Traumatic Brain Injury story
In 1993 I had a Traumatic Brain Injury, an injury altering the rest of my life. The injury landed me in a coma for two and half weeks at Oregon Health and Sciences University. During the coma I participated in a blind drug study program for a drug to decrease the swelling in my head. During my coma it was thought I would die or come out with limited mental functioning. At Emanuel hospital I went through brain injury rehabilitation.
As a result of the injury I have epilepsy with grand mal seizures, some loss of use in my left hand, and cognitive problems like short-term memory, organization problems, fatigue, and other common brain injury symptoms.
The past 10 years have been a heck of a ride. Seven months after my injury I went back to college taking three classes. Either the next term or two terms after the first I started back into college full time. After my TBI I went to school for two years, not including holidays breaks and two terms I skipped from seizure problems. I did end up finishing with an Associate of Science Degree and went on to a university and failed out. Managing school and a part time job was too much for me. I had not yet grasped or was in denial to the seriousness of my injury. Probably both.
I dropped out of school and went to work pushing carts at a grocery store. Little later I tried office jobs, but I wasn’t able to handle this. I had trouble with short-term memory, executive functions, and decision-making. I finally landed my job as a caregiver/med. aid at an assisted living facility. This is a facility for elderly people who may need some help to live, but do not need to go into a nursing home. I was good at the job, but after three years I quit to start simplifying my life.
I am now a part time cashier. The job is manageable because of working accommodations made by my employer. Accommodations made through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Even with the accommodations, the job can still be tiring and I have to be cognizant of paying attention to what I am doing.
What has made the biggest change in my recovery has been involvement in brain injury support groups of Portland, Oregon. Through the support groups and involvement in brain injury community, I was made aware of the life changes needed to handle a brain injury. Living with a brain injury is difficult and I continue to remodel my life.
You may email Eric at: Eric Peterson