So for my article this week, I’d like to dedicate it to a very good friend of mine in Ohio. She unfortunately suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that she sustained while working as a law enforcement officer. Traumatic brain injuries are an acute injury suffered by the brain and can be caused by various events, the most common causes being falls, car accidents, and firearms. In her case, it was due to trying to restrain a fighting suspect and in the process, fell on her head.

The injuries sustained from a TBI vary from a concussion with mild temporary amnesia to permanent coma. It is not uncommon for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury to experience physical difficulties as well as a change in cognitive abilities, the ability to concentrate, personality, mood changes, or social functioning. Others also have trouble with language, which can result in ineffective speech or communication. Some impairments may heal over time, and some functions may be regained, some through therapy, while other impairments will not improve—or they may actually get worse over time.

With regards to my friend, I’d like to tell you her story and why it is important that people are made aware about TBI’s. Her personal symptoms got worse over time. With each doctors’ appointment and therapy, her symptoms just went downhill. At her very first appointment after the injury, the neurologist told her the ER gave her the worst advice they could ever give someone with a moderate concussion, go home and rest. No work, take it easy. They said in those following days is when her brain shut down. So, with that being said, a concussion is not something you just brush off no matter how mild you think it is. She thought she was fine. She left for DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) training and that's when the symptoms really hit. At first, it was balance lost and constant tunnel vision, then memory loss. As the months progressed, the symptoms she faced got worse. Going from a slow, but still there, reaction time to no reaction time at all. Now, a year later, she stutters, in a constant fog, with no memory, terrible balance, days she can't even form sentences.

TBI is a serious thing. It makes daily tasks, that others take for granted, a challenge. I know that she would give anything to feel like herself again. Not have this feeling of repeating herself every 15 minutes. Having the confidence to talk to people again without the fear they will think she is drunk or on drugs. The feeling of going from a good and dedicated police officer, who would get in front of classrooms of dozens of kids and teach them to better themselves and to “Just say no,” that would remember names and dates of birth, to someone who can't even spell restaurant without spell check is life crushing. At 26 years of age, instead of continuing to serve her community, being the only female officer in her department, she is planning disability and if needed, attempting to gain a service dog rather than enjoying the start of her career. If you or a loved one know anyone who may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, please have them see a doctor or specialist as soon as possible.