My father had recently decided he wanted to buy a little condo near me and my sister. As I was getting up a girlfriend called wanting to talk about a problem.. I listened to what she had to say. She then asked me what I was on agenda for the day. I told her that I needed to run a errand for my father but didn't feel good about doing it. And wanted to wait several days before doing it. Her response was FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY. So I ran the errand.

The condo complex had only one entrance and exit. You entered at a stop light. It had rained that morning. As I was leaving the complex. I stopped at the light. Waiting for it to change colors. I was the only car on my side of the street Going east to west. . As the light turned green I looked up to see a car speeding fast towards me, there was one other car behind that car. Since they where speeding and turning I yielded my right of way to them ( actually they took it). Since I saw no other cars I crossed the street going straight. More then half way through another car came very fast at me. I hit the brakes just a bit. I was spun 90 degrees, I came to a stop in the northbound left turn lane, with the tail of my car in the middle of the street.

The next thing I remember is trying to figure out is --- why the idiot lights on my dash where on. How I did get into the middle of the street ? And why was my car face to face with another car Another thing I couldn't understand was why there was a yellow light in my rear view mirror.???

Since my car was blocking the street. I just turned on my engine and turned the car around. Without waiting for the police. No police report was ever filed. After I moved my car. I parked near the corner and waited. I am not sure what I waited for.. but I waited. My car was fully drive able. The only visible damage to the car was the front bumped was sheared off at the license plate holder. The total damage was less then $1200.

Within 18 hours I had noticeable back problems. Since I already had appointment with my chiropractor. He took x-rays and didn't see any broken bones. Later that day ( 24 hours after the accident). I stopped at a girlfriends home, chatted for more then hour. When I was leaving it was getting dark. I went to from her house to the market. When it came to pay for the items, I couldn't remember what my pin code was to my atm card. I tried to write a check. The staff had to help fill the check in. Now leaving the market it was dark. As I tried to travel the streets that I had been driving for more then 10 years, I found that I couldn't see the car in front of me.

About 72 hours after the accident. I was at a conference near my home. A friend that I knew well was arriving the same time I was. He is paramedic/ emt by profession. He noticed my car. (all of this info has been told to me later. I have no memory of it). He asked about the fender bender. From what I have been told later, my response was not good. He asked me if I wish to go to the doctor. My response to him --- WHAT IS A DOCTOR ? He asked if I knew where I was. I know now that I answered that correctly. He asked me about the "dirty mark" on my forehead. I tried to wash it off, but couldn't

These where the early signs of my brain injury. Since I lived alone and had no children or family that I inter-acted with on a daily basis, no one saw the subtle but profound changes. It was several weeks before my chiropractor convinced me to see a neurologist.

The doctor examined me. I know now that missed many questions as to time, distance, memory. The doctor diagnosed me as a emotional woman. I told this to my chiropractor who knew me well and he arranged for another appointment with a different neurologist. It was more then 3 months before this doctor saw me. By this time because I was not handling even small tasks well.

I had a different girlfriend come with me. This doctor examined me did extensive tests but no MRI or CAT scan. his total bill was $3,000. his diagnoses was that I was a lazy woman wanting to get workmen's comp. The girlfriend that came with me, was infuriated, she almost attacked the doctor. She yelled at him that there was no workmen's comp. and that I was not lazy. He suggested that I get counseling for my mental problems ( I couldn't control my emotions at this time)

This doctor gave me a name of third doctor to see if I really thought that I needed another opinion. That third doctor was the one that diagnosed brain injury, but by the time he did, my car insurance medical coverage been exhausted. This doctor gave a me sheet of paper that showed what part of the brain deals with what skill, function or emotion. He was able to show me what part of the brain was injured and what symptoms I had because of it. This paper and article by Dr Kays that I got a year later became my life line. It showed me that my problems were really caused by a medical condition and that I was NOT crazy.

Most of my family and friends left me, they couldn't watch the changes, I had little support, lawyers where the biggest waste.

I needed and wanted to prove to MYSELF, .to the doctors, lawyers that I could learn, I could function in a normal environment. That I was worth something. I decided to get my real estate license. My lawyer told me that If I passed the licensing exam, that was proof that I didn't have a brain injury, and I would lose my case

As I took the first test I got a score of 66. 70 was passing. Knowing that test was very hard. I was pleased with the score for a first try. But my next score went down. And my third score went down even more.

The help of a person that had been a business contact, an appraiser. He became my lifeline to passing the test. . Without his support, encouragement, and pushing I wouldn't have never passed the test ( the fifth time).. I would also not be alive. He eventually became my advocate. He acting as go between with the lawyers. Lowering my stress, explaining in more depth what the process is, and acting as sounding board.

I still have alot of recovery to go, but today I live and work "normal environment". I still have residual problems, like speaking in circles, big blank spots in my memory, the inability to cope with sensory overload. an a low emotional threshold, no abstract thinking at all..

In closing the most important thing, is to believe in yourself, believe in your dreams, and believe in your abilities. ( I made this my motto ) And just because doctors and lawyers have degrees they are not all seeing and knowing. Ask them questions, trust your instincts.

Email Janice