My son was born on Christmas Day…this was such as beautiful gift … I can not even express the gratitude I have for this event …
The years flew by and during the summer of my sons 17th year of life he was hit by a van that was traveling at 45 mph while he was crossing the median on his skateboard.
He was flipped up and over the van due to impact and landed on the pavement below.
He was instantly lifeless… and not expected to live.
When I arrived at Children’s Hospital I was greeted by the Chaplin and a Social worker … my son was NOT going to die – why were they here?
They guided me to a private room and started to prepare me for the worst….
I broke down…
He survived …
He ended up with a broken orb, broken clavicle, lobe damage and a diagnosis of TBI.
The broken clavicle required surgery for bolt placement so he went under…
12 days after being admitted he went from being in critical condition to walking out on his own! I was told over and over by so many doctors this is very rare and they have only heard of someone surviving what he went through and most lost use of their legs…
He had a short set back and was readmitted due to an infection at the clavicle surgery site, which required an additional surgery to clean the wound and all I could think was he is NOT going to die… is he?
He stayed a few more nights and was sent home with a picc line. It was the first time I was alone to be his nurse… I had to go to work and leave him on the couch and hope that he did not start to bleed out at the site. I was a wreck leaving him there …
We made it …
He has gone through physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other types of therapy… He has taken physiological tests… he has been measured, reviewed, watched, prodded…
Loved…
He continues (years later) to experience issues with response time, fine motor skill, depression, anxiety, emotion control, a sleep disorder and involuntary limb movement when he does sleep… (there is more)
Sometimes I cry for myself because I am tired, sometimes I cry for him because he is tired and sometimes we cry together…
I have a lot going on … It has been a hard year with a few really good victories!
We are not giving up…
For more information about TBI please visit the below website and remember you never know what someone is going through, be kind, you don’t have to understand it all… just be kind :
http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/injury-resources/state-resources-for-tbi/ohio/
