I sometimes have short-term memory loss, so I frequently forget stuff! My brain injury affected my emotions, including anger. I used to be pretty even tempered. I normally yelled once in a blue moon and that's it. I still am even tempered, but now if I happen to get upset, I hold everything in and tense up. I just can't find any way to express myself. My hands shake because of spastically. And sometimes I might drool which is really embarrassing.
I used to have perfect 20/20 vision out of these blue eyes, but because of the damage to my left optic nerve, I can't scan lines of text. If you held up any word I could read it, no problem, but when reading lines, my eyes get tired out immediately and I forget what I've just read. I used to be a voracious reader, so this change has really bummed me out! Now I have to take the lazy man's way out and have most things read to me! Although doing so is effective, I don't like it! My peripheral vision also isn't great, which is also why I sometimes bump into things and people.I can't talk but I have this augmentative communication device called the Liberator. Using icons and letters, I can say just about anything. I also finger spell, and use a few signs like thanks, I'm sorry and I know.
But although my fingers can do the walking, they're still really slow at talking. You don't know how frustrating it is to be a part of a conversation or discussion and want to say something, but just can't get it out fast enough so it's said at the right time. I have tried to use the chat rooms, but CAN'T keep up!
These are the major things about me that have been affected by my injury. But even though a lot has changed, I still love a funny joke, a good game of cards, rock and roll, pretty girls, and just being with people!
If any of you want to know me better, just write, say hi, and if you're ever in RI, maybe we could get together.