Leaving The Forest: BI Awareness

Since March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and while I have been fortunate I do have friends who suffer from brain injuries. If you want a clear glimpse into what it's like, I highly recommend my friend's blog. It's raw, incredibly honest and quite powerful stuff:

njgirl197329: Finding urself after a brain injury

If you have been fortunate like me, I ask for a moment of your time to just pause and think. Many who suffer from brain injuries "look fine." Odds are you have interacted with them and never even knew it. They are neighbors, acquaintances, co-workers, people you encounter in public, in the park, on the bus, at malls, etc. You cannot always see their scars, but their injuries are no less physical. They are not "crazy;" when the brain is injured and trying to fire synapses any way it can it might alter physical, cognitive and/or emotional behavior, creating mood swings or what might appear to the unafflicted as "bizarre" behavior. Make no mistake though; it is without a doubt a physical injury. It might take a little adjusting to, but it's really no different than accommodating someone in a wheelchair, or walking with a cane, or missing a limb, or any other physical condition. It just requires patience and understanding. People with brain injuries are not a separate species; they are just like you and me, but with an incredible story to tell, and a reminder of how fortunate we are. We could be them in the blink of an eye, literally.

So what I try to live by- and all I ask of you- is that next time you're in a rush and behind someone in line in the grocery store who is slow in counting out their money, or slowly walking through the mall or crossing a parking lot when they appear physically healthy, or appear to get impatient or agitated easily, or appear to zone out or get confused when you're interacting with them, have a little patience and give them the benefit of the doubt. You never know when you might be dealing with someone who is struggling with an injury or physical scars you cannot see. Stop, think and take a moment to offer the benefit of the doubt to someone who might not have been as fortunate as we are. ;)

Thanks for your time! :)