Notes and Ideas
By Terry Morgan
Finding the positive in brain injury
Anyone who can see the positive side has paid a price to see it.
This is how I arrived at the word price. When I was 38 years old I was on top of my game. A youth Pastor of one the largest most active and respected groups in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were known throughout the states and in many parts of the world. The ministry was good, times were good, and in fact I felt like a million dollars.
Brain injury changes everything
Then on May 19th 1995 it all changed. While on a mission trip to Brazil, I fell 20 feet head first. Among many other injuries, I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. From feeling like a million dollars to having no feeling at all. From a million dollars to worthless. It has taken me 14 years and many experiences to where I am today. Which being is a survivor who now can see the positive side of TBI.
The price you have paid maybe higher than mine. For that reason, I don’t expect you to view TBI the way I do. Please allow me to share how after 14 years I have gotten my worth back.
Hypothetically my life was worth before the accident $1,000,000. To get my worth back, I have put some prices on things I consider the positive side of TBI.
- More time with family – Priceless
- Partially restored physical health – Priceless
- Partially restored mental health – Priceless
- Percentage of hearing restored – Priceless
- Percentage of tastes restored – Priceless
- Percentage of memory restored – Priceless
- Belief in people because of their response to offer help – $50,000
- Spiritual side of life increased – Priceless
- Confidence to do things again – $250,000
- Empathy for people increased – $25,000
- Sympathy for others increased – $25,000
- Love and understanding has increased tremendously – $50,000
- Aware of how much self worth is worth – $150,000
- Self worth comes from within not for something you can do – $150,000
- Real identity comes from who you are on the inside – $175,000
- Living within boundaries – $25,000
- Knowing we have limits – Priceless
- Being ok with who you are now and not what you were – Priceless
- Realizing your mental state might have changed but you are still priceless – Priceless
- Understanding you can start over building a life without some of the baggage you had before – $50,000
Priceless!
I can see now things are worth much more than before. Some things are priceless and others add up to worth I had before.
The prices I gave certain items are much too low. For illustration purposes, I gave them an amount. I’m a much richer man because of my TBI.
It is my opinion that when we look at life from our heart and not circumstances we all can be wealthy. No one can take away that away from you. It is my prayer your life will be worth more than you ever imagine. Walk with your head up and know you are PRICELESS.