How My Role as a Parent Changed After TBI
- by Sharon F
Two years ago I was in a car accident that left me with a TBI. As I realized that my life had changed, I began to see its affect on my relationship with my children. I could no longer meet their expectations. So first, I had to accept the changes...I was no longer "supermom". I didnt have all the answers...I didnt even understand the questions. I couldnt plan the big graduation party...I was lucky if I remembered where the grocery store was. I had always been their caretaker, but now I couldnt always take care of myself.
But I looked the same. I walked, I talked, I wasnt bleeding from my eyeballs... I must be OK....I had to sit down with each of them and explain:
" Im always tired, my short term memory is gone, I give people and things the wrong name and dont see the difference. I have to make lists, then I lose them. I lose everything."
"But Ill learn new ways to function, and sometimes Ill need help from you, and maybe well both become better people."
" This is life now, this is reality...were alive, and that means everything."
Revised: Thursday, June 06, 2002