Comments on: Meet Mick, who blogs about his brain injury

By: electro-kevin

electro-kevin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:51:21 +0000

Well done, Mick.

Remember – once a motorcyclist ALWAYS a motorcyclist.

Good luck.

By: MICHAEL MANNING

MICHAEL MANNING — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:26:38 +0000

I hope that he continues to blog on, Ellee! My very best to him!!!!!!

By: Reluctant Blogger

Reluctant Blogger — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:54:36 +0000

This is amazing work. I did once suffer some very minor brain damage as a result of meningitis and the frustration I suffered as I tried to get my head to do all the things it used to do with ease was – well, it was frustrating! When things like that happen it makes you refocus though on everything that is truly important in your life.

By: CherryPie

CherryPie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:47:38 +0000

Some people are so amazing, very moving!

By: jmb

jmb — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:39:14 +0000

Some people handle adversity with such grace and style it makes the rest of us feel humble. Thanks for showcasing him Ellee.

By: Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Picard — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:46:07 +0000

A remarkable person, Ellee. Thanks for writing of it.

I’ve been to Royal Ascot where the fashion has been going!

By: Casdok

Casdok — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:08:05 +0000

There is so much valuble work going on out there. Thank you for sharing this.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:04:50 +0000

Dear Ian, thank you for sharing your personal experiences here. My limited observations have concluded that recovery from a brain injury is very, very complicated and can take much longer than anyone appreciates. I would certainly like to read your story, and I am sure that others would too, particularly people who have suffered a brain injury and their families, as well as those in the medical/rehabilitative profession. Why was it printed in America? If you have a link you can send me, I will add it on my site and forward it to Headway head office.
Thank you again, and take care.

By: Ian Thorpe

Ian Thorpe — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:10:46 +0000

I had a brain haemorrhage eleven years ago Ellee. At first the big enemy was medical prejuduce – many of them cling to the fallacy of a “six month surge of recovery.” Bollocks, after eleven years I’m still improving and have just started walking properly instead of luching around like Long John Silver on speed.

Longer term the big enemy is self pity, its not a case of why me but why not me. The important thing is not to be tricked into thinking its the end of your world. There are many things we can do to give meaning to our lives.

Anyway if you are interested, I wrote a memoir of recovery that was published in the USA but I pulled out of a UK deal as the publisher wanted me to cut the humour. The US publisher is now defunct so I’m free to put it up on the web as a free online read. I also plan to make it available as a printable PDF (people have to provide their own ink and paper) The project never was about money for me, I’d rather think I was helping people having made what doctors have described as “one of the more remakable recoveries.” So if you think sharing someone else’s experience (like how great it felt the first time I walked to the loo in the rehab centre and had a wee standing up) would help the people you know just give me a nudge and I’ll send you links. You should be able to see my mail addy here and you have a link to my blog.

regards,
Ian Thorpe

By: Welshcakes Limoncello

Welshcakes Limoncello — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:37:59 +0000

What wonderful work is being done there. I do admire Mick for blogging and I love his “sellotape” comment.