One of the most difficult things of dealing with trauma is being heard, a brain injury is no different. Personal experience and training, lack of understanding, preconceived perceptions makes it challenging to find supportive professionals with the same agenda as a trauma survivor.
That is why it is so important to be your own advocate. Speaking up until you are heard, sometimes that may require finding a new audience. There are professionals that are prevented them from hearing and finding solutions simply because their egos get in the way. When a health care professional is not hearing the story being shared, the diagnosis and treatment may be incomplete or incorrect. An inaccurate diagnosis can have adverse effects on how supportive decisions are made by government and insurance benefits.
Standing up for yourself can feel isolating, at times, you may feel like you are on a deserted island and there is no one there to hear you. Well that is because that is how it is. There will be times, when you will have an audience to listen but the individuals that need to hear, will have their backs turned away. This is going to be some of the most difficult challenges to being heard. Getting those individuals to acknowledge your story can leave you feeling defeated. It is important to remember, to keep telling your story even when you think no one is there to listen.
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