Stories from Caregivers: Patricia from NEW MEXICO
NM
Patricia
FROM NEW MEXICO
7/15/15 my only kid, then 29, visiting Seattle, went to a soccer match. After they walked down to the wharf, old uneven cobblestone, my son sprained his ankle, went down and fractured his skull. I got the call no Mom wants, your son is in ICU with a brain injury. This Mom who raised him since birth alone knew what this meant. I used to Supervise the TBI program at our State Health Dept and Supervised Case Management and Homecare in a Home Healthagent for disabled and elderly. I spent 7 weeks in ICU with him . 4 Neurosurgeries, without skull parts for 6 months having to wear a helmet. Lucky for him I was a case manager. My biggest problem I am 100% disabled and technically need my own caregiver. I have found strength I didn't know I had and I am strong, a Survivor of Gun Violence and rape. I know men with TBI have anger they express to those they know won't go away. That would be me. Sometimes hide in tears knowing he didn't mean it. He has no filter now. We had a deal, he would keep me out of a nursing home. The tables just got flipped. I would like to create a workshop titled Case Management for Care Givers. I think many people give up trying to deal with the system. Would love a night out. My son has a caregiver and my Psychologist tells me to leave while caregiver is here. Not so easy disabled. I just had Cataract Surgery, Thyroid Ablation in Sept and Left Hip replaced Oct. Right side hip and knee replaced already after being hit by a big delivery truck. And Spinal Stenosis. Cook all meals, prod him drive him motivate him. Momma Bears are ferocious caregivers. If not for the #ACA My son would be dead.
