| In the beginning, coping with brain injury is a roller | | | | anger management difficulties, confusion and |
| coaster ride. Although a tragedy for the injured person, | | | | short-term memory loss as well as other brain injury |
| it is an equal tragedy for the family. Because of the | | | | impairments. |
| lack of information available, the family member closest | | | | It will often be two steps forward and one step back |
| to the injured person will likely feel very much alone. | | | | and although this is discouraging, that is initially what |
| When my partner had a very serious motorcycle | | | | happens. It will be important not to take things |
| accident, we were fortunate in that we were | | | | personally when your brain injured loved one becomes |
| surrounded by a huge family support system. As one | | | | angry or verbally abusive. It will also be necessary to |
| who has gone through this difficult experience, I would | | | | set boundaries for yourself. It is equally important not to |
| highly recommend enlisting the help of a support group | | | | feel guilty if you wish time for yourself or if you |
| (if there is no strong family support) for assistance with | | | | occasionally feel frustrated; your life has changed too. |
| the monumental changes you will be facing in your life | | | | I was not aware that someone suffering from a brain |
| as well as in the life of your loved one. | | | | injury could change so drastically; that he couldn't |
| There will be difficulties in adjusting to these changes | | | | remember who had visited a few minutes after that |
| as well as difficulties in getting the necessary answers | | | | person had left, and that I would be treated like |
| to questions. As the 'healthy' partner, there will be | | | | someone he hated most in the world. I did not know |
| many crucial things that are necessary to do. You | | | | this is all very typical behavior by those who are |
| must 'ask the right questions', 'take control of the | | | | suffering from a brain injury. |
| situation', 'be proactive', 'be your own advocate for | | | | There will be adaptations and adjustments that will be |
| your injured family member', and 'realize the necessity | | | | necessary to make and there will be many 'bumps in |
| of having support'. These will be vital when battling | | | | the road' but things do eventually get better. |
| cognitive and behavioral problems, frustration and | | | | |