Ways To Overcome

By: Annie Malipaard
(Member of the Brain Injury Association of Chatham-Kent (BIACK))

I hope to encourage others who have been through an acquired brain injury. Brain injuries can be the result of a all, a motor vehicle accident, a stroke, a heart attack or instances of trauma or lack of oxygen to the brain.

And yet, people still don’t wear proper protection and are too careless! In the early 70s to the early 90s I had three jobs. I worked at the Department of Defence, I was a RN and RPN, was a caregiver to my mom and I also did work as an administrative assistant for Thalidomide Association in London, ON.

I returned home after working a night shift to the telephone ringing. I should have ignored it. It was the hospital calling me in for an all-day shift because someone else had called in sick.

I HAD A SHOWER AND A CUP OF COFFEE BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE HOSPITAL. WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE THE HOUSE, MY CAR REFUSED TO START, SO I CALLED A TAXI. THE DRIVER WAS IN A HURRY AND SMASHED INTO A LONDON TRANSIT BUS THAT WAS PARKED IN A BUS BAY. I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW HE DID NOT SEE IT.

I had my seatbelt on, but it did not hold me. I had so many injuries, I don’t even want to tell you about all of them – suffice it to say that I went through the windshield. The cab driver was not injured. I sued for damages because I was no longer able to work. Then, in 2004, I ran into a cement truck and received my second brain injury. Prior to my injuries, I took care of a gentleman who was in a coma and looked after tracheotomy patients at Parkwood Hospital, so I know you can have your life taken away in seconds.

I have so much support from the BIACK, the VON, Bayshore Home Health, OBIA, my friends and my family, as well as my friend Al, who had a brain injury himself, years ago. He was in a coma for six months and I helped care for him and his 2 year old son for a full year. I also have support through my church and my faith, as well as my dedicated brother and my cat, Millennium.

We fought hard and it is not easy at all, but if you work hard, it can be done. I find post-traumatic stress the most difficult to deal with but I’ve done my best to master ways of controlling it. I’ve had many surgeries since my injuries and will soon face the largest challenge of my life; doctors at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto are going to remove my tubes and colostomy bag so that my quality of life improves. I will finally be able to go swimming and play golf, which is my passion! I also enjoy volunteering and feel like a useful member of my community.

I am still young at heart, you know!