Living With Traumatic Brain Injury: Long-Term Impact

Content warning: This article discusses traumatic brain injury (TBI), long-term disability, and life-changing medical trauma.

This article combines lived experience with educational information about traumatic brain injury (TBI), including statistics, recovery challenges, and long-term effects. It is intended to raise awareness during Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada.

Why Brain Injury Awareness Month Matters in Canada

Life took an unexpected turn for me when a sudden brain injury changed everything. Did you know that June is recognized as Brain Injury Awareness Month? This is a crucial time to highlight the seriousness of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its life-changing effects. A brain injury can happen in an instant, often without warning.

In Canada, approximately 452 people suffer a significant brain injury every day—that is about one person every three minutes. Each year, brain injuries affect around 500 out of every 100,000 Canadians, meaning roughly 100,000 people will experience a brain injury annually. There are also about 20,000 hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries each year (not including Quebec). Traumatic brain injury remains one of the leading causes of death and disability among Canadians under the age of 40.

Brain Injury Awareness Month is an opportunity to highlight prevention, recovery, and the long-term impact of brain injuries on individuals and families. It also helps reduce stigma around invisible disabilities and increases understanding of conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. For those living with a brain injury, and for their families, this awareness is deeply personal and serves as an important reminder that behind every statistic is a real person navigating a profoundly changed life.

Types of Brain Injuries: Traumatic vs Non-Traumatic

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and nontraumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and nontraumatic brain injuries can both result in brain injuries. An external force such as a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or a sport accident can cause a TBI, which alters the functioning of the brain. However, non-traumatic brain injuries are caused by internal factors like strokes, near drownings, or aneurysms.

When treated properly, some brain injuries are mild, where symptoms gradually fade away. More severe cases may cause permanent disability, however. A person may require long-term therapy and rehabilitation following a brain injury in these situations. It’s crucial to understand the different types of brain injuries and their potential impact on individuals’ lives.

My Brain Injury Story

My mask from Unmasking Brain Injury

My life was forever altered in a single moment.

I reside in a long-term care facility in Ontario, Canada. I am thirty-five years old, and this is my journey. On July 29, 2014, I suffered a traumatic brain injury after losing control of an ATV in Prince Edward County. Unfortunately, I couldn’t navigate a sharp turn after going over a rise in the road, leading to a collision with a nearby tree.

Before the accident, my ex-boyfriend didn’t provide much guidance on operating an ATV. That night, I was riding without a helmet on a dark country road, trying to navigate a sharp turn of over 90 degrees, with minimal experience driving the vehicle.

At the young age of twenty-four, the accident occurred, and my memory of the events leading up to it is completely blank. I rely solely on the accounts of others to piece together what happened. Orange airlifted me from Picton Hospital to Kingston General, where I spent a total of one hundred and four days, dividing my time between two hospitals.

The first recollection I have after the accident is waking up in a room adorned with blue walls, where I was informed of the unfortunate incident. The hospital’s scans unveiled various injuries, including bleeding in my brain, a basilar skull fracture, damage to my frontal lobe, and seven other fractures. Consequently, I received a diagnosis of a severe traumatic brain injury.

Following my accident, I had to relearn numerous skills that were once effortless for me, like speaking, moving, and different motor and cognitive functions. Recovering from a brain injury can feel like a solitary and isolating path, but I am grateful for the unwavering support of my parents throughout this challenging journey.

Having a traumatic brain injury means dealing with not just the injury itself, but also with the lack of understanding from others about its effects on your daily life and the losses you have experienced. It’s an invisible injury that makes it hard for people to see the struggles you face internally. People assume I’m completely healthy just because I don’t have a visible disability.  It becomes even more challenging when it appears that old friends and family members struggle the most to adjust to the changes in me.

The aftermath of my accident has resulted in the breakdown of both friendships and family relationships, compounding the loss I already experienced due to my brain injury.

Some days are better than others, but overexertion can leave me feeling drained or sick. Lack of proper rest can even lead to seizures. I often find myself dealing with physical exhaustion and mental fatigue. Loud noises and crowded places can easily overwhelm my brain, making it hard to focus on conversations when multiple people are talking at once. Background noise also makes it challenging to concentrate on a single voice during a conversation. Rest is crucial for me, even if some may think I sleep too much. Simple tasks can be mentally draining, especially when I’m already tired.

As a survivor, I sometimes need breaks from tasks to recharge. I’ve noticed that tasks that used to be easy now require more time and effort, like making my bed. Behaviour problems can indicate that I’m struggling with a situation, not just my mental health. Over time, I’ve learned that the emotional effects of a TBI can be just as debilitating as the physical ones.

Unfortunately, I have lost my freedom and am now considered legally incapable. This implies that I will be living in a care facility for the long term, since there are few choices available for people my age. It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that my health will decline as I age.

My life took a drastic turn due to my ex-boyfriend’s lack of guidance while teaching me how to drive an ATV. The accident likely occurred because I couldn’t navigate a sharp curve.

Every day feels like an uphill battle. It may be tempting to give up, but I am fortunate to have my parents as an unwavering support system.

This year marks twelve years since my traumatic brain injury. I plan to spend the day with my mother in Montreal, focusing on embracing my new reality instead of dwelling on what I’ve lost.

Throughout the years, I’ve been fortunate to connect with other TBI survivors who have generously opened up about their experiences. It’s clear to see that each TBI is unique, with no two cases being exactly the same.

I am committed to spreading awareness about the importance of safeguarding your head.

Preventing traumatic brain injuries is a public health priority. Education, awareness, and simple safety habits can significantly reduce the number of severe injuries each year. While not all accidents are preventable, many TBIs can be avoided through protective measures and increased awareness of everyday risks.

Wearing a helmet, for instance, decreases the chances of brain injury by up to 88%. Seatbelts are also widely recognized for their life-saving and injury-reducing effects.

Prevention plays a critical role in reducing traumatic brain injuries. Many severe TBIs are preventable with proper safety measures, awareness, and education. Even small changes in behaviour, such as wearing protective equipment and following safety guidelines, can significantly reduce risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Brain Injury

What is the main cause of traumatic brain injury?

The most common causes include motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and sudden impacts to the head.

Can a person recover fully from a traumatic brain injury?

Recovery depends on severity. Mild TBIs may resolve completely, while severe TBIs often require lifelong care and rehabilitation.

What are long-term effects of TBI?

Long-term effects may include memory loss, cognitive challenges, fatigue, seizures, emotional changes, and physical disabilities.

Is Brain Injury Awareness Month in June or July?

In Canada, brain injury awareness campaigns are often recognized in June, while awareness activities may also occur at different times depending on region and organization.

 

Concussion

Even a slight brain injury, such as a minor concussion, can result in ongoing problems. Educate yourself on the indicators and effects of a concussion. Some of these signs may consist of headaches, vision problems, feeling disoriented, mood swings, and temporary loss of consciousness.

Final Reflection

Sharing this story is not easy, but it is important. Every traumatic brain injury represents a life changed in an instant, along with families who must learn to adapt, advocate, and rebuild their lives in new ways.

If this story helps even one person better understand brain injury or take prevention seriously, then sharing it has been worth it.

Megan- Written with the assistance of my Mom.