support Archives

Needing A Break: Understand What You Need

When there is so much going on globally, taking a break from doing things you love is necessary and okay. Everyone needs a break at times.

It has been a while since I posted. I guess without knowing it, I needed a break. When you have a brain injury, it is important to know your limits.
This has been a tough year for everyone. A lot is going on in the world, and our lives all look different.

I ended up needing to take a break from writing this blog. The thing about needing a break, sometimes you do not even know you need it.

I never thought to myself, ‘okay, I need to focus on other things right now.’ This just got pushed to the back of my mind and while I am bummed, I must have needed it.

Sometimes, with a brain injury, you need to slow down for a bit. It isn’t easy to know when you need to step back.

I knew because I didn’t take the time to write and create posts. Another way you can know is that you lack motivation for something that you are passionate about.

If your activity was fun and gave your life meaning, but now it is work and a growling task, you may need to step back for a bit.

There is no shame in taking time for yourself, as it allows you to recharge and decide what you truly want to return to what you are taking a break from.

There is no set length of time of how long this break should be. I have run into issues of people not understanding why you need to are taking a break.

I have made so much improvement that people forget that I am carrying an injured brain, but I try to remember that it is not their fault.

Helping Others Understand Taking a Break

People who do not live with a brain injury get tired, but I believe that they also get tired and need time. It just may be less frequent and take less time.

Neither is better than the other. There needs to be an understanding between everyone to allow each other the time to rest and recharge.

I would try to communicate with my family members and friends. Let them know what you need and how they can support you in it.

If you are new here, welcome. If you would would like to learn more about me and what my story is, click here.

News that the injury happened

Support is vital to the healing system. A brain injury is new to their life and need to work on accepting what happened.

No matter when you get your brain injury, someone is going to give you the news that you sustained a brain injury. Whether it is the doctor or family when you wake up or if it is your parents when you are of the right age.

The news is difficult to hear, and I could imagine it tough to give. It is a life-changing event, and people handle rough news in different ways.

I think that the best thing people can do when they break the news to them is just giving it time. The person just heard something tragic about what happened to them.

It will take some time to accept it. There are days where I have not accepted it, and I have had my injury for 24 years. I have known about it for probably 16 years but still.

Taking the News in

As the person telling them, let them come to you with questions. The sheer fact they found out they have a brain injury is overwhelming enough.

They will ask more questions about the event when they are ready. Some may be ready to ask questions right away and others it may take a few days to begin to wonder.

If it is you who has received the news, allow yourself to take it in. It is a lot to hear. When you are ready questions will come, and you can begin to understand what happened and what it means for your future.

There are still things I am learning about my brain injury. After one has come to terms with the event, they may start thinking towards the future.

Thinking about the future is a good sign, I believe. This may involve talks about therapy and ways to get back to their best life.

This is not a subject to push on. Let the person who gets the news come to you.

Please read my story to further understand why I started this blog.

Support System: They are Important and Valued

A support system is everything. They are cheerleaders, shoulder to cry on and warriors when needed. They are there to make life easier.

The recovery of a brain injury can be a lonely one. Having a good support system with you is essential. Your people can have various roles they play. They can be a shoulder to cry on, aid in performing exercises or taking you to appointments. Whatever you need, it is crucial that you at least have someone in your corner.

I got lucky with my support system. My two most prominent supporters are my mom and dad. They were always willing to give me what I needed and supported me in what I wanted to do. They gave me shoulder to cry on when life seemed hopeless and they were always my largest cheerleaders. If I wanted to try something they made it happen. There was one time when I was younger where they let me go to physical therapy just because I wanted to stand on one foot.

Support System: Choice

What I find most amazing about my parents is that they didn’t expect to raise a child like me. They made the choice to be my support system and that they would stick with me and give me the best life I could live. I would not be where I am or who I am today without their support. I guarantee that it was difficult at times, but they were still there when I needed them.

No one ever chooses to have their loved one suffer a brain injury but how they want to react will make all the difference. It is not a comfortable situation to be in. My doctors were preparing my parents for me not to be able to live on my own or walk. I can not imagine what was going through their head. But they never once walked away from me. A support system can make or break your recovery. Surrounding yourself with warm and understanding people is essential. People who will be willing to fight for your best interest even when you can’t.

In case you missed it, here is my story and why I am writing this blog.