misunderstood & under-represented

Originally written 8/30/2010

I was watching the Emmy's last night, Claire Danes won for lead actress in a miniseries or movie for her role in Temple Grandin - I have not seen the movie but apparently it is about a woman who brought real attention and greater understanding to autism.  In her speech Claire Danes spoke to the real Temple Grandin and said that autism  finally had a person to identify as a leader in the fight for a disease that is "misunderstood and under-represented".  These words "misunderstood and under-represented" really hit home with me, I am in no way comparing traumatic brain injury and autism - I am simply saying that "misunderstood and under-represented" is a very appropriate way to describe TBI.   There is a greater understanding of TBI now then there ever has been, for which I am extremely grateful - but there is still a misunderstanding of the whole picture of TBI.   The further I find myself from the date of the actual accident is both a blessing and a curse.  Its a blessing because I survived, the more time goes by the more synapses seem to connect in this beaten brain of mine, therefore more recovery has happened and the closer I am to being independent once again.  It is a curse because when the accident was fresh more people seemed to want to be involved in the process of recovery.  I know that it is human nature to tend to be more involved immediately following a catastrophe,  what I am hoping is that although a year has passed and although I have gotten better I hope that people will realize that things are still difficult.  I don't know if the day will ever arrive when things are simple once again.  I hope that I will continue to improve, I hope to be living on my own and working again in the near future, I hope that my upcoming surgery will "fix" my double vision so that I can begin training to drive again...all things considered I know how very lucky I am to even consider having any of these things back in my life, I want so much back and its a long process and I am doing my best to be patient but I find myself getting more frustrated lately and the feelings of frustration seem to be coming at a faster rate.