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The Story of "Sheep on the Beaten Path"
This art piece was created by seven members of the Ohio Head Injury Support Group, Toledo Chapter, at The Ability Center of Greater Toledo. The composition directly portrays one group's experience of life after sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This is the story of the journey of life with traumatic brain injury. The black sheep in the lower left corner is a symbolic sheep that represents the group's overall feelings of being judged and isolated from others (because of outward appearances and actions, slow speech, physical difficulties, etc.). This sheep is the token sheep of the seven white sheep traveling along the path above. Although the outward appearance is dark, the group members feel that deep inside they are white and pure. Each white sheep represents a corresponding group participant. The road travels upward, towards the top of a mountain (representing the upward journey that each person has had to travel along the road of recovery). A broken clock with the face sprung out is along the path (representing the feelings of lost and broken time since injured). Clock numbers are situated off of the face, lying randomly (expressing the feeling of confusion after injury). A black "THUMBS DOWN" represents how life is "down" compared to before the injury. A cross is at the top of the mountain, radiating light rays (representing the important role religion holds in people's life during the initial recovery times and still today). A bridge of "FAITH" and "HOPE" crosses the "gap"(representing things missing that can't be gotten back). "FAITH" and "HOPE" means something different to each participant; thus the sheep are placed at different points along the recovery journey. Some saw the other side of the bridge as death, others saw it as the beginning of new life, and still others saw it as their lives today. A light bulb (with the outer shell broken and the internal connections strong, representing the things that are coming back and questions that are being answered) stands strong behind the bridge. People realize they are improving. New possibilities are coming to light . Puzzle pieces with pieces missing in the mountain represent the feelings that pieces of people's sense of self are still missing. The sun rises on the other side of the mountain. A red rose symbolizes that one feels like a budding flower with this new life with TBI. A scene in the bottom right corner represents the group experience of how people without injury treat group members. Two white sheep, with backs turned away from each other, wearing blindfolds and ear muffs(representing that participants feel ignored, not listened to and mis-treated by others), are hanging the token black sheep(feeling tied up and persecuted). The hung sheep also represents the greed that the group feels from the outside, the greed that does not support each person as a unique, talented and intelligent person.
The sheep on the beaten path are living their lives the best they can, with what they have. I am very proud of each person for taking on the process of personal exploration, collaboration and helping one another during the process of creating this expressive art piece. The group members took the collage aspect of this piece very far by adding string for the bridge, steel wool for the sheep and wire to represent the conductor that generate electrical energy. Whether it be car or motorcycle accident, or brain surgery, these people have a life experience that credits respect and appreciation by all people. Listen closely and you too may uncover some of the profound wisdom that is found after living with different ability.
I don't know any one who's been through all I've been through. I've had surgery on both eyes, MRI's, CAT scans, blood tests, to find out what was wrong. I am frustrated most because people treat me as if I'm retarded-They don't think I can do anything.
Since my injury, my spiritual beliefs have opened up. I feel very strong in my spiritual beliefs. The Lord has been with me all ym life. I'm glad to be alive. It's scary when you get that close to death. I was down to 70 pounds. My future dreams are to become a psychologist. I have 31/2 years of college with only 1/2 year to go. I was so close. My brain problems started in my senior year. It was not a time to have a brain tumor! My dreams are up in the air right now. They wouldn't accept me at school, they don't recommend it at this time.
I want others to know what its' like to have TBI. They don't really know.
Dawn Stamp
Before my injury, learning was easy. I got all A's and B's in school. Now everything comes hard. Like when I write letters to my daughters, it takes 2 or 3 days and I'm exhausted.
Things like this-putting thoughts in writing-are really frustrating.
Linda Basil
The Lord blessed blessed me me not excepting me because my time wasn't sceduled to leave liveing Hell was no place for me, unexceptable for them.
It's hard to except the way I'm treated in condition with other treatment.
I find I have more faith now in our lord, if possible
the story of my brain injury could not have been forecast
Since my accident and it's results I'm retireing
I hope to find satisfaction in my accomplissments
I wish all others where knowledgable of the rate's of knowledge I can retain.
Roger D. Phillips
The story of my brain injury will be long and so sad. Because it would take so long to describe the things I used to be able to do.
(such as running, jumping, playing football, playing basketball and maybe a hockey game.)
To now-just sitting here looking pretty (or just trying.)
Since my injury, I feel I have a calling to help the future drug addicts and alcoholics. Since my accident, I have gone back to my old high school, talked to people at recreation unlimited, and always give people a piece of my mine about drinking and drugs.
I am greatful to be alive, after all I have been through. I used to be a real asshole. I used to drink and drug heavily. I haven't touched any drugs since my accident and I don't wnat to go back. Same with alcohol. They always said drugs and alcohol can kill. Now I know what they mean. I am frustrated most because I can't keep and hold a good job, or have a girlfriend. I just don't know.
My future dreams are to own a good restaurant, remian drug and alcohol free. I don't want to regress, (stumble, or trip up.)
Since my injury my spiritual beliefs have been reborn. Before my injury, with the girl I was living with, I didin't beleive in the lord. We didn't care about church. All we cared about was getting high and having a good time.
I want others to know that TBI can be a difficult problem. It changes your whole life. For example, you wouldn't be ble to read this if I was writing this because of my handwriting.
(Now I have someone take dictation, and the cost is outrageous-Ha-Ha)
I am confused about what I want and what I need. I was thinking I'd maybe liek to find a woman to my life. Maybe the thought of getting married.
I've quit smoking. I've quit drinking and also quit drugging. I love children. I love to play with them. Show them the right and wrong way to do things. I mean the propper was, the correct way. And tell them are you sure that the way. And let them guess how. it's right or wrong.
I feel very strong (And thats not under the armpit). I know how to do kitchen work. I cna clean up most of a house it its on a one story. I can clean a bathroom. I can do some cooking. I can set the table, I can even light a candle.
Martin E. Jacob
I want others to know about TBI - that not everyone is disfunctional whence injured upon the head. Well, it all started when I became a Senior in High School. I felt I had to fit in, to be liked or at least content with myself, including drinking...that is where or when I failed. I didn't get a literal "f". But instead, a vote of confidence to quit drinking in extreme manners and as well, to think before acting. the time, or occurrence that got my boat a rocking was when I was taking an old school chum home. The road didn't agree with my little wheels of my Datsun 200sx.
You see, I was in the middle of the night of the middle of a twenty-four hour day of a dream-like day in Paradise. I had been at the beach during the "day-light" hours and upon drinking my favorite coctail (nursing). then the parties begun, 4th of July, mind you.
Robert M. Carroll
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Greg Walters