Author Archives: constance

Before breakfast, I asked a member what activities he liked the most at the Headway Centre. To my surprise, he replied, “I love doing the dishes.” I expected to hear lively descriptions about the popular activities at the centre. Then, he commented that I did not recognize sarcasm. I thought this was amusing because one of our class discussions and a journal article by Sullivan and Riccio (2010) explored the topic of language deficits pertaining to the misunderstanding of non- literal speech such as sarcasm and slang following a TBI. Later, a staff member explained to me that I would know that I fit in at the centre when the same member would make jokes about me. The member replied that we would know that I fit in at the centre because I fit through the door. I laughed and thought that was a humorous literal observation.

I noticed the openness and trust that the members have with the staff and volunteers. I had a conversation with a member who was fond of playing pool. He explained to me that he had experienced an aneurysm and had lost most of his eyesight. Playing pool helped him to train his eyesight and some of the areas of his brain to compensate and was an activity for enjoyment. I thought his method of using a hobby as a form of treatment was very beneficial for his health. This is relative to the class discussion about methods of treatment and how a physical therapy can be more appropriate than a pharmacological therapy in some cases.

As a comparison to playing pool, here is a video from World Health News showing visual therapy methods using electronic lights and prisms.

I stayed after breakfast to participate in a musical singing session lead by one of the members who played the piano and his friend who sang the lyrics. From our last class discussion, music therapy was mentioned to cause constant cross hemisphere communication and an immediate increase in mood. During the singing session, I noticed a bit of anxiety from the members because they were shy or needed assistance in reading the lyrics. However, positive encouragement came from the staff to motivate the members to sing and read the lyrics. I think this was a valuable activity for social bonding, rehabilitation of speech disorders and emotional expression.

For further explanation about music therapy, I would like to share this Tedx lecture from a doctor and muscial therapist elaborating on the value of music for infants, autistic individuals, and traumatic brain injuries.

If anyone is interested in reading about music therapy, I read an online book named “Music Therapy and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Light on a Dark Night” by Simon Gilbertson and David Aldridge (2008). The book emphasizes that “[b]reathing is a central principle in communication and healing, and forms the basis of so many therapeutic disciplines that we would perhaps be advised to encourage our clinicians towards their breath and away from their machines.”

I went to the Headway Center expecting to be involved in a new exercise program with some clients; however, I realized from talking with the coordinators that the programs are flexible and are dependent on interests and participation of the clients. The new exercise program has not been a popular one and on the day I volunteered the clients arrived later for lunch and a presentation about community involvement.  Coordinators called “connectors” came to speak about communicating with clients and programs in the community to set up employment, health, recreation, and travel opportunities.

I had the pleasure of meeting many clients from the Headway Center and immediately noticed the friendly and welcoming attitude of all the clients. The clients differed on ways of communication.  For instance, one client was immersed in solving a crossword puzzle and was very articulate about his interest in solving crossword puzzles from different newspapers. In contrast, another client communicated mostly through hand gestures and was very playful by initiating a handshake of about ten moves with everyone. I helped this client fill out a form about his interests because he seemed to have difficulty in understanding what was written. From our class discussions regarding brain anatomy and impacts of injuries on one’s abilities, I realized perhaps the part of the brain that may have been affected by this client’s accident is associated with language. The cognitive domain of attention span may have been affected in a few clients because during the presentation by the “connectors,” some clients would appear to not be interested and would look at the floor or want to be talk with someone. On the other hand, some clients who did not prefer to communicate verbally were very expressive through other means such as hand gestures and artwork. One client has been successful in knitting and selling their products. The client has also mastered intricate bead works and nail and threading artwork, which shows that the client’s visual spatial abilities have been maintained and well developed.

From an observational standpoint, I realized how a traumatic brain injury can be obvious or invisible. I noticed that some clients required simple explanations for instructions or safety precautions and had physical impairments; whereas, others were vocal, eloquent, and did not have difficulties with mobility. Also, unfortunately, one client’s head area had a portion missing, which was an obvious sign of the physical trauma that the client had endured. With the information from class discussions about life changes after injuries, I can understand how difficult it may be for clients to find employment, how the clients have found ways to adapt or re-learn certain skills, and how a support system of friends and family would be important in physical, emotional, and cognitive recovery. I admire how the clients are positively supportive of each other, appreciate each other’s talents and like to joke with one another. I think their friendships must have an immense impact on their motivation to relate to others and express their creativity.