4 years ago
I was so impressed with the intake process, initia...
I was so impressed with the intake process, initial meeting and efficient guidance to the right doctors to follow up on reported issues. The work/rest schedule provided was very helpful.
However, I was directed to a vision specialist who prescribed prism glasses but did not explain to me the vision issues common with TBI. I later found that the prism glasses are simply a crutch not a cure and that I had seven other issues with my eyes in addition to convergence insufficiency including double vision.
I was also sent to a hearing specialist who completely missed a diagnosis of hyperactive labyrinth which was causing balance problems and dizziness.
When I asked what therapies would be helpful for me to continue recovery I was told that they do not offer any therapy for mild TBI. I was also told that recovery for TBI was to be a consistent improvement and setbacks due to stressors in life (I was packing up and selling my vacation home due to lost in income) were unlikely related to my TBI.
When I felt like I was being written off as a psych case and being told that my symptoms were simply PTSD, I transferred to Johns Hopkins where these other issues were quickly found and I received vision therapy and wonderful counseling and neuropsychiatry services.
I have attended group therapy which was extremely helpful occupational therapy and will be pursuing cognitive therapy and speech therapy. I don't know where I would have been had I simply accepted the diagnosis of PTSD and stayed under the care of the DVBIC.
At the very worst time in your life, when you are completely lost and having profound changes that you don't understand, you need to be surrounded with professionals that do. There is nothing mild about a mild TBI. And treating it as if it's something that has a smooth course or remedy is a failure on the part of the provider.