This is a fictitious e-mail exchange between a young adult who sustained a closed head injury and her best friend. The individual with the closed head injury explains how her life has changed since the accident. In addition, she talks about her evaluation with a speech therapist.
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Date: September 23, 2005
From: AMM212@aol.com
Subject: An update about how things are going
To: jen123@aol.com
Jen,
Hey! I just checked my mail and realized that you emailed me several days ago. I would have read your letter earlier but I forgot what my password was so I could not log onto my account. Anyways, how have you been lately? From your letter it seems like your entire family is getting along well. Unfortunately, that is not the same for me. I feel like I have become such a burden to mine since the car accident. They always have to remind me where things are, who people are, and sometimes they have to tell me the words that I am trying to say. I know forgetting things every once and while is normal, but when it occurs everyday it isn’t. Well, it is really more or less several times a day! I am to the point now that I do not even want to be around them because I feel like a pain. To top my memory problems off I was told the other day that I do not know how to behave in public anymore. When my mother took me to go grocery shopping the other day she found me trying to talk to every man that I passed. I do not know why I was flirting with them, but I know for a fact that the accident is to blame. I feel like my brain does not know how to work anymore. What should I do Jen? Do you think I will ever be the same anymore?
Love, Andrea
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Date: September 29, 2005
From: jen123@aol.com
Subject: RE: An update about how things are going
To: AMM212@aol.com
Andrea,
Hey hun! It seems like you are taking one day at a time. If you just keep doing that everything will work out the way you want it to be. Sooner or later, you will see that the time you have spent trying to remember things and all of the hours you have argued with your husband and mother will be well paid off. I know it may seem hard right now, but I know they truly understand what you are going through. Also, I know they could not live without you in their lives. You also need to keep in mind your little girl. She is getting so big now, and one day she will grow up and you will be so thankful that you are still part of her life. Just look at how big my oldest one is (I attached a picture). The time is flying by so fast! I can remember our first slumber party that we went to when we were in grade school. Who would even imagine that we would be friends forever? Anyways I just think you need to keep your head up because one day you will be back to your old self again.
Love, Jen P.S. I keep you in my prayers!!
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Date: October 4, 2005
From: AMM212@aol.com
Subject: Just another letter.
To: jen123@aol.com
Jen,
Thanks for the pictures. Your girls look so much like you! How old are they again? (I probably asked you this over 20 times now) Anyways, I have some great news. I think I am going to receive some help from a speech therapist. I went to visit one the other day. Her name was…I am so terrible with names now, but I do remember that she gave me a test to see how well I would perform on several tasks. Talk about noticing where your weak areas are. My memory is completely shot. I could not even remember what month it was or when my accident occurred. Maybe that last one is for the best though. After we completed the session she asked Mike and me if we were willing to attend therapy. I totally agreed because if she can help me improve in anyway it will be worth while. Oh my gosh, I have to cut this letter short! Mike has been telling me that I have to eat dinner for the past ten minutes. I am not even hungry! Plus whatever he made will probably taste terrible. Why does he even try? He never cooked before or at least I do not think he did! Hope to hear from you soon.
Andrea
Page last updated: December 5, 2005
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