Tissues may be required

Something happened this weekend which compels me to write.  My cousin’s son was involved in a skateboarding accident and is now in intensive care.  They are trying to relieve the pressure from his brain, and also an infection has creeped up to throw more into the equation.  Why does this make me want to write?  Well, my family went through something like this when I was only seven years old.  My brother was hit by a car, while riding his bike, out of our cul-de-sac.  His bike was launched all the way to the end of the street.

My brother suffered an ear to ear fraction of his skull, just like my cousin’s son has.  My brother was also in a coma, for 30 days.  My brother’s head was so swollen that the only way my parents recognized him was by his crooked teeth.  Not only did my parents have to deal with my brother in the hospital, but they also had to deal with my brother’s cries of pain that was due to a blood clot on his brain.  Imagine yourself, if you are a parent, and your child is crying in pain and you can do NOTHING to help ease the pain.  No one would have ever known that the boy lying on the hospital bed, head covered in bandages, was the boy everyone knew. 

This kind of thing is hard to grasp at any age, but especially hard at the age of seven.  I hardly saw my parents that summer, and the trip to Kentucky to see my grandma, aunt, and cousin, was long gone.  They were constantly at the hospital, in Chicago, spending the night with my brother.  I was shuffled back and forth, staying with various relatives.  At the time, it was hard to comprehend what was actually happening.  All I could understand was my brother was hit by a car, in the hospital, and I was not able to visit him.  Since the injury was so extensive, my parents did not want to subject anyone to the shock and pain they were feeling.

The day finally came for my brother to come home.  I can still remember the anticipation I was feeling.  My heart was pounding out of my chest, as I waited at my grandparent’s house.  We could all start right where we left off!  As my parents helped my brother out of the car, the boy who stood before me was not the same person.  My brother’s thick head of hair that was always uncombed was now shaved.  He had scars on his head that went from ear to ear.  He also had to wear a protective helmet so as not to bump or bruise his now delicate head.  My brother did not remember I was his sister, nor did he remember all the good times we had prior to the accident.  I was devastated and kind of shy. 

My brother had to go through a lot of physical, as well as speech therapy.  School was also difficult for my brother.  He went from straight A’s to a constant struggle.  Even to this day, he struggles; however, I am so glad he is around. He has a wife and I have two beautiful nieces.

I am hoping my cousin’s son will come through this with flying colors.  My parents know firsthand it will be a long road. 

Live life to the fullest and do not ever judge people for you may not have walked in their shoes.