Living with a TBI - We Deserve Better- Dorrin Rosenfeld

 Chuck Hazama is one of the major contributors to the websiteTBi life. He lives that life, so he is qualified to discuss it in many different aspects. He believes that there are a few priceless activities for those of us with a brain injury. The first thing we each have to do is to become aware. This applies to our own situation, and to those around us, head injured or not. Once a brain injury happens to someone, that person is forever changed.

Mr. Hazama has some of the common sequelae of brain injuries, such as fatigue, head pain and disorientation. He is also the recipient of some of the more unusual issues associated with brain injury, such as SCDS (Superior canal dehiscence syndrome - a hole in one ear canal associated with trauma). This increases his problems with balance, and causes difficulty in hearing. He is also afflicted with dysautonomia (a disturbance of the Autonomic Nervous System). This can manifest as problems with internal organs, bodily systems malfunction, or nervous system ailments.

He is one of the first brain injury survivors to get a knee replacement. He is well on the way in recovery for that, proving that TBI patients are no different from other people in common mobility problems associated with daily life. These disabilities can be repaired, for anyone, to lead to a better existence.

Finally, It is important that we become supportive to others in daily life. We realize how important it is to advocate for each of us. And, we have a history of receiving support from them as well. We each have friends, family, and/or medical personnel encouraging, advocating, and fighting for us.

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