Reclaiming Life After Brain Injury - How to Follow Your Dreams, Even When Life is Hard

By David Paton

In my final year at Mudgee High School, where at the time I was mostly an A-grade student, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident which resulted in me being in a coma for three months with significant frontal lobe damage. I was the driver of the vehicle.

 

My prognosis for ever regaining consciousness was not good – I was never supposed to walk again, my cognitive ability was forecast to be significantly impaired and as a consequence, my life was going to be mainly in the hands of carers.

 

With love, diligence, faith and enormous medical intervention from surgery to rehabilitation programmes I have subsequently graduated from university, I am mobile but mildly unsteady at times, I drive, I have good cognition though a bit slower than what would be considered normal, I am married with two beautiful children and though not currently employed have a "near" normal life.

 

During this journey of recovery, I have kept notes of significant key points of my physical and mental well-being.

 

Subsequently, I have written a book that describes this journey in terms that reflect my efforts and achievements, my moods – ups and downs, the monetary, physical and mental cost to others, the extraordinary help from others and the support of my faith and much more.

 

It is a story of hope! It does not play on the negatives but highlights the costs which a moment in time that can impact all of us. It is an inducement, an encouragement to others particularly in the age group referred to above, to think before they act. I have no reason to believe that I did not think the moment before my accident but it still happened to me.

 

I would like to make this book available to everyone at a nominal cost so that others may be saved from having my journey. Even if it influences one person and saves them from the trauma that I and others have experienced, in my opinion, it would be worth every cent.

 

There are many books written at the scientific and academic level – it is the simplicity and limitations that I have which come through in my dissertation that may just supplement and/or enhance the message that I believe young people need to hear as they progress to early adulthood and the joys that can offer if they make the right decisions now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Paton
• Release date: May 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223483021

David Paton

In my final year at Mudgee High School, where at the time I was mostly an A grade student, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident which resulted in me being in a coma for three months with significant frontal lobe damage. I was the driver of the vehicle. My prognosis for ever regaining consciousness was not good – I was never supposed to walk again, my cognitive ability was forecast to be significantly impaired and as a consequence, my life was going to be mainly in the hands of carers. With love, diligence, faith and enormous medical intervention from surgery to rehabilitation programmes I have subsequently graduated from university, I am mobile but mildly unsteady at times, I drive, I have good cognition though a bit slower than what would be considered normal, I am married with two beautiful children and though not currently employed have a “near” normal life. During this journey of recovery, I have kept notes of significant key points of my physical and mental well-being. Subsequently, I have written a book that describes this journey in terms that reflect my efforts and achievements, my moods – ups and downs, the monetary, physical and mental cost to others, the extraordinary help from others and the support of my faith and much more. It is a story of hope! It does not play on the negatives but highlights the costs which a moment in time that can impact all of us. It is an inducement, an encouragement to others particularly in the age group referred to above, to think before they act. I have no reason to believe that I did not think the moment before my accident but it still happened to me. I would like to make this book available to everyone at a nominal cost so that others may be saved from having my journey. Even if it influences one person and saves them from the trauma that I and others have experienced, in my opinion, it would be worth every cent. There are many books written at the scientific and academic level – it is the simplicity and limitations that I have which come through in my dissertation that may just supplement and/or enhance the message that I believe young people need to hear as they progress to early adulthood and the joys that can offer if they make the right decisions now.

Book preview

Forward

One of the great advantages of being a rural GP is you meet some incredible people and families. The Paton’s are one such family.

When David had his devastating accident, they rallied around and loved and supported him. This resulted in an extraordinary journey.

David has struggled and worked so hard following his accident resulting in his brain injury and his results are truly remarkable.

David’s story is wonderful to read, and I loved it! This story shows the possibilities after brain injury when hard work, loving support, faith and determination combine. He also informs us of some great resources available to those with a brain injury.

Thank you so much David for giving us inspiration and hope.

-  Dr Glenys Caterson

Disclaimer

As you read this story, remember it is my story as I see it and written as a brain injury survivor.

A couple of people who are familiar with my story have suggested a few minor changes, but it is all my work.

Bear this in mind as you read it and please use what lessons you find helpful and inspiring and discard the parts that don’t relate to you.

It is written with a spirit of care and good intent - please receive it that way even if some bits don’t suit you.

You may notice some repetition in what I say and one reason for this is I want to emphasise a point.

Another reason why I may have repeated myself is due to my memory. As this book has taken approximately 2 ½ years to write, I have found myself forgetting what I have previously written, so I end up writing it again.

Even as I am reading to check what I have written, because it is so long, I forget what I have previously read.

Note: There is a link to my website at the end of this book.

Acknowledgements

Firstly, I want to thank my wife Glenda for everything she has done for me and continues to do.

Since getting married, she has played a significant role in helping me throughout our marriage in so many ways and in also putting together this story.

I also want to thank my two children, Joshua and Laura for their love and support in my daily life now.

I want to thank my parents for their support over my life and in writing this book. They have helped me with the details of some parts of my recovery that I was not aware of or had forgotten.

I want to thank my sister for being there for me throughout my life and the encouragement while I was in hospital.

I would like to thank all the many friends and relatives of my family who supported me and my family in so many ways through this difficult time.

I also would like to thank my psychologist and occupational therapist, who have helped me proofread this story and ensured that the information presented in my book is an accurate depiction of brain injuries.

I want to thank my good friend Sam who is a skilled artist, and he has so kindly drawn an illustration for the front cover.

I also want to thank Dr Glenys Caterson, for writing the forward for this book.

There are many others who have helped me along the way - you know who you are - thank you so much!

In no way do I take lightly the efforts of the support staff associated with the broader medical team who helped get me to where I am today.

My sincere thanks go to – the paramedics, the medevac team, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, pathology personnel, radiology and radiography personnel, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, ward staff and anyone else I have missed.

These people and others keep the healthcare industry ticking over every day of every week of every year.

Happy reading, Dave        

Preamble

In 2001, my life changed forever. In my final year of schooling, I was in a car accident where I sustained a brain injury, among other injuries. This is my recovery story. I have been told that it is an inspiring story, one of overcoming challenges, despite many obstacles. I want to give people hope that there can be life after a serious life-changing event, such as suffering a brain injury. I have a passion for helping other people and that is where my heart lies.

Everything from my hopes and dreams, down to how I go about everyday life has changed. Many people have told me I should write down my story and I think the act of writing it down will also help me organise things in my brain.

My hope is that by telling my story, I can inspire anyone who has experienced any setback in life to make a start on improving their situation and to do so with determination and persistence, so they do not give up. Through my story, I would also like to inspire people to go above and beyond any challenge, encourage anyone who has sustained a brain injury and is wanting to find out ways to improve their recovery aspects, give someone hope that their loved one may recover further or help anyone become a safer driver. As you read through my book, keep in mind that I have written it to help you, the reader, improve your situation, whatever that may be. I talk about and give examples of real actionable steps, both physical and mental that can be taken so you can get your desired result.

Chapter 1 - Early life

I grew up in the town of Mudgee. My dad is a mechanic, and my mum is a gardener. I have a sister who is two years younger than me.

My memory of my childhood is very patchy as I can only remember bits and pieces. My Dad tells me that I was an active kid, as many young boys are.

I do have a distinct memory of