What do you know about a brain injury?

Question

And, don't tell me to read the books, I have many times, tell me your emotions about the injury. How do you act around a brain injured person, hopefully not like they are stupid or slow, most of the time they can understand what you are saying, so you can use bigger words then 3 little words. Don't treat them like you are better then them.

Answer 1

Be patient. Give them time to get out what it is they are trying to say.
They know what they want to say in their heads but are having trouble remembering or forming the words to express their thoughts.
Their short term memory is often affected.
Be ready to repeat or remind this person when needed.
They are likely to feel frustrated with their possibly lessened ability to communicate, again be patient.
My mother has a brain disease called isolated cerebral vasculitis which has resulted in permanent brain damage.
This brain damage has affected her physical mobility on her right side, her short term memory, and in a limited way her cognitive functions. She likes to watch mystery shows but often has difficulty tracking with them.
She is easily frustrated and when she gets angry she has trouble expressing her point in a direct fashion.
I am grateful to have her here and still with us.
I try to help do some of the things that have given her pleasure in the past, i.e. making jelly, or bread or other food related things, finding pictures or just addressing whatever mystery that is at the front of her mind that day.
She pisses me off sometimes and I piss her off sometimes but most of the time we laugh a good deal.
My parents have two dogs and a cat and I have a dog.
My mother gets a good deal of pleasure out of the animals as they, through personification, provide a considerable amount of amusing dialogue. They are often sarcastic and even sardonic in their observations of the human world.
It's a good thing we enjoy biting humor. lol
Anyhoo, I do with my mother just as I do with most other people. . . I try to keep them amused, challenged and on their toes.

Answer 2

Just 2 yrs ago, my older brother died from brain injury. He was painting his house and was at the top of the ladder. He lost his footing and fell on the cement causing massive brain injury. His brain was bleeding inside and they couldn't stop it. He went into a coma and died 10 before my b-day. I spoke to him just like he knew I was there, which I know he did know. I told him all about what was going on. When I kissed him on the cheek and told him how much I love him, a tear came from his eye. People should never treat a person like that, as if they don't understand because they do. I miss him so much it still aches. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

No two nor five brain injuries are alike. I have known many brain injured people. Some are wheelchair bound and drooling and then, the moderate ones who you notice that are struggling to get out words although they are ambulatory. And, then, there are some who are gifted. I have seen brain injured people who could tell where an injured person is hurting without asking. This is useful inside a hospital. I have seen brain injured people move objects without touching them using their energy (chi). But whether the person is gifted or wheelchair bound, they all have one drawback. The drawback is prejudice, misunderstanding, lack of empathy, no support, abandonment from other people. That is the real nightmare.

Answer 4

I've never been in this kind of scenario, but if the person just had a brain injury and was not mentally retarded I would talk to them normally.

Answer 5

just try to not be annoying. many cannot express themselves that well or quickly. they may know much more that they say. don't underestimate the possibility of that. it is like Mohamed Ali with his Parkinson's or the actor whatshisname. treat them like they have good sense unless they are vegged out altogether. imagine being locked in your head and unable or, worse yet, afraid to express yourself.