Until about 6 months ago, I was entirely unable to be aware of others’ needs or desires. The necessity of relearning all, demanded myopic self-focus. After all, how could I possibly right any of my abundant hardships, without first realizing & then working at bettering them? This capability is slowly returning now, but because all is returning slowly, sympathy is still needed.
My attention, similarly, could & can (lesser so currently) not be be split. Attention was necessarily nearly relegated to myself, in order to further my own progression. This is a well-documented and therefore known (by professionals) hardship of TBI survivors.
Initially, I was concerned, as I previously never fancied myself an overwhelmingly selfish person (and very thankfully, neither did friends & family). Will I stand up and speak my mind when I feel an injustice is being done to myself OR anyone in my vicinity/among those I’m close to? Hell yes! Naturally (when I’m in optimum mental, physical & spiritual health, which pre-TBI, I was) I’m all for a healthy mix of advocating for what u want and/or deserve & helping others to get what they want & deserve as well.
I’ve always been devoted to fairness & equality: show what you are and others will be enabled to act according to their own preferences. I was worried at the forefront of this recovery that I’d permanently changed.
I’ve certainly disregarded others wants & needs, accidentally, due to this severe brain injury, but never intentionally and never knowingly. My kindness has remained, despite my awareness being temporarily relegated to self-serving.
A housemate of mine, who is a nurse, spoke to this stalled retrieval of empathy, as did multiple specializing psychiatrists of mine previously as being expected of TBI survivors. Since they’re all aware of the AMPLE time it takes to regain cognitive skills, they’re enabled to accept that in time it will change & not take my selfish actions personally. They understand that I’m retrieving empathy now & according to them, it’s not in fact late at all. But, as with all else, early.
Though the compliments of my recovery from those that are knowledgeable of TBIs, abound, these people are very few compared to the overall population. The vast majority of our populous are not educated of this injury. The Impatience (which is abounds) of others is not helpful in the slightest, albeit understandable.
I bid adieu to a friend of mine who recognized our inability to currently co-exist peacefully. She addressed this lovingly & with respect (knowingly) which only increased love of & respect for her.