found, then surgery. I had no contact from my headteacher, after 10 weeks I contacted HR and her as I didn’t know what was happening about pay etc, I was told attend a formal meeting and explain why I was absent from work, she already knew this as she rang the ambulance and my daughter had visited her to explain how poorly I was.
I should have never have gone to that meeting, I want well, my speech was slurred and mixed and that was the first time out of the house. I cane away feeling guilty for being such an inconvenience to the school.
The lack of compassion and support was terrible, I couldn’t give them a return to work date, I was still with a Neuro rehab team and watch and wait with the remaining tumour. My mental health began to really deteriorate, as I was ignored, letters not sent, medical reports not passed on, phone calls not returned. I even had a member of staff decide she knew my diagnosis and herself and the head would disscuss my private information, when I hadn’t told her anything. The list is long of disappointment by my employer, HR, colleagues and occupational health. In the end the decision was made for me that my brain injury ment I wasn’t fit for my job or any other work. I was glad to be rid of them, they set me back so much in my recovery. I am sorry to have lost my career, I loved being an interpreter for the deaf.
As for now I am looking after my poorly brain, it’s improving slowly, especially away from the negative people who I worked for the last 11 years. What a difference some compassion and kindness would have made.

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 16:24:08 +0000

In reply to johnbarrella. That’s great advice, thank you.

By: johnbarrella

johnbarrella — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:15:18 +0000

It is necessary post head injury to know the full effects suffered. They are not easily diagnosed unless you go through the proper procedures. The most important information needed is your cognitive status. That is rarely properly diagnosed without neuropsych. testing…and then the procedures, rehabilitative procedures if needed start from there. “Cognitive remediation” classes are well adapted to bring out the whole cognitive statues caused by the injuries…

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 09:10:14 +0000

In reply to Lisa Peters. 2 days? Wow I thought I tried to go back too soon after 2 months! I think doctors need to give us more advice as it’s all to easy to think you’re doing the “right thing” by pushing yourself for the sake of your career.

By: Lisa Peters

Lisa Peters — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 05:33:09 +0000

I had to be back at work 2 days after my car accident, although I was allowed to work from home for a bit because my husband was injured, as well, and I had to care for him. I couldn’t handle the computer for more than 30 minutes at a time. Too much information. Couldn’t remember conversations or compose proper correspondence, plus dealing with anxiety from PTSD. I finally quit 4 months after the accident because I cut a check for $2000 to pay a bill that had already been paid but I didn’t remember. It has been almost 2 years since the accident and I still battle so many things even after cognitive and visual therapy. Not able to return to work as yet, still unable to read a book, and struggle with short term memory, as well as other issues…

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 05:07:32 +0000

In reply to Customwritingservice. I’m so sorry about your son. That is so tragic. The despair your family has been through is incalculable. So sad how a sport that I’m sure he loved, ruined his life so badly that he didn’t want to continue anymore. ?

By: Customwritingservice

Customwritingservice — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 03:51:30 +0000

Good to hear some genuine comments.Organizations who make big earnings from contact sports that cause head injuries, will always say the evidence is inconclusive'' in my opinion. Always follow the money. As I understand the science so far, our brains go through another very vulnerable phase beginning in the teen years and lasting until about age 25. That, unfortunately is the age of most high school, coĺlege, and pro athletes. It only takes one brain injury to significantly damage a life! My son played 3 years of HS football- all star athlete. 2 brain injuries undiagnosed until 6 years later were enough to progressive rob him of any quality of life. Medically everything was tried but it was too late to make much difference cognitively. He ended his own life. I think their is a link to high suicide rates in young people, boys and girls, and the devastating impact of brain injuries. When we know young brains are vulnerable, to all kinds of things, how can we continue to argue over protecting young people''s lives it is lives we are talking about. Bravo to the players and the young people who choose their futures. Peace

By: michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk

michelle.munt@yahoo.co.uk — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:16:59 +0000

In reply to braininjurysupportgroupofduluth. It must have been so difficult for Kelly to be able to reconcile what was happening after she had triumphed over it for so long.

By: braininjurysupportgroupofduluth

braininjurysupportgroupofduluth — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:11:31 +0000

This piece was so inspiring! I returned to work about a year and a half after my TBI (which was the result of a car accident I do not remember), and it was a definite shock. I could not even do basic math to use the cash register at the movie theater I had worked for years prior in high school. How humiliating! I am finally giving my brain a chance to heal and rest and recover and we are finally getting to know each other again. Thank you for sharing your powerful story and God bless you!