Essay about Life After Brain Injuries - 1763 Words

Life After Brain Injuries: Are We Still the Same People? During the summer of my junior year, a friend of mine, we will call her Jen, got into a horrible car accident. Apparently sitting in the middle of the backseat, only strapped in with a lap belt, my friend hit her head on the side window, smashing the window upon impact. After 3 weeks of being in a coma, my friend eventually recovered. Even though she was deemed physically healed, my friend was truly never the same. Not only had her demeanor and interests changed, but also it seemed as if she had become a completely different person after her accident. I thought it very sad at the time, because the friends who had been close to her before were no longer close. I did not†¦show more content†¦However, Damasio espouses beliefs which are the exact opposite of Descartes. Damasio argues that the brain and mind are two inseparable entities and that thinking is the function of the brain. Aristotle once stated, If the eye had a soul, it would be seeing. Using this format, a soul is de fined as the function of something. If the function of the brain is to think, then it would follow that the soul of a person exists in ones mind, where the capability to think is lodged. If this mind is the consequence of a functioning brain, then it can be said that when a brain suffers an injury, an individuals entire essence is injured as well. This idea of a persons essence, or soul, changing is controversial. I believe this controversy arises because it is too frightening for a person to fathom that his intrinsic being could be permanently changed as a result of an unpreventable action. However, the evidence in favor of the premise that the mind is a function of the brain, or the brain is equal to ones behavior, is astonishing (5). Brain injury is any injury that results in damage to the brain. For many people who suffer from brain injury, the problems associated with it become a permanent part of their lives. The problems that develop depend upon which part of the brain is injured. People can lose cognitive and motor functions as well as their ability to express thoughts and perceive their surroundings. The most unnerving consequence of a brain injury can be a change inShow MoreRelatedThe Social Of Traumatic Brain Injuries1233 Words   |  5 PagesTraumatic brain injuries are so prevalent. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 1.5 billion people in the U.S who suffer from a traumatic brain injury and each year 85,000 people suffer long-term disabilities. A traumatic brain injury can affect a person’s life in many different ways including disruption physically, cognitively, vocationally, and socially. The most prevalent and persistent of all i s social functioning. This paper exploresRead MoreA Traumatic Brain Injury 1708 Words   |  7 PagesA traumatic brain injury (â€Å"TBI†) occurs when the brain is somehow injured, rattled, or wounded from an external source of force. The means of acquisition and the severity of TBIs are unique to each patient; therefore, symptoms and rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on the patient’s condition following the incident and how they sustained the injury. The severity of a TBI is generally classified into one of three categories: mild, moderate, or severe, and this type of diagnostic criteria influencesRead MoreConsequences for Sustaining a Brain Injury Essay1382 Words   |  6 PagesConsequences for Sustaining a Brain Injury Abstract The consequences for sustaining brain injury of any magnitude can have a life changing effect on the individual and the family. Whether the person is an adult or a child their life changes drastically. 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Brain injuries are the number one cause of death in people under the age of 44. Brain injuries occurs every 21Read MoreEssay on Traumatic Brain Injury1393 Words   |  6 PagesTraumatic Brain Injury Your kitten is on the kitchen counter. She is about to step onto a hot stove. You have only seconds to act. Accessing the signals coming from your eyes, your brain quickly calculates when, where, and at what speed you will need to dive to intercept her. Then it orders your muscles to do so. Your timing is perfect and shes safe. 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Definition of Severe Disabilities There are many different definitions used to define the meaning of severe disabilities, a general definition for severe disabilities is any disability that significantly limits a persons physical, mental or emotional performance, and requires ongoing extensive support in more than one major life activity in order toRead MoreThe Effects Of Traumatic Brain Injuries On Our Society1574 Words   |  7 PagesThe human brain is an enormously complex and intricate structure; however, it is incredibly susceptible to injury and irreversible damage. Traumatic brain injuries can affect any member of the population at any given moment, damaging vital areas of the brain responsible for an entire spectrum of tasks, most of which are often taken for granted. Numerous medical professionals are involved in the rehabilitation of patients that sustain traumatic brain injuries. Because traumatic brain injuries have such