Hope everyone was able to enjoy the holiday break, and “Merry Christmas!”, for folks that celebrate it.
We bundled my brother up on Christmas morning, wheeled him a 1/2 mile or so over to my apartment complex, and carried him up to the third floor in his wheelchair, so we could all be together for the day. It was truly wonderful to have him home.
The nursing home provided all the medication and food in advance, to extend the amount of time Chris could stay in the apartment. I think we managed 10am-7pm. I put on a game of NCAA 2006 on the Playstation out of tradition – Chris would always kick my arse at this game when he was over at my aparment! My mom made a fantastic Christmas dinner. We were even able to lay Chris down in a real bed for his afternoon nap. He didn’t have a single episode of sweating or anything the entire time (although the afternoon anti-spasticity medication knocked him out while we were opening gifts).
It has been a long seven months since the motorcycle accident, with lots of ups and downs along the way. Christmas Day was one of the “ups”.
Showing Chris some NCAA Football on the Playstation, out of tradition
Mike and Chris playing a game of NCAA Football against each other back in 2009...
wow how awesome!!! Im so glad he got to be home for Christmas! Maybe next year we can all be together! Merry Christmas to you all. Miss you. You are always in my thoughts and prayers! love aleah
Hi Rob, Just seen your blog so nice to see you got chris home for christmas day. Love all you guys. Hope you had a lovely day. big hugs and kisses to you all from england. xooxoxoxox
I read the story in the Statesman today. My son survived a severe brain injury about 5 years ago. I really empathize with you and admire your efforts to support your brother. Only those who have lived through such an experience can understand what it is like. My son lived in a nursing home for 18 months and is now in a group home for adults with disabilities. He doesn’t belon either place. But as I’m sure you’ve seen, insurance companies and the state of Texas do not support residential care for our injured family members. I have felt the need to open a home for the brain injured but haven’t been able to muster the energy or the funding sources for such and endeavor. There are many families like yours and mine who are trying to create a better life for our injured family members. Hang in there. The road is long and often bittersweet, but you can make it!
Thank you for the kind words, Carol. This is truly a silent epidemic – it’s unbelievable how many families are going through this.
Thank you.
Just read the AAS article. Putting the word out, expect good things.
I too saw the AAS article today. My guess is that your family has been solid Republican voters in the past…now your eyes are opened. Did you see what our governor would rather do with taxpayer money, rather than help your son? He’d rather give it to his rich buddies…http://www.statesman.com/business/perry-announces-4-5-million-grant-to-convergen-1154942.html
Healthcare reform enacted in 2010 by our Democratic Congress prevents insurance companies in 2011 from canceling your son’s policy, and provides treatment through state high-risk pools. United acted quickly to cancel your son’s treatment before 2011 got here…..
I’m sorry for what your family is having to endure. When it comes time to enter the voting machine, think about who you are voting for and what impact it will have on victims like your son.
Jane – my brother continues to be insured by UnitedHealth through COBRA, an act passed by Congress in 1985:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_Omnibus_Budget_Reconciliation_Act_of_1985
You are also sorely mistaken if you think either major political party in the United States has any interest in your well-being.
I read the article about Chris on Sunday. I wonder if you have considered accessing resources with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Independent Living Services. I know this is not the department for intense therapy to rebuild his skills during the limited window after a TBI. However when you mentioned Chris understands and communicates with YES / NO cards, he sounds like a good candidate for a more advanced communication system.
If you contact DARS request a communication evaluation. I have worked with may students as the Assistive Technology Coordinator/ Speech Language Pathologist for a local school district. We have set up many students with a low tech or high tech communication systems. If he is able to move one body part or his eyes when he wants he can access multiple high tech systems. Until the right communication system is selected for him a low tech system with an organized vocabulary page sets will work nicely as well.
The high tech companies are Prentke Romich and DynaVox. You will need a Speech Language Pathologist who is versed in the low tech communication books for eye gaze for the low tech system.
Another company is Assistive Ware that has some great options for limited mobility to access a computer.
Good Luck,