OBIA News

There is one description families affected by brain injury often use to summarize their experience — “Life changed in an instant.” No matter the cause or type of injury, life changes and we change with it.

On the road to recovery following a brain injury, there are a number of health professionals that come into your life, various medical and therapy assessments that you have to participate in; along with trying to get back to doing your everyday activities such as driving, returning to work and activities around the home such as meal preparation and grocery shopping.

The year 2007 was like a roller coaster for my family. We celebrated New Year’s with friends and family in Punta Cana, DR. There was fantastic entertainment, fireworks, and the mood was joyful, happy and full of celebration. Being with my family and closest friends made this the trip of a lifetime.

When a person sustains a brain injury, the changes that this brings to one’s life can be extremely devastating. For some, during the first few hours, days and even weeks following the injury they are battling for their very life. When this battle has been won, the long road of recovery and rehabilitation begins.

It was the end of October when Dianne Radunsky and I sat down with Terrance Brown to talk to him about his life after brain injury. Terrance is no stranger to OBIA, having been a regular caller on the Support Line for over 10 years.

For many, the cool autumn weather is the prelude to one of the most marvellous times of the year—the holiday season. People become preoccupied with making to do lists, coordinating and attending various holiday parties, and arranging family dinners. This is all done in anticipation of sharing the holiday season with those who mean the most to us.

Perhaps it was a phone call that changed your life so dramatically. Although you didn’t know it then, many strangers would soon enter your life; most of them would be speaking “medicalese” and offering confusing and conflicting messages. One of the first things these strangers might have told you was that a person very close to you had sustained a head injury, was in a coma, and might never awaken.

Thoughts equal actions, actions equal outcome and outcomes equal your destination in life. What are you thinking? This is my personal account of that day in 2005 when I made a decision that would impact more people than I ever thought possible.

The afternoon of June 8, 1995 would change our lives forever. A mother gets up in the morning and goes about her day, often not thinking about what could happen later on. I have a different perspective now and am grateful for every moment I have with my children and family. I will never take that for granted again.