After about 4 years of rehab, in and out patient, I went on to graduate school. I received my B.S. in psychology two years earlier. There were no jobs available for someone with that degree and no experience. Graduate school was my only option if I wanted to pursue a career as a counselor.

About 5 years after my injury and rehabs (PT, OT, and Speech), I applied for help from the Office of Vocational Rehab. Their evaluations showed that I was capable only of workshop work, the kind that you find at ARC (Assn for Retarded Citizens). Don't get me wrong: ARC does very good things, but I WAS NOT RETARDED! in the late '70's and early '80's people thought that head injury was equal to retardation or craziness.

Since the OVR was not going to help, I decided I'd start with my own savings. My course load was fairly full--it took me a little longer than I wanted to get my degree. Two-and-a-half years later, I did earn it with a 3.666 out of a 4.0 grade point average. Was I happy about that! They couldn't label me retarded and get away with it! :)

More seriously, I wanted to use my misfortune/tragedy to help other survivors of head injury. That's why I worked so hard to earn that Master of Rehab Counseling degree. I tried competitive employment. Keeping up a 40 hour work week plus daily chores and attending church was more than I could handle. My mind kept up; my body didn't. After 2 years, I begain to have problems with my breathing (I had to have trachs 3 different times after my injury. There was a lot of scar tissue around my windpipe, making it very narrow) and coordination (I fell a lot). Because I couldn't keep up with the workload, either, I was demoted to a Technician, which would require skills I definitely had no experience with or knowledge of. So, I resigned and found a job working with survivors of head(brain) injuries. The position of counselor was not open at the time, but I was hired in another position because it was felt that I'd be a good role model. Soon enough, I was having problems keeping up there, too. Demands on my physical abilities were just too strenuous. I tried as hard as I could to keep up, but I couldn't. After 2 and-a-half years I was fired.

That was hard--shattering, really. I couldn't find other work and my money was dwindling. I reapplied for help from Social Security, for which I was denied twice. They felt that because I had had two jobs, I was able to work. I wish that could be true (I still hope). I finally had a lawyer work on the case for me--because even my doctors didn't think I was fit enough to work. After 16 months and a court case, I did win.

I'm still working, though, as much as my endurance will carry me. I'm a professional volunteer. Eight years ago, I started a head injury support group for this county and an adjacent one and I write a quarterly column for the state brain injury assn. I also help out at a nursing home a few blocks away during the residents' coffee hour. Next, I want to work on getting an independent or supported living system going for the survivors in the area.

All ideas will be helpful and appreciated!

Barb(ara)