You were so lucky. Our son still cannot talk, walk or care for himself after eight years. He too made a bad decision. Read our book Raising Mario Twice."

Sep 15th, 2010 12:26am

My 19 year old son was in a car accident in Sept 2009. He was one of four that were all intoxicated. He was in the back seat, was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown out of the car after driver hit a tree. They then put him back in the car and left the scene to the girls mother's house. There they called 911. I am still unclear if the time frame from the transfers, etc. effected my son's outcome. He, like you, had a severe head injury. He had the same surgery to remove the front of his skull to release pressure. He lives with me and his father. I stay at home now with him because he cannot drive, he cannot work, he has anger outbursts and irractic behavior constantly. We love him so much and are so blessed that God spared his life. We are now trying to figure out what would be the best help for him. He went through the ICU, then rehab where he learned to swallow, eat soft foods, then solid, learned to talk again, sit up and then walk. We were released from rehab because our insurance company said we maxed out on that portion. He had to come home, still not walking steady, wearing adult diapers, etc. He is just now getting in the shower, but he does not wash real well and will not wash his hair. We have to coax him and sometimes force him into a the bath tub with his swim trunks on to forcefully wash his hair. He has a great fear of his head injuries and we do not blame him. He is very angry with us as we are doing it, but afterwards is quite relieved that his hair is clean. He still has a lot of build up in his hair and some scabbing because of not cleaning it as often as it needs to be done. I very much appreciate your video. It is nice that you can remember things and understand it all. Our son does not really grasp the situation or the severity. He doesn't really get the mistake he made by getting into a vehicle with an intoxicated driver and being intoxicated himself. His friends and girlfriend are no longer around. Most of his friends smoke pot on a regular basis and this tragedy has not changed that fact. I just thought I would share what we are going through and that you are not alone. We are hopeful and pray that our son will continue to improve mentally. His lost vision in his left eye, but seems to be coping with that real well. God bless you and everyone in your family.

Sep 9th, 2010 9:23am

this has helped me because im 14,and was in a 5 car pile on on the motoway,its damaged me in such a way that i cant sleep at all and paranoied about everything,i know im not alone and im having help! :D x

Aug 12th, 2010 7:50am

Keep working hard, it will pay off. My daughter Rachael suffered a severe TBI and she is doing much better. She walks (2 broken legs & hip) and will be graduating in May 2009 with Associates Degree. She spent numerous hours in speech therapy and participates in AA meetings. She really doesn't haven't many friends, all her old friends left. But she reads alot, whereas she never did before. She too was drunk when she was hit by a car and spent the same length of time in the hospital as you, but then spent 5 months in a rehab hospital. Don't give up hope, work hard, and educate yourself about TBI. She hasn't gotten back to driving just yet, but it will be in her near future. She hopes to continue her education and get her BA. She is helpful at home and is kind. God Bless You and keep up the good work.

Jan 17th, 2010 6:34pm

God Bless you for doing this video. My daughter Renee made a bad decision too, hers was drugs. Her injury was in 2000. She was without a pulse and clinical dead upon the EMT arrival. She lives with the consequences everyday and does not hesitate to tell people what she did so that she can get a message across. I can say that time is such a healer with a brain injury. We would never had expected she would come so far in this journey. We live in N.C. and my daughter attends a non-hospital affiliated program called Hindsfeet Farm, in Huntersville, N.C. You are a young man with a wonderful future ahead, please remember that everyday that it is hard. I am not a religious zealot but I am a faithful person and know that you are here for a reason, as is my daughter. Thank you for telling your story, it WILL make a difference.

Jan 17th, 2010 3:19pm

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I am touched and awakened by your message. My 13 year old son is healing from a severe TBI. He works very hard every day, just like you, and his frustration is the same. Your video let him know that he is not alone in this struggle. Thank you.

Jan 14th, 2010 10:37pm