It was a cold December night, about 1:30 in the morning. I drank more than 40 beers according to my blood alcohol level. I can't remember exactly what happened but I opened the door of a moving vehicle going about 55mph and landed on the back of my head. I started bleeding from my eyes, ears, nose and mouth. I was lifeflighted to Tulsa, Ok from Warner, Ok (over 50 miles away). I immediately lapsed into a coma in which I stayed for 2 months. My head swelled about 5 times its normal size and tore the skin. I had several surgeries. Since the fluids would not drain, I had a digital shunt placed in my head and I still have it 4 years post accident. When I woke up, I was paralyzed. Within a few weeks, I started gaining movement in my left side. A few weeks later, I regained my right side as well. However, my motor skills were non-existent. I couldn't speak, eat, walk, or anything!

I entered impatient therapy for two months and regained some speech with therapy and slight motor skills. I went home and started outpatient rehab. WIth PT, I learned to swallow again and walk with a walker and gait belt. Then they removed my feeding tube and I started soft foods and drinking fluids.

A month later, I started outpatient rehab again. I learned to walk without the gait belt on my walker. I continued speech therapy as well.

REHAB AGAIN. Then I got my own appartment with my sister. I had a PCA some every day and I WALK EVERY DAY and lifting weights.

Then I met up with an old girlfreind and we ended up getting married. My speech continues to improve and I still am walking every day with my walker. In time I plan to master the forearm crutches, then a cane and THEN NO Assistance. I have a beautiful daughter and a step daughter and live a very active life. My wife & I plan to take many trips together in the future and live a full life. No one has to live with limits after a TBI.

Email Brecken