Gudday,
I was in a auto accident on june 11, 1980. I was on a beautiful tropical Island in the pacific between Fiji and Queensland AU. called New Hebrides. It is now called VANUATU. There was a political demonstation against the British government. We were out getting ice cream for our guests that night. As we turned to round the corner, we struck a flat bed truck with a wood trim around it. As we struck, the wood 2x6 flew toward the windshield. It split in half on the corner post. One part came through the windshield and shattered the left side of my face and skull. I lost my left eye. The other half ripped off the right arm below the shoulder. They reattached the arm.

The island did not have a medical facility that could deal with my head injury. A medical emergency call was made to get me to Australia ASAP and the Australian military picked me up in a hercules and flew me to Sydney. I guess I was able to talk at this time but I can't remember anything!!!!! Most of the things before the accident are a blur. I am 30 now and my memory began in a new country, new people, and two and half weeks after the accident. I can remember waking up one morning clear as day. I asked the nurse where I was. She said I was in Australia, in the Sydney Hospital. It was then I knew I was in trouble. I thought I was in a field hospital in the middle of a dessert! Little did I know!! (pop 4.5million).

I went through 6 months of rehab on my arm as the muscles froze tight from no movement. There was nerve damage and the wrist and fingers would not move. I'm glad I had the therapy on it, I have 100% recovery of my arm, wrist, and fingers. Now if I could only remember my right from my left!!!!!!

My parents chose not to tell me that I would have cognitive difficulties over time. I guess this was ok because I pushed myself to achieve a little more than I was/am capable of. I finished high school and entered college. I realized then that I could not recall text material for tests. In lectures, I would get lost and loose focus. I was able to figure out how to make a grade without relying on exams. It took more writing skills and 100% attendence, but I did it!! I have a BA in Psychology and not once did it cover traumatic brain injuries. Too bad huh.

My search for answers lead me to this TBI chat link. I always thought I was alone with this and boy was I shocked!!!!!!! This is real. I am not loosing my mind! 18 years and its nice to read your stories. I love to share and talk. If you have any Q's PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your all GREAT!!!!!!!! Keep on keepen on

John Stockwell surviving