Brain Injury

[simi529]

My friends son had a terrible motorbike accident early December.  Induced coma, Brain surgery, the works.  He has just come home after 7 weeks in hospital.  Whilst physically he seems to be recovering, he is displaying other behaviour, ie bites his nails - everything goes into his mouth.  He does not speak much, but can definitely say words.  Cant seem to follow instructions ie if you asked him what colour is that, he just stares.

This is naturally very worrying for all of us.  Surgeon says its normal brain behaviour whilst in recovery.  

Had anyone else suffered similar or had family - any advise would help us

Many thanks
Simi

[simi529]

thank u so much for your advise, it certainly helps to talk to people who can give expert advise.......

[caregiver222]

You have my sympathies, but please do not give up hope. I rehabilitated a 99 year old woman with brain injuries. At the age of 104 she regained the ability to communicate with sentences. She will be 109 years old in February. First of all, I cannot overemphasize the power of "touching" and "holding". As much as possible always have a hand on his wrist or shoulder when you are with him. Be very patient and do not underestimate his ability to understand anything said in his presence. My program of rehabilitation involved what I called "Optimal daily experience". Every single day had an objective as did every single week. Praise him when he speaks, either with a hug, a sqeeze or a smile. Be prepared fror a delay in his anwering questions ....perhaps a long delay. Phrase questions simply. Give him choices every day. For example "would you like a cheeseburger or tuna fish for lunch". Or present two shirts for him to select from when he dresses. Think in terms of "two choices". Paint his room and give him a choice of two colors. Get him outdoors as much as possible. And let him watch plenty of television and radio, and when they are not on play classical music lightly in the room. Music is tremendously soothing. Structure daily activities such as range-of-motion, and "play time" with toy soldiers, a model train set, and drawing with magic markers or finger painting.  The human brain has tremendousd redundancy and the life-force is very magical.