A medical, legal, and
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for persons dealing with
traumatic brain injury.

STORIES OF AMAZING RECOVERIES

Submitted By: Jane Parkhurst
Submitted On: January 1, 2006
Contact Via: jane@thegijane.com

First TBI with coma (11 days) was in Aug.1965. I was just one month shy of turning 7 years old. An "impaired/drunk" driver had crossed over the line on a two lane road in San Francisco, CA. and hit the car I was a passenger in (middle rear seat), head-on. My parents and two family friends died. I was spared because of my size...so I was told later.....I never was a very good student throughout grammar and high school. I had to really work a lot harder then my peers and it pretty much dented my pride and self-esteem a bit. But I refused to use my "head injury" as an excuse to fail at anything! I plugged away till I just learned how to approach things a little differently then my friends etc. I had many concussions throughout the years and have been in ICU three times in the last 10 years. Every time I have a head boo-boo, it is harder to "come back". But again, I just will not quit...I can't...If I give in then I lose everything that I have worked so hard to retain! I haven't been the same in the last two years. But as long as I "know" that it's OK to have some draw backs and to be patient, then the days are not so frustrating. Denial is a big enemy though. I have just now decided on getting the real help I need with professionals. And I am actually looking forward to it! There are just some things you shouldn't fight, specially if it's going to help you! These Doctors and Neuropsychologists and "others" aren't judging you nor snickering behind your back nor talking about you in any negative way...They are trained to help you and I and family and friends. Be proud that you can do what you can do and strive to make yourself proud. I have overcome so much in my life but proud to say that I was able to have been a police officer at one time, am currently a US Army Reservist in the medical corp. I also race road motorcycles/drag bike and dirt bike and am an actor(tress). So if I can do it....Yes, things are different as far as certain abilities such as writing, drawing and speech now is a bit harder at times along with hearing and taste and smell and balance etc.....But I have no STOP SIGN on my chest and I WILL keep on being the best person I can be. Thank you, G.I.Jane