TBI Through the Eyes of Caregivers…
For today’s #TBIthroughtheeyes, we asked our parents to share their experiences supporting us after our injuries.
How has the concussion affected your relationship with them?
Initially, as a parent you feel powerless as there isn’t anything you can do to make things better besides offering support and listening to your child. We had to learn to be more patient on their bad days and accept that some days they just aren’t themselves. We give them their space, let them rest, and accept that plans might change. We reassure them that it’s okay to slow down, but we also support them when they decide that they are going to push through something; projects, school, or social gatherings. Their injury made us realize you can never take your life for granted, or your loved one’s, and it’s definitely led to a stronger relationship.
Tools and resources you have used to help the individual.
We give them space, read up on concussions and pass on any new remedies. We attend appointments to be supportive and stay informed, and remain open to trying out new things like supplements, chiropractors, osteopaths, & optometrists. We stayed in constant contact with people who supported recovery through high school, such as guidance counselors and teachers. We tell them how proud we are of how they handle the challenges of recovery.
Tools we have used for ourselves while supporting you.
It helped to talk with others who have gone through it to see what tools they used and get a sense of what our child is going through. We attend symposiums, workshops and read articles to find ways to support them. We listen to our child and take their lead.
Has knowing someone with PCS changed your view?
Most definitely. Initially we assumed that things would go back to normal but they didn’t. We then realized this might be a life changing event for our family. We didn’t have a lot of knowledge on concussions and struggled with the guilt of maybe not doing the right thing at the start. If we knew then what we know today, we would have treated it a lot more seriously.
It’s important to celebrate that someone with a TBI is taking care of themselves physically and mentally. We share in their triumphs, support them when they share how they feel or are not able to participate. We celebrate their drive and willingness to accept the things they cannot change and their ability to adapt.
