Recovery from a brain injury is a life-long process.
Family, friends, and the rehabilitation team at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute will play an important role in this process.
Returning to work or a volunteer job may help you get back into the community and move forward in the recovery process.
There are things, however, that you and your loved ones need to keep in mind when making plans to go back to work.
It's likely that, in the beginning, you will not be able to accomplish as much in the work day as you did before, or as much as colleagues do now. This is part of recovery and will take time.
Employers and supervisors should be cognizant of these changes.
Many people with brain injuries may have problems with their temper and self-awareness, or problems accepting responsibility or criticism.
Self-awareness refers to how a person can judge his or her:
Someone who cannot recognize, or is unaware of, making mistakes may:
These sorts of problems may affect your ability to take or keep a job.
Even though you may have lost certain abilities after your brain injury, you may:
The rehabilitation team can work with you to help change the expectations of reasonable employment.