I believe that I should have been an engineer. In fact the more I think about my interests and live my life, I am almost certain I could have easily been an engineer. I have an eager fascination with and enjoy designing things in my mind or thinking about how things work. Well maybe that’s why I began helping people with disabilities and then went on to earn a degree in Psychology. I wasn’t a math genius; so I began an adventure of working with people who’s bodies and minds didn’t always serve them well.

I found that I was just as intrigued with the human brain and the emotional self as I was with how machines worked. But there are similarities. The brain is a machine that runs our bodies and if part of it is broken like the car that needs a tune up, other parts sometimes compensate and get over used or under used and sometimes that car breaks down on the side of the highway. Well this was me and my life; I would get over worked or over stressed and then I would have a seizure. A big one that would render me unconscious and flopping like a fish on the floor.

I love working with people and I loved school but struggled in school. I struggled to get assignments done, to remember things I read and over all, was just an average student. I didn’t tell anyone that I had a head injury so no one would have known to help me. I was afraid to be vulnerable, to let others in; I was a broken down car awaiting my tune up. I was also twenty two at this point and the wise part of my life was just being cultivated.

I was working with people and going to school this was taxing my mind and body and things were going ok but I was not being balanced in my approach. The stress of full time work, full time school was making me sick, or should I say stressed. When you have a head injury, I don’t care how long ago it was you may be more easily taxed by things that others find very simple. So keep your life balanced. I mean this is a holistic process which I still try very hard to do but it’s not always easy.

Instead of being an engineer I became someone who studies people and tries to figure out to keep people going through their life. Now I have always found seeing other’s issues and helping them fix them is easier than fixing myself but I believe through helping others, I have helped myself too. That wasn’t even the end goal. Of course I am also a writer which is part of my balance.

So here’s a list of things to help people with head injuries that keep you balanced:
Rest, proper routine for eating and sleeping, taking your medications if you take them, exercise as much as you can but stay hydrated, balance with social life and alone time. Most of all surround yourself with things and people that fill your soul not deplete it. Stay away from negativity and always find time to be with yourself for reflection and inner peace. Follow your dreams. Last, even if it’s difficult, ask for help.

Amy L. Kratz