Gray Matters
Brain Injury: The Inside Perspective
Brain injury refigures a person’s reality. Though physically, you
may not be able to discern that this person has survived a brain injury, in the
unseen world, this person is not a mirror reflection of you. It is
not easy to understand how a survivor’s world is different, without the right
guidance. Survivors are often misread
and not understood. Their world is re-assembled; and of course, many dynamics
are problematic, yet survivors usually become more genuine people. Gray
Matters is aimed at giving you the personal sense of what it is like to
walk in the shoes of a brain injury survivor, so you can understand for
yourself what type of personal alterations take place after going through a brain
injury.
The lack of personal discernment and sensitivity regarding
survivors of brain injury is what stirred me to write Gray Matters. When others
treat survivors with lack of consideration, or even look down at them for what
they’re not able to do (like follow conversation or remember what was just said -
and the list goes on...), this indignation drives survivors further into
isolation or depression. With Gray Matters, I am looking to familiarize
my readers with what it is like to go from abled to disabled and the
all-inclusive effects of brain injury, because “Knowledge births tolerance and
acceptance. For survivors deserve to be granted their peace!”
The very first poem I wrote about brain injury (see below)
provoked such inner reflection, that I was inspired to keep writing. Finally, it became evident that I was writing
a book. My intent is to give my readers a personal feeling, not just a
cognitive library. Yet if I use any
clinical terms, definitions can be found in the glossary and other references
can also be found in the bibliography; the aim is to target people to learn
about brain injury. The purpose is to
present a new, uncomplicated method of understanding what happens when our
brain is injured.
Disclosure
I am writing this just for you,
Because I intend to give you a clue,
My poetry comes from my own inner
construct,
I give you markings so you can at least
draw dot to dot,
I want to personally disclose this to you,
Because I want you to better understand
what I speak to,
I’ve been through some life experiences
that do awaken,
Well, I’ve had my noggin shaken,
That is a Traumatic Brain Injury,
And I want you to discern what it does to
me,
Cerebral bruising, tearing, bleeding &
swelling,
Not just mental impairments, there’s much
more to be telling,
I’ll translate this into real life,
So you can understand my neurological
strife.
I want you to better see,
So you can more competently talk with
someone like me,
I’m not going to be playing the cosmic
trickster,
I want to point you to the holistic
picture,
I’m going to communicate what I can,
So people with brain injuries you can
better understand -
I talk straight from the heart in my
chatter,
I say this to you, because GRAY MATTERS!
Read Gray Matters and
delve into the Inside Perspective of Brain Injury. Come to know the importance of hope, support,
love, faith and a good attitude!
Survivors can
gain a more complete understanding of their injury and of themselves; I have
been told that reading Gray Matters
has helped many to cope. Friends and
family can gain a better understanding of their loved one’s condition and how
they can proactively interact. Gray
Matters is uplifting and inspiring; it contains many gems! Soak it in!
