Establishing a “new normal” after a Texas brain injury

Brain injury victims in Texas face a great many struggles after suffering from head trauma, not the least of which is coming to terms with an uncertain future.  No two brain injuries are the same, and due to our limited understanding of brain function every case and every prognosis is different.

 

Families and the victims themselves are often warned that they will need to establish a “new normal” in their lives.  What does this mean?  It means that it is unlikely that they will return to 100 percent pre-injury functioning.  Establishing a “new normal” means learning to live with new limitations, which is different for every victim.

 

The story of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords has given great hope to brain injury victims, especially those fortunate enough to also be receiving treatment in the renowned TIRR Memorial Hermann rehabilitation hospital.  Giffords suffered a traumatic brain injury after being shot at close range.

 

Texas brain injury victims face a long, uncertain road

 

Despite her horrific injury, she has stunned medical professionals and her family by first surviving the gunshot wound, and then by responding to stimuli soon after being operated on.  But even Giffords will have to work hard in rehabilitation to get to a new normal.  It may be years before doctors fully understand the extent of her injuries and the success of her recovery efforts.

 

After a traumatizing brain injury, it is imperative that, like Giffords, brain injury victims get immediate and skilled medical attention.  The faster a TBI victim gets help, the better their prognosis.  And the faster they move into a well-structured rehabilitation program, the better their outlook.

 

• If you need help after you or a loved one suffered a debilitating traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an accident, please contact our Houston brain injury attorneys.