Who is always to blame but someone that’s brain injured.  Who is believed?  It’s not the one who survived brain injury.  Those who survive TBI, strokes, multiple other brain dysfunctions, and chronic illness are the best at compensating.  They do so well, and because of this even more difficult to identify “invisible injuries or illness”.  

It’s not what you say. It’s what you do most often.

When we see others struggling with simple problems we step back and observe.  One’s spouse constantly finds the need to tell others “she has a brain injury”.   One’s feelings are “it’s not necessary to say anything unless struggling with something obvious to others; and only to educate and have patience”.

As the spouse and oneself transfers titles of vehicles and get new license plates you fill out the forms without question.  Unfortunately, the spouse struggles with filling out same paperwork, doesn’t understand verbal instructions, is distracted by environmental stimuli, and needs constant instructions from the cashier and secretary.

Employees at the license bureau look at you and ask “Who is the one with brain injury?”  You just smile back and light heartedly knew others could enter your world for just one moment and observe what you do on a daily basis.

It’s incredible what survivors must do to overall all their shortcomings, yet others seem to focus on losses instead of gains.

An optimist recovers everything possible albeit not always quickly while a pessimist spends too much time focusing on “negatives”.  No wonder others don’t understand brain injury … Smile, laugh, love, and educate.  “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.”

What situation were you in, that seemed like others needed much more assistance including your own help?  How did you handle it?