[1 of 6] "You Look Great!" : Inside a TBI

Part One:
The Accident, Traumatic Brain Injury

This video, You Look Great! Inside a Traumatic Brain Injury, tells the story of trying to recover from an injury that in some ways is invisible to the outside world. My hope is that fellow sufferers find comfort that they are not alone in their injury, and that they learn ways of describing what theyre going through to their families, friends, and caregivers.

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPNd_oXx4Ec

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-1q1bfeH20

Part 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvLYuz8i9Kk

Part 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpFJMgyWRvM

Part 6:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZMkKKCNEy8

Category:

Education

Tags:

• mild
• traumatic
• brain
• injury
• TBI
• neurotrauma
• spaulding
• rehabilitation
• hospital
• car
• accident
• volvo
• 240
• John
• Byler
• contrecoup

[brainstormyful]

Thanks so much. You put into words and images what I am going through. I struggle to explain this to people but am unable to. I look great. I even worked for the first two months, trudging on in a fog, suffering from horrible headaches and a host of other symptoms. I was told by a neurologist right after the accident that whatever symptoms remained at 3 months would be permanent and there was nothing I could do, that I didn't need a follow up. Ultimately I got worse and got help. Thanks.

[TBINBD]

@brainstormyful You are welcome! So many have responded as you have, and I'm hoping that *eventually* the public will be educated about TBI, especially so-called "mild" TBI. I'm so glad you are getting the help you need. As much as you are able, QUANTIFY your injury for your doctors, therapists, and your lawyer if you have one. I wish you all the best in your continued recovery. Don't let anyone tell you that you are as recovered as you will get. 

[DianaLynnCampbell]

Thank you so much for making this video. I sustained a TBI in August of 09 due to being hit by a careless driver. My TBI also has resulted in Absence/Petit Mal Epilepsy. I'm fortunate in some ways, my MRIs, CAT scans and EEGs confirmed the dianosis of TBI and Epilepsy. I have difficulty putting into words what it's like now living with a TBI. I watched your video and cried, knowing I wasn't alone. My family now has a better understanding of what my TBI is like for me. Again, thank you.

[TBINBD]

@DianaLynnCampbell Words indeed. That's one of the tough parts of the injury, mild or worse. One of the main reasons we made the video is to help survivors explain their injury to their loved ones and caregivers. You are *not* alone, and you are most welcome. Be strong and good courage. The Lord is by no means done with you yet. We have survived the worst of it for a reason. May you bless others with your survival story.

[wenkle3]

Your video is very helpful in understanding mild brain injury. I have a son who sustained an injury at 3 and was only recently dx. We have been through psych drs for 13 years and no one ever even suggested the possibility. When I asked the current one, I was told if there was no LOC then there was no brain injury, but yet it is the only dx that fits the symptoms.

[TBINBD]

@wenkle3 Thank you for your note. I forgot to respond. Stay strong, keep the faith, you know what they don't know. More and more NOW is being learned about TBI, mild or otherwise. I and my co-author are about 85% done with our book that goes into some detail on most aspects of the injury. I wish all the best for your son.

[vlsa2]

I was born with Cognitive Brain Injury. I only got my second opinion of that proper diegnoses after I turned 50, throughout my life I had gotten into car wrecks that was a miracle I lived through...

My first diegnoses I was 50. Not much recovery as far as work ever is in my future beyond volunteering, I find volunteering teaching for 2 hours a week a compiter lab. I can understand and score high in understanding computer software. I cannot do puzzles like you can though.

[ClimbingMyWayOut]

I found your first few videos, before they were completed; so much of what you said felt true to my story as a TBI survivor. Now a Few years later I've started to video blog about my experience...inspired from you! I'm not that good at it yet..but learning. Thank you

[ClimbingMyWayOut]

@wenkle3 it use to be thought that a loss of consciousness was needed to sustain a TBI or concussion. As a TBI survivor from a concussion who has never had loss of consciousness...I can tell you that the doctors statement is no longer considered true. Wish you and your son all the best

[shpwrck1]

I am a TBI X2 survivor. Your series is great and I appreciate the time and effort you put into making this series. I am 6 years out now from my first car accident. (head on collision at 55 with a tree) and 2 years out from a neck fracture (Car hydroplaned and flipped end over end. I have never fully recovered from those events. But your series helped me understand what is wrong with me. Thank you!

[dectiri]

What should have happened is that the ambulance would have a hyperbaric oxygen chamber of the soft kind like they have in Japan, and the hospital would have been waiting with the higher pressure HBOT chambers. Then the damage to the brain would have been stanched and the healing begun to be continued with more HBOT. In this country, the pharmaceutical drug pushers will wait til you are in cardiac arrest and then intubate, shock & desecrate Hippocrates.

Best wishes, look for referral even now.

[CabbageWise]

It took me a long time, but have become able to create a blog recently, to share my story, and hope to do as well as you someday to make a video. I have included your YouTube connection on my post today. Thank you, John. I want to include your name as soon as I learn how you spell it.