So I was designated "semi-vegetative". I didn't get much of anything other than be kept alive. I always thought it would be different if I was MCS or Minimally Conscious State. I was wrong. They don't get anything either. "Most patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS) are now cared for in long-term nursing facilities, without the benefit of rehabilitation or status-changing treatment." http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070817215750.htm
So I get nothing yet I make progress. How could that be? Am I some sort of miracle? No, just determined. The miracle happened a while ago and that is a different story. There are so many now who suffer from brain injury. I say "suffer" because that is what they do. Sure medicine saved their lives...my life. But now what? The answer has been long-term care; deal with it; it's your problem now.
Fortunate for me (see me sneer) to know how to provide those needed services. Yes, you learn just the basics when you do in-home Early Intervention. You have to. You see so many babies not disabled enough to get more than a special ed teacher. You end up learning so you can give it to them. So here I was with this knowledge, and I could barely move.
So I get nothing yet I make progress. How could that be? Am I some sort of miracle? No, just determined. The miracle happened a while ago and that is a different story. There are so many now who suffer from brain injury. I say "suffer" because that is what they do. Sure medicine saved their lives...my life. But now what? The answer has been long-term care; deal with it; it's your problem now.
Fortunate for me (see me sneer) to know how to provide those needed services. Yes, you learn just the basics when you do in-home Early Intervention. You have to. You see so many babies not disabled enough to get more than a special ed teacher. You end up learning so you can give it to them. So here I was with this knowledge, and I could barely move.
Something else was going on:
Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.
This is from WebMD's site on terminology, http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=40362. I would think any live brain with necessary components would go through this.
So I did little movements. They eventually became bigger-neuroplasticity took care of that.
Wait a minute! What about John Doe with the TBI who gets nothing? Oh come on, I can only do so much. A brain training software program to promote neuroplasticity would greatly help. That should be combined with on-going therapy-speech, OT, and PT.
In the meantime I write it down. I find and give what I can to John Doe. (If you are a Jane or John Doe, then here, http://braininjuryknow.blogspot.com/2010/12/rehab-at-home.html.)
This is from WebMD's site on terminology, http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=40362. I would think any live brain with necessary components would go through this.
So I did little movements. They eventually became bigger-neuroplasticity took care of that.
Wait a minute! What about John Doe with the TBI who gets nothing? Oh come on, I can only do so much. A brain training software program to promote neuroplasticity would greatly help. That should be combined with on-going therapy-speech, OT, and PT.
In the meantime I write it down. I find and give what I can to John Doe. (If you are a Jane or John Doe, then here, http://braininjuryknow.blogspot.com/2010/12/rehab-at-home.html.)
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