Brain-injury survivor advocates for the disabled
In October of 1996 an accident changed Sandra Shampang's life. She was driving to work when she was struck by a large truck 100 feet from her employer's driveway. She hit her head on the headliner while she was wearing an automatic shoulder seat belt and a lap belt. After being transferred to the hospital she was examined by a physician's assistant and was sent home. The physician's assistant said, "Take the rest of the week off and we'll see you on Monday." Shampang didn't go back to the hospital and her symptoms worsened. She couldn't get out of bed and she wasn't able to walk well. After four weeks of Tylenol for headaches and sleeping all the time, she was in a fog. Her then-husband insisted she see a neurologist, so she made an appointment. "He immediately put me on medication and got me into physical therapy. His diagnosis was post-concussive syndrome or traumatic brain injury." The injury was caused on impact during the accident. Shampang spent six years in recovery. "I had a long working history. I was very frustrated. I had been a business owner and business manager. I couldn't remember anything." Her organic brain damage resulted in a seizure disorder, anxiety and panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She improved after her doctor prescribed the right meds. Six months afterward, she was able to drive. She hadn't driven in six years because she couldn't concentrate.
Continue reading "Brain-injury survivor advocates for the disabled" »
