PRESCRIPTION: FUN

When recovering from an injury, but most especially a brain injury which affects both our minds and bodies, we generally try to get back to life as it was before the injury. We work on regaining lost skills, perhaps on returning to work, and on nurturing interpersonal relationships which have been impacted by the accident. Lost in the very serious business of recovery, the idea of fun, of pleasure, of recreation, can be so remote as to be completely overlooked.

A look at the literature, at books, magazines and on the Internet, shows that recreation and enjoyment are not considered major aspects of the recovery process. What a gigantic oversight! How can anyone make progress without some pleasure in their day? The human spirit is resilient, but we all need fun in our lives.

"OPEN THE DOOR TO FUN"

People find they can laugh under the most trying circumstances. Sometimes it is humor that gets us through very difficult times. It's good to look at what was fun before you had a brain injury. If you don't remember, ask your family and friends. Then consider if those activities sound appealing to you now and if so, are you now able to do them. If the answer is no to either of those questions, then it's time to find something new to do that will bring some pleasure to your days.

Sometimes it's the smallest things that can make us happy or bring a moment of joy: music, spring leaves on a tree, flowers, birds singing, seeing someone else mess up, making our own silly mistakes, seeing a child jump in a puddle, winning a game of checkers. What does it for you?

This Fall 2000 issue of NeuroNewS presents some glimpses into what some of us do for fun. Read on!

Revised: Saturday, February 23, 2002 08:42 AM