Sue Dexter's Journey Through Traumatic Brain Injury
Episode Overview
TBI can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Early symptoms may appear immediately or years later. Community support is crucial for coping with TBI. There is a connection between TBI and addiction. Awareness and education about TBI are essential.
Your brain is like a computer. It crashes. When it reboots, some of the software comes up 100%, some halfway, and some not at all.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a topic that often flies under the radar, but in this episode of Healing Voices Project, Sue Dexter sheds light on this critical issue. Sue, the founder of Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), shares her personal journey and the challenges faced by her family as they navigated the complexities of TBI. With host Mike Tourville, Sue discusses the physical and psychological effects of TBI, which can appear immediately or manifest years later.
She explains how TBI impacted her loved ones and how her experience led her to create a supportive community for others affected by similar struggles. Sue's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. She recounts the moment she learned about her husband's TBI and the uncertainty that followed. The analogy she uses to describe TBI – comparing the brain to a computer that crashes and reboots with varying degrees of functionality – is both poignant and relatable.
Her insights into coping mechanisms and the importance of community support are invaluable for anyone dealing with TBI. Throughout the episode, Sue emphasises the need for awareness and understanding of TBI. She talks about the Facebook group she started, which has grown to nearly 6,000 members, providing a platform for people to share their experiences and support each other.
The discussion also touches on the connection between TBI and addiction, highlighting how some individuals turn to substances as a way to cope with their condition. If you're looking for a deep dive into the realities of living with TBI and the strength it takes to support loved ones through it, this episode is a must-listen. Sue Dexter's courage and dedication offer hope and practical advice for those affected by TBI.
Tune in to hear her story and gain a better understanding of this often misunderstood condition.