Help with expensive rehabilitation treatments

Hello friends,

Two and a half years ago I was whipped with a frisbee at my brain stem. The physical impact has had long lasting effects on my visual-vestibular system.

I was at work supervising students at recess. The bell had just gone and as I walked outside a frisbee whipped the window beside me with such force the teacher inside the room looked up in shock, student’s surrounding me were also surprised st the force. The paint from the frisbee as on the window. I redirected the student to the centre of the field and demonstrated how to throw the frisbee in the opposite direction of the building, where students were actively coming through the door to play outside. I said, don’t throw it toward the door or someone will get hit. I walked back toward the building to greet the kids coming outside. It was October and the grass was wet and my hands were cold. I reached in to my pockets for my gloves and looked down as I used my right hand to pull the comforting wool over my left hand. I didn’t see it coming.

I looked up to see what had happened.

I dont recall right now where the frisbee landed on the ground but I remember 3 boys looking at my wit wide eyed and mouths gaping and asking if I was ok. I remember telling them not to worry about me as I reprimanded the student for ignoring such clear instructions. And once I had fulfilled my duties I paused and scanned my body. There was something happening in my neck. It felt like tears were coming out of my throat. I recognized something was wrong, I must be in shock, and I went in to the building.

I was given first aid, hot pack, cold pack. I sat for at least an hour waiting to feel normal. When I went to move slightly my fingers and toes were tingling. I wanted to ask my colleague for help but I couldn’t remember her name. I said ‘hey you’ instead. And thankfully I was in the company of two women who knew about concussions first hand. They told me to call Worksafe and my doctor and my partner was called to drive me home.

I was in such pain for days. Painkillers and bed rest as I couldn’t move my neck and it was hard to hold it up. I had all the classic vestibular issues, loss of balance and feeling like I was on a boat, visual disturbances. I was shocked when a Physio told me this could go on for weeks or months.

It has been over 2 years. Some symptoms have subsided and some are still strong. The emotional impacts have been hard and my nervous system carries it all. I’ve learned a lot and healed a lot. It has been a long long journey.

The financial impact has been challenging. Wcb pays 70% of my wage but did not cover my yoga income. They don’t cover 100% treatment costs. They have some equations to ensure that the injured bears a lot of expense. This creates a lot of stress around livelihood and accessing treatments.

The issue with the business of concussion recovery is that the injured has to advocate for any and all support at a time when they are unable to. the supports I get promised have been taken away from me. Despite my symptoms always having been of visual vestibular nature I have never been provided with a visual vestibular exam or rehab.

Recovery has gotten tiring and expensive.

I have lived with a gorgeous ocean view and bright and sunny house for years with no issue. I had to have blinds installed in my house that cost 3.5k with no financial support. I’ll never forget walking in to my house the day they were installed and the sense of calm that washed over me. Until that point I had no idea how dysregulated my nervous system was- all the time. The blinds are mostly down 24/7 so that I can block out glare and brightness and function better in my day to day life- doing laundry, making food, sleeping through the night, and being present to my kids.

I had just gotten reading glasses weeks before the injury. Last year during her follow up eye exam all kinds of strange things were showing up that were brain related, not optical. My optometrist refered me to a neuro-ophthalmologist who he heard had great success helping people with brain injuries. I recall words about elite athletes and Harvard studies. The caveat is that it’s an out of pocket expense, not covered by WCB.

My optometrist wrote a very detailed referral and the clinic called me within days. The manager said, I don’t want to offend you but you are our perfect patient. Based on the detailed level of information you’ve provided you have all the symptoms that we can treat. I was able to tell them a lot because I’m in the business of embodiment and very aware of subtle details. Like how when I’m tired I stumble to the right side not the left side, or how I have to close my eyes to speak when I am accessing my memory. So what is the treatment? Basically they try a whole lot of different coloured and prismed lenses on each eye until you find the coordination that relieves all sensory dysregulation. Then you wear that combo until you start to feel the symptoms arise. That is the sign your brain has rewired to its preinjury state. The lenses change as the brain changes so frequent follow ups are needed.

I’ve waited 5 months for the initial appointment. its $900. Follow ups between $200-$300 plus the cost of eyewear/lenses and travel expenses.

I am asking for support to help cover these expenses. The clinic suggested it could be $3000. It may be more.

I would be so grateful for any help in easing the financial burden . So that I can focus on healing instead of worrying about the bills. I want to recover so I can get back to supporting our community with all my heart full and creative energy.

thank you so much