Workshop Feedback
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The life journey begins in the bottom right corner of the composition with the Titanic ship (symbolizing the fatalistic nature of life (the fate this group feels occurred regarding their experiences of having experienced brain damage). The devil is present for many people regarding their lives "before" injury. Many in this group were influenced by the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. "Dead End" roads lead off from the main way (roads of drugs and alcohol, and a road of a person attempting to run away and not knowing what to do with their life (symbolized by a question mark). The last road block ends at the tree (which represents the time of injury). Motorcycle accidents and actually running into a tree were the primary causes of injury for the participants (the motorcycle and tree symbolize this). An insurance paper is hanging over the accident spot to symbolize the difficult paperwork that overwhelms many of the participants. The tree serves as another visual purpose - it represents the life that continually grows after sustaining brain injury. The tree's journey travels clockwise, beginning with the initial stages of recovery; re-learning how to feed oneself and walk. The journey continues with re-learning human skills and understandings - walking across the street and correctly judging the amount of time it takes to do so successfully. A no-smoking symbol represents the new attitude many have about addiction, most have quit their past addictive habits. An angle is present in the upper left corner to symbolize as the spiritual force many felt guides and supports their initial recovery process and their current lives. The tree unfolds to life as it is today; leaves with significant words and qualities are positioned throughout the branches, a bird sits on the branch, looking towards the life that is to evolve after injury. Some feels they are being constantly watched by others, some feel they do not quite know and identify with a monkey 's questioning gesture. An apple is present to symbolize the learning that is possible after injury. A figure bends over picking up marbles - relating to the saying feel like I lost my marbles (these marbles roll on the branches below and fall from the tree). Four of the eight participants are constrained to wheelchairs today - a very real component of their current lives. Acceptance of this changed life style is essential - which all have done with dignity and pride. Two people in our group are planning to get married - the couple standing in wedding dress and black tuxedo. Animals have become very essential parts of peoples lives today - find the dog and the cat. A smile face is here in life after as most of our group is happy with their lives today.
It has been a liitle over 2 years since my car accident, which resulted in my traumatic brain injury. What frustrates me the most is myself. My refusal to accept that I have a brain injury. I do so by pretending I'm ok- in doing so I start beleiving that I am the one thats "fine" and all the funny people around me are weird and sick. By playing pretend so much I have been avoiding a future life, no dreams. I have forgotten me. The person that holds the key to my recovery -(back to life)- is me-but by keeping that key hidden in my pocket instead of getting it out to unlock those doors that were shut from my brain injury I must face the fact my recovery is slow and I am not opening doors. In order for people to like me- I need to like myself, and I don't like myself when I lie and pretend to others. Yes but I am going to help myself, I'll let you help me be myself , accept me for me and I too will accept and respect me.
I feel like a child hiding in a closet because that's what I have been doing more or less- a dark closet. I need to open the door and come out to life- it's scary but what is scary about it is interesting too, I have made it through all this. I wonder what is ahead I'm curious again- if I don't remember how to do things I need to learn again-if I can't remember people I need to meet new poeple and make new friends. Friends are forever, and to make a friend I have to be honest- and let them know waht goes on with me so I need help they can help me because they know all about me, and I about them.
God kept me alive for a reason. I think it was to find myself which I must do now-God only creates beauty and wonderful things- I didin't feel beautiful before but o I kow I'm God's beauty.
HE knew me always- Beauty is with in and I've always had care and love for anyone-but me-God knew that I must live there are things I need to do for him. I'll know what needs to happen.
Roger D. Phillips
...I feel that I'm no different than other poeple except that I go alot shower than other people
.....I feel I have a calling to help others at all times
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Because of my brain injury, I have a physical disability. I have learned a lot about ataxia. I think ataxia is realted to depression.
My dreams are to be able to work with peope who have disabilities. Since I have lived in the nursing home, I have learned alot. I try to help other people who live in the nursing home.
When I try to type or write, I can't concentrate and I get tired. Every time I get started and I'm doing good, I get tired and I can't do it. I have also noticed the humidity affects depression. When it is more humid, I feel more depressed. I'm frustrated because my ex-boy friend died and I have no one to talk to. I want to get out of this nursing home so I'll have people to talk to. When I got out of the nursing home and lived in Kentucky for awhile, I was less depressed.
Since my injury, my spiritual beliefs have increased tremendously. Since my operation, I have started going to church regularly. If it hadn't been for the operation, I wonder if I would have done that.
I am having someone wrtie this down for me, because I need a letter-writer to write letters. It would take me awhile to write this much.
Connie Cummings
My future hopes and dreams are:
I want to remain drug and alcohol free because my one guy, who was the dealer, is in jail. I don't wnat to be there with him, and I don't want to visit him. Because I know I'd kill him. I don't need that shit.
I want to do something besides Social Security. Its helped me out in time I needed it. and I do appreciate it. But I wish that there were more BVR (Beuro of Vocational Rehabilitation) services available than there are now. Social Security sure has helped alot of us. And I know there is not enough to go around the world.
I want to help others suffering from TBI by going to talk people, and find out what kind of help they need.
I want to go back to schools and talk to people there. I want to talk to them to not go out & drink & drug. Because it will screw up their life and their bank account. that I know it was a hard accident but I do miss working.
I could help people out w/ head injuries. To get more jobs in the area. My job is to sit here and look pretty. I don't give anything back to the community yet. Just volunteering at the Ability center and MUO.
There are ways to help others. You can call BVR and Volunteering. I wish there was more, the work they have doesn't last long.
I am also doing artwork-paintings, I feel good but there's no pay.
We were all partying. I was in a van with two guys. They were taking me home. We all had a buz. I was sitting on the engine cover buckling my shoe with my back to the windshield. We hit a tree and I went flying. I landed on my back on the ground. I couldn't get up because I had broken my neck. I blacked out after that.
I need to be in charge of every aspect of my life possible and thats O.K. when you're in a relationship
Coming to terms with my disability, relationships, getting up off my butt and becoming an advocate, learning how to respect other people and finally respecting myself...still learning.
I am frustrated most because people don't have respect for people with disability.
I am not always as patient as I want to be.
My beliefs have grown.
I am an advocate for not only the rights of people with disabilities but also others...to come to a point where circumstances won't matter.
I will just be.
#2 Because like to listen to what I used to do, and what I can do now and do it corectly, and yet what I have in my future hopes and day dreems! And I would like to remain drug and alcohol freed
Martin E. Jacob