Hi there ! Welcome to my webpage.
On January 19, 1999, I was working at a male Correctional Center and walking with inmates when I fell and hit my head on the ice. Due to that blow, I suffered a closed brain injury, that has changed my life forever
. When I graduated high school, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life; that was to help other people! I always wanted to be a Cop, but when I was 8 years old, I lost my right leg above the knee to Cancer. So I decided that I would baby-sit the criminals; if the Cops would catch 'em. I was very professional at my job, and I loved it very much. Due to my TBI, I probably will never return to the Correctional Center. I know that everything happens for a reason, and I know that I will move onto something more challenging and important.
I am presently in a rehab program that is dealing with my tbi problems. I have balance problems that causes me to rely on a wheelchair or crutches. Wearing my artifical leg is to difficult. My focusing ablilty had decreased since the accident. Driving or being a passenger is difficult. I have become very sensitve to bright lights and sounds, to the point where I experience "absence seizures" if I am around them for too long. My hearing has become so 
acute that the sound of water dripping is like Niagra Falls to me. I have a hard time following conversations when other sounds or motions are happening at the same time. This causes me to have the seizures or lose consentration and my ability to communicate. I have lost some communication ability as well. I have problems completeing thoughts and sentences, and sometimes forget the name of objects. Most of all, and
this is the part that bothers me most, is my loss of long and short term memory. I know it will come back and that it is a slow process, but I miss having a past and knowing my true self. I have been diagnoised for deppression since my tbi, no wonder though, I have lost a lot ! But I am surrounded by my friends and family, which has meant a great deal to me. They are the reason why I am doing so well up to this piont. I have a true freind and love with my husband Sheldon. He is so strong and supportive, I could not have asked for a kinder and loving man!!! I am so lucky to have him in my life.
Dealing with tbi is a hard, painful expereince yet it is a blessing. Why, you must be saying, well it helps you to learn what is important, and WHO is important in your life and what you need to help yourself, rather then live your life through what others may have lead you to beleive!
Beleive me, there are good days and then there are bad ones; my philosophy is this for every bad day, there is a good one waiting to happen !!! I want you to know that you are your worst enemy and that you are the only one who knows what you are going through and need. Be honest with yourselves and stay strong.
IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THIS YOURSELF OR ARE A CAREGIVER, AND YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WILL HELP YOU AS MUCH AS I CAN !!
tracey :)
UPDATE ** Jan 12, 2002 **
Well I am happy to say that it has been almost 3 years and I am so much better then I was when this site was made up. I have dealt with my depression and no longer take any meds, and my bad head days are very few and far between !! My headaches and presure pain have descreased, but still are a major part of my life. I am still dealing with a major balance problem that has kept me in the wheelchair and / or crutches this whole time. My hearing and eye sensitivity is no longer a problem. My concentration and speech have greatly improved ! My memory can still get the best of me when I am tired or stressed ( which is often ) but I am doing very well. So well my "reminder" notepad had been passed on to my hubby, who forgets just as much as I do !! I have not yet returned to work, but I have been on many interviews in that last 4 months but no luck yet !! The only thing I really want to say is that, I have learned is that TIME WILL HEAL YOU !! And it does get better. Be patient and work at it every day. 3 years ago, or even 1 year ago, I never thougth I would be able to say I was going back to work and that I would be able to volunteer writting my community newsletter, but here I am ! DOING IT ! Please take care and if you ever need to chat with some one, please contact me and I will help best I can :) Tracey
UPDATE !!! Nove 26th, 2002.
My return to work is GREAT ! I am working 4 hours every day ( Part Time ) and I am finding it perfect for me. Working and homelife are balanced. I find that balance is the key, both work and homelife suffer if I am not balance in both. Motivation, concentration and headaches are still a problem, but I am managing them very well. I am finding my emotions are my biggest problem right now. I go to work and run a home and many things are expeted of me as any health, normal person, but I am still dealing with post TBI symptoms and it sometimes overwhelms me. I get frustrated with myself, then my emotions get to me, depression, anger and self doubt. But I am so glad to be working again, it has done so much for my concentration, memory and self worth.
Update ... May 2nd, 2003 I GOT A JOB! I got it on my own, it is a non - government job, but HEY its a job. I am a Receptionist / Accounting for a Fitness Club Chain. I start on Monday the 5th. Just thought I would keep you posted. Today I also have a government job interview, and next week I have another. So wish me luck and wil let you know how I did. :)
BIG, HUGE UPDATE ... June 16th, 2003. I now have a full time Governement job. I am an Admin. Support Receptionist for the Rentalsmen Office. It a a Legal firm that settles disputes between tenants and landlords under the Residential Tenancies Act in Saskatchewan. I love working here and the Office is wonderful. Completely wheelchair accessable, wonderful people ... even my Office Manager has a son with TBI. I am doing really well, learning fast. Find that it was hard going back to full time but if I manage my time and non work chores ( my hubby helps out a lot ) I do fine. Will keep you posted.
NEW Type of Invasive THERAPY CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - Head Massage
More Craniosacral Therapy
A GREAT page with professional Advice (http://dr.diane.com)
A Valuable site when coping with TBI (http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=9586)
An Essential Page for those needing Vital Info on TBI http://www.tbiguide.com/
A Really Helpful Page http://www.braintrain.com
A REALLY GREAT SITE for info and CHAT http://www.tbihome.org
A New Site for Survivors http://www.tbilife.com
This page belongs to tracey.
