Tbi many years later

God Bless you! Years ago. I had/have a bicycle accident in 2012 that started that moment and became a TBI member. Ive lost 80% of my brain-i jury of loss, usage, remembering. For you, what state you are and then check “TBI Help”. You will see from other places. You need check the best way and i think you are better - or close “normally”. I think you can find online memship of TBI members and cgeck the best way if what you need like: spendung time with better people of takkung, laughing part of it, your past with others, adding better things within you like writting with members timed.

I add exercising physically of you body. It takes a londer time to stretch your body on your back, rear-ends, leg, feet. You can use pro memberships. It takes time twice a week or 3-times a week. Professional companies of problems that you need.

Thank you..greatly appreciate it.

Hi, @bsimm54 and @gregd1956 - I wanted to check in with both of you to see how you are doing lately.

bsimm54 - I cannot imagine experiencing a drive-by shooting. Wow. That is a lot physically and psychologically. It sounds like you saw a neurologist but are hoping to see more of a specialist? If so, have you found anyone in your area who looks promising? Have you done any counseling/talk therapy since the shooting?

gregd1956 - how are you doing? You talked about stretching and pro memberships. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with the kind of membership you were mentioning. Will you share more about that?

Dear @lisalucier
“Will you share…?” I will if my brain says…

xxx EXERCISE xxx
I exercise physically to lift my legs and back; stretching by lifting 50lb by siting down on my chair. That 50lb lifting is 50lb x (20 times x 6) from my hands, arms, my top of my back.

xxx CAN’T STAND-UP xxx
Sure, I cant stand-up of exercising cause I did this for decades,but fell down a few years ago. This was not my TBI member in 2012.

Thankfully, after my TBI accident I was able to exercise again, but that was not easy.. it took me for the end started in 2014… type-by-type…

xxx LOST MY … xxx
Sure, I lost my ability to swim again cause my brain & legs didn’t work with both of this. But know - I hope - after my surgery on the lower back (when my leg pain ended) to control again my legs together - I hope!

xxx BEFORE MY ACCIDENT xxx
Oh, before my TBI accident, I always exercising 4-5 days a week when I paid places like this. I used the 80-100 lb lifting or swimming or ride bicycle. Now, I can’t use most of this but I still exercise… a few times a week.

xxx READING VS HEARING xxx
Now my brain of reading… I need the sounds instead reading.

Thx,
Greg D. @greg1956

Dear @bsimm54

I am so glad you posted here to find answers. Brain injury is very complicated. While seeing a neurologist and getting an EEG is a good step, I don't think it is a complete picture.

Here are three ideas that you may find helpful:

1) I recommend searching for a neuropsychologist who specializes in behavioral issues related to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). They can assess and treat the cognitive and psychological impacts of brain injuries, including behavioral changes.

2) Another good tool is getting a psych evaluation. My son, who sustained a very serious TBI, just had a psych evaluation done. It was several hours long and took two days. It was very insightful. It helped guide us.

3) A fabulous resource for learning strategies and techniques for navigating the challenges of brain injury: bestconnections.org --BEST (Brain Education Strategies Technology) provides free online group sessions and recorded videos to help brain injury survivors handle life's challenges. It's a wonderful organization. The sessions are great for BOTH the survivor and any caregivers/family members to attend.

Summary:
1) neuropsychologist who specializes in TBI
2) psych evaluation
3) bestconnections.org for learning strategies

I hope you have family/support people who can guide you. You will always have a brain injury, but the brain injury doesn't have to always have you!

Best Wishes,
Maria Lara

Hi, @marialara - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you and your son have been through a lot with your son's severe traumatic brain injury. Looks like you've also learned many useful tips along the way as his primary caregiver.

I'm tagging a few members in the Traumatic Brain Injury support group who may have input or questions about what you shared about a neuropsychologist, psych evaluation and learning strategies. Please meet @gregd1956 @craigdunn @gwenrn74 @kayabbott @lakelifelady. Also, I'd love for you to meet @IndianaScott, who has talked about caregiving on this site. You also might be interested in checking out the Caregivers support group on Connect, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/.

Would you share more about how the psych evaluation was insightful and helped guide you?

Hi, Lisa,
Thank you for reaching out and helping me make connections. Yes, it certainly has been a journey...and continues to be.

I'd be happy to share more details about the psych evaluation. The evaluation confirmed many of the strengths and weaknesses that we were witnessing. For example, it seemed to us that his vocabulary was robust. We weren't sure if we were biased because moms and dads tend to think their kids are the best. 🙂 Having the evaluators test his vocab and critical thinking, helps us build on what he possesses and know where he needs to strengthen. The two most valuable take-aways were:

1) The evaluators identified that when Peter was challenged, he became motivated and rose to the challenge. It wasn't entirely uncharacteristic, but it was helpful to have someone else recognize a strength we hadn't sincerely considered.
2) The evaluator(s) felt with hard work on Peter's part, strong familial support, and support from the educational institution, it wasn't beyond Peter's grasp to work on a college degree.

The psych evaluation guided our decisions on what next steps our family, not just Peter, was willing to pursue. In addition, Peter said that it felt really good to have confirmation on many of these things.

I hope this is helpful. Thank you again for the welcome. Have a super day!