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Michelle 44 civilian
San Antonio, TX United States
In 1990, I was hit head-on by a 16 ton cement truck doing 65mph. The truck hit us, pushed us back about 75 feet, hit us again and ran up over my Mitsubishi Galant. The paramedics said that I was for the most part -- dead! They gave me a shot of something straight into my heart, and put me on Life Support and Air Life to the hospital. The hospital wasn't sure I would survive, and I was in a coma for 5 days. When I finally came to, I was very confused and couldn't figure out where I was. The shattered kneecap and massive internal injuries (ruptured spleen, female problems, etc..) were considered minor compared to the skull fracture and closed head injury. My brain had swollen, my eyes did not react together, my head pounded and my ears haven't stopped ringing since. The doctors told my family that they were unsure what the long-term prognosis would be. They said that they as doctors, were only aware of 30% of the brain's capabilities. But 100% of the brain had been injured. Now, 19 years later, I can tell you that brain injuries never completely heal. You just accept what you are able to do, and try to learn/relearn other things. Sometimes it is a struggle, but I don't believe in giving up.
Now, I work for the Air Force. I would like to be able to help with the "Wounded Warriors" program..I think that because I have had a TBI, I should be able to talk to and help soldiers that have come back from war with TBI.
