Brain injury and Cognitive testing

FMQ is Free Motion Quilting. It is art done with a sewing machine - as in the photos above. YouTube is full of videos to show how it's done.

@becsbuddy
”my ability to sew and quilt has been seriously affected”
Yes, I believe I know all too well what your going through.
When I was awakened from my first coma at 15 I had many deficits. Although I overcame many, One that I never did overcome was playing the piano. I was told I played beautifully. When I came home from the hospital I didn’t even know what the piano was. Although now I can decipher specific notes and somewhat read music I can’t seem to put it all together, I can't coordinate reading the music and my fingers to play correctly. I sometimes sit at the piano and cry thinking about what my life used to be like. In fact I’m sitting here crying now. Your post brought back some very unhappy memories, Not memories that I actually do remember but ones that I remember my mom telling me about how things used to be.
My Neurologist and I talked about various types of cognitive testing and other types of testing but he said it wouldn’t do any good. Of course this is only in my particular situation I have no idea if testing would be a benefit to you or not. Although I did re-learn to walk better, although it’s still nothing to brag about, and I did re-learn how to tie my shoes and how to identify a lot of inanimate objects, and use eating utensils, etc. I do believe that there’s always hope. I think I know exactly how you feel Becky and I’m sorry that I don’t have some good advice for you, I just don’t know.
Blessings,
Jake

Thank you @jakedduck1 . Your words mean a lot to me!

Hi, @becsbuddy - just wanted to see what you decided - if you have at this point - about pursuing the cognitive testing?

Hi @lisalucier Yes, I am going to go ahead with the cognitive testing. I’ll report on it after. Scheduled for late Feb.

I’m a former school psychologist. I have had a similar experience. I’m learning to weave and was making some projects that pleased me. Then I went hiking and had a fall. They did brain imaging and that checked out okay, but I definitely had a period of time when I was having problems with weaving. With time, and what patience I could muster, I am now back to where I was and am learning new things. I think psychometric testing is a good idea. It’s a good baseline for the future. I implore you to go to a certified clinical psychologist. The psychologist should do the testing and interpretation. Do not go to a place that uses untrained, uncertified “ technicians”. Don’t assume, ask. You will probably be in the room for three hours or so. Some questions will be too easy and some will be too hard, but most will be doable. That is the nature of psychometric testing. The testing may reveal a learning style or other information that you can use in your quilting. I hope things go well for you in your quilting. It is such a wonderful creative outlet, and the socialization and learning you do is good for your brain. And I too would love to see a picture.

@lisalucier My testing was rescheduled to early April. I’ll let you know the outcome!

@mpeters Thank you for your input. I’m so glad that everything worked out for you. I guess I’m a little nervous that all my forgetfulness will show up. I like to think of it as multi tasking!
I’m going to have the testing done at the university medical center in their neurosciences center. I’ll be sure to ask if everyone is certified. Thank you!

@becsbuddy and others . Here in our building they closed it off to outsiders for time being and any community activities here because of the covid virus. I think this is wise but no exercise here now so will have to just do gym and walk .

I’m a former school psychologist. I have had a similar experience. I’m learning to weave and was making some projects that pleased me. Then I went hiking and had a fall. They did brain imaging and that checked out okay, but I definitely had a period of time when I was having problems with weaving. With time, and what patience I could muster, I am now back to where I was and am learning new things. I think psychometric testing is a good idea. It’s a good baseline for the future. I implore you to go to a certified clinical psychologist. The psychologist should do the testing and interpretation. Do not go to a place that uses untrained, uncertified “ technicians”. Don’t assume, ask. You will probably be in the room for three hours or so. Some questions will be too easy and some will be too hard, but most will be doable. That is the nature of psychometric testing. The testing may reveal a learning style or other information that you can use in your quilting. I hope things go well for you in your quilting. It is such a wonderful creative outlet, and the socialization and learning you do is good for your brain. And I too would love to see a picture.