Car Crash Disaster: Coping With A Severe Head Injury

Teenagers who have had a severe head injury struggle to return to some form of normal life. This film tells the story from the high-level experts to ordinary citizens who live with this. It was a PBS primetime television special.

Debbie was in a horrible auto accident when she was 16 – hit by a drunk driver. She survived a coma but was left with a severe head injury. I got the opportunity to do a television documentary special on young survivors of head trauma/coma who were injured either drunk driving or by a drunk driver. Debbie and her mom were among the people whose stories my team filmed. Extremely touching. So difficult to comprehend, and even more difficult to figure out how to help people in this situation.

Overcoming a severe head injury, particularly after a car crash and a coma, is often a long, complex, and uncertain process. The difficulty and prognosis depend on several factors:

Mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions generally have a better prognosis, but they can still result in persistent symptoms.

More severe injuries involving significant brain damage, internal bleeding, or swelling can lead to long-term disabilities and complications.

Comas lasting a few days to a week can result in a more favorable recovery, though patients may still experience cognitive, physical, and emotional issues.

Prolonged Coma: Comas lasting weeks or months are associated with more serious outcomes, including permanent cognitive impairment, physical disability, or even a persistent vegetative state.

Long-term rehabilitation may involve physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as counseling or neuropsychological support. Patients may need to relearn basic motor skills, including walking, balance, and coordination. Memory, attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions are often affected. Intensive cognitive therapy can help but recovery can be slow and incomplete. Personality changes, mood swings, depression, or aggressive behavior can occur, which may need psychological intervention.

Debbie has done well in life given the situation she found herself in but I do not know if she ever found a husband and had children. I admire all those who work with people attempting to get their lives back after severe head injury and I admire The Coma Foundation and the other nonprofit organizations who help.

[MGMG-lcfe]

Expectations will remain different person to person. She seems to do very well with her speach and physical therapy. That short circut between having a thought or request, and being able to express it can be frustrating beyond belief. I pray people keep this in mind when dealing with individuals coping with cognitive difficulties. Often times these individuals also understand far more than they say, so be kind! Thank you for a beautiful segment Mr. Hoffman ✨

[Richieay]

Happened to a friend of mine. She’s doing better. I still visit her and cut her hair. Need to visit her soon. She lives at home with her husband.
I used to cut hair at a hospital- brain injury folks were hard on my heart but taught me a lot. Tough folks. Beautiful people.

[FranticMissyOfficial]

I lived with my brother before he passed and he had TBI. He was still himself but he had no impulse control. He hit me once and I forgave him immediately because he just couldn’t help his brain being the way it was. He felt terrible about it and our relationship was damaged because of it. He ended up moving out to protect me and later on bled out in his driveway alone due to a self inflicted injury…. Again no impulse control. The stigma placed on these poor people kills more than the disease itself. Hug your brain injured person as much as you can and don’t sweat the small stuff because you don’t know how much longer they will be here with you.

[b.boston]

Debbie seems to be doing very well today compared to how this lady described her issues earlier. I think she is bright and finds this humourous!

[septicalfrogs]

I wish we could understand how easily our brains are damaged. Trauma has made mine a literal mousetrap of chaos. I used to be smart. I used to have goals and dreams. I used to be able to think clearly. 😢

[betsylaughlin]

I wonder if this is a doctor or sister or who this is. We are all living in a state of Grace, thank you for this day for the next is not promised 🙏

[sigrunmartin]

I have that same speech impediment and wouldn’t ya know I can’t find the word for it. It’s a real struggle to know what you need to say and not be able to find the words or to have the words but lack the cognition or motor function to form them. It takes an emotional and psychological toll that’s very difficult to express to anyone who hasn’t suffered with a speech impairment

[shannadene]

I was in a car accident and was treated like nothing ever happened to me .... Over twenty years later still don't get treatment

[Knuckledragnation]

David what I want to know is how is Debbie doing today? With all do respect is she still with us, has she improved, not improved, etc….. I tried looking her up but considering this video looks like it was filmed in maybe the 1980’s or 1990’s I had no luck.
✌🏽🇺🇸🙏

[drewpall]

I being born with birth defects myself I don't hold anything against my mom or God for the way I was born It's just happened, and I've learned to live and deal with them to the best of my ability. I admire those who don't let their birth defects or disability hold them back or get them down.

Thanks, you David for the link in your description I will watch it later on. 😊

[nancyfahey]

And it's wonderful how a carnivore diet can even heal broken brains.

[StephanieJeanne]

It's one of the toughest things to understand and to fix. I'm so glad for those who work to help these people, and I'm also glad that some can make remarkable recoveries. 🩵