Jed was just 18 when the terrible crash happened. While Jed was returning home f

Question

Jed was just 18 when the terrible crash happened. While Jed was returning home from work one evening, a driver in a sports utility vehicle sped through a red light and smashed into the driver’s side of Jed’s car. He was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital. Swelling in the brain required removal of skull bone on both sides of his head. The family members, including grandparents who drove from another state, were de- termined to not leave Jed alone at the hospital. They talked with all the caregivers to decide what would be beneficial for Jed in his recovery. His friends took turns spending time with him. Friends came to tell him about his favorite baseball team. Individuals sang to him, read to him, recalled funny stories that included him, and kept Jed up on all their activities. Jed’s 19th birthday was celebrated in a rehabilitation center. He was to be released to his home and in the care of his parents nearly 11 months later—still not fully conscious but responding to stimuli and eating and swallowing when fed.

1. Discuss the possible consequences of such an accident when and if Jed becomes fully conscious.

2. What kind of resources might be provided for family members?

Explanation / Answer

1. The injury is a penetrating skull injury which is called traumatic brain injury (TBI) whose deficits range from impairment of higher level cognitive functions to comatose states. Survivors may have limited function of arms or legs, abnormal speech or langyuage, loss of thinking ability or emotional problems. The effects of TBI can be profound with individuals can be left in long-term unresponsive states. People with severe TBI, long-term rehabilitation is often necessary to maximize function and independence. Change in brain function can have a dramatic impact on family, job,social and community interaction.

2. TBI may cause physical,cognitive and behavioral changes that can be difficult to adapt to for both the individual and family members. These changes are usually temporary, but in some cases recovery becomes a lifelong process of adjustments and accomodations for the injured and the family. People with TBI can lead joyful and meaningful lives with the aid of friends and loved ones who can provide ongoing support and encouragement. Research has found a direct relationship between a family's ability to adapt and cope with trauma and the patient's success with rehabilitation and reintegration.

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