Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often terrifying, disorienting, and disruptive for their victims. After a TBI, the whole world can feel new, and not in a good way. Everyday tasks can become confusing. Reading, exercising, and even eating can leave you puzzled and irritable. If you’ve recently had a TBI, there’s a good change you feel like you could use a helping hand.
So where is a TBI survivor to look for guidance? Plenty of people in your life are probably already offering unsolicited advice, and much of that advice is probably second-hand information they gleaned from pamphlet at the doctor’s office. These people mean well, of course, but when you’re suffering from a TBI, you need to hear from someone who’s been there. Luckily, many TBI survivors and medical professionals provide good resources for the TBI-stricken person.
Faces of TBI
Faces of TBI is an online resource aiming to bring information and inspiration to people with TBIs. Its founder, Amy Zellmer, has written several good blogs about TBIs (and many other topics) for Huffington Post over the years. She knows what she’s talking about, being a survivor herself. On Faces of TBI’s site, Zellmer offers blogs, a podcast, a book, and other resources for people living with TBIs and everyone interested in learning more.
Social Media
Sometimes, all you need to chat or just listen to someone who’s going through the same thing as you. Social media offers many spots where people with TBIs can log in and trade stories, write posts, and stay in contact with sympathetic voices. Facebook, Tumblr, and many online messageboards all have support communities. Seek them out in order to communicate with people in your situation. Sometimes just expressing your feelings is the best path to healing.
Brainline.org
Brainline offers blog, primers, and other media with advice about life, science, news, and other topics of interest to anyone with or who is interested in TBIs. Their site also offers high quality accessibility features such as easily resizable text, text-only versions, and a Spanish language version. They also have a free newsletter and a variety of social media outreach programs. Bookmark Brainline if you’re looking for high-quality content relevant to anyone whose life is affected by a TBI.
The Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is a long-running group that offers information and advocacy for people with TBIs. Their site offers advice to people to help them find work, advocate for themselves politically, and connect with other people in similar situations.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Looking to dig into science and medical research? Here you go. This extensive resource is part of the National Institute of Health, and it offers loads of hard scientific information and analysis about TBIs (as well as other medical conditions). Keep in mind that the information on this site might require medical training, or at least a good deal of patience and effort. But if you’re looking for reliable research into TBIs, this is a solid place to find it.
