The first few years (It’s documented as 2, but for me, it was 5, given the extreme severity of my brain injury) was indeed when the most basic relearning existed. Tasks considered basic include walking short distances, talking, serving myself food, tracking amidst brief conversations…(and so much more). Now, nearly 7 years after departure from my final hospital, I am working to reclaim much more mentally complex tasks. Namely, the focus of mine currently, is dedicated to hand writing.
Recently, I was briefly discouraged as some one in my life, who works in the medical industry, stated that total progression is complete after 5 years, for every survivor, myself included. I surpassed this mark 2 years ago. I was told by my neurologists, upon exiting my final hospital, however, that the bulk of my personal healing was to be expected in the first 10 years after my release, though not nearly all. My shoddy memory, prevented me from promptly accessing this information, which I originally gleaned 7 years ago.
With time, I was able to put this woman’s stated beliefs into perspective and I’m now compelled to offer my audience full & valid information. Besides informative for my readers, personally, everyone wants to be known for who they are & I’m no acceptation! I have a relatively new (compared to the whole of my existence thus far) blockade in front of me, that encourages others to judge me based on general assumptions, while not considering my being, as an individual or the continued progress which is inherent in this recovery.
I recently read this reiteration of my doctors’ original stance:
“The vast majority of recovery after traumatic brain injury takes place in the two years after injury;… In some patients further improvement is seen even as late as 5-10 years after injury.” – National Institute of Health
I did accomplish the fundamentals, within this time frame, so much so that I only lived with my parent’s for 1.5 years (remarkably slight, comparatively). The 2 following years I received advice as well as rides to therapy…That was nearly 9.5 years ago & I’ve been living & recovering (independence has progressed with time) for the aforementioned, 9.5 years nearly.
The National Institute of Health’s statement doesn’t put an end-date on full recovery, because there isn’t one.
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Now, after nearly 12 years of recovery – I am presently & will be for the rest of life, recovering further! I’m presently progressing in aspects that are more apparent to me, as the regained skills emulate those of my life directly pre-TBI. The fundamentals were necessary but accomplishment felt a bit hollow: I should know extremely well how to accomplish this! I’d initially gained these skills as a tot (walking talking, serving myself food)…
I’ll reiterate, recent research done of survivors 20 & 30 years out from their traumatic brain injury incurrence, illuminates that skills progress lifelong, as long as a survivor continues to utilize their brain. This stance was verified by my specialized neurological case worker long ago. This study reiterates this, long after her statement. This study & the resulting knowledge, however, is relatively recent. She already knew of this truth, do to observing survivors intimately for many years.
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Last weekend, for instance, my dad & his lovely partner whom I went on a few day boat trip with, re-affirmed my current & continual progression (citing evidence backed by present examples ((the only type of evidence which I consider valid, in any circumstance))) that supports NationalInstitute of Public Health’s stance.
Neighbors in Bellingham & friends of mine, the world over, have noted my current (after nearly 7 years have passed, since my release) progression as well – in a variety of arenas. Last night I spoke with my good friend Bea. (who I became close friends w/ 8 years ago, in SF, that currently resides in & is newly a citizen of Switzerland!) She articulated that my continued progression is clear to her, solely through comparisons of my writings from different months and years.
It’s nearly impossible to offer a generally expected time-frame of recovery, for all survivors of TBIs. Brains are the most complex aspects of the human body & spirit. The brain of each individual is remarkably unique. Brain injuries too come in a wide variety of severities, as well as forms (varying parts of the brain, & therefore skills, impacted).
Yet another example of each individual’s uniqueness.