What Impact Will Moderate or Severe TBI Have on a Person's Life?

As a parent of Jake at 16 yrs post-injury TBI cat diagnosis my heart is open for all
Love Joseph

Hi Ted. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story. I am also dealing with a tbi injury ... you are so not alone, and I am grateful to you because just by writing to you I also feel that I am not alone. Our brains may have taken a hit, but our Hearts are what matter the most. Please take good care of yourself. You are precious. We are all precious.

I support you wish for your best outcome moving forward
Love Joseph

While riding a motorcycle, was hit head on by a drunk in a Dodge Ram in the spring of '94. I was in a coma for 2 months and 18 days (just a couple weeks short of legally dead), rehab for another year and a half (the entire years 1994 and 1995 are gone for me), I have a fake knee and a fake wrist, a "severe" traumatic brain injury, this tinnitus has made me want to rip my left ear off for 26 years... I have been totally and permanently disabled ever since. I walk, I talk (but have been arrested for "slurred speech" - ONCE, I can make A LOT of political noise when I want to - everywhere I've lived since), can't sing, can't dance, I'm not very good at taking orders (short term memory problems, to this day - thank heaven for the hourly calendar on modern smart phones). I had to wait one year before I applied, tested, and received a new NY driver's license (with motorcycle validation - didn't even have to retest for that). My pilot's license is permanently clipped due to having been in a coma. I'm on my third motorcycle since that wonderful event (120,000 miles on one, only 60,000 on the second - that got parked on in 2019, and about 5,000 on my 2019 Harley - I moved to FL so I can ride all year, and my back, etc doesn't ache for 6 months straight). In terms of cognitive function, my reasoning was never really effected (or so I say). My organic memory has not really improved, I thank motorola a/o at+t for the smart phone (it's strange... I speak multiple languages, remember how to do things w/o any problem at all, but... where did I put that? When was that appointment? Yes, I'm sorry to say, 27 years later. Get a head start building those coping strategies. I'd say your balance and hearing issues are probably related. Your eye "dancing" may cause problems w/ your driving, and it may (or may not) be interpreted as a seizure. You might want to see (no pun intended) a neurologist about that. Bring a list of current medications with you, because that could very well be the cause. To directly answer your question, no. EVERYTHING does not get better. However, some things will (probably within the first couple of years). And you will learn/adjust to the rest. I can't think of anything that has actually gotten worse (other than the pain from these metal "bones" that I continue to abuse. But that's my fault. I will NOT grow a set of wheels, I will NOT stop living MY life. I'll just add that "MY life," as I had made it, ended that day. I had to start a new one. You may want to talk to the Brain Injury Association of America at 1-800-444-6443.

It’s a long road... I was in a coma for 3 1/2 weeks in 1995. I spent 4 weeks in the hospital. Was transferred to St Charles Rehab on Long Island. I can’t remember exactly how long I was there.. maybe little longer than a month. I then did outpatient cognitive and physical rehab for years afterwards. My short term memory was effected which effects learning. I’m doing well and memory has gotten better. Accept that it will take a long time. Learn to live with changes .

You sound really anxious. Please take a few deep breaths and remember to pray. Turn it over as the anxiety starts to rise. Worrying will only make it worse. I hope you find some answers and good treatments. Prayer helps me to be calmer. Especially the :Serenity Prayer"

Wow you have made my day . I finally found someone who has a similar story .. I too fell about 15 feet head first onto a paved driveway ,I was 8 a well and my mother found me placed me in my bad and I woke screaming with a swelled brain hrs and hrs later .they finally took me to a hospital ....I just remember screaming and crawling all over the back seat in pain... I’m alomst 50 now and just was tested for add. I’ve mentioned my accident to dr only to get no response..
I however did not complete school ..I got grade 8 and ended up spending 25 yrs sometimes homeless and all the time an addict .ive been clean for 4 yrs now and my memory is crap ,I loose things constantly,can’t get a job and keep it ,
I too fear dementia and am scared a lot of the time..I feel like no one wants to help.i feel like everyone thinks I’m lazy but all I want to do is be get a job...thank you for your story it made me feel less alone

Please watch Andrew Wommack ministries healing journeys. There are a few miracles from brain injuries on there that I believe will heal and bless you!

