Karly: “I missed a whole semester.”
Before the accident, I was playing sports five nights a week. Softball, soccer, golf, hiking any evenings or weekends I could spare. I was going to school full-time, for a PDP at Simon Fraser U, to become a teacher.
After I was rear-ended on Highway 15, everything stopped.
THE CONCUSSION
Dizziness. Nausea. Cognitive impairment. I couldn't concentrate. Couldn't hold a conversation. Couldn't retain information. My concussion was so severe, I had to take a semester off school.
Getting rear-ended derailed my life for the next 3 months. I was in constant pain. Headaches lasted all day. But everything and everyone around me was still in motion: my friends moved on, moved forward. All my classmates in the program finished, wrote the exam. Passed. Found jobs.
The hardest part was dealing with the emotional isolation. Sports was a HUGE part of my life, and to go from 5 nights a week to completely nothing...Going out wasn't an option. I couldn't be around people talking at the same time. My brain was easily overstimulated. I couldn't process voice from noise. Screens gave me a headache. I tried video games to pass the time, but those and movies quickly made me nauseous.
I did a lot of resting. I tried to be outside as much as I could. Went for walks. Visited the library. Not to read, but to browse. I took out a book on local parks. A book on identifying native trees. It felt good to stretch my science nerd muscles. I found a book on Green Timbers Forest, and all of its lakes. Pretty sure that book hadn't been checked out in years.
THE ROAD FORWARD
When I was able to start physio with Kyle, I started getting to a place where I had the capacity to exercise, but then I returned to school. That was a massive adjustment.
Looking back, I wasn’t up to doing anything for 8 hours a day. That combo of physical and cognitive stimulation—during my practicum in a school setting... the first couple weeks, I felt like I could hardly walk by the end of the day. Some days, I pulled 12 hours. I'd go to bed at 8:30, sleep 10 hours, and I was still tired when I woke up. Those long days will end after spring break.
I'm doing much better now. January was a turning point. Soon, I'll be a full-fledged high school teacher, specializing in science/math, and PE.
It’s been interesting, because I’m seeing 4 different therapists. Kyle for physio, a massage therapist, a vestibular physiotherapist, and active rehab. I'm not always up for exercising, but I do what I can. All of my therapists are really receptive of each other. They kind of do collaborative treatment by correspondence; exchanging my file notes.
NEXT STEPS
My main focus, once I’m finished my rehab program, is to spend a full month on recovery. Doing all my prescribed exercises, haha, getting out, and active in the best way that I can.
I would love to be able to play golf again, though contact sports will have to wait.
If you find yourself in my shoes, or know someone who suffers a serious concussion, tell them it's not their fault. Take it one day at a time. If you’re always looking at what you’re missing out, it’s not going to be fun. Don’t feel guilty for the things you can’t control.
You DO NOT need to apologize for your symptoms. Don’t compare your current self to your past self.
KARLY'S EXPERIENCE AT OUR CLINIC
Once, I came an hour early to my appointment. I was in so much pain; I'd thrown my back out earlier that day. Cassidy made me a nice bed to lie in, set up a heating pad, and made me comfortable while I waited for my appointment. If it wasn't for that caring, I would have been in agony. The room was quiet, dark. I put my sunglasses on, and was able to wait in peace and comfort instead of wincing in a chair.
That's just one example of the quality of care I've received at this clinic. You don't always get that extra attention at some places.
We’re so proud of Karly and her recovery progress. If any part of her story resonates with yours, let us know. We’re here to help.
