Woman shares insight into TBI

To the editor:

I am writing this letter in hopes of spreading awareness to our community regarding TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Before 06/10/09 I didn't even know what TBI stood for. Unfortunately, five years later, I know far more about TBI then anyone would ever want to know. My 21-year-old son was hit by a vehicle while driving his motorcycle. His life and the dynamics of our entire family changed dramatically that day. You see, traumatic brain Injury is a forever injury. It is not like the broken arm that will heal or the cut that can be stitched. It is when the force of having one's brain ricochet inside their skull results in bleeding, axonal shearing and a complete shutdown of our basic life functions such as breathing, blinking, swallowing & urinating to name a few. Travis has gone from coma to what he is today. That's huge! But still has deficits.

Each brain is different so each injury is different and the road to recovery is different. However, as much as there are differences there are similarities such as personality changes, physical strength changes, perception of reality changes and the list goes on. I have personally spoken with hundreds of parents with TBI children. We all grieve for who our child was, over the pain he/she goes through daily whether physical or mental, but most of all we grieve over how society will forever treat them. They are different now. They are not what society considers "normal". They are misunderstood.

Many people in the community that have met my son thought he was mentally retarded, had cerebral palsy or just thought he was whacked. He is pre-judged, profiled and tossed aside within minutes. To be honest, I understand. It's human nature to react negatively to a person that acts so 'different'. However, this is my new Travis. He is alive and every day that goes by is another day that his neural pathways have to re-generate. So in time, my greatest hope would be for enough healing to take place to allow him to be looked upon in society as normal. Whatever "normal" is.

In the short term I am asking authorities not to assume my son is intoxicated when they see him doing bizarre things. But instead to realize this is Travis. He walks and talks funny and acts different. He has TBI! Perhaps re-direct him or have a nice conversation with him. There has to be compassion in this world. As a small community we should demand it even more amongst ourselves. Learning how to deal with other's people's deficits is difficult but not impossible. All I am asking is that my son be treated with the same kindness and compassion you would want for yourself or your children. Remember, he did not ask for this injury, it was a horrible accident.

Edie Zimmerman,

Center Point