Catherine Hannah
Concussions/Brain Injuries: 3
Cause: Car Accident
Catherine’s Story
In May 2020 I was driving to work when I was involved in a car accident. The initial concern was my broken neck, as my brain scans were clear. I was discharged from the hospital after only 4 days as it was the start of the Covid lockdowns and they needed the beds... The pandemic also meant that the crucial early stages of my treatment were delayed.
I was having cognitive issues, attributed to sudden deceleration causing the brain to ricochet off the skull, leaving damage at the cellular level. The cognitive fatigue, word finding, sensory sensitivity, dizziness, concentration, and spatial awareness problems persist, and I wonder if I had received appropriate treatment from the start, would things be different?
My inability to tolerate busy/noisy environments and horrendous fatigue have affected my career in childcare and early education teaching degree. That being said, I have been lucky enough to be treated by some incredible specialists (once Covid was under control), including a GP who takes my symptoms seriously; vestibular and neck physios; psychologists (I was also diagnosed with PTSD) and neuropsychologists; a behavioural optometrist; a pain specialist; OT's; and a specialist driving program to help me rebuild my confidence in other drivers on the road.
I have struggled a lot with having to justify my condition, people try to relate, especially to the triedness but it just leaves me feeling even more isolated. I realise, they are trying but they really don't understand. That's why I began writing poetry- it helps me distance myself from my feelings by putting them into a "project", helping me to make sense of my new world.
Advice from Catherine:
One of my greatest discoveries for post concussion symptom relief has been FLOTATION TANKS! After my first session, I couldn't understand the beautiful feeling I was experiencing - then I realised that feeling was 'rested', which I hadn't felt in so long I had forgotten what it was. I now try to go every 2-3 weeks and I can't recommend it enough.
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Concussion Connect has provided me a space to learn more about what is going on inside my brain and body, find the words to express how I am feeling, not feel so alone, and learn about and use different resources! It provides a sense of being understood that has been missing since my accident, even brings a sense of understanding myself. - CC Member
