My first brain injury was after a motorcycle accident in March 2020. A driver had pulled out in front of me on a country road and I woke up in an ambulance. I was wearing a helmet during the crash and had no memory of the accident. I still don't. My discharge paperwork from the hospital indicated that I had suffered a concussion and a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I was referred to a doctor who specializes in concussion for follow-up.

My second was after my bicycle accident. If you can believe this, I was struck by a deer while riding my bicycle in my neighborhood. My head hit the pavement very hard and I wasn't wearing a helmet. This time, I woke up in the ICU of the hospital 3 weeks later. I would remain in ICU for another 2 weeks before being  transferred to a rehab unit where I was visited on a daily basis by a psychologist. Upon discharge, I learned that I had suffered a severe TBI. As with the motorcycle accident, I have no memory of what happened. ...not the slightest recollection.

Though I had suffered two serious accidents, neither of which was my fault, I've never, for an instant, felt sorry for myself. I can't explain this other than I'm certain that God watched over me. Things happen, even crazy things, and often God uses them for good. If you question this perspective, please check out this section of my website. I know this - I am a better person as a result of these accidents. People who know me well, will attest to this fact. 

Though I'm a better person, I have some on-going issues. Both of my inner ears were badly damaged. A top ENT doctor in my area told me that he could not understand how I was able to hear at all. I wear hearing aids and hear reasonably well most of the time. I have balance issues. If I'm in a store, I walk with a shopping cart if possible. When I get out of bed, I lean onto the mattress for a short time before trying to walk.

I have other issues, too. Before the second accident, I woke up every morning knowing exactly who I was, where I was in life, what I wished to accomplish each and every day, and what I wished for my future. Now, every single morning, I cogitate on each and every one of those points a little. I'm not lost and/or confused, but I'm a bit less certain of those things. This is disconcerting - especially the "who I am" part because that has changed so dramatically. The person that I am is not the person that I was.

Regardless, I like myself more than ever before. I see myself more as a spirit than as a person defined by the body that has shaped my identity to this point in life. I find that I am more empathetic and graceful to others than in my past. I find that I am more loving and emotional. I find myself looking for ways to be a better person, and to help others. However, I also find that I must reassure myself, every day, that everything is okay, and that I need to adjust my perspective a bit to align with the new me. This is a challenge. ...a challenge that I have accepted. It's not easy, but then again, much of life isn't easy.  

Being brain injured hasn't been all bad.