We know there isn’t a magic wand someone can wave, but some validation would be nice.

Any “expert” can only begin to imagine what it is like to suffer a brain injury. My world was turned upside down. The worst part was that I couldn’t trust myself anymore. Things I thought I knew , were wrong. It felt like that moment in the film, “The Matrix”, when Keanu Reeves’ character finds out that they live in a simulated reality, and nothing is real. But this is my life, not a movie that 2 hours later you just carry on as normal!

I know they have to detach themselves from it to be impartial, and remain sane. Otherwise it would be too draining getting to close too each case. But we are people, not just humans. At the time I thought my case might have been because, being a legal case, they wanted to be sure I wasn’t overstating my injuries just for the money. But I have heard of too many survivors being dismissed.

The questions in the consultation feel like the Krypton Factor.

Even when they are approaching you with an open mind, half the time you don’t know what they are talking about. For anyone who isn’t medically trained the terminology is baffling, but when you have a brain injury it’s virtually impossible to understand. So when answering their questions you’re never quite sure if you gave them the details they needed, as it’s difficult to see what they are driving at. Therefore they still might not understand the gravity of your situation.

As with all professions, there are some who are good, and those who are not so good. Luckily I went on to see a really helpful Neuropsychologist via the good old NHS. Her tests did prove I had some cognitive issues, and she was very supportive. So just because one expert downplays your condition, don’t give up. Get a second opinion. Sometimes the challenge is finding the right person to understand you.

I do recognise that it’s tough for Doctors to give the right diagnosis, as I explain in Added confusion – why my brain injury was hard to diagnose.