On April 29, 2001 my then 17 year old son asked me to borrow the car to run to the store to turn in pop bottles and a battery his dad had given him. Of course I let him take the car, but he didn't make it home that night.

Since the telephone call we received at 9:50p.m. that night our lives haven't been the same. I remember I was sitting in the livingroom watching "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", and I glanced at the clock and it was 9:20 and Nels wasn't home yet, I remember thinking "that's strange Nels isn't here yet". I didn't really worry a whole lot though as he hadn't really been gone that long (he left at about 7:15). When the phone rang I answered it and a woman's voice asked me if any one had contacted me concerning Nels...immediately warning bells went off in my head..and I said "no why, what's wrong?"...she went on to explain who she was and that Nels had been in a car accident and she didn't want to wait any longer for the police to contact us, she told me Nels was in really, really bade places again and I will have my son back. I know it is really early in the recovery process so hopefully as he heals both mind and body he will come to terms with what has happened to him. I love my son and will take him exactly the way he is with no ifs, ands, or buts..having him the way he is is much better than not having him at all.

Nels remembers the year as being 1999, so it is really hard for him to accept that the year 2000 happened and we are in 2001. He does seem to remember some things from 2000, but isn't able to put them in the proper time frame. It is hard trying to make him understand that all this is due to his brain injury...so we just take one minute at a time if need be. I know that Nels will be okay someday...my hope for him is that someday he will be able to be independent again and will be able to achieve the life goals he makes for himself.

TBI affects not only the person sufferring from the injury, but the entire family. I have a saying I have been using a lot lately "When life hands you lemons, learn how to make lemonade".

Good thing we like lemonade.