“‘In common with many who have a brain injury, I initially lost my confidence and felt very vulnerable, as if a protective layer of skin had been stripped away.’ Mayam D’Abo”

“Coping strategies….help them function better in the world and everyday life.  The survivor’s progress may be influenced by parental or familial support…..The point is, are they encouraged or discouraged at home?  Do their closest supporters prod them to persevere and keep fighting to attain the most optimal level of functioning and performance in their everyday life?  Unfortunately, discouragement on the home front looms large within the brain-injured community.”

*Yes, you definitely lose your confidence with a brain injury. You feel like you have it all together but you don’t. You think you understand things correctly; until you realize you have misunderstood or been misperceived. All you can do is the best you can. Maybe the burden is on us to realize so many people will be ignorant. Apathetic. Unempathetic. All we can ask for is love and try to be loving ourselves.

*Coping strategies- these are integral. I like to write things down immediately if I need to remember it….knowing abbreviations helps. Some use word-association strategies. I also like to organize things and know exactly where something goes. If it’s not where it belongs, forget about it. Repetition also helps my memory. Constant repetition transfers information from the short-term memory (poor) to the long-term memory (better). Sometimes I have problems with comprehension. There are so many great tv shows and movies, except plots would be hard to understand. News programs and sports, sign me up.

*The last tidbit is huge. Home or family support. Are your closest family behind you in all you do? Are they your biggest cheerleaders? They know your life is tough. They should know it will not get easier. Sure, you will develop coping strategies over time. Is your significant other, your children, your parents, and friends there for you?  Alone is very hard in a complex world.