You love your spouse just as much as you did the day before their motorcycle accident. Deep down, you believe they are the same person you married. However, their needs are very different now than they were prior to the crash. Their brain injury has left them with emotional challenges, memory deficits, movement problems, language difficulties, and other challenges that have affected them in fundamental ways and changed your family.
Five Things You Can Do to Help Your Spouse
Right now, the simplest of tasks may be a struggle for your spouse. Your once-active husband can no longer ride a motorcycle, do the work he did prior to the accident, or even take care of himself. Today, he cannot think about nor can he plan for the future. You, however, can help him plan for the future by:
- Talking to their doctors so you know what to expect. Since every brain injury is different, you need to know exactly how the injury has impacted your husband or wife.
- Helping them get the therapies and other help they need. Your spouse may benefit from physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy or other rehabilitation therapies.
- Helping them accept the future and look forward to it. The future may look very different than it did the day before the accident. You can help your husband or wife eagerly anticipate what their new future may look like by focusing on the positive and exciting things they can do.
- Reassuring them that everything will be okay. He or she is understandably scared—even if they won’t admit it. Their whole world has changed and they needs to know they are supported.
- Getting the help your family needs to move forward. This includes information about both your spouse's medical and legal recoveries.
With your help, your husband or wife can make the fullest possible recovery and, together, you can anticipate the future as a family.
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