hello, looking for a place for support not sure where i belong..

[tiffw713]

hello to all, I have been searching the web for a support group that can help with my situation; my little brother who is now 19 tried to commit suicide by gunshot to the head on dec 22nd of 2009; he survived the attempt with severe brain damage. I have joined a survivors of suicide site, they are helpful when dealing with that, but as most people don't survive an attempt such as his, they can't offer much insight or advice on brain injury. I am not sure if this is a forum for brain injury surviors themselves, or if family members of the injured person are welcomed, I also am not sure if my situation will offend anyone...I definitely don't intend it to. If this is not a good place for me, perhaps someone could suggest another forum or support group that could help. Thanks!

[scmom]

  Absolutely, you are welcome to be a part of this forum!  I  am the mother of a 17 y.o. daughter who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in September 2009 due to a motor vehicle accident. The group of people on this forum have been invaluable as a resource for me as far as offering insight into all sorts questions and problems I  have had with regards to my daughter's recovery, not to mention the kind words offered when I needed them most! Everyone here has a different story, some are TBI survivors themselves, others are family members, some caretakers. Everyone is in a different phase of their healing. I personally have had a suicide in my family, so my heart goes out to you.
God Bless.... 

[tiffw713]

scmom,
Thanks for the welcome...It has been a long hard road since December 22nd, and I feel that it's only harder as time goes by rather than easier..there are so many questions and what ifs and unkowns..Nevermind dealing with the issues with the suicide, but the brain injury itself. We got lucky, we were blessed that not only did her survive, but he can walk and talk and is very alert and aware. We spent 2 motnhs in a rehab hospital he came home on feburary 22nd. He is in the care of my parents, as I am 24 and have lived on my own since I was 18, there's alot of family issues anyways, which makes dealing with this a lot harder. I have read alot of research on brain injury, and it seems that the stronger the family adns upport system, the better the outcomes, but i haven't really been able to talk to others who have actual first hand experiences with brain injury. I hope I can learn alot here and get somke support so that it doesn't feel like I am so alone in this. Thanks again for welcoming me!

[scmom]

 You sound like you love your brother very much. Know that this is a very bumpy road and that things will get better. You can click on scmom and look then at my earliest posts and see that I know your desperation. It is very positive that your brother is walking, talking and alert. I currently am doing alot of reading on neuroplasticity and truly believe in the brain's ability to rewire/rearrange areas that have been injured. The most significant message is that nothing speeds brain atrophy more than being immobilized in a dormant environment. I have found this to be so true in my daughter's case. She originally was thought to be a fatality with a severe TBI, lengthy coma, suggestions to seek long term nursing home care for her etc. When we first came home she was still very much brain injured with the prediction of not likely to recover without severe disability.  We have challenged her in every way possible, socially, intellectually, and physically. I am about to go pick her up from a 4 day college prep course she is attending that just months ago, I never dreamed would be possible!  She does, of course still have deficits, some pretty significant, but considering her injury was only 9 months ago.......
  You know your brother best, think of what you can do to stimulate him. What would would he like? Is he able to go out and do anything like bowling? Play board games with him, listen to music together.There are alot of free links here for brain exercises like luminosity he can do on the computer, some are really fun. Motivate him to take his life back any way you can! Like you said, just your being there in support of him will be immeasurable, he is lucky to have you by his side.

[boxysama]

aorry if this takesover


are there any tbi youth groups in nyc?

[stlyev13]

I dont mean to impose, I'm new to this site, but i am in very much the same situation with my boyfriend.  On Sat. April 10 he attempted suicide by gunshot to the head.  He also survived and is now in an inpatient rehab facility.  It has been such a long road.  He has short term memory loss and is 100% blind due to his injuries. I also tried a suicide survivors support group and found that they couldnt help much due to the fact that my loved one is still alive (I know, it sounds rediculous, doesnt it?!). It took us 3 mos & 10 days (yep - he was admitted yesterday) to get him into a rehab for ppl with TBI's.  Any help or tips that you can offer would be tremendously appreciated.  Like you said - not only are we dealing with the stigma of suicide, but also the brain injuries. 

[scmom]

  Your boyfriend will really start to recover now that he is in rehab and you will see lots of different approaches. Go with him to as many sessions as you can and follow their lead. Keep up as many of the therapies with him back in his room. Your support will be the very thing he need to help him recover. Just be sure you take some time for yourself and get out and breath some fresh air.......

[tiffw713]

stlyev13,
I am saddened to hear u r in the same situation, but also thankful that maybe there is finally someone who can relate to what I am going through. I'd like to know more about your boyfriend and how he is doing, maybe we could be a help to each other seeing as how we are in similar situations