Positive View of Traumatic Brain Injury
July 29th, 2009 |
Categories: Adjustment |
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Notes and Ideas
By Terry Morgan
Finding the positive in brain injury
Anyone who can see the positive side has paid a price to see it.
This is how I arrived at the word price. When I was 38 years old I was on top of my game. A youth Pastor of one the largest most active and respected groups in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were known throughout the states and in many parts of the world. The ministry was good, times were good, and in fact I felt like a million dollars.
Brain injury changes everything
Then on May 19th 1995 it all changed. While on a mission trip to Brazil, I fell 20 feet head first. Among many other injuries, I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. From feeling like a million dollars to having no feeling at all. From a million dollars to worthless. It has taken me 14 years and many experiences to where I am today. Which being is a survivor who now can see the positive side of TBI.
The price you have paid maybe higher than mine. For that reason, I don’t expect you to view TBI the way I do. Please allow me to share how after 14 years I have gotten my worth back.
Hypothetically my life was worth before the accident $1,000,000. To get my worth back, I have put some prices on things I consider the positive side of TBI.
- More time with family – Priceless
- Partially restored physical health – Priceless
- Partially restored mental health – Priceless
- Percentage of hearing restored – Priceless
- Percentage of tastes restored – Priceless
- Percentage of memory restored – Priceless
- Belief in people because of their response to offer help – $50,000
- Spiritual side of life increased – Priceless
- Confidence to do things again – $250,000
- Empathy for people increased – $25,000
- Sympathy for others increased – $25,000
- Love and understanding has increased tremendously – $50,000
- Aware of how much self worth is worth – $150,000
- Self worth comes from within not for something you can do – $150,000
- Real identity comes from who you are on the inside – $175,000
- Living within boundaries – $25,000
- Knowing we have limits – Priceless
- Being ok with who you are now and not what you were – Priceless
- Realizing your mental state might have changed but you are still priceless – Priceless
- Understanding you can start over building a life without some of the baggage you had before – $50,000
Priceless!
I can see now things are worth much more than before. Some things are priceless and others add up to worth I had before.
The prices I gave certain items are much too low. For illustration purposes, I gave them an amount. I’m a much richer man because of my TBI.
It is my opinion that when we look at life from our heart and not circumstances we all can be wealthy. No one can take away that away from you. It is my prayer your life will be worth more than you ever imagine. Walk with your head up and know you are PRICELESS.
I was honored to be a speaker at the BIAOH in Columbus OH.
I learned so much from the survivors who were there. Here are just a few things.
1. Everyone has a story about their life and most want to share.
2. If they have a chance to share most will. Some will, even if they need to interrupt the speaker (whomever it might be) to do so.
3. We should listen but keep order. For everyone else’s sake.
4. There are some suviviors that there is no way to come up with the price, they have had to pay.
5. Whatever the price, there is something to learn and gain. So therefore it can be positive.
6. Everyone there was priceless.
7. We must help each other like, it is a life and death matter. Which it really is.
8. If I can help someone and don’t. Then I should feel the responsiblne for making matters worse.
9. If I do help someone, then I should feel satisfaction. Just as an act of passing good on.
10. Even those who don’t talk want to be listened to.
11. Like those who do speak, it is what we don’t say that matters the most sometimes.
12. Name tags are a great only when you pay attition to them. It answers many questions without asking.
13. I think it is an open door to the person if you try the right approach to walk in.
14. When you say hello and read their name. Read it with passion and walk into their life and spend some time with them.
15. If you are not willing to walk into the door of there heart. Dont ask how they are doing.
These are just a few things I learned as peggy, my co-worker, and I were sharing the POSITIVE VIEW OF TBI. We had a wonderful response. That greatest comment was, thanking us for giving them self worth. I shared my story of losing it all and how I gained it back, by believing in myself. It is my hope and prayer that you to can see beyond the past and see your worth at this time. Please let me know if I can help you.
Terry – Fabulous article of hope and encouragement! Can’t wait to read more from you! God Bless! Tonya
Hello Bob,
Thanks for your words of encourgement and being a friend.
Sincerely
Terry
Please know I’m in this with you. The pain you feel is normal. We can’t help it, we are human.
I would like to suggest a simple thing that might help.
Its called a “Bucket of Love”.
1. Get a small bucket. One that you might use for a candle. No bigger than a quart size.
2. Paint it and take pride in the way it looks.
3. Write things on slips of paper. Nice card stock. Brite colors.
4. Write positive thougts. Past progress your son has made. Events of the past that can give you hope for the future. Times that God has helped you through. People that care. Small things that has helped you, etc.
5.Write single words like. LOVE-HOPE-MIRACLE-BELIEVE-TRUST- ITS OK-CARE-HAPPINESS-BREATH-ALIVE-JOY-BEAUTY-NATURE-PERSEVERENCE-OPPORTUNITY-COMMITMENT-FAITH-WIN-ACCOMPLISHED-TIME-CONQUER-CONTINUE-ACCOMPLISH-I CAN-GIFTS-HELP-KNOWING-SUNSHINE-RAIN-RAINBOWS-BLESSINGS-FRIENDS-FAMILY-WARMTH-EFFORT-ACTION-YES-TOGETHER-ETC.
When you need some encourgement go to the bucket and pick one out of the bucket. Allow God to use the bucket along with His other promise to help you.
There is a lot of things God can do for you. But there is also something he cant do. He can’t forget about you. Isaiah 49:15
Terry,
You are a special kind of persom with a great “PMA” Positive Mental Attitude> Keep up the good work.
Your Friend… Bob
Hello Priceless,
Thank you so much for sharing your heart. I have a 19 year old son who suffered a TBI 4 years ago. Our car was hit by an 18 wheeler as we crossed a 4 lane road. The 18 wheeler hit with full impact. We have seen God perform a miracle by having our son even be alive. We just received a doctor’s assesment that told us how we need to be prepared for the future. It was a shock and brought back all the pain of the first shock when we were hit. Thank you for bringing me back to a place of hope again as I read your article. Blessings, Denise