Hi, there! my name is Hannah Joy Sampson, and I am 7 years old. I am also a survivor of traumatic brain injury.
When I was 3, I was playing outside with my sisters, Sarah Grace and Jennifer Renee', and I happened to run after a ball that had gone into the street. When I did, I got hit by a speeding car. I didn't see the car until it was almost on top of me, and by then, it was too late.
I was horribly injured, according to mama and daddy. My brain bounced against my skull, and it was badly bruised. This is what is known as a "contusion". I also had bleeding later on in my brain, and edema (swelling) of my brain, and I eventually went into a coma.
I don't remember being in the hospital all that much, and I don't remember anything that happened after I got hit by the car; but I DO remember coming home from the hospital. I was in a wheelchair, and I came home from the hospital in a big, white ambulance. I was in the hospital for months, and I wasn't the same little girl I was before I had been hit by the car. All I really remember about that time is mama and daddy crying a lot, and all these doctors looking worridly at me. But that is about all that I remember.
I had to have therapy to learn to walk and talk again; the injury affected my speech, and it affected my balance; and today, four years later, I still walk with a cane. I also have problems with my memory and with my talking. I forget things that just happened, but I can remember things from two years or one year ago. I also forgot everything about my accident except for coming home in the ambulance after I had been released from the hospital. I also have problems with trying to remember things when I am studying or taking notes in class, so my teacher lets me tape her lessons, so I don't have to read or write what she says. It is really hard having memory loss! I also have scars on my head from surgeries I have had on my head (my brain).
I don't know if I'll always have problems, but for now I do, and I don't like being teased about my being on a cane or my walking! I also don't like being teased about my memory problems or my scars!
I sometimes look at pictures of me before my accident, and I often wonder who that little girl is, and I often wish I was the same little girl I was before I got hurt. I don't like being handicapped! :( It's not fair that I was so stupid to run out into the street after that dumb ball like I did! If I hadn't done that, then I wouldn't be handicapped! :(
It was Autumn and everything had turned to bright colors. Princess Genevieve and her best friend, Sir Bear were excited to have leaves to jump in and fires to sleep next to. They learn that they have new talents and crafts to have fun with.. Come enj
