I attended an educational conference once where the speaker spoke on individuals with disabilities and how difficult it can be for them to integrate in society and build community. He then went on to give an example on how acquired disabilities can make the task of building community even more difficult due to the individual remembering how they once interacted in community and how they were accepted in society prior to their acquired disability.

Ambiguous loss is also called “mobile mourning” and “chronic sorrow.” It can affect both the survivor and family member in deep and ongoing ways. Family caregivers may recognize it as that strange feeling that the person who survived the brain injury just is not the same person he/she was before. It’s confusing because you may be grateful that the person lived, but grieve for the person he was before. Ambiguous loss matters because it can make it hard for you to find hope or move on in this “new normal” life.

I hope the information I am providing in this article will be meaningful and helpful to a family or traumatic brain injury survivor with some similar issues as Bill. I remember that when this journey began five years ago, I had a difficult time finding information and direction. We have been able to learn about Assistive Technology and incorporate it into our daily lives.

I began training for my first triathlon in 2008 at age 44, encouraged by my wonderful Pediatric Nurse Practitioner colleagues in Neonatology at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. On May 24, 2008, I began to bike ride 14 miles with my dear friend, Angie Cookman, on a trail in Coralville, Iowa. We came to an area with a large downward and upward hill; we were not speeding and were both wearing helmets. At the bottom of the hill there was a six-foot section of water and mud. I unfortunately hit the muddy area and was thrown 25-30 feet and hit concrete on the right side of my head. The helmet was cracked all the way through on the right side for 1-2 inches. I immediately passed out and started bleeding from my right ear and nose.

The transition from childhood to adolescence is fraught with many physical and emotional changes. It can be a difficult time for the child and parents alike. Most families experience a period of major adjustment to the child’s changing mannerisms, quest for privacy and greater independence. When a child experiences a brain injury, either at a younger age or during this period of transition, it commonly creates many more problems than a child arriving at this age without a brain injury.

A wife describes the mixed emotions of becoming her husband’s caregiver after his traumatic brain injury changed their lives and their family. As Irene Young entered the new world of caregiving, she became responsible for managing his care, providing emotional support, measuring progress in slow steps, and maintaining hope for recovery. As the parent of a young daughter and the spouse of a survivor of brain injury, she learned the importance of changing expectations, setting goals, finding time, and finding a balance.

Grieving is a deep sadness that we try to avoid, it is an anguish in your heart that words really can’t touch or describe. But, I know from experience that grieving is necessary and must be embraced when there has been a loss in your life.

Case managers and attorneys working together can help persons with brain injury The relationship between case managers and attorneys show the benefits of using case management in a personal injury claim, such as a traumatic or acquired brain injury or some other catastrophic condition. It explains the role of case managers in hospitals, insurance companies, rehabilitation programs, and legal practice. Case managers act as liaisons, advocates, and negotiators to assist in life care planning.

A life care plan after a traumatic brain injury identifies needs, resources, services and supports necessary for an individual’s physical health and emotional well being. Case managers specialize in implementing life care plans by working with medical and rehabilitation staff, attorneys, service providers, insurance companies, community agencies, and federal and state programs to identify, negotiate and coordinate services. Case managers are a critical link for the child or adult who has been injured as well as the family.

Symptoms ranging from mild anxiety to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being seen in veterans. Depression, alcohol abuse, anger, and difficulty concentrating have been reported by returning troops from Iraq. Seeking mental health treatment carries a negative stigma that results in many veterans and service members denying symptoms, avoiding comrades, and delaying treatment. Stereotypes about mental illness and barriers to mental health counseling make it even more difficult for service members and veterans to seek support and obtain treatment in the military culture.