Fighting With an Invisible Injury

[Debbie Wilson]

 

When I go out in public, at times, people have been harsh, insensitive and mean.

I realize they can’t see my disability, I just smiled at them, and I took one for the team.

 

When I took my service dog with me, and the managers through us out,

I got angry for all of us with “invisible injuries”, and I finally let out a shout!

 

Now they are trying to take away my home health care and it is just not right.

I may be getting tired, but I promise there is going to be quite a big fight.

 

I figured out the group that is paid to monitor my health care probably also cares for you.

Sometimes I wish there was someone to guide me and tell me what you would have me do.

 

However, this journey has kept me out in front of humanity issues I hope will not be in vain.

As brain injury survivors if we need help, let us have a choice so we can continue to maintain.

 

I may just be a TBI to you, but to my family, friends and strangers too,

I am a person, deserving of respect, so please don’t try and change my point of view.

 

If I cannot see danger and you leave me alone on my own I will get hurt.

I would not want that for any of you, so I vow to kick hard and with a lot of dirt.

 

Together we could change some of the things we see being done very badly.

Alone, I feel scared, inept, in need of legal counsel, but again I’m left to figure this mess out. Sadly

 

When your turn comes to stand up for all of us as a disabled group, do the right thing.

This is our life, we’re not just a job, not just a thing, for us HELP represents the golden ring.

 

Asking for help has come very hard for me, its something I have just learned to accept.

Please, as my professional, do not ignore my plea, I have a right to stand up and object!

 

And I will.

 

Debbie Wilson

12-09-2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Michael R]

Honey I didn't understand exactly what you were saying..I know that people can't see TBI..in public?..well basically I don't go out in public....I lose my temper to easy..and i can't take all the people and things moving around....I get stressed real bad..I am basically a shut in...i  am embarrassed to say that, but it's just the way it is...I have kind of given up..I'm not who I used to be..so I am trying to  adapt...my temper is so bad.. that I know that it's better for me to just stay away from people....they don't understand..it isn't thier fault...it's nobodies fault...it's just the way it is.

[Michael R]

Debbie..people are in a hurry in life, I have been forced to slow down ,,so i can see how i used to be, no time for consideration, mabey TBI is a blessing in some ways, it's made me more sensitive to others..just like you are now...I guess the point is fell sorry for those who can't see whats important in life...you Honey can see that there are people in need and you care...in the end,, you are a better person.. mabey slower, like me ,but better off in some ways that i used to be...I don't know if I just made sense, but to me I did.

[Richard J]

If they are trying to take away your home health care, you need to talk to your state's Brain Injury Association. The BIA is there to help you fight the fight. Their lawyers/support groups give you a stronger voice.

[Nancy Thomas]

Me too.... just safer and no drama at home.  I use to hate to be alone before the wreck - weird - I'm kinda liking it now.  Yeah - it is a invisable injury - my head doesn't work like it use too that for sure!
 
Michael R said:

Honey I didn't understand exactly what you were saying..I know that people can't see TBI..in public?..well basically I don't go out in public....I lose my temper to easy..and i can't take all the people and things moving around....I get stressed real bad..I am basically a shut in...i  am embarrassed to say that, but it's just the way it is...I have kind of given up..I'm not who I used to be..so I am trying to  adapt...my temper is so bad.. that I know that it's better for me to just stay away from people....they don't understand..it isn't thier fault...it's nobodies fault...it's just the way it is.

[Meredith]

I couldn't agree with you more Debbie! It is so hard when you haVE unreliable , if any advocacy.But each of us help when we make even just one person "get it."

[Pablo]

we have the right to speak up and no one can take it away, we can only give it away by not speaking up, so never give up that right to anyone, as far as fair life is not fair, lots of people all over the country are losing there health care and even with their insurance not even getting close to the kind of rehab like Gifford got.  And as sad as it is as our economy gets worse so will those who are in need the most like us.  I will keep you in my prayers and remember never stop fighting

[Meredith]

Hey Debbie...

I can't seem to respond to the last couple of emails I received from you through my email addy, via LinkedIn. Do you have a regular email addy I can rspond to you at? 

Best,

Meredith

[gloria martinez]

I understand your plight completely...Speaking to me you would not realize that I have or TBI..but I know its there..the disconnect in my brain..zoning out...not able to function in crouds or loud situtations.numbness in my limbs..I seem normal..not seeing what is right in front of me, memory lasp..but, what am I suppose to do wear a TBI sticker on my forehead. I must admit most people are not aware unless they know someone with a TBI...I was not aware of the effects of a brain injury until it happened to me. Every day is a diffrent story with me thought I was doing better then I get knocked down a notch...oh well on i go...

 

[Debbie Wilson]

Gloria: I so understand that the invisibility of our injury makes it harder for others to understand. Whatever that last knock you got was, you just keep on going the way you already have. I applaud you!

gloria martinez said:

I understand your plight completely...Speaking to me you would not realize that I have or TBI..but I know its there..the disconnect in my brain..zoning out...not able to function in crouds or loud situtations.numbness in my limbs..I seem normal..not seeing what is right in front of me, memory lasp..but, what am I suppose to do wear a TBI sticker on my forehead. I must admit most people are not aware unless they know someone with a TBI...I was not aware of the effects of a brain injury until it happened to me. Every day is a diffrent story with me thought I was doing better then I get knocked down a notch...oh well on i go...