In December of 2017 I was on my way home from work (which was an hour drive home) in a snow storm and I ended up going off the road b/c of the storm and into the other lane. Then hitting the vehicle that was heading in the other direction in that lane. And not wearing my seat belt. Which resulted in me being thrown around my vehicle/hitting my head off from whatever in my car. EMT's had found me unconscious in the passenger seat. Brought me to the hospital where they put me in a medical coma so they could get my brain to stop swelling/drain the blood out of my head, and on life support. When I ended up waking up and headed to Rehab to get better/stronger. After 2 weeks of being there I started being dizzy especially while laying in bed. They told me it was Vertigo, and did some maneuver to help it go away. It did but came back the next day after I got home. But with out-patient rehab I said something to them about still having it and they were able to do the that maneuver on me again and that time finally made it go away! :) (Have you heard about the maneuver?? It might help you...?)
Since then I have been very depressed crying for NO reason most of the time. Went and got put on some antidepressants, its helped a little. I'm no longer crying for no reason, but still get down and bad anxiety from time to time. My memory has never been the greatest really even before my accident. But finding the words I'm thinking of but can't find them to say them happens often. I feel I have changed a bit, some say that I haven't. But the more anger/irritation wasn't how I was before my accident. My patience is a lot thinner than it used to be that's for sure. Lol.
I feel like even though it has been almost 5 years since then I feel like at some point something because of the TBI I have is going to kill me. Leaving behind my 2 children, so that's been making me more anxious and stressed. My biological mother when I was 6 had gotten hurt ending up with a TBI in a coma on life support as well, but she wasn't having any brain activity and she wouldn't want to be living as a vegetable so my grandparents decided to take her off life support, leading her to pass away. I was almost the same age as she was and my son was almost the same age as I was. Which didn't help my family or myself it being similar in a lot of ways. I didn't get why did I live and she didn't. But was glad to be there for the my first child that I had at the time, he is what I feel like saved me and kept me determined to get better so I could get out of Rehab and be with him!
I have recently in the last few months have been excessively sweating, either doing nothing or things that I have done while I was pregnant and it never made sweat the way I have been sweating now. I feel like it is some pituitary gland problem from the TBI.. I'm not sure if that is whats causing it...Is anyone else having a problem like this?
In a way I feel like I lost myself and who I was. Was & am going to school to be a nurse, at a community college and not as motivated to finish as I used to be. Since the accident my mindset has been okay I'm alive, why did I get to live? What is my purpose? Why finish school, just going to die anyways. Mostly because I feel like I can be spending my time doing something more fun or with my kids, and see the world. But also knowing needing money for pretty much everything in this greedy a** world lol, and that is why I should finish school to make more for myself and my family.
And this is as long as most of my conversations and just going on and on lmao so I'm going to stop.

Everyone keep their heads up, and try to stay positive :)

I came to this site due to the issues I've been having - my backstory for brain injury is I was beaten to 'death' and revived and am now very slowly gaining back my abilities.
Anyhow.
I came across your story and felt a strong need to leave a reply here for you. I am at a loss for words because what you've experienced, no person should ever have to experience. I wish there was something I could say to alleviate your pain because I know it still hurts.
My son died on 3.27.19 and the grief is still debilitating. I do not function. He was my only child and my reason for healing. Almost two years have gone by and I still barely leave the house.
I can only fathom the unimaginable and extreme pain that you must be feeling losing your 3 children. I am truly so, so sorry for your loss. And I am sorry that you have to deal with such extreme financial circumstances in the wake of the worst thing a parent can ever experience. I agree with you that we have no systems in place for those who need it most. That needs to change. I wish I had an answer for you right now that could help solve your financial burdens.
You are in my thoughts and I hope that life starts to go easier on you. Sending love in your direction.

