Today I want to introduce you to a high achiever who whilst studying to be a Physicians assistant was struck by a car and sustained a serious brain injury. However, she won’t let this stop her from realising her goals and has some valuable advice for others in this situation:
It was just your average Saturday night for me. At the time, I was a second-year physician assistant student in my second clinical rotation (psych/behavioral health, funny isn’t it?). I had been out on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale with some friends, just blowing off some steam from the week. While crossing the street to get to my roommate’s car to go home, we were both struck by another vehicle. It’s nothing short of a miracle that we both survived. And that’s not an exaggeration.
I was in the hospital for about two months. I’d suffered an open break to my humerus, a broken mandible, broken orbital bone, and last but not least, a severe traumatic brain injury. I don’t remember anything from around that time, but I’m told I was kept in a coma for three weeks. My Glasgow Coma Score was just 3. Not a very good prognostic factor. Many of my friends from PA school told me they didn’t think I would make it. Luckily, I managed to prove everyone wrong!
Before all of this happened, I was at a very high cognitive level. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a major in exercise science and a minor in dance with something like a 3.8 GPA, I think. From then, I moved on to Barry University’s physician assistant program. Just getting accepted to any physician assistant program is no easy task. For those who have no idea what a physician assistant is, think the majority of medical school but in half the time. Thankfully, Barry University will take me back!
Still striving for life’s goals.
I’ve been trying to study for the day when I finally return, and it has been unbelievably frustrating. I feel so dumb, knowing that at one point in time my brain could handle all of this information, no problem. I knew all of the medical material very well before the accident, but I’m still waiting for it all to come back. A friend of mine sent me a Ted Talk video the other day that I found really helpful. Instead of trying to tackle things like neuroanatomy or pathophysiology all at once, start by breaking it up into really small, unbelievably tiny tasks. Rather than trying to go through an entire lecture, just make it through one PowerPoint slide. And then try to read it again before moving on. I know I’m not the only brain injury survivor who struggles with memory!
I’m starting to realize just how important it is to celebrate the smallest victories. Like yesterday, I was able to make it through 20 minutes of a three-hour lecture I was watching! The old me would never have thought was something to be proud of, but it’s a very big deal to me now. It’s absolutely essential to be able to see the positives in every situation. Yes, I got hit by a car and got pretty mangled up, but I lived to tell the tale! I know that depression is pretty common after a brain injury, so being able to be proud of yourself for the most mundane things is uplifting for more than just one reason. Did you remember to turn the oven off? Were you able to wake up on you own without an alarm or someone having to wake you up? Did you remember to move your clothes from the washer to the dryer on time? Good job! Give yourself a pat on the back!
My advice for other brain injury survivors.
First things first, you have to accept yourself for exactly who you are right now, not who you used to be before the injury. It’s really not fair to compare yourself to who you were, own your new personality and capabilities! Second, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s so easy to beat yourself up over a mistake you made or not being able to do something you know you used to be able to. I know I’m definitely guilty of it. But it’s counterproductive. Learn to be gentle with yourself instead. Lastly, find yourself a really strong support system because even if you don’t think you’ll need it, trust me, you will. Lucky for me, when all of this happened I had not only my amazing family by my side, but my entire class of physician assistant students to lean on. And it doesn’t stop there. My other friends not from grad school have been incredible, my old dance studio has been nothing short of supportive, and even my neighbors from home have been really helpful. Even if it’s just a Facebook group of other TBI survivors, don’t go through this alone! Find what will work for you.
A TBI is a very big deal. It’s a major cause of death and disability. Any progress, no matter how small, is still progress. So take your time. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Focus on the here and now. One day you’ll make a full recovery, even though it may not be today. When it feels like things are moving too slowly with regards to recovery, just be thankful that you’re here. You managed to survive a horrific event, that’s an accomplishment in and of itself. You can do anything you put your mind to!
8 replies on “Guest post: Jackie Palmer on maintaining goals with a brain injury.”
Thank you so much for sharing your insights! God bless you and keep up the GREAT WORK!
aww thank you Marina!!!
An amazing attitude! We could all learn from you 😀 Lowen livingpositivelywithdisability.com/
thank you!!!
Depending on your injury, a full diagnosis would be necessary. Of course neuropsychological testing would be appropriate and then you can go on from there. What is the main thing to look for is all the insidious, too subtle, injuries to be recognize. You get a hold of them, you will get an idea as to how to proceed…
I have neuropsych testing next week actually! Even from the time I wrote this until now I see a big improvement. Not like, immediate day to day things, but I feel like I’m closer to the me I was before any of this happened. I mean just the fact that I’m even able to notice it is huge. My speech therapist said she noticed that my insight has gotten a lot better in the last few months!
This is just the BEGINNING of your new TBI life! Laugh more, Cry harder, LOVE you!
I work as a vocational rehab counselor and have seen the utter frustration a brain injury can cause my clients. Pushing through the adversity, as you are doing, is the only way to achieve success! Keep fighting!