Copyright
© 1998 Head Injury Hotline
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The Found
Self
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 206-621-8558
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D. Mortz
Inspirational
Award
est. 2002 |
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More
than just a bump on the head! Though
not always visible and sometimes seemingly minor, head
injury is complex. It can cause physical, cognitive, social, and
vocational
changes. In many cases recovery becomes a lifelong process of adjustments
and accommodations for the individual and the family.
Depending on the extent
and location of the injury, impairments caused by a head injury
can vary widely. The irony of mild head injuries is that often, such injuries
do not even require a hospital stay, yet they result in changes so profound
that lives are forever changed.
Some common
impairments include difficulties with memory, mood, and concentration.
Others include significant deficits in organizational and reasoning skills,
learning, cognitive, and executive functions.
Recovery from a head injury
can be inconsistent. In many cases gains may be closely followed by setbacks
and plateaus. A "plateau" is not evidence that functional improvement has
ended. Frequently, plateaus are followed by gains.
Changes in memory,
social and organizational skills after a brain injury makes it difficult
to function in complex environments. Only individuals and families who
live with brain injury can truly understand the experience. You and your
family have lived the experience and by necessity learned
about brain injury and its consequences. Others will not fully understand
because they lack knowledge
and understanding of brain injury.
The needs
of those living with brain injuries are complex and change over time. As
you seek services you will meet others who do not fully understand brain
injury. Educating
others about brain injury is an important role for you to play. While brain
injury has many common features, each individual and family bring their
own unique needs and perspective to the experience. No one will be able
to speak about your needs
and experiences as well as you can. The education of others
will be a continuing process as your needs change.
Education
is part of the advocacy
process by which you can build awareness and acceptance. It can also
help match services and programs with your strengths and needs, develop
partnerships with professionals, and even work toward changing the system.
Your life today is probably
very different
than the one you had before brain injury. Looking back, you might
be surprised to see that you have grown
through this experience. As you look toward the future, know that
you are not alone. Organizations, agencies and services listed on the pages
of this site can help you. (Scroll down to links to support groups.)
Reach out
to them and build
a network of support for yourself and your family. With the
support and help of others, you and your family will be able to set out
in a new, rewarding direction.
The Found Self - The devastating nature and scope of your brain
injury impairments might cause you to fear that you will never return to
your pre-injury self. While you might be unable to do things the way that
you used to, there is no saying that you can not attain a stature which
rivals — and in some instances surpasses the old self. The tools in this
section will help you identify your goals and the steps involved in achieving
them. They will enable you and create appropriate structures,
networks and resources to guide and support you as you achieve your goals.
Use the form
below
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The Found
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Ask yourself what do you want to be able to
do that you are unable to do now, list your top 5 preferences.
Such as improve concentration, attention, memory, and stamina. Improve
comprehension and analytical skills. Remember to stop, think and get my
emotions under control before acting. Get promoted at work, improve relationships,
change careers. Learn deep relaxation techniques. See TBI Checklist
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| 2. |
Now rank order, your preferences. Determine which of
the five is a prerequisite to the others, and which of them is most important
to you. Analyze how you may combine your residual, abilities and aptitudes
to restore, enhance or augment your skills.) |
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| 2. |
Of the 5 choices that you listed in number one above, pick
the one that most closely matches your top preference, then list the skills
required to attain such a goal. Such a list might include: high energy
level, initiative, intelligence, communicative, analytical, creativity,
technical skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, intuitive sense,
and business sense. Be as specific as possible. See Essential
Skills for ideas. |
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| 1. |
6. |
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7. |
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8. |
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9. |
| 5. |
10. |
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| 3. |
Assess your residual skills. List 10 skills that are fairly well
in tact. List 5 skills that are completely lost. |
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| Intact Skills |
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Lost Skills |
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6. |
1. |
| 2. |
7. |
2. |
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8. |
3. |
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9. |
4. |
| 5. |
10. |
5. |
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| 4. |
How close is the fit between your preference and your reality?
How close do your residual skills match the skills required to achieve
your ideal status? Rate the closeness of the fit on a five point
scale by circling the appropriate score. |
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| High fit |
4
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3
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2
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1
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0
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No fit
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| 5. |
If the fit is not close, what are your alternatives? Check the
ones that you think make the most sense. |
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| _____ Seek other options. |
______ Try to change myself |
| _____ Accept things as they are. |
______ Other |
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| 6. |
Write down a few ideas of how you would go about doing what you checked
in number 5 above. Then, list 5 skills that you want to
improve or recover. List 5 things that you could do to improve your skills.
See Essential Skills
for ideas. |
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| 1. |
6. |
| 2. |
7. |
| 3. |
8. |
| 4. |
9. |
| 5. |
10. |
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| 7. |
List 10 personality attributes that could help you attain your heart's
desire. Such a list might include. Hard working, patient, loving supportive,
responsive, flexible, strong, ambitious, resourceful, competitive, thorough
and resolute. |
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6. |
| 2. |
7. |
| 3. |
8. |
| 4. |
9. |
| 5. |
10. |
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| 8. |
List 10 personality attributes that most closely characterize you
now. Such a list might include: Optimistic, trustworthy, able, caring,
patient, fun loving, adventurous, energetic, knowledgeable, perplexed,
weary, cautious, impatient, resigned, pessimistic, anxious, self-centered,
dignified, just, honest, masterful. |
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| 1. |
6. |
| 2. |
7. |
| 3. |
8. |
| 4. |
9. |
| 5. |
10. |
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| 9. |
How close is the fit between personality attributes that could help
you attain your heart's desire and your current reality? Rate the closeness
of the fit on a five point scale by circling the appropriate score. |
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| High fit |
4
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3
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2
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1
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0
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No fit
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| 10. |
If the fit is not close, what are your alternatives?
Check the ones that you think make the most sense. |
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| _____ Seek other options. |
_____ Try to change myself |
| _____ Accept Things as they are. |
_____ Other |
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| 11. |
Write down a few ideas of how you would go about doing what you checked
in number ten above. Then, list 5 skills that you want to improve or
recover. List 5 things that you could do to improve your skills.
See Essential Skills
for ideas. |
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| 1. |
1. |
| 2. |
2. |
| 3. |
3. |
| 4. |
4. |
| 5. |
5. |
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| 12. |
Some people take a job or embark on a career because they expect to
get something from it. That something may include the satisfaction of being
successful, the status or prestige associated with the position or the
income they receive. It might also include pleasure in helping others or
in solving problems and the satisfaction of interacting with both colleagues
and clients. Rank order rewards that you value in a job or career. Such
items might include: |
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| _____ Feelings of accomplishment |
_____ Opportunity to be successful |
| _____ Prestige / social standing |
_____ Positive work climate |
| _____ Helping others |
_____ High income / job security |
| _____ Good working relationships |
_____ Challenging work |
| _____ Solving problems |
_____ Opportunity to develop |
| _____ Other - specify |
_____ Other - specify |
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| 13. |
This question requires you to gaze into the future. Imagine that three
years have passed; where do you envision your self on your path to attaining
your heart's desire? List three significant achievements that you
will have made. |
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| 14. |
Write down a few ideas of how you would go about doing the steps that
you will need to take to move you to the next significant level of achievement. |
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| 15. |
This questions requires you to gaze even further into the future. Imagine
that another three years have passed; where do you envision your self at
that point? List three additional achievements that you will have made. |
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brain@headinjury.com
