Guest Blog: Gail Waitkun on Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

Brain health is a critical piece of your overall health. The brain is arguably the most important organ in your body. A healthy brain enables us to live a fulfilled life. When it is compromised, it may lead to life-changing and debilitating health problems.  I have invited Gail Waitkun to share some of her perspectives on brain health and recovery. She experienced over a dozen head injuries and as a result has developed strategies to help others. 

—TESS

 

Surpassing Former Abilities After TBI

“At a minimum, TBI can be defined as a complex pathophysiological disruption of nervous system function from trauma to any part of the brain by a direct or indirect (i.e., whiplash) impulsive force.”

Although TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) is often defined by events creating physical damage to the brain or body generated from a sudden jolt or bump to the head, it may also be the result of psychological trauma. PTSD is also a form of a brain injury and may be regarded as TBI. When you combine the two, a physical event with a psychological trauma, it forms a perfect storm for the expression of many unfortunate symptoms. Most are not easily observed by others. This is the reason why TBI is often referred to as an “invisible injury.”

 

What Do I Know?

Growing up I had the experience of bumping my head on many occasions. Throughout my life I engaged in many activities, many which resulted in concussions. One of the most memorable was the time I was sent over the handlebars of my new “English” bicycle, after applying the hand brakes too suddenly. I catapulted over the handlebars and onto the rock that I had been trying to avoid. I was unconscious for three hours and then relegated to a darkened bedroom to recover for an entire summer. There were many other times I hit my head. As a four-year-old I had stitches after walking into the shovel while my father was shoveling loam. That sting I still remember.

My most recent head injury was a seemingly innocuous event, a whiplash created by a little “fender-bender” which I was able to drive myself away from.  Later I was in the hospital as multiple head injuries over a lifetime create a compounding negative effect. Over the course of time, I began to not feel myself and went to the hospital where I was diagnosed with a moderate concussion. It turned out there was not much “moderate” about it.

I was gifted with all the symptoms that a TBI may bring. Headache, dizziness, peripheral vision problems, sleep disturbance, loss of taste and smell, weight gain, general confusion trying to navigate daily events, a newly acquired stutter and an inability to access once familiar vocabulary. My personality changed and I became withdrawn and quick to anger. I was not myself in many ways and I was trouble.

 

Seeking Inspiration

When a former competitive spirit is challenged, it is not uncommon that that individual’s past experiences and memories will allow them to rise to prove themselves. Muscle memory is powerful. I received my inspiration from people, experiences, and memories. The primary push came from my doctor who one day said to me;” you know you’re 60 years old and you may not get much better.” I went home and told myself, “That was not going to be my story.”

I began to research and reach out to those who I hoped might have the answers. It took five years, but I am proud to say that I am well on my way back and will surpass my former abilities. That is my intention.

Initially, things moved slowly as I had significant cognitive challenges. I had difficulty organizing my thoughts. That was one major obstacle. I found that in order to lift my spirits every day I needed to find inspiration. I used the world of quotes. I used nature and my camera. I embraced my solitude and allowed the ideas to come to me. Every day I found something to photograph and then, the self-imposed assignment was to find a quote that “matched” my image. It was something that I could share and use to inspire others.

 

Advice From a TBI Thriver

If you have experienced TBI or know someone who has, ask permission to ask them a question and please make sure that you are actually asking a question. A concussed individual is already feeling out of control and does not like being told what to do or think. Do not assume you know what they are feeling. You might say something like: “I can imagine you are having some challenges. TBI is not easy. I have read about that.  How are you doing?”  Then, listen.

After beginning your conversation with this approach indicating empathy, patience, and acknowledgment you might follow with one of the following: What is it that you are having the most difficulty with? What do you need help with? May I help you with that?

A person with a TBI is already frustrated with their new self-perceived inadequacies. It can be frightening. When you kindly approach and ask permission as opposed to immediately taking charge with a statement or assumption, you will create an opportunity to have an easy going, non-threatening dialogue.

This will help the brain injured to relax so they are able to identify and most importantly share the most important things that immediately need to be addressed.  This can help relieve stress. Human connectivity is very important. You can make a huge difference just by being willing to listen.

 

What I Wish I Had Done Differently

There are few, if any, “do-overs” in life.  Knowing now what I went through I wish that I had had the courage to ask a lot more questions sooner. I lived alone, so there was no-one to observe, listen to me or help.  Everyone needs to be asking questions. The person with the injury needs to inform others of their specific difficulties. I was not doing this. This is hard as sometimes the words and thoughts are not immediately accessible.  I stuttered. I became very self-conscious and the more stressed I became, the harder it was to communicate. This is where the idea for the Concussion Conversation Starter was born.  The workbook fits all learning styles. It invites easy, safe dialogue. It offers word banks to help jog the mind.  Being understood is very important for all of us, but for the one with the TBI it can make a big difference for a smooth and stress-free recovery.

 

All Is Not Lost

“We used to previously think that the brain is plastic only during childhood and once you reach adulthood, the brain is hardwired, and no new changes can be made to it. However, we now know that even the adult brain can be modified and reorganized depending on what new information it is learning.”

Ask lots of questions and connect with others who know. New information is emerging every day offering new diagnostic tools and treatments.  Find people who specialize in TBI recovery. Telemedicine enables us to connect with solutions no matter where we live. Five years after my accident I found an amazing neurologist who was hundreds of miles away. I was able to be evaluated by him using my computer.

I would like you to know that I would not change a thing. A brain injury brings a new way of looking at the world and seeing possibilities. If you know someone who is struggling with this injury, let them know that the brain’s neuroplasticity is unrelenting. With commitment and hard work, it is possible to recover. I know, I did just that and more.

 

About the author:

Gail Waitkun is an Author, Artist, Educator, Speaker and TBI Expert. She has written Heal Your TBI,  Heal Their TBI and most recently  the Concussion Conversation Starter. 

Resources:

(10) Neural Eng. 18 (2021) 041006 https: //doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ac1982
https://constanttherapyhealth.com/brainwire/brain-plasticity-is-the-key-to-recovery-after-brain-injury-or-stroke