Brain Work

Did you know that you can re-wire your brain?

When I was young we thought that the brain was just like some inflexible stone that was fixed and therefore unchangeable.  Over the years, however, research has revealed a completely different story.  The brain is actually quite an amazing computer that can be altered.  One principle is “use It or lose it”.  For example, many of us know that if you learn a language and then don’t use it for some time, you will forget it!  But you can also re-learn it.  The brain has dendrites which are like tiny roots on a plant which either grow, forming complex pathways or break off depending on where you focus your attention.

Physically, the brain is not firmly attached to the skull so it can move around.  When I fell down the escalator, last year, I suffered what this called a traumatic brain injury.  This simply means that the brain bounced and became bruised.  The result of this was that my eyes don’t know that they are a pair and there are problems with connections between my brain and body.  I sometimes run into door jams, have problems writing or can’t navigate the height of a curb.  The other day I put a pitcher on the counter to water the plants but ended up with water all over the floor because I thought the faucet was lined up properly.  It wasn’t.

For several months, I was focused on assessment and treatment procedures for my physical injuries and therefore didn’t realize how compromised my vision was.  I just carried on, minimizing difficulties and using strategies to function.   Touching the wall or a chair as I walk, taking photos on my phone that I can blow up for reading and turning my head more rather than my eyes have kept me going.  Unfortunately, that led to more chiropractic treatments because this throws my neck out.

I have been to so many specialists and am thankful for each of them but no one seemed able to put the big picture together.  Because of this and my stubborn survival skills it took until this month to get a vision therapy assessment done.  Now I know that I have five serious eye issues and need vision therapy treatment for at least twenty weeks. 

There is a lot of good news in this story and I am so grateful.  First of all, the treatment has a one hundred percent success rate.  Once I have completed the program, my brain should be completed healed.  You can’t beat that.

The process, however, is demanding and I am already using sixty percent of my total energy throughout the day just trying to focus. 

I have Nancy, a wonderful neighbour who comes to my condo every day and for an hour we work on my exercises.  One of them involves reading alternating letters on a sheet from a distance of ten feet.  Another requires moving a ball down a string until I see double and then forcing my eyes to focus until I only see one again.  That is the most difficult as I get very nauseated.

Anyway, enough about me!  What have you been ignoring or struggling through without seeking proper assessment and treatment?  Do you think that perhaps your problems are not solvable?  Are you trying to be brave and just “suffer through”?

This week, take an inventory of all the things in your life (physical, mental and environmental) that are not working and consider getting some expert help.

Oh, and also allow those who love you to use their skills and heart to help.  Nancy gives her time and assistance every day to do the exercises.  Lorraine frequently sends beautiful meals and baking.  Wendy is such a good listener.  My friend Dave (the guy who I call brother) and I sit on what I call the “family bench” in our courtyard and he encourages me.  The prayer group prays.

I could go on and on as I am so blessed.  

They do the “heart work” by giving of themselves to assist me with my brain work and I am grateful.