You can take away my memory, you can take away my thoughts.
You can give me pain, give me nightmares, give me headaches.
You can take away my ability to walk, talk, eat, sleep.
But I won’t let you take my dignity.
Strong words I know. But brain injuries can take so much out of a life, and as caregivers, there are times when we feel we can only give so much back to the person living with the injury.
We can’t fix what’s broken, we can’t repair mental pathways to restore memory, and we don’t have the ability to go back in time to change that fateful day.
But we can make sure that one thing happens every day: We can make sure that when they leave the house and go on their way, a person living with a brain injury leaves with dignity.
As defined by Urbandictionary.com, dignity means “an appropriate sense of pride and self-respect; seriousness, respect, or formality in one’s behavior and bearing; the condition of being worthy of respect, esteem, or honor; the respect or honor that a high rank or position should be shown.
Respect. Honor. Esteem.
We may not be able to return what has been lost, but we can provide opportunities and set situations each day to restore their dignity. A brain injury is invisible: From the outside, some people with a brain injury look just like others; however, in situations that are difficult to handle, they may lose control, break down, or feel as though they have failed.
The support system that surrounds people who live each day with a brain injury can provide skills and moments of success. Those successes are building blocks that can be used to get you through the toughest of times. And while we can’t control the world, we can deliver successful interactions, positive exchanges, and moments of true joy as we guide people with a brain injury through their day.
Every brain injury is different; each individual is different.
But dignity can be found for everyone. Be the one to find that dignity and pass it on.
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