26.01.2011
Early Days, Gabrielle Giffords, In the News, TBI
It is such good news that Gabrielle Giffords’ condition has been upgraded and that the tube has been removed. It is also wonderful that many people associated with her care have been extremely positive in their remarks. What we must not lose sight of is the less exciting fact that her recovery will not be the fast-paced story that has entranced and encouraged her well-wishers everywhere.
The public nature of her recovery will provide much-needed information to the millions of people who know little about brain injury. We will all have to learn to be patient as we see what it means when physicians describe recovery as a marathon rather than a sprint.
What we must remember as she progresses is that the medical resources available to her are extraordinary. Few families facing this sort of trauma will be able to afford such rehabilitative services. Others might be able to pay for these services but lack access because of where they live. We are so grateful that she is getting wonderful care. We just wish other survivors had similar opportunities.
Meanwhile, let us be glad for her continued improvement and keep her in our prayers.
10.01.2011
In the News, TBI
Nothing can compensate those involved in the Tucson shootings, but three potential outcomes might be of some comfort:
1) Examination of the power of irresponsible rhetoric; commitment to calling out hate-mongers; increased civility in our own discourse;
2) Gun control reform that NRA lobbyists cannot derail;
3) Increased public understanding of Traumatic Brain Injury and improved support for rehabilitation.
Our prayers are with the survivors of this terrifying incident.
07.01.2011
Caregivers, Friends and Family, TBI
Depression is such a common malady for TBI survivors (and probably their caregivers if anyone ever pursued that issue) that it seems like a good idea to look more closely at this condition and some ways to cope with it now that we are entering “the bleak midwinter” (TS Eliot may think “April is the cruelest month” but I vote for almost any month in winter).
Causes of post-TBI depression are pretty obvious: changed abilities, circumstances, and prospects; concerns about the future in terms of finances, social relationships, independence, and productivity; in some cases, ongoing pain, sleep deprivation, and other physical problems. Winter can make things worse because of SAD (seasonal affective disorder – what happens to some people if they don’t get enough sunlight in the winter), reduced opportunity to enjoy the outdoors because of cold and the fear of falling on icy surfaces (thus making exercise even less appealing), holiday blues from Thanksgiving through New Years with Valentine’s Day fast approaching.
So what can a survivor and family do to short-circuit winter blues? Even if you can’t walk outside, malls, stairs, treadmills, and stationary bikes offer exercise opportunities. You can use weights and do leg lifts in your recliner while you watch tv (I confess that I do). Seek out humor - Readers Digest jokes, comic strips, tv shows that make you laugh. Find music that peps and cheers you up – maybe exercise to it. Don’t compare the current you with the pre-accident- you. Look at how far you have come since the accident, and set reasonable goals for the future. Learn something new. Research shows that effort invigorates. Investigate the exciting ideas of Dr. Martin Seligman who has developed a very sensible and upbeat approach to life with his work on Positive Psychology. http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx
© 2010 Brain Recovery Support Sytstem | Dr. Clair Hinckley. All rights reserved.