While Christmas quickly approches, its this time of year, I often reflect and think of those close to me. A big part of that reflection, are blessings I have received throughout my life. As most of you may know, I was involved in a major racing accident over 30 years ago... I still suffer from major complications from that crash. I have been working hard to bring more awareness to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), as I suffered and have been dealing with ever since Thanksgiving Day 79. While most of my rehab has been overseen by me, with the help of many specialists, I want those who struggle day in and day out, to know they are not alone in this. While the majority of those who have to live with a brain injury, relationships are extremely difficult to maintain, due to the lack of knowledge & understanding of the struggles, a TBI sufferer goes through on a daily basis. Personally, dealing with abandonment by family members, friends, and loved ones, it does make it far more difficult to work through these issues, I do my very best to turn those negatives into positives, and grow from it. Although injuries like mine, that I share with millions of others, are very hard for others to see. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma in todays society, which I am in hopes will disappear. TBI is a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Each year there are a reported 1.7 million brain injuries in the United States, and an estimated 5.3 million Americans — about 2 percent of the U.S. population — currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help with everyday activities due to TBI. Most brain injuries are mild and are also known as concussions. Usually people recover from a concussion in a matter of weeks but sometimes symptoms can persist, as in my case, throughout ones lifetime. BrainLine.org, a free educational website, provides authoritative information about brain injury symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. For people living with a brain injury, their families, and professionals in the field, BrainLine also offers an online community of support through our social networking sites. I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to those who support those, especially the one person who has been by my side supporting me throughout the past 30 years, my wife Pam, without her amazing patience and support, I am not sure where I would be today. For the countless others who support those who struggle with TBI... you are very special, and your compassion does not go unnoticed. If you had not noticed, racing and photography are still passions of mine, so those who have allowed me to be apart of your family, I am truly blessed to have you in my life and to have your support. Know I hold a special place in my heart for you! And with that, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Please hold those you love close, they are blessings in our lives!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 00:44:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015