Mother to Mother - TBI

by Mavis MacDowell

Traumatic brain injury can cause dyslexia, and did in  my son’s case.  I have struggled with the “Books for the Blind” people  for years to get him the books on then tape. The answer was always, “ We need a doctor’s orders and he doesn’t qualify because he  isn’t blind.”

            Making one last attempt to get him something that would stimulate learning something worthwhile  and better than the idiot violent shows on TV, I got lucky. After sending in more paperwork  I connected with another Blue Star Mother who just happened to be  the Librarian for  “Talking Books  of  Nevada” .  We chatted a while about  John’s need for the services. Then we talked about our  military sons. Hers was in Afghanistan. I offered to put his name on the Las Vegas LDS Temple prayer roll. Everyone who goes to the Temple for  two weeks prays for the  people on the roll. I told her it worked for my nephew when he was in Iraq.   He was in  some  ferocious battles. He came home mostly  unharmed and with the Bronze Star.

            She thanked me, and has been sending my son, John very interesting audio  CDs. He is listening and learning. It may take some effort to get your  veteran interested in listening. If he has a special interest you can  order CDs on that subject. The contact information I have is for the state of Nevada. You can goggle books for the blind for your state. A good story can transport you mentally to anyplace you want to go. A good diversion.

            I am so grateful this Thanksgiving season for the progress my son has been making. His new hip enables him to stand and walk like a man. Very important for his self-esteem. He is participating in the training of his service dog. She is very intelligent. The audio books enable people to think about new ideas and places.

            As mothers we are always trying to think of ways to improve the situation.

Give  Talking Books  a try.

Mother to Mother - Neurogenisis

 by Mavis MacDowell

NEUROGENESIS  is my favorite word. I get excited when I find references to it in   scientific literature. Psychiatrists found  years ago that patients taking Depakote showed improved mental functioning. After research the conclusion was that it aided NEURAL PLASTICITY another of my favorite words. Which means that new neurons can grow in the brain to replace the ones damaged by TBI.

            Recent research looking at  neuron growth after use of antidepressants the theory was serotonin aided the neurogenesis indirectly.  They now find that after mice took Prozac the levels of a fat called Ceramide was dramatically lowered in their brains. Ceramide  is known to stall neuron growth.

            It is obvious that my son and I have  experienced neurogenesis after our frequent near fatal traumatic brain injuries. The Lord has kept us alive for a reason. I think it is to give others hope of some level of recovery.

            So talk to your loved one’s neurologist about  neurogenesis. It’s worth the effort. I am so grateful for every improvement in my son’s  functioning. He has become very aware of his progress lately and it makes us  very happy.

Mother to Mother - Service Dog Training

by Mavis MacDowell
The perils of training a service dog.  I’m sure you can avoid the pitfalls we have been having the first  two weeks with our service dog in training. Our timing was awful. I had pre-paid for the dog before she was born, waiting for the next white female Doberman to be born. I didn’t know that my son John would get a chance at hip replacement and I would be told to have foot surgery again before Obama care kicked in.

            When the dog was eight weeks old she was shipped from South Carolina to us in Henderson, Nevada. Both John and I were unable to walk well at this point. We decided not to have her ears done. It is banned in Europe and we like her soft ears. That meant she came  three weeks earlier.

            Maybe some of you have this other complication in your lives  also. If you don’t   you have something to be thankful for.   I honestly didn’t think my youngest son would give my sister John’s hospital room  #,  our unlisted home phone # and John’s  cell phone #. He did and she gave them to John’s abuser. He called all  three several times this month upsetting us all. He called our home phone from the Flamingo Hotel in town. He   told John he was coming, and it scared him. Those of you  not familiar with the Flamingo , it is a dirty, old musty, cheap hotel. So it didn’t take much imagination to  know who was calling and  not talking when my husband answered. I hope none of you have an enemy that will persist for  most of your life. John’s PTSD hasn’t been a problem since the hospital despite the  calls.  We were with him when he got the other calls  and didn’t let him  harass Johnny so he felt safer. My sweet husband has stuck by us and endured all the problems for 34 years.   We are very fortunate.    

 However this large puppy who just loves to lie on his lap every time he sits on the couch, kisses him and chews on everything is wearing his sweetness thin.  She does obey commands for; potty, sit, down, no, come and quiet. She can open doors, ( we have lever handles) climb up on the couch, look over the kitchen table to see what’s for dinner and stand up and explore the refrigerator when it’s open. She plays too rough with the   two Pekinese. Like any other puppy she has accidents. She  learned when treat time was quickly.

Freja,   is the Swedish spelling for the Viking princess of  love and war. She is getting used to her Doggles. They are doggie sunglasses to keep dust and dirt and bright sunlight out of her light blue eyes. In our climate she needs them.

The service dog trainer  starts Monday. We are hopeful this will work and  my son will have a helpful companion for many years.