My world changed on the 11th of July 2012 when my son was involved in a road traffic accident. He was placed in an induced coma and we were told he wouldn’t survive. He had broken his back, ruptured both his lungs, he had multiple facial fractures and a very severe brain injury. He had a bolt inserted into his brain to measure the pressure and the morning after the accident had the front of his skull removed. He spent almost 5 weeks in critical care and a further 7 months in hospital, he finally came home at the beginning of March 2013, he then spent a further 12 months attending rehabilitation on a daily basis. He now has support from the Langstone society.
My role as a carer began when my son was in hospital, because he had lost the ability to do anything, he couldn’t communicate and became very frustrated, angry and scared and wouldn’t allow the nursing staff to attend him so it was myself and my husband that washed and cared for him. When he eventually came home, he did so with a lot of medication, I was so frightened that I would get it wrong and cause more harm.
He has changed quite a lot since his injury and we have faced a lot of challenges emotionally and physically, it’s very difficult to watch your son who was free to be the person he was struggle to put a sock on or understand how to switch a light on or make a cup of tea, basic things have had to be re learnt, it’s taken a lot of time and patience but we have never given up.
I was first introduced to Headway in the QE hospital, the HATS nurse guided us and helped us through our journey. This lead us to Headway Black Country, the support I have received from the carers group has been a lifeline, meeting other carers who are able to share similar experiences has been really helpful. To be able to talk to people about the good times as well as the bad times has been invaluable.
The ripples of a Traumatic brain injury run far and wide and effect every member of your family, I no longer go to work, I support my son who amazes me every day.
Jackie
