Jim "Superman" Mickelson

The day my new life began. July 10,1991 about 4 AM. I was a full time Engineer, EMT-D(Emergency Medical Technician with Defibrillation certification), Fireman with Missoula Rural Fire District, Missoula, Montana.

On July 10, at about 2:25 AM I was alerted to an Industrial Fire at Gallager Cedar Products, a local cedar mill. I grabbed my Video camera as I put on my fire gear and responded from my home nearby. At the scene I proceeded to fight fire until about 10 fire trucks with many men arrived. So I took videos for awhile. After awhile they needed more water. I volunteered to take a 4,000 gal. Watertender to an already set up waterfill site a couple miles down the road. With Red lights going all the while I filled the water tender; at the hydrant which was about 200 ft. from RR Crossing. Now weighing about 59,000 lbs. ; I then started to head back to the fire.

A train, which I did not see, hit the passenger side of my firetruck. A few points here to say why I'm here today.

1. Habits- I always made a habit of putting my seat belt on. It was on. 
2. Turnout gear and helmet. 
3. Heavy truck - 59,000 lbs. 
4. Short Train. 
5. My brother who was a Captain, EMT-D with the same Department on the same fire; rode in the ambulance to the hospital. Recognizing a head injury he requested permission from Emergency Room Doctor to have on board nurse give an injection of a new medication out that stopped brain swelling because of trauma. Permission granted.

   I was transported unconscious to St.Patrick Hospital on via an ambulance, to the Emergency Room and later admitted to Intensive Care Unit. I was in a semi-coma for about 7 days.  After 7 days I was able to breath on my own and was transferred to Community Rehab Center for about 2 months.

   A short while after I was in Rehab, I decided to quit eating and lost about 40 lbs.  I went from 210 to about 170.  I then had surgery to put in a PEG-tube to feed me.

   I went through some of the typical stages of head injury; not talking, then talking but cussing a blue streak, not walking, then learning how to walk all over like a baby; not sleeping, etc.  They said I was a very combative and would not stay in bed so they put my bed on the floor. The first thing I remember was climbing up the wall and looking out the window. Oh!!  So beautiful out there.  At that point I apparently decided to stick around and work my way back to health.  They gave my bed back; but I would let the side down and crawl out to the nurses station at night so they kept me in a Houdini-Jacket at night.  I hated that Damn straight jacket.  My brain finally healed enough to allow me to behave and stay in bed.  So I moved on with my Rehab of learning to balance, walk, read etc..

   My brain injury was right in the middle of my brain where messages cross over.  Physically, it affected my right hand and left leg as well as a host of other little deficits like breathing , swallowing, sleeping and not sleeping.

I didn't remember anything for about 6 weeks. I became aware of my scenario little by little. They taught me to walk and talk again. They brought me home in a wheel chair the first couple of times and told my wife they didn't know if I would progress out of this stage. Thank God I moved on.

   After a few months my taste went away. I couldn't tell you if I was chewing on a steak or an orange. My Dr. said it would probably never return. Phew!!! Thank God he was wrong. It came back after a couple months.

   WC cut me off of my PT at about 2 years and said I was MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement). I have been doing my own PT about 3 times a week at the same club for an additional 4 years and that has proved very worthwhile. Not only physically but socially, speech and cognitively. I'm not maxed yet

   After about a year of Out Patient Speech, Occupational and Physical therapy, they turned me over to my own Fitness program set up at Western Montana Sports Fitness Club. At 6 1/2 years post injury I still try to maintain going 3 times a week.

   I had a Speech Therapist come to my home for awhile to help me learn how to breath properly and speak clearer. My brain still does not tell me when to swallow so I choke and cough often because food or saliva backs up in a little shelves we all have in our throats. I have gone as long as two hours after a meal and coughed up a particle of food. 

  After having been a previous member; I rejoined Toastmasters International in about 1995 and this move has been very instrumental in helping my speech.  The concept of repetition…… and constructive feedback at my own pace.  I believe it is what makes Toastmasters so effective for my TBI Rehab.

   My memory still has a lot of holes in it. Mostly short term memory deficits.  I don't work or drive. Primarily because of my slow processing speed.

   One of my biggest assets was my positive attitude. It helped me through many obstacles in Rehab and I feel that even today 12/11/97; it continues to be a strong asset.

  I'm a strong believer in setting little goals to make small progress toward getting back to some degree of normal functioning.

