Because your on-the-go sister was fond of playing sports without protective gears, she became a victim of a traumatic brain injury. Sadly, these injuries keep her from doing the activities she loves, like hanging out with friends and meeting her responsibilities at work and school. She pities herself at times, blaming herself for what happened and thinking of herself as the reason she suffers.
Eager to ease the pain that she’s feeling, you’re determined to support her in every way that you can. You think that this will help her survive her injuries and get back on track again. To help you achieve that goal, consider the supportive tips below:
- Don’t ask your loved one what he or she needs.
You might not have any knowledge of brain traumatic injuries and how these can affect the sufferer. If this is the case, don’t ask your sister what she needs. Instead, always be there even without her asking for it. For example, if you’re always asking her if it’s okay for you to visit, she might say “no” but actually mean the complete opposite. People suffering from traumatic brain injuries want to be surrounded by people who can offer support to them with open arms, so make sure that you meet this important requirement.
- Bring over a meal.
People who have traumatic brain injuries find it hard to cook for themselves and even operate an oven. They might not have the energy to go out and buy their groceries. This is why simply bringing meals can do wonders for them. You’re actually saving them from the stress of preparing everything all by themselves. And once you bring in meals for them, you can expect that the two of you can talk about anything. All of these can make your sister feel better and reduce chances of depression. You can spend quality time with her while taking care of her injuries – that’s a win-win situation for both of you!
- Offer to drive your loved one to doctor appointments.
Some people suffering from traumatic brain injuries find it difficult to drive on their own. So when your sister needs a driver to take her to her doctor’s appointment, make sure that you’re always there. Schedule this accordingly, so your work and other responsibilities are not compromised. If you can, go one step further by actually accompanying her into the doctor’s office. Your input about your sister’s injuries can help the doctors assess how your sister is doing or note if there are changes in her behavior associated with the injuries. This will also serve as an avenue for doctors to assess if your sister’s standard of “normal” is altered in any way.
- Get your loved one out of the house.
Before you suddenly show up on your sister’s doorstep and kidnap her for a night out on the town, ask first if she’s up to it. Ask your loved one what he or she would want to do during unplanned leisure time, but if he or she doesn’t have any idea, make sure that you have a plan, just in case. Keep in mind that sufferers might be sensitive to crowds, lights, and sounds. With this info, you can decide to schedule a trip to the spa to get yourselves manicure and pedicures instead. - Encourage your loved one to work with an experienced attorney.
Aside from the injury itself, suing someone who intentionally caused the injuries can add stress to your sister and this can impair her recovery. To ensure that your sister will not suffer from all this, encourage her to work with a traumatic brain injury lawyer like this one here.
Once your party actually hires an attorney who has years of experience in dealing with injury cases similar to your sister’s, you’ll feel at ease knowing that an expert is actually working on your behalf.
Continue to Show Support Throughout Recovery
Suffering from traumatic brain injuries isn’t easy. When a family member has traumatic brain injuries, the entire family has to make drastic adjustments in daily routines just so their loved one’s injuries do not worsen over time. He or she has to be careful in everything that she does, as one move can cause too much pain and discomfort to her.
As a person concerned about your family member or loved one, the most important thing you can do is show support, which can go a long way in encouraging your family member to live well and recover from the injuries. Take note of the tips presented in this article and in time, you and your loved one will get through traumatic brain injuries!