My friend i have been there, i was beat up for 3 yrs, fist foot w/e he could grab when i got knocked out or to the ground i would come to with him beating me until i stood back up I was 9,10,11 my 12th bday i went in his room with a knife and held it to his throat and told him i was big enough to kill him now and would do so gladly if it promised my sisters and mom’s safety My mom still hasnt take any accountability for allowing tht to happen but shes trying i think I used anger from those past events to fuel my self destructive path Fighting as often as i could, only who i thought to be real assholes or abusive to innocents and tht was my “therapy” after several failed relationships and years of inner turmoil and chaos i reluctantly started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist I met the love of my life as soon as i dropped the wall for her she’s supportive, understanding and most importantly still loves me due only to the fact tht my behaviors were trauma and head injury induced, not a reflection of who i truly am She suggested i see a therapist so i did and it helped for a time I still use the tools I learned from my therapist to this day and my beautiful wife has stood by me through thick an thin good days and bad for 12 yrs now Letting down the wall, even if briefly, shows the person u care about tht you can and are willing to get rid of them as well as a clear testament to your spiritual fortitude and willingness to live and be loved Be on gaurd for sure, but trust your gut If your gut says this person will probly understand go with it I got pity when i started opening up about everything but quickly straightened everyone out by saying “I appreciate the fact tht u care and im equally grateful for the interest and help with my issues but plz dont give me pity, i been through more than most and just want to be treated like it never happened To this day only my wife knows everything aside from my sisters of course Its just not something i bring up or try talk about with others Alot of hard work, dedication and even more prayer, as well as my amazing wife are the only reasons im not dead or in prison I wasn’t suicidal but i was definitely not worried about my well being Even if you dont find the live of your life for Gods sake man dont go at it alone, theres no reason or need to when so many big hearted ppl are willing to be in your life I have 4 reallly close friends, thts all i need I stay focused on wht i love most now and when i do get to feeling overwhelmed with memories or flashbacks from ptsd due to my own choices in my early adult yrs i place myself somewhere i love spending time, outside in the woods taking a walk w/e ur interests are MAKE yourself do them Youre a combat vet if i read your post right so u know all too well wht needs to be done when the enemy is closing in Thank you for your sacrifice and service for this great country if nothing else someone out there deserves your company and will be thankful for it I have a chunk of land in the woods when im getting overwhelmed i go out in the forest, sit by a fire and meditate breathing exercises etc If i can ask you one favor it would plz plz dont waste the gift you have been given a true living testament of wht the spirit and body can endure and not break, even though weve come close or had set backs Again i had no one to talk to but the man above and he was there in my darkest hour and greatest time of need, always, God bless you brother Love and respect

Yes from my experience I have good days and not do good... don’t function so well when tired, speech and getting words out can be more impaired some days than others ... bless my brothers and sisters going through this !

You may want to go to an eye dr with COVD or NORA certification. Regular eye doctors check visual acuity, not how the eyes are functioning. We have been dealing with a nightmare with my 9 yr old daughter. She had a concussion, post concussion syndrome, but then cleared, and when i called with concerns,
she was seen& misdiagnosed with amplified pain syndrome- even though we said it didn't fit her symptoms right. Now, almost a year later, I found an article with ALL her symptoms- dizziness, nausea, joint pain, inability to do math, difficulty reading, trouble finding words, can't tell left from right, depth perception problems, clumsiness, sound &light sensitivity.... it is her eyes. It's been untreated post concussion and her eyes aren't working together anymore. She's been unable to process information her eyes see because it's all skewed. It's like the"messenger"isn't picking up the information and delivering it where it needs to go to be interpreted&dealt with. Please look up"vision therapy" for more information. Hope it helps.

I feel off a horse 7 weeks ago and the depression is really bad. I know you asked about eyesight but wonder how you are doing with depression.