  One of my biggest challenges is to be the man my wife married. I know that I have changed but hopefully there is enough good parts left plus some new assets that I am worth saving for awhile. The same is true for the rest of my family. Hopefully again there are enough assets so that I can contribute to each of their lives.

  My TBI has been a most trying experience. My wife has stood by me and I really tested our wedding vows. She has been an inspiration beyond words. Thank you Honey!! Thank you God!!

  My four boys have been a real motivation to much of my rehab. Now in 1997 they are 11, 16, 19and 23; they make me very proud.

      At 6 1/2 years post injury I still try to maintain going to an athletic club 3 times a week.

"Superman"

 
This term was given to me by Missoula Rural Fire Department Volunteers when they gave me a T-shirt with a big S on front and on the back it say; "I not as fast as a speeding bullet but I can stop a train."  Not recommended by me.

I know that life for me will never be what it used to be; however with optimism and direction I can climb many a mountain. 
 

Updated 2/16/2006

Wow! What a ride!  A lot has happened since my last update  12/11/97.  I have started over many times.  I feel the most important point on a compass is not North, East, West or South; but the point of where you are at right now.  Just pull my own boots on and realize that today really is the first day of the rest of my life.  I feel this is extremely important for Brain Injury Survivors to accept.  If you start a new life today you can plan and build into it many things that you thought were impossible before.  Just develop a supreme feeling that you can do this thing regardless of all the negative circumstances in front of you.  Plan you work and work your plan.

Yes!  I have had lots of obstacles to keep me from moving ahead.   I’ll list some of my achievements:

1. I learned to talk and walk with a lot of work in Rehab.
2. I have continued since 1991 with my personal physical fitness program 3 days a week since my injury.
3. Since Rehab in 1995 I joined Toastmasters International.  I have succeeded in achieving Competent Toastmaster Award.  Able Toastmaster Bronze,  Able Toastmaster Silver and ½ way to Able Toastmaster Gold.
4. I have held all of the leadership positions in our Toastmaster Club and many twice.
5. Toastmasters has allowed me to overcome numerous Brain Injury Deficits like Short & Long term memory challenges, helped me develop leadership skills which were a  tremendous help in my ability to carry those skills on to many community functions.  There’s a Club near you just go to [toastmasters.org]
6. I started and run a very successful Missoula Brain Injury Support Group.

 
 
 
 

7. I’m the Instigator of The Puzzle Club Brain Injury Support Group that has been meeting once a week since 1999. I have seen many survivors in these groups prosper well with love and understanding along with a lot of encouragement.
8. My web site Opening soon: [ PuzzleClub.net]
9. One of our Puzzle Club Survivors, Dr. Jillain Campana wrote and Produced an award winning production at the University of Montana,  called The Puzzle Club now available nationally @ [http://www.pdassoc.com/pzcd.html]
10. The Puzzle Club continues to be a very strong point in my life to help myself get better by sharing and helping others help themselves.
11. I volunteer at Community Hospital Rehab about 3 part days a week.  Again by giving I get so………….much more in return.

 

Me and my Boys 2003

12. I help my wife maintain our  beautiful home and challenge my last of 4 sons at home to do well in college.
13. My wife is helping me understand the important roll Jesus Christ & God play in my life.

Yes!  There many days that I wish this Brain Injury would just go away so I go run, jump, hear decent, go dancing with my wife and participate in activities with my boys and drive again after 14 ½ years.  I just kick myself and realize how lucky I am that I still have so many wonderful things God has left me with.

I still have a strong belief in the ability to improve after many years and even more with God’s help.  Just follow a simple 4 step plan:

1. Become aware( through yourself or others) that some aspect or deficits exists in your life.
2. Question it.  Why? What? Who? When? Etc.
3. Determine and list options.
4. Pick an option and - Go For It!  If that option doesn’t work try another. Never, never, never quit!

 

Behold:  “The Munchie Theory” :

Take any challenge you have in life; define it; break it down in bite sized chunks and then just go to work; taking one little bite each day and I guarantee some day you will win.  It may take you a year, but you will win.

“The Munchie Theory” it works!

I have a supreme optimism in others abilities to make each day of their lives better by just smiling and saying “I’ll Try”.

REBT therapy has helped me be a better survivor to know end.  If you don’t know about it ask me or do some research on the Net.

Don’t wait for Drs. & Therapists to help you get better!  Do All that you can do to “Be All that You Can Be.”

Your life can change if you believe in yourself!

Go for it! 

Jim 8/8/06