Parade of Life after TBI

I Love Parades

By Gwendolyn Gibbons

Life after traumatic brain injury

I’m one of the lucky survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI). I am visually impaired in my right eye, have a few memory problems I guess, but I still have full use of my extremities. I can perform most household tasks with minimal guidance, and still enjoy many of the things I did when I was young, like going to parades.

I’m still living with my 77 year old Mother, and have the majority of my life. It’s a good thing, we have fun together, because in 1973 I was involved in a car accident, and needed her even more. I was only 22 years old then. I was working as a secretary in the records department of a local hospital, and was headed to classes at the business school I was attending when the accident happened. It was raining out, and the roads were slick. It was definitely not a day for a parade, but my life’s little parade made a sudden turn that day, one that wasn’t much fun. Luckily I was the only participant that day, so no one else was injured. The accident left me with a head injury, lots of broken bones, and an injured right eye, an eye that all these years later, still only provides a foggy vision.

Living a new life as survivor of a brain injury

But I was young. I had things to do. Since when has a broken bone stopped a young person? I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but I do know that once I woke up I was determined to get back to walking on my own as fast as I could. I couldn’t drive anymore, but I could sure walk to get where I needed to go, and I did.

I’m sure like most brain injury survivors there are periods of time I’ve forgotten, but I seem to be able to remember recent events, and luckily a lot of memories of my childhood are still there. Special times and events I always looked forward to, as well as memories of things most young women enjoyed doing. Memories of the “parades” in my life are still there.

Memory is still there after my brain injury

Perhaps one of my most precious memories is of those I spent on my Grandfather’s farm in Emporia, Virginia. I spent 16 summers of my life going there to help pick cotton and corn. They were summers that gave me a chance to spend time with my mother’s siblings, being spoiled and encouraged at the same time. I was encouraged to set goals for myself. They wanted me to do more with my life than they had with theirs. I was trying to do just that when my accident occurred.

My mother has grown comfortable over the years with my disability, and has no problem leaving me home alone while she goes out with friends sight-seeing at night, or hitting yard sales looking for bargains during the day. While she is out I’m busy doing chores around the house, thumbing through fashion magazines, or checking out the sale ads like I did when I was younger. When she is home, we enjoy watching Fashion Shows on TV, or the station showing homes for sale in the area. Come to think of it, we’ve both always enjoyed shopping, so it’s a good thing she can still drive, because I can’t anymore. She takes me anywhere I need or want to go, like to the 4th of July Parade here in my hometown of Hampton, Virginia.

I’ve always loved seeing the people along the streets, watching the bands and floats go by, hearing the squeals of the children, and hearing how people applaud the effort others have put in to help us enjoy it. I still enjoy going to movies too. I may not remember the entire thing, but who cares. I had fun. I’m still young inside, and I plan to remain that way.

Meeting other survivors

As you know by now, my mother does the driving for me. Several months ago she began to drive me somewhere special twice a week. She drives me to a Clubhouse where I can interact with other brain injury survivors. I’m a member of the Kitchen/ Maintenance Unit there. I’m still performing household chores, but I’m learning more about how to multi-task and work with others to complete a job. If I have a question there is someone there to ask. I participate in the Meals on Wheels program in the local area with other members, and I’m doing things I never thought I would do again. I’m having fun and enjoying the parade of a lifetime. I’m part of this parade.

Denbigh House is located in Virginia.

Denbigh House, located in Virginia, is a clubhouse for people with brain injuries. You may contact them via email at denbighhouse@gmail.com