head injury

sweetypie2

hi my son was in a bad car accident and has now got an acquired head injury, when he goes shopping or out on his own he has some difficulties he gets frustrated sometimes and upset when people look at him and are quite rude, because he looks normal they dont understand:rolleyes: some one said you can get a card that fits in his wallet to inform people he has a brain injury, does anyone know where to get these from? or suggest anything else , many thanks

completelybroke

Sorry to hear this.

I'm not sure not I have enough posts to post a link, but google HEADWAY - they are a charity who's aim to to provide help after a brain injury and they might also be a source of lots of information and help for you both - they may even provide cards or if not themselves know where you can get one

Savvy_Sue

completelybroke wrote: »

Sorry to hear this.

I'm not sure not I have enough posts to post a link, but google HEADWAY - they are a charity who's aim to to provide help after a brain injury and they might also be a source of lots of information and help for you both - they may even provide cards or if not themselves know where you can get one

Headway is the link

[Deleted User]

sweetypie2 wrote: »

hi my son was in a bad car accident and has now got an acquired head injury, when he goes shopping or out on his own he has some difficulties he gets frustrated sometimes and upset when people look at him and are quite rude, because he looks normal they dont understand:rolleyes: some one said you can get a card that fits in his wallet to inform people he has a brain injury, does anyone know where to get these from? or suggest anything else , many thanks

Has he claimed DLA?

sweetypie2

thankyou to all , i have tried headay no success, and he does get dla only lower care though, i feel so sorry for him , today we have a back to work interview????? unbelievable!!!!!!

Indie_Kid

Would a medical bracelet be any good?

jennilb

Hi

Why don't you and he work together to write a short and longer explanation that he keeps with him and can show people as required? Most people will believe what it says, whether it is on a special form or not.

The shorter one could say something like 'I was in a serious accident and recieved a head injury that affects my memory / concentration (or whatever). Please give me extra time / support if I need it.'

The longer one could be a more detailed 'fact sheet'. I have one for my mental health problems. Mine has headings such as 'what is (name of medical condition)' 'how does it affect me' 'what I can and can't do' and 'what you can do to help me'. As I have several conditions, mine is quite long so I keep a copy on a data stick rather than a paper copy!

So meet a new doctor or if a friend asks me for more information, I give the diagnoses and outline of how it affects me verbally. Then I say something like 'it can be a lot to take in, and I don't always explain it very well because it involves upsetting things, so I've written a fact sheet explaining everything and I'd be grateful if you would read it'.

People are surprisingly sympathetic when they have information. And the small number of people who aren't / can't cope with disability tend to slink off quietly, but don't cause trouble later which is important.

I hope this helps

Jenni

Indie_Kid

jennilb wrote: »

The longer one could be a more detailed 'fact sheet'. I have one for my mental health problems. Mine has headings such as 'what is (name of medical condition)' 'how does it affect me' 'what I can and can't do' and 'what you can do to help me'. As I have several conditions, mine is quite long so I keep a copy on a data stick rather than a paper copy!

So meet a new doctor or if a friend asks me for more information, I give the diagnoses and outline of how it affects me verbally. Then I say something like 'it can be a lot to take in, and I don't always explain it very well because it involves upsetting things, so I've written a fact sheet explaining everything and I'd be grateful if you would read it'.

I have a similar sheet somwhere. It's much easier than trying to explain "I have x, it means this, I can't do this because... I need/don't want you to do this to me because.."

zztopgirl

Headway do a small card that says something like 'ive got a brain injury, please be patient as i may have problems understanding, etc, etc' i know cos my ex had one. You may have to nag them cos they can be slow on the uptake, but tell them that a former member definately got a card from them!

I also got him a card from an incontinence charity to allow him to use a loo in an emergency in any public place.

Sweetpie2 i feel your pain, he had pressure to go back to work and be 'normal' about 2 weeks after his accident and when he had just come out of the coma and everyone was saying he'd be fit for work within weeks, that was 5 years ago now and he is still unable to live a normal day. He is doing really well though and impressed me with his thought processing skills a couple of weeks ago.

sweetypie2

thankyou zztopgirl, i have again asked headway so watch this space!!!! why is it that the genuine people with head injuries be treated this way, the stress of it is bad enough, he has no motivation to get up out of bed never mind holding down a job!!! it makes me so sad thankyou again will let you know:D

FROSTYFRECKLE

I'm not sure if Headway still supply the cards. My hubby had the card a few years but they stopped handing out the cards due to lack of funds. Headway like many charities are struggling financially. Another point of contact is the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust. Good luck.