The things that I say are not concepts I learned in school or anywhere else.  They are realizations I have made as a result of the severe brain injury that I suffered nearly 37 years ago.  In fact the anniversary of my injury is on Nov. 11.  I acknowledge that date as the beginning of my "New Life".  I was 20 years old when I injured.  I was essentially plucked out of my mainstream life as a college student at the University of Michigan and placed on the sidelines of life where I had to watch others live without restriction.  It was horrible.  I hated being unable to do what I wanted to do. 

 

Today I function far beyond what anyone could have expected.  And I do that the same way I learned each new behavior.  After my brain injury I could not walk or talk.   I had to relearn how to care for myself.  All the activities that I participate in require skills that I had to relearn, one step at a time.  I put a lot of small steps together and make a into a giant leap forward.  In other words, I combine all of my tiny goals and topple an obstacle.

 

From the time I was originally injured until now, I've had to watch other people living life.  Over time, I learned to accept what I can and absolutely can not do.  I've fought my diagnosis & achieved what was thought to be impossible.  Along the way I've learned that I have definite limitations and I'll tell you what they are, if you ask me to do one of them. 

 

Today I function as a Social Worker/Disability Life Coach.  I've created my private practice because I know what I can do & I only follow my strenghts.  I've written a book called ACCEPTANCE GROUPS for SURVIVORS; A Guide for Facilitators.  It's available on Amazon or you can purchase the first edition on my web site at: www.survivoracceptance.com

 

In your letter you raise many topics that deserve discussion, like what do you do about disgruntled neighbors or how do you care for yourself when you have seizures.  I don't have any easy answers, but I want you to know that I also have a seizure disorder.  Let's break our isolation and begin to email one another.  My direct email address is: nancy@survivoracceptance.com

You're obviously a creative person, keep with that, and push the boundaries. I'm now making jewelry and writing novels! And that's all because of the pain. Before, it was taekwondo, roller skating... :) I remember what "active" felt like, and I do still miss it. But my jewelry is beautiful, and that gives me joy, too.

Hi. In the last two years I have had a back surgery for my teathered cord, a decompression for my Chiari Malformation and a fusion for my Cranio Cervical Instability. Oh and I also have EDS. I feel better shortly after the surgeries and then about after 3 months all of my symptoms come back. I have gone from making a great living to not being able to drive and working 12 hours per week and I do not even know how much longer I will be able to do that. All of my surgeries have put us into major medical debt and I did not get the results I was praying for.

 

I absoulutey loved your poem. Also I have noticed when you tell people that you have a debilitating headache they do not understand so I have lost many friends and family members over this.