Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Brain Sandwich

Brain shaped sandwiches at this months support group meeting,
 
Earlier this month, I attended this years Brain Injury Walk with my friends and family. It's always nice to see such a large group of people who are impacted by brain injury. Every other year the brain injury support group has their logo ( a walking brain ) paired with a shirt and hat.

I also attended my local brain injury support group earlier this week. There were brain shaped sandwiches and salad.
Myself at brain injury walk 2018.
We had a great discussion about some of our goals and things we'd like for the future. Some people shared their information about dealing with the comments of people who just don't get that  what it's like to deal with a brain injury. With a brain injury, it is invisible and often times, people just think that there's nothing wrong with you since you don't look sick. I had someone tell me this recently.  You don't have to look sick to be in pain. One of the reasons I made a film about my brain injury experience was to educate others about the impact this type of injury can have on individuals and people around them.
Close up of brain injury 2018 logo hat. 
Attending support groups and these walk events for me is therapeutic and I learn a lot from others I meet also impact by brain injury. There are lots of survivors who feel misunderstood. I find comfort in being able to surround myself with others who have empathy for the injuries you have an can relate.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

My head and Day of Caring

On one weekend in September, I volunteered with my local United Way assisting with their Day of Caring event in my area. This was a great chance for me to get out of the house. I had the usual head and shunt issues as I've been having for months now. I'm glad was able help on that day and fortunate enough to travel despite having head discomfort.

A group shot of myself with several other volunteers at United Way last month.

Soon I will see a neurosurgeon about future treatment for my shunt. I have apprehensions about this from past experience with doctors not taking me seriously in the past. So we'll see. I may even give this new neurosurgeon a copy of my film, Shunt Chronicles (2015) for repeated viewing so he knows what NOT to do.