I was watching a movie earlier this week about a young woman who had been involved in an accident which left her physically disabled. In fact she was a quadriplegic who wanted to be a teacher. As many people who experience traumatic injuries, both physical and injuries affecting the brain, she received no hope of achieving anything beyond the status quo that had been set by most of the doctors in the 1970s. They certainly didn’t have the brain injury rehabilitation we have today.
The administrator of the school where she wanted to apply to become a teacher, ridiculed and belittled her. After all, she was physically handicapped. How could she overcome all the obstacles for becoming a teacher? Watching it, I realized that, sadly, his attitude was pretty much on target for that time in history.
Later, as I watched the movie unfold, I began to compare it to how medicine and, more importantly attitudes, have changed over the years. Today, physically injured people in wheelchairs, using various prosthethics, etc., are pretty much accepted by everyone. We now have special parking areas, ramps and wider doors. Also, there are some very good rehabilitation programs available for dealing with physical handicaps. The injured person is generally encouragement to “go for the gold", so to speak , as far as what he/she might be able to accomplish.
Unfortunately, we are not yet there when it comes to brain injury rehabilitation and acceptance. Don’t get me wrong, there are a number of good brain injury rehabilitation facilities available, as well as support groups for both the victim and families. There should be more, considering the number of individuals who are facing this type of brain injury year after year.
However, what I’m really talking about is how the general public’s view today of someone who has suffered a brain injury has not changed as much as it should have over the years. Too many people still equate an acquired brain injury as mental retardation. And, they really don’t understand how many different types of brain injuries are possible. The variations are really endless, since each injury is unique to the victim.
The other thing the general public can’t see is the brain injury survivor’s day-to-day struggle to overcome obstacles that others take for granted. Looking “normal” is a two-edged sword.
I am sorry to say, there are still too many doctors who are “uneducated” about brain injury. When it comes to brain injury, a patient needs a doctor who not only has the “book knowledge” about brain functions (or non-functions), but who is interested in how these changes affect the other areas of the patient’s life. I am thankful for some of the doctors and therapists I have encountered over the years who really do “get it”. I just wish more did. I think we will get there eventually. For instance, the military is finally starting to take a real interest in understanding how brain injury is different from the other injuries attained during war. I pray that the Obama administration will make sure the right people are in charge of making decisions when it comes to our soldiers getting the very best care possible for any type of brain injury today and going forward.
The administrator of the school where she wanted to apply to become a teacher, ridiculed and belittled her. After all, she was physically handicapped. How could she overcome all the obstacles for becoming a teacher? Watching it, I realized that, sadly, his attitude was pretty much on target for that time in history.
Later, as I watched the movie unfold, I began to compare it to how medicine and, more importantly attitudes, have changed over the years. Today, physically injured people in wheelchairs, using various prosthethics, etc., are pretty much accepted by everyone. We now have special parking areas, ramps and wider doors. Also, there are some very good rehabilitation programs available for dealing with physical handicaps. The injured person is generally encouragement to “go for the gold", so to speak , as far as what he/she might be able to accomplish.
Unfortunately, we are not yet there when it comes to brain injury rehabilitation and acceptance. Don’t get me wrong, there are a number of good brain injury rehabilitation facilities available, as well as support groups for both the victim and families. There should be more, considering the number of individuals who are facing this type of brain injury year after year.
However, what I’m really talking about is how the general public’s view today of someone who has suffered a brain injury has not changed as much as it should have over the years. Too many people still equate an acquired brain injury as mental retardation. And, they really don’t understand how many different types of brain injuries are possible. The variations are really endless, since each injury is unique to the victim.
The other thing the general public can’t see is the brain injury survivor’s day-to-day struggle to overcome obstacles that others take for granted. Looking “normal” is a two-edged sword.
I am sorry to say, there are still too many doctors who are “uneducated” about brain injury. When it comes to brain injury, a patient needs a doctor who not only has the “book knowledge” about brain functions (or non-functions), but who is interested in how these changes affect the other areas of the patient’s life. I am thankful for some of the doctors and therapists I have encountered over the years who really do “get it”. I just wish more did. I think we will get there eventually. For instance, the military is finally starting to take a real interest in understanding how brain injury is different from the other injuries attained during war. I pray that the Obama administration will make sure the right people are in charge of making decisions when it comes to our soldiers getting the very best care possible for any type of brain injury today and going forward.
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