Tips from Brainline.org: 9 Things NOT to Say to Someone with a Brain Injury
Brainline.org is a wonderful resource for people with brain injuries. Every so often, we at Side by Side like to share their handout “9 Things NOT to Say to Someone with a Brain Injury.” Sometimes a well-intentioned comment from a family, friend or community member can be hurtful or unintentionally condescending. Take a look at their handout to learn what comments are NOT helpful!
If you are a person with a brain injury, what has someone said that you HAVE found helpful? Or what do you WISH someone would say?
Never tell someone Just Think. To me if people say that in a certain tone make me feel they are insulting me.
“Well you look fine to me”. An old boss said that to me. They aren’t there at the end of the day when being exhausted all but shuts down the thought process and makes basic speech hard to accomplish.
“Don’t you remember?” Clearly I don’t or I wouldn’t ask.
I remember someone who had had a traumatic brain injury saying to me that the brain is an amazing organ and one shouldn’t give up hope. He told me I might never be who I used to be but I be a wonderful new me and that my brain would continue to heal for years to come.
It was true!
I hate when I’m told something and then forget it less than 15 minutes later. Frustrating.
I often get reminded to use proper terms or labels for something. It doesn’t help. I have word finding problems and often have to talk around the word I want to use but can’t recall it. The result is fatigue followed by even worse volitional memory performance. So please don’t demand I use the proper term. It doesn’t get easier to recall it simply by using it.