My Story

The night of October 24, 2007, is the night I will never forget.  I was excited about picking up my bowling team's shirts from the tavern owner whom was our sponsor that year.  I knew I would have to be there around 6:30 pm to catch the owner at the tavern.  That night I was aaccompanied by my friends, Amy E., Rick S., brother in law, Brian, his wife Diane and my husband, Alan.  We all began to drink alcoholic beverages.  At eight o'clock, we left that tavern and went to another bar where we met up with my stepson.  We all continues to drink, play video games, and visit. Around around eleven o'clock, Amy went to my van to rest. At eleven thirty, Alan asked for the keys to the van to check on Amy. He told me he was done for the night, so I told him I would finish my drink and be right out.  The next thing I knew, a man came running in saying that my husband and his son were fighting. I ran out of the bar to find my husband unconscious on the sidewalk. I began to scream at my stepson, saying that he had killed his father, and for someone to call 911.  There was a puddle of blood around my husband's head, as I knelt by him I realized that he was alive, but unconscious.  I then heard my stepson's car squeal out of the parking lot.  After three days in ICU, Alan regained consciousness and was taken off the machine that was helping him breath. Alan had to relearn how to walk, talk and feed himself. He had no recollection of what exactly happened the night of his injury. He was hospitalized for several weeks and was reluctant to let me leave his side even to go home to get clean clothes.  Our daughter, Jen, (who was 19) also stayed with us at the hospital most of the time we were there.  When Alan was well enough to go home, I was eager to care for him.  I had no idea of the challenges I was about to encounter........That was three years ago.  The struggles continue.  I hope that through my blog, I can reach other families that have been caring for loved ones who have suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries, to share our stories, show support, share resources and most of all to let each person know that they are not alone.