“One-third of people (Covid survivors) show such a profound degree of cognitive impairment that performance on neuropsychological testing is comparable to those with moderate traumatic brain injury” – Harvard Medical School
When first reading this truth, I was extremely alarmed. I’m personally well aware of the commitment and vigilance necessary to heal from a Traumatic Brain Injury. I am speaking knowingly, however, from my personal experience, after incurring a severe TBI. In fact, there are very few of us Severe TBI survivors, that are reclaiming and furthering our skill sets. It requires, what feels like super-human strength of will & patience to persevere.
I am in no way saying that survivors of Covid have an easy recovery, however. Absolutely not. Like all other injuries to the brain, the results and the recovery are entirely unique to each individual. With more time, we will witness just how Covid19 survivors reclaim & further their lives.
“In daily life, such cognitive effects on memory, attention, and executive function can lead to difficulties managing medications, managing finances, comprehending written materials, and even carrying on conversations with friends and family…
Sometimes the neurological manifestations can be devastating and can even lead to death” – New York Times
This all rings true for me. Upon admittance to the first hospital, my parents were warned by my docs. that I could likely perish. Once I was taken off of life support (28 days later), my parents were then warned that l may retain the trials I had in the hospital (synonymous with the trials likely for Covid19 survivors, listed above) lifelong. My perseverance has, and does continue to fight back! resultantly, making this foreseen possibility entirely untrue.
Let’s hope the same is true for *some* Covid19 survivors, as it has been true for *some* Severe TBI survivors. Covid19 survivors, I believe in your strength. From 1 survivor of a near death experience to aonther, persistence and alterations to how you practice tasks, may serve you, as it has & does me. I’ll never disregard what my psychiatrist advises: practice, practice, practice
An example of an alteration that I’m practicing at this moment: I’m typing normally (with the pads of my fingers) with my left hand and assisting by placing either the tips or the front of my nails on the appropriate keys with my right hand (the hand that was paralyzed & still doesn’t follow my brains instructions precisely). That’s the only capability available to me, currently. When there’s a will, there’s a way!
I can finally believe (through personal proof) that in time, the pads of my right hand’s fingers will press upon the keys!