The Reflections for Survivors and Reflections for Caregivers are tools that people living with a brain injury and their caregivers can use to improve their lives. These lists come from our experiences, our reading, and the stories and advice we collected from hundreds of survivors and caregivers.
At a later stage in this project, we will investigate how these reflections can be transformed into action.
Developing a list of reflections applicable to all survivors and caregivers—regardless of the severity of the injury and the stage of recovery—is an ambitious, if not presumptuous, task. Hence, these lists must be viewed with a number of critical qualifications.
First, not all reflections apply to everyone. Each person can pick and choose among them, selecting one or two areas to pursue. For example, an individual living with a brain injury who feels that he has plateaued in his recovery may be reminded that he can set new goals for himself or explore new activities.
Second, certain caregivers should review the survivor list carefully. If necessary, they should modify the list for survivors who have more severe injuries or who are in the early stages of their recovery. The list can easily agitate and/or overwhelm such individuals at a time when they are walking a fine line between hope and despair.
Third, high-functioning individuals living with a brain injury may be insulted by wording that appears condescending. For instance, we remind survivors to be respectful and considerate of the time and effort people spend helping them. Yes, everyone has been taught from childhood to be polite, and we all recognize this basic aspect of good manners. But many people living with a brain injury are oblivious to the sacrifices made on their behalf. This lack of recognition and gratitude can ultimately harm the survivor when his helpers feel abused and, therefore, less willing to help.