Raisn' hope for survivors of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury
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David Vied
- Male
- Santa Clarita, CA
- United States
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Profile Information
- What is your relationship with Traumatic Brain Injury?
- Spouse
- Since about when has TBI affected your life?
- August 31, 2008
- What Hope are you looking for on this site?
- assitance with dealing with issues around TBI - and my wife's goals for cycling and triathlon
- How did you learn about the Raisin Hope Foundation?
- webs search
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Thank you for writing. It is a slow recovery, but as you know, it does get better. Saul is 3.5 years out and I am still seeing progress. I am glad to hear Johanne is doing well. I think exercise is great theropy. Give her a hug from me.
Jim
Like Johanne, I am an endurance atlete. Also, like Jo, I am the survivor of a TBI (August 2008). My injury occurred while I was training for a 24-hour MTB race I was planning to do in September 2008.
Briefly, I was clipped by a vehicle as I rode between trails. I was on a Class 2 bike lane. I laid unconscious for three days in the Neurological ICU department at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana (yes, we are almost neighbors) while my wife and family sat helplessly at my side, wondering if I would ever walk or talk again.
Once I awoke and was evaluated, I was told by the doctors to expect a "full" recovery, although I still do not know what "full" means. I returned to work in February and started riding again in December. My technical MTB riding skills are still weak. I spent hours on the trainer so my fitness is coming around. I am working on my endurance and stamina and can now ride 60-70 miles on the road. I plan to do the Solvang Century in a few weeks with some friends. Clearly, I do not expect to do a sub 5-hour century. Finishing will be its own reward.
As the caregiver, you are experiencing something that truly tests both of you. As tough as it is for her, I can now see how tough it can be on the loved ones closest to the survivor. It was extremely difficult for my wife and for my family to see the active person that they loved eperiencing the challenges of a TBI.
I know I was a major pain in the butt as I went through the various stages: depression, dependence, lack of inhibitions, fear, self doubt, fatigue, emotional outbursts, financial woes.
If you have a local support group, look into it. We attended some meetings of two OC groups. Very quickly I realized how fortunate I was. Many of the survivors I met were much more seriously, and permanently, affected by their TBI than I was.
The brain is an amazing thing. It can heal itself if given the right opportunity and the right stimuli. I feel so much better after a hard workout. I still have my good and not-so-good days, but the good days finally outnumber the bad ones.
Be there for her. Listen to her. Accept her mood swings. Look for the things that she can still do and marvel in them. Recognize and acknowledge her condition, but never, never never, treat her differently or infer that she can no longer think through a problem or that she has any cognitive challenges. It ticks me off when my family treats me as though I do not or cannot understand something. While it may take me a few milliseconds longer to digest a problem and recommend a course of action, I am still a better problem-solver than many of my contemporaries. My profession? I am a consultant. My clients do not recognize any diffeence in my abilities.
Feel free to drop me a line at any time.
All the best for you and Jo.
Randy
It is good to hear Johanne is doing so well. You asked a tough question and I will try to answer it. It was/is the hardest thing I have ever done as a parent, letting go the second time. I have been on nerve pills which helped, but off of them now. I think, for me, thinking about where Saul would have been today, if not allowed to do what he loves, would have been much worst. His desire to race, in my opinion, is a huge factor in his great recovery. I do not remember the part in the book that the doctor said no add’injury risk than from before the injury. I think he was referring to the fact that Saul would survive the hit like some one without a brain injury. He still would have damage on top of damage which could be bad. The doctor did not know because he couldn’t predict a second injury and if there were an injury, how bad and where it would be. You are correct; opinions do differ in the outcome of a second injury. For this reason, Saul decided to do triathlons and not push his luck riding in a peloton, which are extremely dangerous. Once a person kills brain cells, they will never completely be 100%. It is not possible. This is not to say they want get better, just not 100%. Saul decided damage on top of damage wasn’t worth the risk. In my opinion, you should watch Johanne like a hawk. If she is doing some thing dangerously it is your job to teach her. I did this with Saul and even had others watching him. I would have to be very cautious in letting her ride in a pace line. Bottom line, go slowly and carefully. I hope this helped and please feel free to write or call any time. I hope you enjoy the jerseys and I will wait for the pictures. Jim 706-218-3338
I'm curious how Jo is recovering? How have you been through it all?
How is your wife doing?
I am ordering more jerseys. It will take about 12 weeks before they arrive. When they do, I will post them on the web site and information on how you can get one.
Thanks,
Jim Delete Comment
I am having a few jerseys made for the Raisin Hope Ride weekend. If they sell, I will have more made and then put them on the web site.
Jim
My name is Ted. I am a TBI survivor. My injuries came from a cycling accident as well. I hope your wife can get back to riding if she feels comfortable with the idea. I have been fortunate enough to be able to return to riding and I'd like to offer support to both of you in her ongoing recovery. If/WHEN the days comes that she feels like she's ready to get back on a bike, make the re-entry into the sport slow and easy. I look forward to hearing about your family's road through recovery. Work hard and always keep looking forward and your chins up.