Life can be pretty depressing at times if we don’t take control of our own feelings and make our own decisions. As I’ve gotten older and especially after my anoxic brain injury, I decided I would take control of my decisions. I found out just how short life on this earth is and that we don’t really know how long we have; even if we are the picture of health. I believe we should live life to the fullest each day we have left on this earth.
You don’t have to be rich to do that – not even particularly healthy. I remember not being able to take a full, deep breath for an extended period of time after the surgery that resulted in my brain injury. The ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) that caused the lack of oxygen to destroy part of my brain also damaged my lungs. The day I could finally take a deep breath was one of the best days of my life.
To this day, I love to walk outside and take in nature while breathing deeply. A co-worker and I walk about two miles during our lunch hour most days. The area where we walk is surrounded by wildflowers, birds and butterflies. I’m a lover of nature, so I truly enjoy our walks. I also walk for my cholesterol problem since I’m trying to avoid having to take medication for it. There are some medications I will, most likely, have to take for the rest of my life, but I try to take only those I must have and avoid every new thing that comes along. I hate those medication commercials on TV.
There is some similarity between a brain injury and a caged bird. There are some limitations when it comes to making decisions. Thankfully, I had the will and strength to free myself from the locked cage, and for that, I am most grateful.
You don’t have to be rich to do that – not even particularly healthy. I remember not being able to take a full, deep breath for an extended period of time after the surgery that resulted in my brain injury. The ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) that caused the lack of oxygen to destroy part of my brain also damaged my lungs. The day I could finally take a deep breath was one of the best days of my life.
To this day, I love to walk outside and take in nature while breathing deeply. A co-worker and I walk about two miles during our lunch hour most days. The area where we walk is surrounded by wildflowers, birds and butterflies. I’m a lover of nature, so I truly enjoy our walks. I also walk for my cholesterol problem since I’m trying to avoid having to take medication for it. There are some medications I will, most likely, have to take for the rest of my life, but I try to take only those I must have and avoid every new thing that comes along. I hate those medication commercials on TV.
There is some similarity between a brain injury and a caged bird. There are some limitations when it comes to making decisions. Thankfully, I had the will and strength to free myself from the locked cage, and for that, I am most grateful.
When I hear or read something outrageous or overwhelming, I try to “consider the source”. That is – who is saying it and are they even in a position to know what they are talking about. Even so called or self-appointed experts don’t always know what they’re talking about any more than the average common sense person. I believe in taking advantage of common sense when it comes to making decisions about my life – whether it be the medications I decide to take or what type of people I will spend my time with.
I continue to believe “knowledge is power”, especially to those of us with brain injury. We need to become empowered with knowledge and trust our instincts. Don’t listen to negative people, but remember positive people sometimes must deliever negative information. You can make good decisions about your life although you may need the help of someone you trust to get to that decision.
I continue to believe “knowledge is power”, especially to those of us with brain injury. We need to become empowered with knowledge and trust our instincts. Don’t listen to negative people, but remember positive people sometimes must deliever negative information. You can make good decisions about your life although you may need the help of someone you trust to get to that decision.
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